Bill Cubit was fired as Illinois football coach on Saturday just three-plus months after he signed a two-year contract.
Cubit guided the Fighting Illini to a 5-7 record on an interim basis last season after taking over just before the start of the season when the school fired Tim Beckman.
New Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman began his duties on Saturday and he immediately made his first big decision by firing Cubit.
“I appreciate the leadership that Bill Cubit provided our football program during what has been, unquestionably, a very tumultuous time,” Whitman said in a statement. “He accepted the challenge on an interim basis under incredibly difficult and unusual circumstances, and he has continued to work diligently for the betterment of our student-athletes. Through his efforts, he has kept the program moving forward.
“Bill is a good man and a good football coach. All of us in the Illini Nation owe him a debt of gratitude for his work leading our team these last months. At this juncture, however, I think it is most important that we position our program for long-term success by creating a more stable environment for the coaches, players, and prospective student-athletes.”
Cubit told reporters he was not provided with a reason for his dismissal.
“Everybody told me I had this year,” Cubit said. “There’s a lot of shock going on. I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a funny place.”
Illinois has been a place loaded with turmoil over the past year.
Beckman was fired as football coach in August because of allegations that player safety was being compromised. Allegations of mistreatment of players in the women’s basketball program also arose and previous athletic director Mike Thomas was fired in November.
Cubit will receive his full pay for the 2016 season — his remaining balance owed is $985,000. His son, Ryan, the offensive coordinator, also was dismissed.
Illinois was slated to begin spring practice on March 11, but the school said the sessions will be delayed until a new coach is hired.