After seven seasons in Champaign, Ron Zook is no longer leading the Illini.
University of Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced Sunday that Ron Zook will not be retained as head football coach. He led the Illini to three bowls, including the 2008 Rose Bowl during his time as coach.
“I assessed the entire program and felt that it was time for a change in leadership,” Thomas said. “It is imperative that our program shows some consistency and competes for championships, and I think a change in coaches can help us get there sooner.”
From fightingillini.com:
Zook was named head coach at Illinois in December, 2004, and compiled a record of 34-51, including 18-38 in Big Ten play during his Illini stint. After starting the 2011 season with six-consecutive victories and earning a Top 20 ranking, the Illini suffered through a six-game losing streak to end the regular season. In 2007, Illinois surprised many with a 9-4 record, including a 6-2 mark in Big Ten play to finish in second place. The Fighting Illini posted a memorable 28-21 victory over top-ranked Ohio State at Columbus that season to propel them into a Rose Bowl invitation. Following the 2007 season, Zook was named the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Zook is one of only four coaches to win games at Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, and produced three first-round NFL draft picks in the last four seasons. Illinois’ 38-14 victory over Baylor at the 2010 Texas Bowl was Illinois’ first bowl victory since 1999.
But, the three seasons of bowl eligibility were also interspersed with two wins in 2005 and 2006, five wins in 2008 and three in 2009. Zook finishes his Illinois tenure with a winning record over just Indiana among conference opponents.
The school will now start searching for a replacement. The Illinois job is more enticing that it was in 2004 when Zook took the job. Thomas said the school would start the search immediately.
Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, who was head coach at Wyoming from 2000-02, will step in as the interim coach for the – expected – bowl game.
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