Bill Cubit, Illinois Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The University of Illinois removed the interim tag from Bill Cubit Saturday by signing him to a two-year deal that officially made him the head football coach of the Fighting Illini.

The school announced the decision in a press release and revealed that the 62-year-old former head coach at Western Michigan will earn $1.2 million per season.

According to the release, interim athletics director Paul Kowalczyk praised what Cubit has done since stepping in for Tim Beckman, who was fired prior to the season due to alleged mistreatment of players:

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Bill has stepped in during an extremely difficult period and done an outstanding job in leading our football program since August. Our student-athletes have responded in a positive manner and we feel he is the best person at this time to be the head coach. We wanted to allow Bill to make decisions regarding the program as the head coach without the interim title, and lead the Fighting Illini into Saturday's game without speculation.

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ESPN.com's Tom VanHaaren believes it is a positive move for Illinois in terms of establishing some level of familiarity moving forward:

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports isn't so sure, though:

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I’ve seen some people say giving Bill Cubit a two-year extension would be “smart.” I’m yet to see anyone explain what would make it smart.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 26, 2015"

The Fighting Illini are 5-6 this season, and they have a chance to become bowl-eligible if they can upset No. 17 Northwestern at home Saturday.

Cubit went 51-47 during his previous stint as a head coach at Western Michigan, and he led the Broncos to three bowl appearances.

He served as an offensive coordinator at Illinois in 2013 and 2014 before becoming interim head coach just prior to the 2015 season, and the Fighting Illini brass were impressed enough with his performance to keep him on board.

Cubit has done well under very difficult circumstances, but a two-year deal doesn't give him a great deal of security.

It appears as though he is working under a trial run, which means there will be a great deal of pressure on his shoulders to show marked improvement in 2016.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.