GAINESVILLE - The news of Florida coach Ron Zook's firing hit Gator players hard Monday, leaving them stunned and eager to prove the decision was a mistake.
"Yeah we're p---ed off," defensive tackle Ray McDonald said. "I don't like this at all, seeing our head coach and all of our coaches leave. I mean, we formed a bond with our coaches. ... I just don't like the decision.
"Everybody is a little mad right now. But we will come out to play for our coaches. We just have to play for our coaches now and show this was the wrong decision."
Nearly three hours after the Florida athletic department held a news conference to announce Zook would not return after the end of the season, the players filed out of practice Monday night in a solemn procession.
Quarterback Chris Leak, running back Ciatrick Fason and linebacker Channing Crowder all declined to comment. Several players did not return calls to their cell phones.
The athletes learned of the decision earlier in the day, and it didn't go over well.
"It was a bad moment," said McDonald, adding that he didn't think any players would consider leaving right now. "We didn't like the change, but we're grown men, so even if we don't like it, we're going to have to deal with it. We have got to prove a lot of things on Saturday. It ain't right. No, it ain't right."
Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora said the decision stunned the players.
"I think most of them had heard before they got to the meetings, so I think they were in shock," he said.
Florida is in the midst of preparing for an SEC game Saturday against Georgia, which Zook said will be his primary focus. Whether the players can do the same remains to be seen.
Defensive line coach Jerry "Red" Anderson said the team practiced well, despite the adverse situation.
"I think they've got a lot of pride," Anderson said. "We're playing Georgia, it's a special game and I think that's the way they feel about it."
They also feel hurt.
"We're losing our coaches. That's like losing your parents," tight end Markell Thompson said. "It feels the same because we have a bond with these coaches. To lose them is messed up. But hey, it's a business. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do."
Neither the players nor coaches were sure how the season will play out with disillusioned players and a coaching staff that will be gone in four weeks.
"I wish I had the answer," Fedora said. "I don't know. I've never done it before. We'll just do the best job we can, and we're really not going to change anything."
