Rodriguez, Zook, Lynch on Big Ten hot seat

It’s a tough call when discussing the job security of football coaches Rich Rodriguez of Michigan, Ron Zook of Illinois and Indiana’s Bill Lynch. All have losing records, and they are a combined 20-60 in Big Ten Conference play. Reservations for three, please, on the hot seat… At stake is Rodriguez’ job, though he won’t admit it. But a two-year record of 8-17 and 3-13 against the league makes it tough to ask for a raise. The former West Virginia coach made his Michigan debut Aug. 30, 2008, a shocking 25-23 upset loss to Utah. The Wolverines finished 3-9 that season, their worst record in school history. They also failed to earn a bowl bid for the first time in 33 years. And following the 2009 season came NCAA violations regarding unofficial scrimmages and longer team workouts than what are allowed — all leading to two years of probation… Zook enters his sixth season with the Illini at 21-39 and may have put added pressure on himself by adding six new assistants. “That’s the thing about this profession. Everyone understands it. That’s why no one gets too uptight about it because everyone here has to win,” he  said, “whether it’s Jim Tressel or Ron Zook. Even Joe Paterno has to win. “Obviously, some of us have more (pressure) than others.” Zook said “tweaking” his staff doesn’t mean he’s coaching scared or desperate for a quick fix. “I don’t think there’s any question I have something to prove,” Zook added. “That’s why you’re in this profession. It’s about winning.”… Indiana dropped eight of its 12 games last season, losing four by 11 points or less. Third-down conversions were a killer, said Lynch, who hopes eight returning starters on offense will correct that. – nwi.com

Illini’s Zook focuses on future, not pressure

“Everyone who stands up here today has pressure,” Zook said Monday at the Big Ten media day kickoff at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. “You do the best you can do. … Our guys feel like they’ve got something to prove. It’s exciting. It’s like the attitude we had a couple of years ago when we went to the Rose Bowl. On paper, we’re as good if not better a football team as we were that year.” The Illini most likely will have to rebound from back-to-back losing seasons to help Zook maintain his job. After going 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten last season, Zook cleared house and brought in six new assistants. Zook, who is entering his sixth season, said the addition of offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning have allowed him to take a “step back” and better focus his energy. – Chicago Breaking Sports

Kentucky hires Illinois TE coach Greg Nord

Steve Ortmayer, special teams coach for the University of Kentucky, has been fired, UK spokesman Tony Neely confirmed Thursday night. Sources tell FRM that head coach Joker Phillips has hired Illinois TE coach Greg Nord to fill the position. Expect Ron Zook to move quickly to replace Nord. Nord was born in Louisville, Ky., and has spent the bulk of his career coaching in the state. He worked at Louisville from 1995 to 2009 and at Kentucky from 1982-89.

Wrigley Field to host Illinois vs. Northwestern football

Football is returning to Wrigley Field. The home of the Chicago Bears from 1921 to 1970, Wrigley Field again will feature goal posts and end zones as Illinois and Northwestern will meet Nov. 20 in a Big Ten matchup that originally was scheduled to be played in Evanston. Details for the game will be announced Friday at noon ET at Wrigley Field with representatives of the Cubs, Bears and Northwestern expected to be on hand. “It’s great for both programs, with the mystique of the stadium,” Illinois coach Ron Zook told ESPN.com. “Both programs will really enjoy it.” – ESPN.com

With new coordinators, comes a new attitude at Illinois

That’s one reason Illinois’ new defensive coordinator, Vic Koenning, went ballistic last week when one of his defenders launched into a one-man gyration during a scrimmage. Since then, both Koenning and new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino have made it clear they will not tolerate attention-getting celebrations that fly in the face of what they want to be team success in a team game that includes team celebrations done in an appropriate way. When it first became a spring practice issue on Saturday, coach Ron Zook addressed it by saying, “You want the enthusiasm and you want them to be all fired up, but celebrate with your teammates.” Then Zook added, “I don’t worry about it too much in the spring.” – Herald-Review

Ron Zook filling out Illinois staff

Illinois will add two assistant football coaches to its staff Wednesday, a team spokesman confirmed. Numerous news outlets have reported the two are Louisville assistant Greg Nord and Florida Atlantic quarterbacks coach Jeff Brohm, who previously coached for the Cardinals. That would add three new members with ties to Louisville with the Illini after coach Ron Zook announced Paul Petrino the new offensive coordinator earlier this week. Illinois is expected to name a defensive coordinator by the end of the week. Kansas State co-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning is believed to be the leading candidate. – Chicago Breaking News

Ron Zook hires Paul Petrino as OC at Illinois

Well placed sources at Illinois tell Football Rumor Mill that Ron Zook has hired Arkansas OC Paul Petrino for the same position at Illinois…

More to come…

Ron Zook fires four assistants at Illinois

Well placed sources at Illinois tell Football Rumor Mill that head coach Ron Zook fired four assistants this morning. They include OC Mike Schultz, special teams coach Mike Woodford, WR coach Jim Pry and QB coach Kurt Beathard.

More to come…

Mazzone Could be New Illinois OC?

With Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther announcing last week that Ron Zook will be back as head coach in 2010, staff changes are expected. It is likely the Illini will seek new offensive and defensive coordinators. Illinois, seeking to run a pure spread attack, could target Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and veteran Noel Mazzone. Holgorsen is a disciple of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. The Cougars’ offense ranks No. 1 in the nation, piling up 536.6 yards per game and 40.4 points per game (third nationally). Houston is 6-1 and ranked No. 15 with victories over Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Mississippi State. Mazzone has coordinated offenses at Ole Miss, Auburn, Oregon State and N.C. State. He most recently was receivers coach of the New York Jets but is now working as a personnel consultant for the Jets while helping coach Panther Creek High in Cary, N.C. Mazzone was considered for the coordinator spots at Miami and Pitt after last season. – Yahoo!

Ron Zook: ‘I’m not worried about me’

Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther said there will be changes in Champaign, but head coach Ron Zook won’t be one of them. “There will be some changes, but there won’t be a change at the top,” Guenther said Saturday at halftime of the Illinois-Purdue game. “There’s a great deal of frustration obviously with the program at the moment. We’re still going to evaluate (at the end of the season), but I think it’s really unfair to start jumping at the end of the fifth year on a guy.” The vote of confidence was the first statement Guenther had made to reporters this season after previously declining requests to discuss Zook’s status. He took only one question and said he wanted to keep Saturday’s discussion short. … Zook said his concerns are more about fixing the Illini (1-6, 0-5 Big Ten) than his job security. “I’m not worried about me,” Zook said. “I appreciate it, obviously. I said this since day I walked on this campus, (Guenther is) the best thing about this job because he understands. I understand he has a job to do as well. We’re going to get this thing the way it’s supposed to be.” – Chicago Tribune

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