Illinois Fighting Illini 2016 Football Preview

Mike Granse-USA TODAY SportsOver the last year, Illinois has led college football with the most surprising coaching changes. Everybody knew last summer that Tim Beckman was on the hot seat, but what was surprising was that Beckman didn't even make it to the opening game. Yes, one week before the season began, Beckman was dismissed following an investigation into player abuse. Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit was named interim head coach, which was a logical move. Much less logical was removing the "interim" tag at the end of the season, with Cubit getting a two year contract from Illinois' interim athletic director.

In February, Josh Whitman was named the new athletic director, and before…