With offensive coordinator Mike Locksley moving on to become the head coach at New Mexico, a key question is how the departure of a big-time recruiter will impact the Illinois program. But Ron Zook said it won't necessarily mean a step backward. Zook is leaving the door open to promoting from within or going outside for his next O coordinator. But whether the new assistant is the coordinator or a position coach, expect Zook to bring in a top-notch recruiter.
While intent on keeping open the recruiting trail that Locksley blazed from Washington, D.C., to Champaign, Zook said the new assistant could open up new recruiting turf for a staff that places a high value on recruiting.
``What if, for example, we bring in somebody from Texas?'' Zook said. ``All of a sudden, you have connections in Texas. And we've built a lot of contacts in the D.C. area. They see guys doing well here, being happy and playing. That's what develops a pipeline. Locks has done a great job there, no question. But we're still going to have an opportunity to do what we've done there.''
While intent on keeping open the recruiting trail that Locksley blazed from Washington, D.C., to Champaign, Zook said the new assistant could open up new recruiting turf for a staff that places a high value on recruiting.
``What if, for example, we bring in somebody from Texas?'' Zook said. ``All of a sudden, you have connections in Texas. And we've built a lot of contacts in the D.C. area. They see guys doing well here, being happy and playing. That's what develops a pipeline. Locks has done a great job there, no question. But we're still going to have an opportunity to do what we've done there.''
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
I would love to see the Zooker go after Bobby Kennedy from the University of Texas. Former GA at illinois, current Wide Receivers coach/recruiting coord. in Austin.
Chuck Long is an excellent suggestion, if he's interested and he and Ron Zook are on the same page. One key is that the new coordinator will need to run the zone-read spread that Zook likes. As a defensive coach, he thought it was very difficult to stop.
Illinois should contact Chuck Long for the offensive coordinator position. He was Oklahoma's o-coordinator. He would be a good fit, I think. He has coached in the Big Ten, coached at Oklahoma, and in California. He should have a lot of contacts for recruiting.
I love the way Zook thinks about recruiting. If only he could game plan and adjust in game as well as he can recruit...