$48,000 Payout For Illinois Coach Who Left Amid Allegations
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - A newspaper says the University of Illinois gave a more than $48,000 payout to a former assistant women's basketball coach who left amid accusations that players were mistreated.
The Champaign News-Gazette says it used a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain details of the confidential separation agreement.
Mike Divilbiss signed the agreement May 18, stating that he was leaving voluntarily out of "his own best interests."
The deal gave him the equivalent of three months' salary and health insurance costs.
Parents of former players alleged in April that Divilbiss and the head coach verbally abused players and created racial tension on the team.
A public records listing for Divilbiss did not include a phone number, and The Associated Press could not reach him for comment on Saturday.
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