Zook’s first 4 years similar to success stories
Judging the Illini’s just completed 5-7 season is a tricky proposition.
If your judgment is completely based on the team’s 9-4/Rose Bowl season, you certainly expected better. If your judgment is based on where this program was upon Zook’s arrival and the theory that the 2007 season was beyond anyone’s wildest expectations, 5-7 might not seem so far out of line.
“Obviously we underachieved, which is the worst thing you can say to a football coach,” Zook said this week. “Maybe we overachieved last year and got a few breaks we didn’t get this year.”
Zook’s repeated comment that the team was better than it was performing won’t get many arguments. But how much better should the Illini have been? Take a look at some recent history, and it would appear that fans who are calling for his head are out of touch.
I researched a few situations where coaches took over programs that were perennial losers, and there is a trend that I can’t explain, but it’s interesting nonetheless. The fourth year was not particularly good to any of these coaches but it was a stepping stone to something bigger. The only point here is that it’s too early to judge Zook’s tenure.
Bill Snyder at Kansas State Gary Pinkel at Missouri Greg Schiano at Rutgers
1-10 4-7 2-9
5-6 5-7 1-11
7-4 8-5 5-7
5-6 5-6 4-7
9-2-1 7-5 7-5
9-3 8-5 11-2
10-2 12-2 8-5
9-3 9-2 6-5
11-1
11-2
11-1
11-3
6-6
11-2
11-4
4-7
5-6
if coach zook can keep recruiting in florida and the east coast he will get the good ones from illinois his program will keep getting better and so will his recruits zooks no slouch.
L. KOCH