Scratch two Big Ten coaches off the "hot seat" list.
Illinois announced Sunday that Tim Beckman would return as coach, and ESPN.com reported that Indiana's Kevin Wilson would be back. Beckman just finished his third season and Wilson his fourth.
Illinois is 6-6 and bowl-bound this season; it beat Northwestern on Saturday to become bowl-eligible. The Fighting Illini are 12-24 in Beckman's three seasons, including just 4-20 in the Big Ten. But the Illini have increased their win total in each of Beckman's seasons, from two in 2012 to four last season to six this season. Before taking over at Illinois, Beckman was 21-16 in three seasons at Toledo and guided the Rockets to two bowl appearances.
Indiana finished 4-8 this season -- including an upset of SEC East Division winner Missouri -- and is 14-34 in Wilson's tenure. This season's team was expected to contend for a bowl bid, but even with 2,000-yard rusher Tevin Coleman, IU fell short because of a rash of injuries at quarterback. Two quarterbacks transferred during the offseason and the Hoosiers lost their top two quarterbacks during the season, meaning true freshman Zander Diamont -- who was supposed to redshirt -- was pressed into starting duty for the final six games of the season.
Wilson was Oklahoma's offensive coordinator before being hired at Indiana and is considered an excellent offensive tactician. Presumably, he needs to get the Hoosiers to a bowl next season to remain on the job.
One Big Ten coach has been fired, with Nebraska axing Bo Pelini on Sunday. Prevailing wisdom is that Michigan will be making a coaching change, as well, with Brady Hoke on his way out after a 5-7 season.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
