With the shorter time in Rantoul (one week instead of two) it has been hard for those of us who watch for such things to get a real good feel yet as to changes in tempo and tone.

I did get to see some spring practices and some practice at Rantoul... and did notice some slight changes.  For instance there seemed to be more cases when the #1 units on offense and defense were going head to head....such as in goal line situations (as opposed to #1 unit vs #2 unit).  It think that helped the intensity of practice.   Also...the emphasis on special teams improvement is pretty evident.  Obviously the Illini had nowhere to go but up in that category.  

in both the spring practices and those up in Rantoul...Coach Beckman has continued the "competition within the competition" that I think has been fun for the players. Contests such as more accurate tossing of Gatorade bottles into trash cans.....removing stripes from the helmets of freshman who impress enough to make the varsity roster..winners getting steak...losers getting hot dogs has been a good change of pace.  ...

I get it....college football is a business...but it is just a game after all. 

It is important...but it should also be fun.

I was on the field the other day...and it looks and feels great.  Different look at midfield with the state of Illinois outlining the "Block I" logo.

From what I understand...the endzones on the old turf were beginning to have issues...and the company that was going to replace those and the turf at the indoor practice facility gave the university the option of replacing the entire turf inside Memorial Stadium as well.  So that is what they did.

Good question!

It was really weird last year how the football and basketball seasons were so much alike.  Great starts (6-0, 15-3)...and poor finishes.   Winning records...but fans  not satisfied with the general direction of the programs.

I think of the two coaches....Beckman has the potential  to be successful in the conference at the start of his Illini career...due to the upheaval at Penn State.....and the fact that Ohio State is also ineligible for the Leaders Division crown.  If the Illini could beat Indiana and Purdue in Champaign (never guaranteed in previous years)...and steal a win in Madison against the Badgers (tough to do for any program)...they would be in the driver's seat for the divison title.

Coach Groce has some key returning players (Paul, Richardson, Abrams, etc)...but what he is facing in the Big Ten is a little tougher.  Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin have all been consistently good the last few years...and now Michigan is getting better...and some think Indiana will be one of the top teams in the country this winter. 

It should be fun to watch both coaches bring their high tempo offenses and winning formulas from the Mid-American conference to Champaign.  I am really excited to see what develops.

I dont know of any reporters that cover any school on a regular basis that are happy when coaches close practice.  So Tate isnt alone when it comes to that.

In recent years...with the advent of social media...more and more coaches are finding it easier to just shut down practice for everyone.  Illinois is just following the national trend.

I will be talking to Coach Beckman just about every day during the week during football season (radio interviews, luncheons, TV shows) and so I get the opportunity to find out what is happening in practice.  If I really need to get background information...I am fortunate enough that I can pick up the phone and ask him.

I did observe Toledo games when they played...so I have an idea of what the Illini offense is going to look like.

I have started to learn about all of  the assistant coaches and have talked with some of them already.  I look forward to getting to know them better.

Thanks for your comments!

Everyone I talk to that has had some connection to Tim Beckman in the past think that he is going to do a great job at Illinois.

They all talk about his attention to detail and his passion for the game of football.  He has coached under and with some great coaches.  He certainly has a solid resume. 

I dont think many people had heard of Coach Beckman outside the Midwest prior to his hiring by Mike Thomas...but those who do know  him expect him to have a lot of success at Illinois.