Perhaps in an effort to save his own job, Ron Zook is set to prune a good portion of his offensive coaching staff, multiple websites are reporting.
The biggest name to take the fall is offensive coordinator Mike Schultz. The assistant was in his first year at Illinois, but directed a unit that finished 50th in total offense and an embarrassing 82nd in points per game.
Other Illini assistants who are likely headed to the chopping block are quarterbacks coach Kurt Beathard, wide receivers coach Jim Pry and special teams coordinator Mike Woodford.
Back in October, athletic director Ron Guenther gave a lukewarm endorsement for Zook’s return in 2010. Since then, there’s been no official pronouncement on Zook’s status, although the whispers are still out there that the ax could fall on Zook before it’s all said and done.
UPDATE 2:52 p.m. ET: According to the Associated Press, Zook will indeed be back in as the Illini’s coach in 2010. A school spokesperson told the AP this afternoon that Zook will not be fired.
UPDATE 3:23 p.m. ET: The school has officially announced via a press release that the four assistant coaches named above “will not be retained”. The full text of the release appears below:
The University of Illinois football team will not renew the contracts of four members of its current coaching staff. Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Schultz, quarterbacks coach Kurt Beathard, receivers coach Jim Pry and special teams coordinator Mike Woodford will not be retained, Illinois head coach Ron Zook said today.
Zook also announced he will begin a national search to replace the departed coaches and to fill both his offensive and defensive coordinator positions. Curt Mallory and Dan Disch, current members of the Illini football staff who shared the roles of defensive coordinator the past three seasons, will continue as position coaches.
“These are some major coaching staff changes,” said Zook. “Obviously we are not happy with the way the past two seasons have gone, but we believe in this program and its ability to rebound with the necessary decisions.
I can’t thank these coaches and their families enough for how hard they worked, for the heart and soul they poured into Illinois football,” Zook continued. “These are good, good people. These are the most difficult days in our business. I really wish all of them the very best in any future endeavors. I truly mean that.”
What assistant in his right mind would go to a program with a dead man walking head coach?
What more does a guy have to do to prove he is not a good head coach? Ron Zook is a decent recruiter and a horrible coach. He has proven that over the last 8 years.
Damn, way to save your ass. Ya DICK!
I dont give a crap how good of people they are, good people dont win football games, great coaches do, that is something that ron zook is not! Seems like he saved his job for now. No matter who he brings in the bottom line is as long as ron zook and ron guenther are still at Illinois expect more of the same failures in 2010 and beyond until they are booted out the door.