New Illini Football Coach Allows Little Access to Spring Practice

Illinois and new football coach Tim Beckman will close all but a couple of spring practices to fans and news media. The school has asked reporters not to provide updates via social media when they are allowed access.

Sports information director Kent Brown said Wednesday that the school might further restrict access for all media if a reporter doesn't comply but "hope it doesn't come to that.''

Spring practices start March 7. The spring game is April 14. Only two of the 14 practices and scrimmages are open to news media and fans.

Beckman has said he would restrict access to try to maintain some degree of secrecy about the schemes his team will run.

Beckman was hired in December to replace the fired Ron Zook.