other Illinois football coach has departed the program. Illinois announced today that inside linebackers coach Mike Ward will not be returning to the team.

This follows the departure of special teams coordinator Alex Golesh, who left for Iowa State Tuesday.

Golesh and Ward both spent four years on Illinois’ staff, coming from Toledo with former head coach Tim Beckman.

The turnover comes in the wake of a year of scandal for the football program that saw Beckman fired a week before the season’s start and Athletic Director Mike Thomas stepping down Nov. 9. Bill Cubit was hired as interim head coach and the University announced a two-year deal with Cubit this past week.

It has not been announced where Ward will next be headed.

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