University of Illinois Fires Athletic Director Mike Thomas

The University of Illinois fired Athletic Director Mike Thomas Monday morning, the same time a report was released painting former head football coach Tim Beckman as an abusive coach.

The University made the decision on Thomas, who had served as athletic director since 2011, early Monday according to reports and will stream a press conference beginning at 11 a.m. on FightingIllini.com.

“Mike Thomas has done a good job of leading through recent challenges,” Barbara Wilson, the University’s interim chancellor said in a statement. “Decisions such as these are always difficult, but we have to focus on the best interests of our student-athletes. I believe this decision allows everyone to move forward.”

Senior associate athletic director Paul Kowalczyk will take over as interim director, according to the Chicago Tribune. Kowalczyk has been at the school since 2012.

The firing comes on the same morning in which reports from the Franczek Report on allegations against Beckman were made public. According to the Champaign News-Gazette, the findings against Beckman include “from calling a player a ‘pussy’ or ‘sissy’ for seeking medical treatment to encouraging players not to report, the report paints Beckman “as abusive coach.”

Thomas was interviewed five times during the investigation. 

Find the full report here