(Sports) Editor's Note
Zook: Recruiting
Posted by: Jim Rossow
Friday, August 1, 2008 7:44 AM
Ron Zook's recruiting has reinvigorated the football program at Illinois. It helped Florida win a national title, too.
HIs last class with the Gators, however, isn't overwhelming anyone. At least according to the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, which reviewed a class that was ranked seventh nationally in 2004. Here's the story .
Comments
Interesting article. Three main factors seemed to contribute to the disappointing outcome:
1. Dismissals/transfers, most occurring in 2005, the first year after Zook was fired. I would expect this to happen after a firing, especially if the coach was popular with his players.
2. Injuries. This is part of the game, and some classes are hit harder than others.
3. Academic ineligibility. This is part of the game as well if you take risks on talented recruits with weak academic records. Sometimes the risks pay off, sometimes they don't.
On balance, I don't think the 2004 class reflects badly on Zook. The transition from Zook to Meyer was probably the most important factor in causing the underperformance of this class.
Posted by daveporreca on August 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM
