They were led by interim head coach Bill Cubit, and played their home games at Memorial Stadium.

On August 28, 2015—one week before the start of the regular season—head coach Tim Beckman was fired after an internal investigation found that he had made efforts "to deter injury reporting and influence medical decisions that pressured players to avoid or postpone medical treatment and continue playing despite injuries."

[1] A few hours before the final game of the season, Cubit had the "Interim" removed from his title and was named permanent head coach.

It was an appointment that would last only one game, as Cubit was removed during the following off-season by new Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman, on the day Whitman officially assumed the role, in favor of former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith.

[2] The Fighting Illini hosted three of their four non conference games against Kent State, Middle Tennessee and Western Illinois.