U of Illinois Fires Director of Athletics

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on Monday fired its athletics director, Mike Thomas, The Chicago Tribune reported. The Illinois athletics program has faced months of controversy over allegations that the former football coach mistreated some players. Thomas was not linked to the mistreatment, but he led the department at the time. “It’s time to put the distractions of these past months behind us and to put the focus back on the success of our athletics programs,” said Barbara Wilson, interim chancellor.