The Illinois Fighting Illini fired seven-year head coach Ron Zook Sunday after an 0-6 conclusion to a promising 2011 season. The former Florida Gators coach went 34-50 in Champaign. In a brief message to media members after being fired, Zook thanked athletic department personnel before becoming emotional while thanking his players.
VIDEO: Ron Zook Reacts To Being Fired By Illinois Football
He declined to take any questions, out of respect for his now former players.
I want to thank coach Ron Guenther, former athletic director who gave us a chance and stood behind us during difficult times. To our current athletic director Mike Thomas and to president Hogan, I understand you have a job to do and that requires difficult decisions, and I respect that.
I think our program is very close, I really do. We just didn’t quite finish a few games here and there, but I’m proud of how close we are.
Finally, I want to thank our players. They know how I feel about them. I think you all know how I feel about them. They’ve come here, they’ve worked so hard, they tried hard to do what we’ve asked of them. I have a great appreciation for our players and the relationships we’ve shared. This is a family, it truly is.
For more on the Fighting Illini, visit Illinois blog Hail to the Orange.
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