Champaign, IL – Illinois has reportedly selected Tim Beckman as its new head football coach.
According to the News-Gazette of Champaign-Urbana, the Illini will introduce Beckman at a Friday news conference.
Beckman has spent the past three seasons at Toledo and has guided the Rockets to a record of 21-16, including an 8-4 mark this season. Toledo, which went to the Little Caesars Bowl last year, is headed to the Military Bowl this season.
Toledo was the first head coaching position for Beckman, who had been an assistant at Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Bowling Green, Elon, Western Carolina and Auburn since 1988.
Illinois needed a replacement for Ron Zook, who was fired on November 27 after the Illini completed a 6-6 season with six straight losses. Illinois is headed to the Fight Hunger Bowl against UCLA on December 31 in San Francisco.
Zook was just 34-51 with only two winning seasons in seven years at Illinois.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.