Pat, Riverside, Illinois: Not to pile on but not only were were playing badly but once again we have no concept of managing the game, we take forever when we are down, but late in the first half when you go down 10 to 7, you go 3 in out and take off about 12 seconds allowing Indiana a chance to score and they did, a field goal, now I know this did not make a differenc in this game, but it could have in a closer game. Is it me or do we have no concept of clock management or game management for that matter?

Moderator: Pat, there have been indications thru the years that the Illini do not do a good job of clock management. Some of the examples are glaring, and they are disturbing. But these are minor compared to the big problems with the team. In other words, you could overcome these shortcomings with better all-around play. Loren

Gary, Peoria, Illinois: Loren, Do you consider yourself an employee and/or a service provider to the Athletic Department? You are on the Illini Sports Network that is approved by RG. I assume you are compensated for that. You travel with the team. I assume other journalists do not. Does this ever impact the way you report on Illini Athletics and specifically on Ron Guenther? Most people are careful what they say about their boss or a key customer.

Moderator: Gary, I receive no paycheck from the UI. I don't travel with the football team, but I do travel with the basketball team. I'm sure that I can't be regarded as neutral because I would obviously prefer for Illinois to win. That is built in. I have been critical of past UI coaches and athletic directors, particularly Stoner. As for Guenther, I would criticize him if I felt it was appropriate, but it is my opinion that he has given all his coaches, including the football coaches, every opportunity to be successful, and they have failed. You may lay that at his doorstep. I don't. Loren

Groundhogday, Pullman, WA: 1) Do you trust Guenther to make another football hire?

2) Who would be on your short list for our next coach? Given that we have some talent and good facilities, this might actually be an attractive position.

Moderator: Groundhogday: You could make a good argument in not letting him hire, based on his two failures in the past. Jim

I disagree. Under our confusing administrative circumstances, I don't know anyone who could do it better. Loren

As for the next coach, we have no idea. Most of the top coaches wouldn't consider Illinois and, besides, it is midseason. Let's wait until the appropriate time. Jim and Loren

John Soloman, Champaign, IL: Why should any Illinois fan have any confidence in Ron Guenther hiring another head football coach? He's failed miserably twice. How many AD's get more than two chances at such a critical decision? The makeover should begin with Guenther's immediate resignation.

Moderator: John: See above. This is Loren speaking, and it is more likely that Guenther's contract will be extended than the opposite. But we don't know what to expect from this new Board of Trustees. Every person should be graded on their complete body of work and, when you consider the buildings and everything else ... if Guenther wants to be extended, that will probably happen. Loren

matt, saint louis, mo: We have to find new coaches and a new AD. This is going to cost the University alot more if it does nothing until after the season. They have to do something now.

Moderator: Matt, they don't have to do something now. They have to make a decision at the end of the season and, if Guenther wants to be extended past next year, that is likely to happen. Or, of course, he could step down in a year, and the UI would be obligated to start looking for a Guenther replacement. It would be preferable if they could name an AD prior to the new football coach, but the timing isn't working out for that. Jim and Loren

Motoaki Kashino, Milwaukee, WI: I thought you said that Illini and Indiana are two programs going to the opposite direction, a few years ago, maybe the first year of zook's tenure. Now I am not so sure about that. Illini are clearly going down mighty quick, but is Indiana going on up?? I think it's lateral at best (well of course that was enough to beat Illini). OK, they did lose their coach (zook never beat him too) of the time when you made that statement. But still, it was quite a stupid statement you made, don't you think??

Moderator: Motoaki, if I said something, it was probably stupid. Not sure what it was, but we agree. I'm stupid. Loren

Karl Zimmerman, Columbia, IL: Loren - The only thing you got wrong is this: Ron Guenther must NOT be allowed to select the next head football coach. He and Zook sink or swim together.

Moderator: Karl: OK, Karl, what do you want, a board to select the next coach? Like the board that took Moeller over James? A one-man committee is the only way to get to the better coaches. Who do you like better than Guenther on this campus? Jim and Loren

Boomer64g, Marion, Illininois: Should Ron Guenther resign? I mean really, he gave an extension to a coach who went 5-7. What idiot in business would do this? If I ran a business, and were hiring an accountant, I would do interviews. When doing the interviews I would see one accountant who has always kept his company out of the red, and one who continually has his team in the red. Who would you hire? It seems Ron G likes the guy whp has his team in bankruptcy.

Moderator: Boomer64g, we are trying to answer the same question, over and over. Lots of people blame Guenther. That's fine. Not everyone agrees. Loren

Rick, Peoria, IL: When will Ron Zook and the rest of this pitiful coaching staff be gone? They are incompetent, period. They are an embarrassment to the whole state of Illinois.

Moderator: Rick, that is a statement and that's fine. If Zook and the staff are to step down, that should come at the end of the season. It will be clear then. Jim and Loren

Mike, Monticello, Il: I know that Coach Zook is a great recruiter but it seems that he just doesnt have wht it takes to coach or get kids motivated enough to win, and every year that goes by we loose more and more games. In your opinoin do you see us winning any games at the rate the team is playing now?

Moderator: Mike, we have seen some awfull sick dogs get well, so you can never say never. Bob Blackman's team lost the first six games one year, and won the last five. Anything is possible. What we're talking about here is what's best for the long range, and that is beginning to appear obvious. As it stands now, Illinois will be an underdog in the remaining games with the possible exception of Fresno State. Jim and Loren

Steve, Long Grove, Ill: Loren,

Great piece. Wondering if you have heard talk or opinion on a short list for both coach and AD.

Moderator: Steve, these things are being discussed and it is all just talk. You can look at who's winning, and get an idea for yourself. We really don't know. Something we haven't tried before is hiring a young, successful MAC-type coach, in the hope you might hit on Superman on the rise. Jim and Loren

Mike, Urbana, Illinois: Will the university wake up and hire and athletic director and a head football coach that know what they are doing?

Moderator: Mike, see previous. First of all, when you say "the university," who are you talking about. The president? The chancellor? The board? They are all either going or just arriving. Jim and Loren

Josh B. - UIUC student, Champaign, Illinois: Loren,

I think that we all agree that last night's performance against Indiana was pathetic, and the overall performance of this team this year, has been plain unacceptable. All summer, I was anticipating the "unbelievable" recruits that Ron Zook was bringing into the program, and it is safe to say that those have not turned out to be what we expected. Right now, we have realized the true potential of Juice Williams. Juice is unable to throw the ball towards the sidelines - he is an inaccurate quarterback who was made better by Rashard Mendenhall and the Aurelious Benn we knew from our Rose Bowl season. Ron Zook only likes to recruit "stud" players - those that will help put points on the board or contribute to "big plays." Zook has nothing on the Offensive or Defensive lines and right now, we are seeing how weak we are on those sides of the ball. I will admit, I thought the hire of Ron Zook five years ago was a great one, but as we have seen from the past two disappointing seasons, it is time for Zook to go. Ron Guenther, who held on to Ron Turner after years of miserable and dismal teams, and combine that with the fact that Zook has another four years on his contract, will probably hang onto Zook. I think that last year, we played the "blame game," thinking that Mike Locksley's poor play-calling was concerning, but as we see, we cannot play the "blame game" anymore. This falls on Zook and his inability to have his team ready for gametime. Last night against Indiana, as well as previous games against MSU, PSU, Ohio State, and Missouri, they looked lifeless - a team without energy or at least a desire to win. Guenther needs to start thinking to himself, "When is enough - enough?" I think this football team, only two years after reaching the Rose Bowl, has hit rock bottom. It is time for the Zook era to end, and for Guenther to replace our coach with someone that can RECRUIT and COACH. Now, I see why Zook was pushed out of Gainesville.

Moderator: Josh, your points are well taken. You should write a column. Jim and Loren

Dan, Urbana, IL: so,

are we going to win another game this season?

Moderator: Dan, your guess is as good as ours. Jim and Loren

Illini1973, Belleville, ILL...ini: Is it time to panic now, Loren? Stick a fork in 'em, they're done.

Moderator: Illini1973, Yes, all together now: PANIC!!! It is time. Jim and Loren

Dan, Springfield, IL: Hi Loren and Jim!

Have either of you spoken with any of the big I-Fund donors recently? If so, what is their take on the football situation? Thanks.

Moderator: Dan, everyone is disappointed and frustrated after coming in with high expectations. Many contributors have been very loyal for a team that could be finishing last in the Big Ten for the seventh time in 14 years. Jim and Loren

Danimal, Champaign, Il: Jim and Loren,

If this FB team continues to lose like I think it will, do you really think Guenther can pull the trigger at the end of the year? I suspect he can't because they appear to be friends. Can the BOT make it happen? If a coaching change does happen, Guenther must step aside for the next hire. It can no longer be a "one man search committee". I like guenther for a lot of things but, his FB coaching hires have been failures. Your thoughts.

Moderator: Danimal, we've answered this over and over. We DO NOT want a search committee. A one-man hire is the best approach. If not Guenther, who? Many fans in Illini Nation may want Guenther to step aside, but that may not be what the new Board of Trustees wants. Frankly, we have no idea what the BOT will do, and I doubt they know either. Jim and Loren

PPD, Chicago, IL: Straight and to the point: Illini lose by 15+ at Purdue this week, is RZ relieved of his duties?

Moderator: PPD, no, Zook will coach until further notice, probably through the Fresno State game. That's when the decision should be made as to whether he goes forward. As stated, it should be clear at that point. Jim and Loren

Jeremy, Benton, IL: I'm not sure that all of his coaches have failed. It's institutional. We are like the Cubs. Mike White-1 Rose Bowl plus a couple other bowls, John Mackovick a couple of bowls, Lou Tepper a couple of bowls, Ron Turner-1 BCS (Sugar Bowl) plus another bowl, Ron Zook-1 BCS (Rose Bowl). I think it's just Illinois: let's face it, we have never been a football power, we have had good football coaches and recruiters, and our facilities are par. Nobody wants to admit it's institutional, but I will. Ron Guenther is a Great AD. Ron Zook and his staff are good at what they do. We are not a premier football school every year-It's just the facts!

Moderator: Jeremy, we agree that it is institutional ... built-in to the system. If we find Superman, can he change it? Yes. But there are no telephone booths anymore for him to change his clothes.

Jim and Loren

Kevin Sumlin, Houston, TX: Why doesn't Guenther form a committee, and let them decide on a new football coach? It is my understanding that he does this for basketball, and it has seemed to work out great for him.

A committee is the only chance that I get hired at Illinois, because Guenther seems to prefer used car salesmen to coaches.

Moderator: Kevin, Guenther has always had advisors to report to, but he has been the one-man selection committee. The mistakes that most people make in this business is that (1) Illinois has good people to choose from and (2) big-time coaches would not subject themselves to a committee in most cases. Guenther may have hired the "right people" in Turner and Zook, and both showed improvement for a time before it collapsed as it usually does. Jim and Loren

Fred, Urbana, IL: I wish Rick would be fired. I hear he sucks at his job also.

Moderator: OK

Scott, Tolono, IL: If Zook isn't fired, what changes on the staff does he make if any?

Moderator: scott, defense obviously. Offense obviously. What will we do when we don't have Santella to kick (that's a pun) around. Jim and Loren

Drew, Urbana, IL: Well guys, looks like the "nation" is pretty upset. I really dont know how much is Zook's fault but I know alot of blame should go on the senior QB Juice Williams. I know he is a good kid, but his senior year has been a disaster and Zook is paying the price for it.

Moderator: Drew, it is good that Illini Nation is upset. We just have to tough it out ... again. Jim and Loren

Moderator: Thanks, everyone. We're running way over. All we can do is hang in there. It'll all be settled, one way or the other, in December. Probably not before. Jim and Loren