Two-year deal has been in works, so forget ex-coach, school says.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published January 9, 2004
GAINESVILLE - In the midst of rumors about Florida football coach Ron Zook's job status and fan Web sites pushing for the return of Steve Spurrier, athletic director Jeremy Foley wanted to make one thing perfectly clear: He's solidly behind his embattled coach.
On Thursday, Foley handed Zook a two-year contract extension hoping to end speculation that Zook's job is in jeopardy. The contract runs through the 2008-09 season, but no additional compensation was given. Zook's contract, including incentives, is worth about $1.1-million annually.
"I got the question asked today is this in response to (Spurrier resigning from the Redskins) and it wasn't," Foley said. "It's been in the works for a while."
Zook, 49, said he wasn't lobbying for an extension, but he'll take it.
"Obviously I'm excited about it," he said. "I'm honored and privileged to be the head football coach at the University of Florida. It makes you feel good that your bosses see that you're doing the right things, you're going in the right direction, as this program is."
The move comes on the eve of the first big recruiting weekend of the year, which Foley said isn't a coincidence. But he acknowledged the extension doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.
"Obviously we haven't ended the way we'd like," Foley said. "Certainly we want to be in Atlanta (SEC championship). But do I think the program has made progress? Yes. Do I think it's moving in the right direction? Yes. I think that's why you do these types of things. It's no different than what we did for Billy Donovan after his first two years; we extended his contract each of those two years because we liked what he was building. We feel the same under Coach Zook.
"We think this thing is building and I think it's important to send that message to recruits, I think it's important to send that message to Ron and his staff. We're moving this thing forward and to do that you've got to show commitment and that's what the University of Florida is doing."
Zook is coming off consecutive 8-5 seasons, having lost his final game in the Outback Bowl, but Zook and Foley said it's important not to overlook the positives, including winning three consecutive road games against ranked opponents. In adding two years to the contract, Foley keeps Zook on a five-year cycle, which is the general protocol for coaches at UF.
"It's comforting (to know for certain he'll be around), but ever since Coach Zook got here we knew he was on the right track and he's our leader," center Mike Degory said. "I guess it's now in writing, but from a team standpoint and from a leader standpoint, we're with him regardless."
If Zook is fired for cause, he'll receive one month's worth of his $212,180 base salary; if dismissed without cause, he's entitled to his base salary for the remainder of his contract.
WOODFORD OUT: Zook confirmed he will not renew the contract of Mike Woodford as defensive backs/special teams coordinator.
"It's something that was based on a two-year evaluation," Zook said. "It was very hard for me to do because Woody and I go back 20 years. We've been best friends, but it was something I felt was important for us to do for our football team to get where it needs to go."
Zook said he'll take his time finding a replacement.
