Fired in mid-November as Western Michigan’s head coach after nearly a decade at the school, Bill Cubit has officially landed on his coaching feet.
Illinois head coach Tim Beckman announced Monday that Cubit has been hired as his new offensive coordinator. Cubit will coach quarterbacks as well.
It was announced earlier this month that co-offensive coordinator Chris Beatty would not be retained, while the other co-coordinator, Billy Gonzalez, has been reassigned as wide receivers coach.
“I am very excited to have an experienced coach like Bill Cubit join the Illini football staff as he has always been known to have an outstanding football mind,” said Beckman in a statement. “I’ve known Bill and coached against him for several years. He has had many extremely productive offensive teams during his career. Bill has called plays for many years as an offensive coordinator and as a head coach, and has developed several outstanding quarterbacks.”
Cubit spent eight years at WMU, compiling a 51-47 overall record. He’s also been a coordinator at Stanford (2003-04), Rutgers (2001-02), Missouri (2000) and WMU (1998-99).
This will mark Cubit’s first stint as an assistant in the Big Ten.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity join Tim Beckman here at Illinois,” Cubit said. “I have a lot of respect for him and his teams. I’m enthused about joining a great staff and being a part of the Illinois football tradition. I look forward to getting to work immediately and competing for a Big Ten championship.”