Illinois fired football coach Tim Beckman on Friday afternoon -- just one week before the season opener -- in the wake of preliminary findings that showed he influenced medical decisions and pressured players to compete while hurt.
The news obviously took most of the Fighting Illini by surprise, as even Beckman was tweeting about the start of the season about an hour before the announcement. Here's a snapshot of the Illini's reaction to the news:
Current Players
Will always have the utmost respect for Coach Beckman for giving me an opportunity that no one else did.
— Mikey Dudek (@MDFlash_7) August 28, 2015This adversity ain't gonna stop us! 💯
— Caleb Isaiah Day (@IsaiahDay7) August 28, 2015Our goals still ain't change the squad still tryna be champions #Letsgetit
— Marchie L. Murdock (@KingMarch2) August 28, 2015When your destined for greatness nothing can stop you! #IlliniNation
— James5Crawford (@James5Crawford) August 28, 2015This is just going to make what we accomplish this season that much sweeter. Great opportunity before us. #ILL
— Rob Bain (@HouseOfBain_) August 28, 2015I appreciate all the support I have received. Huge step in bettering athletics and in helping us prevent future wrongdoings. #Illini
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) August 28, 2015Illinois just got better !!!#illini.
— Akeem spence (@AkeemSpence) August 28, 2015Wow 😓
— Eli Peters (@the_eli_peters) August 28, 2015Crazy.....
— Antonio Shelton (@KiiidShelton) August 28, 2015