Few have been more maligned on the Illini defense than highly touted Illini recruit Martez Wilson. From his lack of a mark on the field to his off-field exploits, he's had a tough go of it in Champaign. However, much like they should be, his experiences have only gone to make him stronger, again, both on and off the field. He missed pretty much all of 2009 due to injury, … [Read more...] about Martez Wilson: Crucial to the Illini Defense
Ron Zook
Big Ten Media Day One Wrap-up, Coaches Edition
Check out that snazzy graphic above. Study it. Love it. And then realize that this is the last year that it will be relevant and current. Much like the conference expansion dominated the news after the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Big Ten's expansion to add Nebraska was the dominant topic of Big Ten Media Day on day 1. It got a little tiresome, quite frankly. … [Read more...] about Big Ten Media Day One Wrap-up, Coaches Edition
Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day
Perhaps the fate of University of Illinois football coach Ron Zook DOES lie in this year's performance. He's not feeling the pressure to win now, however, either way. "No, I don't, to be honest with you," Zook said at Monday's media day press conferences. "I think everyone that stands up here today has got pressure. Obviously some of us have more than others. I think the … [Read more...] about Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day
Ron Zook heading off on Patriotic Voyage
Zooker to Visit Troops in Germany and Southwest Asia, Coaches to visit eight countries in nine days Illinois Football Coach Ron Zook will join four other head coaches in visiting U.S. troops in Germany and Southwest Asia later this month. Zook will be joined by Army coach Rich Ellerson, Oregon's Chip Kelly, Harvard's Tim Murphy and Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville on an … [Read more...] about Ron Zook heading off on Patriotic Voyage
Will Illinois Dismiss Ron Zook?
By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt Read on as our two resident Illini experts discuss the tenure of Ron Zook and speculate on his and the University's next move. (PBanks) It's eerie how similar the Illinois tenure of Ron Zook is following the exact same story arc as another Ron, the man who preceded him, Ron Turner. Zook got off to a very rough start in Champaign, going … [Read more...] about Will Illinois Dismiss Ron Zook?
Ron Zook Explains It All
By Paul Schmidt Most of the time, after a tough loss, I take a lot of what coaches say for granted. Typically you get a bunch of coach-speak anyway, cliches abounding, and most of it is useless quote fodder. Not Ron Zook tonight. He made a bunch of interesting comments in the presser, and once again gave very little insight into what is actually happening with an … [Read more...] about Ron Zook Explains It All