Ron Zook: On The Hot Seat @ Illinois?

• darbypitcher22

  

  Just wondered what everyone thinks about this because I haven't heard his name come up.... I think he's in year 4 or five and he's followed up the 9-4 Rose Bowl year with a 5-7 and what could possibly be a 5-7 or 4-8 or possible 3-9 this year.... He's a great recruiter but so far none of those guys have really done a whole lot to get them over the hump. Could he be on his way out soon?
• xnds1fan

  

  Ya think. There were high hopes at Illinois to start the season.
• Elliot Stabler

  AD already said he will be back in 2010
• woody

  Who was the player from Glenville that decomitted from OSU to go to ILL. Wonder what he thinks now.
• OneBuckeye

  

  He isn't on his way out... he recurits better than anyone ever has at Illinois, he just can't coach. He gets lucky sometimes and gets talent that can mask that and will win some years. But he can't take a bad team and make them average. And can't take an average team and coach em up and make them great like Ferentz at Iowa. But he gets good recruits.
• cbus4life

  He can recruit, i'll give him that.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Do you remember Illinois before he got their? They were irrelevant. He has at least changed that. Obviously he didn't live up to expectations this year, but I don't think they can let him go because he's actually doing a good job at Illinois.
• jordo212000

  

  The minute the very inconsistent Juice Williams leaves, the minute Illinois improves IMO. I really don't know why Zook continues to play him.
  
  But yes I'd agree, Zook's seat should definitely at least be warm.
• vball10set

  we'll see how Illini Nation feels after they beat Cinci tomorrow
• jordo212000

  

  Should be an interesting game tomorrow. I am rooting for Cincy, but I want to find out how Illinois stacks up against them. (I know Illinois is bad). Could be kind of a trap game for Cincy though
• kathyjane

  Zook is getting a raw deal. His o and d lines were horrible this year. two years ago the Juice and Zook were the toast of the big 10.
• darbypitcher22

  

  How is he getting a raw deal? And outside of the Rose Bowl bid, I'm pretty sure he's been sub .500 every year he's been there... yes hes brought them back from the dead of Ron Turner days, but only one good year followed by taking two steps back that seems to be going the same way again this year.... I know he can recruit, but sometime you've got to turn those recruits into W's on the field...
• jordo212000

  

  darbypitcher22 wrote: but sometime you've got to turn those recruits into W's on the field...

  I believe I said something similar to you about Kragthorpe the other day
• darbypitcher22

  

  Yeah I did. What Kragthorpe had to do at Louisville is much different than what Zook is dealing with at Illinois
• jordo212000

  

  I would argue that Kragthorpe walked into a fuller cabinet then what Zook walked in with at Illinois
• darbypitcher22

  

  I would say that Kragthorpe did have a better situation talent wise but Zook didn't have nearly the discipline problems within the Illinois program that Kragthorpe had in Louisville
• Hesston

  

  He may be the first coached fired this season
• Citybuck

  I thought a few weeks ago, the AD at Illinois said regardless of how they finish this year that Zook will be back in 2010.
• darbypitcher22

  

  Well if that's the case it'll probably be put up or shut up.... he better come up with a bowl game next year or it could be the axe
• Red_Skin_Pride

  

  thedynasty1998 wrote: Do you remember Illinois before he got their? They were irrelevant. He has at least changed that. Obviously he didn't live up to expectations this year, but I don't think they can let him go because he's actually doing a good job at Illinois.

  Illinois won the big10 and played LSU in the Sugar Bowl in the 2001/02 season.
• Little Danny

  

  Citybuck wrote: I thought a few weeks ago, the AD at Illinois said regardless of how they finish this year that Zook will be back in 2010.

  He did. I think it had to do with the fact Illinois does not want to swollow the buyout clause in Zook's contract. Unlike another school not to far away, they do not have millions of dollars to pay to a guy they do not employ anymore.
• Citybuck

  I saw on ESPN tonight that a very good player who gave them a verbal, just backed out and is headed to Iowa.....Not good for Zook.
• tcby99

  He needs a win today.
• darbypitcher22

  

  Which I cant see happening
• newarkcatholicfan

  

  Zook will land on his feet because he can recruit very well.
  I look for him to be an ast. at a big school in a year or two.
  No school in mind just a top 20 type program or maybe Notre Dame.