Illini AD Mike Thomas: Beckman's football program developing, but team needs to win

But now is not the right time to ask Thomas to take an official position on Beckman's future. The 48-year-old coach has three full seasons left on the five-year, $9 million contract he signed when he was hired. If Thomas is committed to Beckman in 2014, let alone beyond, he isn't saying.

"I'm not going to get into hypotheticals," Thomas told the Sun-Times. "You ask the question, 'Is the program developing and getting better?' I think it is. I'm looking forward to continuing progress in the program."

suntimes.com