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Zook prepared to take on critics

UF's new coach acknowledges doubters, says he's confident he can carry on Spurrier's success.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer

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© St. Petersburg Times
published January 10, 2002

[AP photo] New Florida coach Ron Zook meets the media.

GAINESVILLE -- When Ron Zook heard Friday that Steve Spurrier had resigned at the University of Florida, all he wanted was an opportunity for the job.

He got his chance Tuesday in an interview with athletic director Jeremy Foley.

He made the most of it.

Zook took the podium as the new Florida football coach Wednesday afternoon, promising he won't try to be Spurrier but will work as hard as he can to continue the traditions the former coach spent 12 years building.

"Dreams really do come true," Zook, 47, said. "Coach Spurrier talked about how God has really smiled on his life. Well, obviously the same thing is very much true for me.

"I'm not Coach Spurrier, I'm not going to be Coach Spurrier, I'm not going to coach like Coach Spurrier. I have to be Ron Zook. Regardless of who the head football coach is, this program is going to go on, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to go on with it."

Zook's hiring is being met by a mixed reaction.

A Florida assistant from 1991-95, he has no head coaching experience. During his last stint at Florida, he was demoted from defensive coordinator to special teams coach by Spurrier, a move he said Wednesday was a blessing in disguise. In 1995 he was promoted to associate head coach before leaving for the NFL. He was defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints the past two seasons.

"That's one of the most exciting things about coming here: Jeremy Foley is taking a chance on Ron Zook and the University of Florida," said Zook, who will receive a five-year contract. "People are going to do their best and do what you have to do when you have to prove something, and obviously we have something to prove. There's no reason why we can't just keep right on going."

Despite the perception that Zook wasn't a top choice, Foley insisted Wednesday that his short list always included three names: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and Zook. Foley reiterated that neither Stoops nor Shanahan was offered the job and that Zook was not a hire on the rebound.

"I want to tell everybody how excited I am about this hire," Foley said. "I feel about this hire exactly the way I felt when I hired (basketball coach) Billy Donovan. I see similar qualities in terms of energy, passion, commitment and love for this program. I've known Ron as a recruiter from when he was back here in the early '90s. All those things were very important to us as we moved toward this decision. I'm firmly convinced of his abilities and I believe in him very, very strongly."

Zook wasted no time trying to do that. His first hire will be Marshall offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher, a 25-year veteran who has coached quarterbacks, including Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich. Marshall ranked third nationally in passing yards per game (350.08) and total offense (505) and eighth in scoring (37.3). Zook told the players during an afternoon meeting that he will bring in six new coaches.

Though he made his living as a defensive coordinator, offense won't be neglected, Zook said.

"Let me just say this: Those of you that saw us when I was the defensive coordinator here, we were not a sit-back defense," Zook said. "We were an attacking-style defense. We were going to come at you. When I coached the special teams, we were the same way.

"I can assure you this: Our offense is going to be the same way. We are going to be an attacking offense. We are going to be an offense that makes things happen."

That may come as a relief to quarterback Rex Grossman, who has said he would decide whether to forego his junior year based on who was hired and the style of offense the new coach will run.

Zook was a master recruiter at Florida, another factor Foley cited. He is credited with reopening the door to Jacksonville, once dominated by Florida State.

Among Zook's top recruits were Reidel Anthony, Tony George and Fred Taylor.

Many former Gators praised the hiring.

"I think it's a great fit," Brad Culpepper said. "To replace Steve Spurrier, you need someone who's not a clone. Ron Zook is certainly different from Steve Spurrier. I don't mean that in a bad way. Steve is somewhat of an anomaly to do what he did the way he did it. Zook is a workaholic."

It took Zook just over an hour to win over some current Gators.

"I think I'll give him a chance," offensive lineman Shannon Snell said. "I was expecting something different. He's a people person, I guess you could say. He's the type of guy players can relate to. He's a pretty nice guy."

"I think he's going to be a fun man to play for because he seemed real positive," tailback Earnest Graham said. "I had heard about him and I knew we were going to hire a good guy."

The spring recruiting period begins Friday, and Zook said he will be on the road Saturday morning. But starting today, he is preparing to take over the program and prove the naysayers wrong.

"You need to have people doubt you," Zook said. "That excites me. When Coach Spurrier made a decision that at the time I didn't agree with, it may have been the best thing that ever happened to me. I worked myself to get back to the spot I was. No matter who would be standing here, there are going to be people that question that and that's the nature of the business. That's one of the great things about the University of Florida. People care. There are a lot of Florida Gators out there that are waiting to see."

-- Staff writer Brian Landman and correspondent Debi Jones contributed to this report.

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