Six straight losses to end the season cost Illinois coach Ron Zook his job after seven seasons.
The Illini won their first six games, becoming the first FBS team to open the regular-season with six straight wins and close it with six straight losses.
Zook took the Illini to their first Rose Bowl since the 1980’s and last season led the team to its first bowl win in more than a decade.
Zook had five losing seasons, finishing with a 34-51 record.