Former Illinois football coach Tim Beckman has joined North Carolina as a volunteer assistant, a Tar Heels team spokesman said Wednesday.
Beckman was fired a week before the 2015 season opener for mishandling athletes' injuries, including instances in which he allegedly encouraged hurt players to avoid medical treatment in order to keep playing.
Beckman had two years and $3.1 million remaining on his contract when he was fired. In April, he reached a settlement with the university for a one-time payment of $250,000. He had threatened to sue in the wake of his firing.
It could be interesting when the Tar Heels visit Champaign for a 6:30 p.m. game on Sept. 10. Tar Heels spokesman Kevin Best said volunteers may travel but did not specify whether Beckman would make that trip. The Illini open their season Sept. 3 against Murray State.
Volunteers are rare for Football Bowl Subdivision programs _ the top level of college football. Best said Beckman is "not a coach" and is limited to scouting and watching film in his role. Volunteers are permitted by the NCAA, he said, as long as they do not provide instruction.
Beckman went 12-25 in three seasons at Illinois, including 4-20 in the Big Ten.
Beckman worked with Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora at Oklahoma State in 2007; Beckman was the defensive coordinator, Fedora the offensive coordinator.
Last season, North Carolina dominated Illinois 48-14 as the Illini were guided by interim coach Bill Cubit, who was let go at the end of the season. Lovie Smith was hired as coach in March.
