The University of Illinois (UI) fired its athletic director, Mike Thomas, despite no findings of wrongdoing on his part in an investigation of student-athlete mistreatment on the football and women's basketball teams.

Thomas' termination shortly follwed the release of the Franczek Radelet report, though UI Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson confirmed it turned up no policy violations on Thomas' part.

"Mike Thomas has done a good job of leading through recent challenges," Wilson said in a news release. "Decisions such as these are always difficult, but we have to focus on the best interests of our student-athletes. I believe this decision allows everyone to move forward."

Thomas fired UI's former head football coach, Tim Beckman, in August when preliminary results from the investigation implicated him as mistreating players. The investigation started when Simon Cvijanovic, a former Fighting Illini player, detailed allegations in a series of tweets that Beckman forced players to forgo treatments for injuries and openly disrespected various players.

The report also detailed instances of UI head women's basketball coach Matt Bollant and an assistant, Mike Divilbiss, were racially abrasive toward seven players. The players have since sued the school and the two coaches, ESPN reported.

"I understand the administration's decision to turn the page and turn the focus of this organization back on the success and welfare of our student-athletes," Thomas said in the school's release. "The reports indicate that I acted appropriately and immediately whenever I learned of any issues related to the safety and well-being of our students. However, I understand the chancellor's viewpoint that my continued presence may create an ongoing distraction for our students, coaches and staff, and I accept the situation."

Read more