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Illinois fires athletic director after allegations by athletes

(Reuters) - The University of Illinois fired athletic director Mike Thomas following the release on Monday of a report that detailed the mistreatment of players by former football coach Tim Beckman.

Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson said while the report found no wrongdoing by Thomas, she believed that a "change in leadership" was necessary and it was "time for us to move forward."

"(Thomas) has done a good job of leading (the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics) through recent challenges," she told a news conference at the Champagne, Illinois school. "And he is the one who actually requested the outside investigations.