Should Ron Zook's Seat Be Getting Warm?

In 2007, Ron Zook and the Illinois Fighting Illini football team shocked the nation and angered their neighbors across the Mississippi River by being invited to the Rose Bowl.  Though the result was a 49-17 drilling by Los Angeles' only professional football team, the USC Trojans, the season was seen as an breakthrough for Zook and the program.

17 months later, should Ron Zook's seat in Champaign be getting a little warm?  Last year's version of the Illini had more talent than most teams they played, yet struggled, finishing 5-7 and missing a bowl game for the fourth time in Zook's five year tenure. 

It is argued by many that Zook should be given time, because the cupboard was so bare when he got there.  How much time does he get though? After five years all the players on the roster are his, and none can be blamed on Ron Turner's complacency on the recruiting trail.

Still others will argue that Illinois' surprise run to the Rose Bowl two years earned him more time.  Zook recruits better than just about anyone Illinois has ever had, and fans love seeing their guys getting drafted and playing on Sundays. 

But, with all this talent, shouldn't these Illini teams be performing better on the field?  Zook's teams make far too many dumb mistakes and have less than acceptable special teams play. 

But, the most maddening thing to many of the Illini faithful is the propensity of Zook's teams to win games they shouldn't (2007 against Ohio State, 2002 against Georgia, and 2003 against LSU), and lose games that they have no business losing (2004 against Mississippi State, 2006 against Ohio, 2008 against Western Michigan).

You can't consider Zook's job security without thinking about his past.  His career at Florida was marred with the same inconsistency that Illini fans are seeing in Champaign.  Zook's knock was always that he wasn't a very good coach, despite being a tireless and phenomenal recruiter. 

Zook was run out of Florida, who went on to win a national championship with Zook's recruits, but a different and clearly better coach. Illinois has to be asking themselves if the same thing is possible in Champaign.

When Zook arrived in Champaign, the talent level needed a serious upgrade, so he brought in assistants that were strong recruiters, but less accomplished coaches.  For the first time in his tenure he had several spots on his staff that needed to be filled.

He responded by filling these holes with coaches who are more technical and less known for their recruiting prowess.

So, should Ron Zook's seat be getting warm?  It all comes down to this season.  A senior, four-year starting quarterback and one of the best receiving corps in the nation, including possibly the best WR in the nation, Arrelious Benn. 

There is no reason that this year's Illini should not go to a bowl game.  They will once again have more talent than just about every team they play, short of Penn State and Ohio State.  They have a tough beginning to the season with Missouri, Ohio State, and Penn State all within their first four games.

Also, Ron Guenther continues to do the Illini no favors, scheduling Fresno State and Cincinnati at the tail end, with Cincy being on the road.  Again, this year the Illini will get only six home games, while the majority of Big Ten teams play seven or eight.

Still, there is no reason this team should not be playing in late December or early January.  If Illinois is sitting at home yet again during the Christmas season, then perhaps Coach Zook will need to start booking U-Haul's and finding a new realtor. 

Maybe Zook will need to start looking at Conference USA or the WAC, where a higher level of talent can win games regardless of the competency of the head coach.  Or, perhaps Zook and the Illini will go bowling and the Illini football program can begin to reach the heights possible with the talent level on campus.

Either way, Zook needs to know that this year is key to his continued presence in East Central Illinois.  Go bowling and fans will relax, settle in, and keep believing.  Miss a bowl and www.fireronzook.com may get fired up again—this time from a server located north of the Mason-Dixon Line.