Ron Zook

Ron Zook (born April 28, 1954) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini football team of the University of Illinois. Zook is a native of Ohio and an alumnus of Miami University, where he played college football. He previously served as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team of the University of Florida.

Early career

Ron Zook was born in Loudonville, Ohio in 1954. He played college football as a defensive back for Miami University, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1976. Zook immediately began coaching football, beginning at Orrville High School in Orrville, Ohio in 1976. In 1978, Zook moved to coaching college football, beginning at Murray State University. Through the 1980s, Zook held coaching positions at a number of schools, including Cincinnati, Kansas, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State University.

Beginning in 1991, Zook served as defensive coordinator for three seasons at the University of Florida under head coach Steve Spurrier. After the 1993 season, Spurrier reassigned Zook to be the special teams coordinator, a move considered by many to be a demotion....
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