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ANTONYA ENGLISHThe heat is on Gators coach Ron Zook to make something of the talent he has assembled or face more "noise in the system."
GAINESVILLE - Open any preseason magazine or read any publication that includes "coaches on the hot seat" and you'll most likely find Florida's Ron Zook on the list.
Back-to-back 8-5 seasons and consecutive Outback Bowl losses have many believing Zook may have serious problems if he doesn't turn things around in 2004.
But here's the reality: Zook's job isn't in jeopardy this season. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley extended Zook's contract through 2008 this year and has continued to be his most ardent supporter through good and bad times.
What is on the line is opportunity: Zook's chance to stifle what he coined "noise in the system" - fans, alumni and critics who have hounded him since the day he took over in January 2002.
And what is on the line is a chance to prove that the people who questioned whether he was the right man for the job were wrong. Zook needs a big season to finally get the majority of fans in his corner once and for all.
He knows it, too.
"Expectations are very high," he said. "It's going to be important that we improve. Our players understand the expectations and what they have to do to reach them. ... There's nothing you can do (about being on the hot seat). It's the nature of the beast and the way it is."
When he took over three years ago, all Zook asked for was a chance: to bring in his own recruits, to settle his coaching staff and to implement his system.
All of those elements are in place. So is it fair to say this is a pivotal year for Zook?
"Absolutely," said Lee Corso, college football analyst for ESPN. "He's lost five games a year for two years, plus the fact they have not won a bowl game - that's not good. I think it's a big year for those guys. I don't have any idea what the expectations are, but he has to have a really good year, I think, because I think they will really be all over him."
Some signs are positive for Zook. The players are, for the most part, his. His close assistant, Larry Fedora, has taken over as offensive coordinator and spring and fall preseason drills shown the Gators to be a quicker, more explosive offense. Fedora watched as former offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher was highly criticized last season and knows what's at stake.
"When you come to the University of Florida, there's pressure," Fedora said. "When you wake up in the morning or go to bed at night, you're always expected to win."
With players in the system for three years and the coaching staff intact from last season, things are stable heading into the 2004 season.
"The fact that the players know the coaches and the coaches know the players makes everything much more comfortable," Zook said.
The expectations may be even greater thanks to a favorable schedule that is ranked just fifth toughest in the SEC and 14th in the nation. Florida's first two opponents are among the bottom five in Division I-A schools in several preseason publications, and the Gators will play five of their first six games at home, including LSU, Arkansas and Kentucky.
"It's a real different feel around here," junior running back Ciatrick Fason said. "We know it's time to make something happen around here and we know we have the talent to do that. After having two down years, Coach Zook has just told us to stay focused."
Florida returns eight starters, including All-SEC freshman quarterback Chris Leak (2,435 yards, 16 TDs), who is being mentioned among the early Heisman candidates. Its the first time Zook has had a returning quarterback. The Gators have lots of talent at running back with Fason, DeShawn Wynn and Skyler Thornton, and its offensive line returns seven players with experience. Offensive lineman Jonathan Colon said the players have grown closer over the past few months because they know how much is at stake.
"This year it's been a special year in the offseason," Colon said. "We're closer, the coaches are closer with us, the coaches understand us and we know what the expectations are. And it's kind of a family thing going on. It's a unity I see this year that I think is going to take us to much better places."
While Florida is experienced on offense, youth is an issue on defense. The Gators are solid at linebacker, led by SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year Channing Crowder, but must replace all four starters in the secondary. Linebacker Travis Harris said the players, particularly the veterans, understand that many fans and critics may take a now or never approach to the Gators this season.
"Coach Zook is like a father to us and we're not going to let anything happen to him," Harris said. "When people talk about him, say things about him, it's like saying things about us. We know about the expectations and we're ready to show people what this team is about and how good Coach Zook is."
Zook said this team is much more athletic than any he's had in the past, and he has a lot of confidence in their ability.
Whether that translates into wins remains to be seen. The players seem confident it will all work out.
"We feel like since all of us have played under Coach Zook, we all came under Coach Zook as his recruits, that we've jelled better than we did the past two years and that's helping out a lot," Fason said. "All of us are out there trying to win because 8-5 just doesn't look good. But we feel like we're going to be real successful this year. We're ranked No. 11 in one poll (AP) and No. 10 in another (ESPN/USA Today) now we just have to go out there and prove to people that we're worthy of that."
Everybody's watching.