(I’ll allow Illini fans to gather their thoughts for a moment before continuing…)
Whenever 2009 coaching hot seats are discussed and debated, the conversation will usually have a good chunk of its time devoted to Ron Zook and his floundering Illinois football program. Aside from a Rose Bowl berth in 2007, the Zookster has done nothing in Champaign. Unless, of course, you consider 2-9, 2-10, 5-7 and 1-5 (thus far) a raging cauldron of success and foundation building.
Based on the sheer stank of those numbers, one would have to assume that Zook is perilously close to losing his job following the 2009 season. If not, you know, this weekend.
According to Glen Mason of the Big Ten Network, one would be wrong with that line of thinking.
Mason spoke with Illini athletic director Ron Guenther very recently, and the AD told Mason that not only will Zook survive this season, but he will be back for the 2010 season as well. Perhaps to drive home the point, Mason said Guenther was “emphatic” that Zook would return next year.
Mason went on to say that Guenther understands there are problems and issues with the football program, but believes that Zook is the coach to right those wrongs that he created.
Uhhh, sure. Whatever you say Mr. Guenther.
On a brighter note, we have may just set a new world’s record for most people in the State of Illinois simultaneously throwing up in their mouths a little bit. Especially when they are reminded of the fact that Zook still has four years remaining on his contract after this season, which likely has a huge bearing on Guenther’s steadfastness.
(Tip O’ the Hat: Champaign News-Gazette)
I am an avid Hawkeye fan and hope “Zooker” stays at Illinois. If he does lose his job, I hope he becomes a recruiter for the University of Iowa. He can recruite like HELL, but doesn’t seem to get the best out of the recruits.
Been an Illini fan all my life. Never have I seen a coach who could accomplish less with more. All the talent in the world, and this guy simply can’t get them to perform on the field. This year’s team is the worst of them all…probably because it has as much or more talent than any of the others. They play with no heart, no desire, no motivation, no emotion. On top of that, I’ve seen little-to-no evidence that the coaching staff is able to make in-game adjustments on either side of the ball. It’s like whatever game plan we come in with, we just keep doing that for 4 quarters even if it isn’t coming close to working.
It’s pretty sad that a “successful” season for us would be a 6-6 record and a birth in, oh I don’t know, the Meineke Car Care Bowl or something. Sadly, for 4 out of 5 years under Zook, we haven’t been able to achieve even that.
[...] May 16, 2011, 12:33 PM EDT APJust a piece of advice to Ron Zook: watch your back, because the man that’s had yours despite disappointing on-field results will be gone in about a [...]