NCAAF

Embattled ex-Illinois coach working at UNC as volunteer assistant

AP

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Former Illinois coach Tim Beckman is working as a volunteer assistant at No. 22 North Carolina.

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Tim Beckman in the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Louisiana Tech beat Illinois 35-18.

UNC team spokesman Kevin Best said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press that Beckman was working as a defensive coach.

Illinois fired Beckman a week before the 2015 opener after a law firm hired by the university concluded he interfered in player medical decisions and pressured players to play through injuries. Beckman denied the accusations and said he was considering legal steps to defend himself before receiving a $250,000 settlement from the school.

Beckman and UNC coach Larry Fedora worked together as assistants at Oklahoma State in 2007.

The (Champaign, Ill.) News-Gazette first reported Beckman's role.

The Tar Heels visit Beckman's former Illinois program Sept. 10.

Last year, North Carolina beat Illinois at home 48-14 with the Illini under interim coach Bill Cubit.

The Tar Heels open the season Sept. 3 against No. 18 Georgia in Atlanta. The Illini open at home that day against Murray State under new coach Lovie Smith.