Before the start of the 2015 season, Illinois named Bill Cubit interim head coach. After it ended, he was given a two-year contract. This morning, he was fired.

Cubit, who took over when Tim Beckman was fired just weeks before the season started, led Illinois to a 5-7 record. I was surprised when he was given a two-year extension. However, why fire him now? Illinois starts spring practice next Friday. The recruiting class is signed. Everyone else has already made their coaching moves for the upcoming season. It's a real head-scratcher. Is it simply to make a statement? It might be just that.

Illinois' new athletic director, Josh Whitman, officially started his new job today. He certainly didn't waste any time making his mark. In a statement from fightingillini.com, Whitman announced, "... Bill is a good man and a good football coach. All of us in the Illini Nation owe him a debt of gratitude for his work leading our team these last months. At this juncture, however, I think it is most important that we position our program for long-term success by creating a more stable environment for the coaches, players, and prospective student-athletes."

The full statement was released on Twitter.

Big Ten Network reports that Cubit was stunned, and apparently so were his players. Chayce Crouch was just one of many who made it apparent they didn't know the announcement was coming:

Also fired this morning was Ryan Cubit. He's the former coach's son and was the team's offensive coordinator.

Illinois is holding a press conference at mid-afternoon today. Will they be announcing a new head coach? Not likely, but then who can predict what will happen next with Illinois? Their last winning season was in 2011 (7-6), but it sure seems longer. Especially to their fans, I'm guessing.

More From 98.1 KHAK