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This afternoon, word bubbled up from a few places that one Ron Zook might be returning to coaching:
I wouldn't be surprised to see former Gator Coach Ron Zook back in coaching--- possibly at Louisville.#CFB
— brady ackerman (@bradyack) February 5, 2014
@bradyack That has been the chatter the past week or so but no confirmation thus far.
— FootballScoop Staff (@footballscoop) February 5, 2014
Several sources confirm that former #Gators and #Illini HC Ron Zook has spoken to #UofL about an assistant coaching position.
— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer_cj) February 5, 2014
Zook has been out of coaching since being fired late in 2011 as the head coach at Illinois, but he rather famously replaced Steve Spurrier as head coach at Florida for three memorable years.
It would be notable for him to join up on Bobby Petrino's staff, given that Petrino was reportedly Florida's backup to replace Zook had Urban Meyer gone to Notre Dame instead of Gainesville. Petrino is not really known to be a big recruiter—and the generally shabby shape of the rosters he leaves behind him are circumstantial evidence to support that reputation—so hiring Zook as the staff's ace recruiter would be a big boost to the program there.
We'll see if Zook signs up or remains an analyst for CBS Sports Network, but the game just hasn't been the same without him. Maybe Petrino will set up Louisville as a place for former SEC coaches. If so, I think I know who's next.
