Source: Beathard resigns, Dicken promoted to OC at Illinois State

Illinois State wide receivers coach Billy Dicken has been promoted to offensive coordinator for the Redbirds, according to a source.

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Illinois State wide receivers coach Billy Dicken has been promoted to offensive coordinator for the Redbirds, according to a source. 

Dicken will take the place of former OC/quarterbacks coach Kurt Beathard, who has resigned due to family health issues, according to a source. 

In two seasons with Illinois State, Beathard led the team to establishing 15 single-season school records, including points, total touchdowns, total offense yards and rushing yards. Before joining the Redbirds, he made stops at Youngstown State, Gardner-Webb, Eastern Kentucky, Bucknell and Western Carolina. 

A former quarterback at Purdue, Dicken is entering his third season with Illinois State, having served under Beathard and head coach Brock Spack in his first two. Before, he spent four seasons as a full-time assistant coach at Illinois Wesleyan, including as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2013.

The fourth-ranked Redbirds finished the 2015 season with a 10-3 record and a second straight MVFC championship before falling to No. 3 Richmond in the FCS quarterfinals.