U of I Football Coach Punishes Players With Porridge
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Mar 8, 2012 10:50PM
University of Illinois Football coach Tim Beckman is using some unusual discipline tactics try to crack down on misbehaving players. Those who didn't follow the rules ate porridge while the 21 players and four coaches who followed the rules were rewarded.
Those who followed the rules, arriving at classes 10 minutes early and never missing a rep during winter workouts, were treated to steak and eggs at the "All-In Banquet." Those who missed a beat were treated to an Oliver Twist breakfast.
Beckman himself was stuck with a porridge breakfast, too, since he missed a meeting. He calls it "Illini Time," insisting that if players are not 10 minutes early, then they're late. That goes for classes, practices, everything.
After a mediocre 8-8 finish last season, the school bought coach Ron Zook out of his contract and hired Beckman from University of Toledo to get the team back in shape.