The best and worst of the Mike Thomas era. Thomas was removed by Illinois on Monday:
Highlight: His first football team in 2011 started the season 6-0
Lowlight: The first season ended 7-6, including six consecutive losses. Thomas fired Ron Zook.
Highlight: Thomas found his man to replace Zook, Tim Beckman from Toledo.
Lowlight: Thomas fired Beckman after preliminary report on an investigation into the Beckman program.
Highlight: Thomas picked John Groce to replace Bruce Weber, and Groce’s first team qualified for the NCAA Tournament.