Lovie Smith broke a major Illini football streak when he became head coach of the Houston Texans. Smith became the first former Illini head coach since John Mackovic in 1991 to move up in the world after his time in Champaign was through. Five of the six men in between them moved down the vocational ladder, with the other making a lateral move. So for now at least, you can … [Read more...] about Where Ex-Illini Football Head Coaches Are Now: Lovie, Zook, Turner
Ron Zook
Illini Football Replaying Their Unfortunate History
The Illini football program just seems allergic to consistent success. The last time Illinois went to back-to-back bowl games was 2010-2011, and that was with two six-win regular seasons. The last time Illini football went bowling to consecutive years before that was 1991-1992, and again, it was with two six-win regular seasons. So there have been times when Illini Football … [Read more...] about Illini Football Replaying Their Unfortunate History
So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
A funny thing happened on the way to Illinois cleansing and ridding itself of the Ron Zook era. Honestly, as someone who has written numerous pieces for The Sports Bank about how much Zook needed to be fired over the years, I just didn't see it coming. I felt bad. I really did. (guest post from Paul Schmidt) There's a fundamental problem with dancing on the grave … [Read more...] about So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
Ron Zook Fired! Illini A.D. Addresses Media (Video)
You look at the pic above and think "what does a celebration from the Illinois Fighting Illini 2004-05 college basketball season have to do with this?" The long overdue firing of the school's college football coach Ron Zook. Well, when I searched for google images of "Illini celebration," it was all hoops images. (which says something about why the Zooker is being … [Read more...] about Ron Zook Fired! Illini A.D. Addresses Media (Video)
Which Illini Coordinator Gets Ron Zook’s (Interim) Job?
In 2009, a very underachieving Illini football team finished 3-9. Picked as high as third by some Big Ten and college football pundits, the horrible record was nothing short of a catastrophe for the resume of Ron Zook and the Illinois program. Or so I thought. Logic dictated then Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther can Zook then and there. Unfortunately, Guenther had … [Read more...] about Which Illini Coordinator Gets Ron Zook’s (Interim) Job?
5 Biggest Reasons Illinois Should Fire Ron Zook Next Sunday
The main story surrounding the Illinois Fighting Illini losing 28-17 to the Wisconsin Badgers today is the fact that Illini Head Coach Ron Zook is a "dead man walking." New Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas said he won't make a decision until after the season is over, so I wouldn't expect to hear anything concrete until after the season's final game- next Saturday at … [Read more...] about 5 Biggest Reasons Illinois Should Fire Ron Zook Next Sunday
Ron Zook Asked About Job Security; Walks Out of Media Session
Sometimes I forget that Illini football coach Ron Zook means something different to me than he does to the rest of the nation. I regard him as the college football coach at my alma mater, the University of Illinois. Sure, I take issue with a lot of his play-calling, and the way he defends his play-calling to the media (especially after the Western Michigan game, when his bad … [Read more...] about Ron Zook Asked About Job Security; Walks Out of Media Session
Why the Illini Will Win More Games than Notre Dame
You're like, "ok Captain Obvious." Not so fast my friend, I was saying this in August too. I thought my local media friends would find that assertion crazy given all the BCS preseason hype Notre Dame was getting, and the fact that Illinois was getting zero votes in either poll. But the truth is Notre Dame is 2-2, and very mediocre, while the Illini are this year's … [Read more...] about Why the Illini Will Win More Games than Notre Dame
Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Fans of the Florida Gators will understand this piece. Actually non college football fans will probably understand it even. It feels like we publish this column every season. Last year, we did the "Did Ron Zook's play-calling cost Illinois a win?" story after the Illini had a chance to upset then #2 Ohio State at home in the Big Ten conference opener. Go here to brush up … [Read more...] about Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Mikel Leshoure to Rashard Mendenhall Comparisons Running Wild Now
Given that they are/were both Illinois Fighting Illini, wore the same jersey number, played the same position, and didn't break out until their junior year (and when they broke out, they really did it in style) it's inevitable to compare current Illini tailback Mikel Leshoure to current Pittsbrugh Steelers star running back Rashard Mendenhall. Heck, I wrote a column about it … [Read more...] about Mikel Leshoure to Rashard Mendenhall Comparisons Running Wild Now