Illinois elected to keep Bill Cubit for two more years. Some of his assistants, however, did not get that kind of backing.

The team announced on Wednesday that special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Alex Golesh and inside linebackers coach Mike Ward are no longer a part of the Fighting Illini coaching staff.

Both had served on Illinois’ staff for the last four years and worked with former Illini coach Tim Beckman at Toledo.

Despite its five-win mark, Illinois ranked 32nd in FBS in total yardage allowed with Ward at the helm. T.J. Neal underwent a breakout season for the Illini, and will return for a unit that loses one of the program’s all-time best linebackers in Mason Monheim.

The school is expected to begin a national search immediately.