Boston College football Coach Jack Bicknell, reportedly...

Boston College football Coach Jack Bicknell, reportedly at the top of a short list of candidates for the head coaching job at Illinois, said he informed Illini officials that he would not accept the post if it were offered.

“What I’m saying is if they did offer, I wouldn’t be in the position to entertain the offer because of the timing of things,” Bicknell said. “Our recruiting signing date is in February, and Illinois couldn’t hire until February, so it wouldn’t be right for me to get involved with the job at such a critical time.”