Former Illinois coach Tim Beckman now a volunteer at UNC

Almost a year after being fired at Illinois, coach Tim Beckman has found another job.

According to the News-Gazette, Beckman has joined the North Carolina staff as a volunteer assistant with the defensive staff. North Carolina officials confirmed the report.

Beckman was fired last August after an external review into allegations found he discouraged players from reporting injuries. At the time, athletic director Mike Thomas stated that Beckman was terminated “based on the health and well-being of our student-athletes” and that “the findings don’t reflect the culture we are building with Illinois athletics.” Thomas was fired months later.

Beckman, who went 12-25 overall with the Illini and 4-20 in Big Ten, denied the allegations.

North Carolina coach Larry Fedora and Beckman do have a history as they worked together at Oklahoma State in 2007.

Beckman isn’t the first coach fired for abuse to find new employment. Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino, former South Florida coach Jim Leavitt and former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach all found new employment years after their incidents. But Beckman being back on the coaching scene so soon, especially after such severe allegations definitely raises eyebrows.

Fedora is scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday afternoon.

Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday