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Posted By:  Gary Zeeman 1/21/10

So the University of Illinois has an assistant coaching vacancy and those interested can apply online.  Seriously, check this out.

https://jobs.illinois.edu/default.cfm?page=job&jobID=1586&returnPage=searchResults

You can't rely on Zook to bring in his own coaching staff that you have to put out a job notice?  So Guenther, when you fired Zook after next season, are you going to do the same thing?  Can I apply for the job?

I'm seriously thinking about it, but I guess it's too late.  It closed on 1/19.  Maybe they put up a new post?  This is a joke.

Also, let's look in on recruiting.  We're up to 14 commits (according to Scout.com).  Man, we're doing great.  So great that Scout has us last in the Big Ten in recruiting.  If you're keeping track, that's two 4-star guys and four 3-star players.  Really great recruiting.

Two WRs (2 star, 1 star) and a TE (2 star) as well.

We may actually have to rely on scheme this year.  That wasn't part of the deal....

How About The Big Ten

Posted By:  Gary Zeeman 1/12/10

This post is a tad bit belated, but I wanted to break down the Big Ten's Bowl Performance Again.

Texas Tech def. Michigan St 41-31
Penn St. def LSU 19-17
Ohio St. def Oregon 26-17
Iowa def Georgia Tech 24-14
Iowa St. def Minnesota 14-13
Wisconsin def Miami (FL) 20-14
Auburn def Northwestern 38-35
BigTen overall:  4-3

That's not bad for the conference that is supposed to be one of the worst of the Power 6.

Keep in mind MSU was shorthanded multiple players (TT was shorthanded a coach) and battled Tech hard.  That was a very close game.

Iowa State barely beat Minnesota without the Gophers having Decker

And Northwestern blew it again in overtime.

This could have easily been 7-0 (although it could have just as easily been 0-7).

Perhaps this conference is better than what people believe it to be.  It's not the SEC by any means, but there is good football played here.

And don't forget, the Big Ten had 3 teams in the final Top Ten poll the most of any conference.  Wisconsin wasn't too far behind either, holding the 16 spot.

Not Much has Changed

Posted By:  Gary Zeeman 1/5/10

So it's been almost 3 weeks since any of us have updated the site.  We're sorry about that. For a few days I had no connectivity and since I got back in time I've worked almost everyday.  This is my second day off since 12/22. We do hope you had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year's.  But as far as Illini Football goes, not a whole lot has happened.

There have been a couple new recruits.  There is a 2-star offensive lineman out of high-school and a couple more JUCO transfers, one WR, one DB.

The FireRonZook blogspot has not been updated in a while and we know that many of you are refugees from there, and we want to say that you're welcome here.  We'll update more often.  And we love to read your emails.

You probably saw that Mike Leach got fired from Texas Tech and I couldn't help but think how perfect he would be for this school.  We have (had) WRs and you know that Leach loves to throw the ball around.  RBs aren't too key in his offense and although LeShoure had a few good games, there is inconsistency.

But I have to wonder about Leach off the field.  Would he work then?  I think he'd bring some much needed discipline to a team that doesn't have any.  Sure he locks students that have concussions up in dark rooms but he sends a message.  I personally think everything was blown out of proportion.

But he does care about grades.  You may say that he was just trying to send another message, but I heard another story about one of his players.  A player wasn't doing so well in a class so Leach set up a desk at the 50 yard line during practice and the kid studied.  The message he sent to his kids was that you have to commit to your grades.

His methods may be unorthodox, but they do work.  I would rather be winning and have a controversial coach that gets into some problems than be losing and have undisciplined players getting in trouble going to bars and having run-ins with the police.

Plus, he's pretty funny with his "fat little girlfriends" talk and all.

And by the by, our new year's resolution here is still the same:  Give Zook the Hook!

Benn out, Henry in?

Posted By:  Gary Zeeman 12/17/09

Arrelious Benn is no longer part of Fighting Illini Football. The junior WR decided yesterday to make the leap to the NFL.  This is the third straight year that an Illini junior is leaving the team early (Mendenhall, Davis) to cash in on the big bucks and get away from the Zooker.  Benn is projected to be a mid-first round draft pick.

It will be interesting to see what Benn has to say about his now former program.  When Mendenhall left after the Illini had a great season and made it to the Rose Bowl, the Pittsburgh Steeler standout was less than enthused when talking about his former coach.

As Deadspin reported in 2008, "To tell you the truth, as long as Ron Zook is there it will be hard for me to support the University of Illinois football team," Mendenhall said.

I really have to wonder if Benn will say anything like this.  Mendenhall left strictly because he didn't like Zook.  Vontae Davis left after last season because of a 5-7 campaign after his leadership and work ethic were questioned by the Zooker.  His draft stock was pretty high as well.

So why is Benn leaving?  I think it could be a number of things.  Internal rift with the coaching staff?  The team coming off a 3-win season?  Doesn't want to hurt draft stock any more with the chance of getting hurt next year?  Whatever it is, I look forward to hearing from him.

Whatever the reason, this will be a big blow to the Illini.  Sohpomore WRs A.J. Jenkins and Cordale Scott, along with TE Hubie Graham have already decided to transfer.  Charest may also leave the offense with rumors that he may transfer.  The departure of Benn could mean the loss on more recruits.

The Illini are shorthanded in recruiting with only 9 commits (according to Rivals) as of right now.  DB Corey Cooper is considering withdrawing his commitment for Notre Dame as well. There is only one offensive commit (QB Chandler Whitmer) and one athlete (Daniel Easterly) who seems to project better as a DB.

I feel this is unacceptable.  9 recruits?  I thought the Zooker was supposed to be a good recruiter.  Well, where are the recruits?  He's loading up on 3 star players which is fine, but there aren't very many of them.  Every other school in the Big Ten has at least 15 and Illinois has a low 9.  How are we supposed to fill the holes on offense when there are no offensive players on the team?

Well, it looks like we're close to getting Trulon Henry, Benn's 25-year-old brother as well.  Great, another defensive back with off the field issues.  He'll fit right in...

Nice job Zooker!

The BCS SUX

Posted By:  Alan W. Boswell 12/15/09

Found this video and really liked it-- we hope you will too