Maybe the coach should redshirt himself and use the time to learn how to coach.

Posted by on October 18, 2009 at 5:43 PM  |  Suggest Removal

"As I told them, this thing will end when we decide it's going to end." --- what???? Not done yanking our collective chains enough Ron?

Every new comment from Zook makes me want to put my fist through my monitor. I like how he is speaking for Guenther, I for one would like to see Coach Guenther come out and speak to Illini Nation about this "coaching" fiasco.

Posted by 98mba on October 18, 2009 at 6:10 PM  |  Suggest Removal

We aren't going to hear from Guenther during this mess. He has created a cloistered position for himself, away from his subjects and having to address any issue publicly. This is not a customer-driven organization. We are here to serve and obey.

Posted by TotalIlliniFan on October 18, 2009 at 6:53 PM  |  Suggest Removal

This is a perfect forum for all the people who are miserable in life to vent about anything, go join a different bandwagon because you know you were all there when things were going good!!!

Posted by hardcorefan on October 18, 2009 at 7:42 PM  |  Suggest Removal

We are going to see, again, what type of leader Guenther is. The Illini Nation's eyes are on him to deal (and not run from) this situation.

"Things were going good" for only 1 of 5 seasons. Four loosing seasons out of five... feelings of deep frustration in the program's leadership is valid.

With the size of salaries being paid, and money spent for tickets, we bear the right to redefine our perspective as Zook's tenure progresses.

Posted by rmact on October 18, 2009 at 8:02 PM  |  Suggest Removal

You're getting hit from all sides and all boards hardcore -- deal with it. It's called a forum.

Posted by TotalIlliniFan on October 18, 2009 at 9:08 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Hardcore,

It's sentiments like yours that allow medicority to continue with this program. Your comment about they were on board when things were going well...You're right, we were...For those 4 seasons in last 15 years; we were happy. I guess 4 winning seasons in 15 keeps you happy but it sucks for the rest of us.

Posted by dguire on October 18, 2009 at 9:34 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Medicority?? If you are talking about mediocrity then cool. It starts with the institution, not the coaching staff. The University of Illinois Football Program is like the Cubs. You can't blame Coach Zook, Coach Turner, Tepper, Mac, White,.... The bottom line here is it is just the way it is? What other programs in America yell at recruits at games and tell them not to come to Illinois? That is just stupid. That is what our student section is doing (Crazy). You people act like you are cheering for a "power" football program. We had tradition in the 1920's and such, big deal. We never turned into a traditional power because of the town, people, fans, etc. We are to blame as much as anyone. And rmact you don't bear the right to do anything. Just because you buy tickets to a football game, come on. You probably were really good in high school I bet (in your own mind)? And yes, TotalIlliniFan we are getting hit from all directions because it is a forum where cowards can hide behind a screen name. And hardcorefan, I agree with you completely.

Go ILLILNI!

Posted by ballcoach on October 18, 2009 at 11:03 PM  |  Suggest Removal

I hear that Guenther and Zook also met to discuss the following:

1) Water is wet.

2) At nighttime, it is dark.

3) At the north and south poles, it is colder than at the equator.

The headline of this story should read, "The Two Ron's Meet....................And Again, Do Nothing!"

Posted by IlliniHimey on October 19, 2009 at 12:01 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I played "Whack a Hoosier" and missed all of them. Kinda like the defense did.

Posted by IlliniAggie on October 19, 2009 at 5:55 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Hardcore.

To say you "can't blame" a coach, and that mediocrity "is just the way it is,"it a perspective you are entitled to have, but not one that most of us are going to settle with. Other college programs have risen out of the ashes to establish new and lasting (winning) traditions, and we believe Illinois can do the same. I just can't believe the Ilini invested in a new stadium, workout facilities, ... because they are content to remain one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

(I am a little confused by your comment, for you are "hiding" too.)

Posted by rmact on October 19, 2009 at 8:22 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Hey, Mr. Guenther . . let's allow Coach Zook and his wacky crew to come back in 2010, and we can try for a spotless 0-12 record !!!! You sure have aided the cause with your wonderfully astute scheduling!!!

Posted by peterborich on October 19, 2009 at 9:46 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Question, Did the coaching staff fumble the ball, no! Did the coaching staff let the ball hit them when it was punted, no, If anything the confidence is has to be restored. For some reason when the player (s) arent peforming its automatically the coach's fault, Most of the people who write on hear are not season ticket holders, and the ones that cry and say they wont renew, are full of it, remember when turner was around how empty was the stadium during games...

Posted by hardcorefan on October 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Any coach is never as good as he appears when we do great things (IE surprise Rose Bowl/BSC team) nor as bad as he appears (IE right now). Let's face it, RG is not likely going to fire RZ, no matter how many people on this forum demand that he do so. Weber was criticized big time a couple of years ago while RZ was on a pedastal. Now things are reversed. I really believe that the media over hyped this team and all the fans bought in believing it was just a question of 9,

10 or 11 wins this year.

Posted by walker on October 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I really am not hiding. In fact on Bob Asmussens Chat Live after the game I put my first name and where I was from. A lot of folks would know who I am just by reading those things at the N-G. They chose not to post my comment? Not sure if it was because I wasn't bashing Coach Zook or what? I understand you want tradition, but we had a chance to have that in the 1920's and didn't establish it for whatever reason? It really isn't always the coaches fault, I promise you this. When you screw up something at work do your friends or mommy and daddy get on a forum and blame your boss? Seriously, the guys playing have to be held accountable. Saying it's the coaches fault for missing tackles is like saying it's Weber's fault everytime someone misses a jump shot. Don't be absured!

Posted by ballcoach on October 19, 2009 at 10:45 AM  |  Suggest Removal

ballcoach,

So what is your solution? As your argument states; we are not a power (I agree with you)and the only time we were really good was in the '20's...

So, are we then to just accept what we see on the field and say "oh well"? I agree, it's not always the coache's fault, players must take responsibility. But, you have to blame someone for this...As I said earlier, 4 winning seasons in 15 years is not the hallmark of a man who can choose a coach to get us over the hump. I've never argued we should be battling for the national title every year, just a program that wins. It is my argument that Guenther should resign because he has failed to find a coach that can both recruit and coach those recruits. While the coach does not block, catch, and throw; he does bare the responsibility of poor evaluation of talent or he can not motivate and discipline enough to mold that talent into a winning team.

With respect, what would you do?

Posted by dguire on October 19, 2009 at 11:38 AM  |  Suggest Removal

dguire,

I would let this whole thing play out. I certainly wouldn't attack people personally and question there ability to do their jobs. I'm sure if Coach Zook had 19 slices of cheese in a package of 20 that he wouldn't get on a forum and blast the manager at Kraft. Are people really that bored? Shouldn't we all be working or something like that?

Seriously, these guys have families who get blasted on because of their profession? They are all good coaches; why it's not working out right now I certainly have no idea and neither does anyone else...Regardless of what they think.

Illinois is like the Cubs.....it's institutional...so we are not a football power. This should have no bearing on what kind of mood you get up with in the morning, nor whether or not you have a happy-healthy family, or a job or.... Unless you are involved it really doesn't affect your life, no matter how big a fan you think you are.

Posted by ballcoach on October 19, 2009 at 1:43 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Hello everybody, I'm new to the forum. I am personally of the opinion that you have to blame the coach. Granted, the coaches are not the ones fumbling balls, dropping passes, and missing blocks yada, yada, yada. BUT, if you watched any of the game over the last couple of weeks, not only do they look unprepared, they look lethargic, and utterly disinterested in playing at all. THAT IS COACHING! We have great athleticism on offense, but can't even score 20 points because we are running an inept scheme. THAT IS COACHING! This weekend while we were losing to INDIANA, the guys on our sideline were laughing a talking like they weren't getting their skirts pulled up by the conference joke. THAT IS LEADERSHIP.....ie COACHING. I can deal with us losing, but losing to teams with less talent, and appearing as if you don't give a "what" whether you lose or not is inexcusable. You have to blame Zook. If we did fire Zook, it would be the SECOND job he has been dismissed from, because he cannot win with a talented roster. Furthermore, being historically mediocre is never an excuse to remain that way. Plus, being mediocre has nothing to do with this team because they are flat our sorry!!!

Posted by Bamaboy on October 19, 2009 at 4:11 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Bamaboy,

I agree with some of your statements. Although, when Ron Zook went to Florida the cupboard was really pretty bare in terms of Florida Football not necessarily Illinois Football. He did recruit very well there (21 of 22 starters) on the National Championship team were recruited by Zook. (Urban should thank him publicly and buy him a ring). Keep in mind even while he was stocking the cupboard with great players he never had less than a 7 win season in the SEC. They also qualified for 3 consecutive bowl games and beat Florida State at their place on the Field Dedication night for Bobby Bowden (Something Steve Spurrier who is King at Florida never did). If we as fans blame him for all of the losses then he should get all of the credit for the wins including a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time in twenty years! I guess what everyone is saying is players win games and coaches lose them?

Posted by ballcoach on October 19, 2009 at 9:42 PM  |  Suggest Removal