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Post by coachcb on Nov 11, 2007 13:45:36 GMT -6
I know we've talked about Ron Zook before; but WOW. This guy is incredible, the job he has done @ Illinois is phenomenal.
To go from getting in the middle of a season to beating OSU; I'm amazed.
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Post by wildcat on Nov 11, 2007 14:23:05 GMT -6
You can't say enough about what he has done down at Chambana. What was so neat about yesterday's win is that you saw that Zook is a darn good coach. You hear that he is a great recruiter but only an average coach. Well, yesterday, Zook and his coaches outcoached Jim Tressel and his coaches. Zook was a play or two ahead of Tressel all day.
Going for it on that 4th down in the 4th Quarter after Tressel spent a timeout was a tough and gutsy call by Zook...and that 8-minute, 16-play drive...all running plays...simply outstanding execution.
Can't wait for the spring clinic!
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Post by coachcb on Nov 11, 2007 14:26:47 GMT -6
I liked everything about that game; Zook has done an excellent johb of recruiting, coaching and developing a relationshipn with his athletes. Those kids about at Illinois seem to really respect to the guy and respond to his style of coaching.
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Post by coachcb on Nov 11, 2007 14:28:04 GMT -6
Yeah; let me know wildcat; I may have to get a plan ticket and fly out to Illinois for that one.
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Post by wildcat on Nov 11, 2007 15:06:52 GMT -6
Will do...
As far as the relationships with the kids go...did anyone see him talking to Juice after the game? Juice was in tears and Zook was hugging him and said, "Remember what I told you 2 years ago...I told you that things were going to be different." Then Juice was just balling his eyes out and kept saying, "Yeah, you did, Coach...thank you coach". I just thought that was awesome...you can just see how much those kids believe in Coach Zook and trust and respect him.
Big thing now is to not allow a let-down next week against a decent NW team. Illinois had a big win against Penn State earlier this year and then laid a egg against a mediocre Iowa team the next week. Can't let that happen this week...
I remember when Ron Turner led the Illini to a Big Ten championship back in 2001. The problem was that Turner couldn't translate that on-field success to recruiting success and Illinois continued to lose top in-state talent to Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. I don't think that will be a problem with Zook. Could be a changing of the guard in the Big 10...
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