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Illini Head Football Coach Ron Zook Out

 width=University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook was fired Sunday by athletic director Mike Thomas.Here's the statement posted by the University on fightingillini.com:

CHAMPAIGN, ILL - University of Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced today that Ron Zookwill not be retained as head football coach, ending a seven-year run that saw the Illini qualify for three bowls, including the 2008 Rose Bowl.

"I assessed the entire program and felt that it was time for a change in leadership," Thomas said. "It is imperative that our program shows some consistency and competes for championships, and I think a change in coaches can help us get there sooner. I wasn't here seven years ago when Ron Zooktook over as coach, but it's clear the program is in better shape than what he inherited. I believe we need new leadership to take the program to the level to compete for championships on a consistent basis. This is an extremely competitive conference, and we are determined to go head-to-head with the very best."

Zook was named head coach at Illinois in December, 2004, and compiled a record of 34-51, including 18-38 in Big Ten play during his Illini stint. After starting the 2011 season with six-consecutive victories and earning a Top 20 ranking, the Illini suffered through a six-game losing streak to end the regular season. In 2007, Illinois surprised many with a 9-4 record, including a 6-2 mark in Big Ten play to finish in second place. The Fighting Illini posted a memorable 28-21 victory over top-ranked Ohio State at Columbus that season to propel them into a Rose Bowl invitation. Following the 2007 season, Zook was named the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Zook is one of only four coaches to win games at Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, and produced three first-round NFL draft picks in the last four seasons. Illinois' 38-14 victory over Baylor at the 2010 Texas Bowl was Illinois' first bowl victory since 1999.

But, the three seasons of bowl eligibility were also interspersed with two wins in 2005 and 2006, five wins in 2008 and three in 2009. Zook finishes his Illinois tenure with a winning record over just Indiana among conference opponents.

Thomas indicated a national search would begin immediately and that he hoped to name a new coach as soon as possible.

"We will begin the process of finding a new coach as soon as possible," Thomas said. "Obviously, we have some hiring policies and regulations to follow, and some candidates may be involved with their own teams and bowl preparations, but I expect to move forward quickly."

Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, who was head coach at Wyoming from 2000-02, will serve as interim coach through the expected bowl game appearance.

ZOOK'S HEAD COACHING RECORD

YEAR SCHOOL OVERALL CONF. CONF. FINISH BOWL FINAL POLLS2002 Florida 8-5 6-2 2nd (East) Outback NR/242003 Florida 8-5 6-2 T-1st (East) Outback 24/252004 Florida 7-4 4-4 T-3rd (East) Peach* NR/252005 Illinois 2-9 0-8 11th --- NR/NR2006 Illinois 2-10 1-7 T-10th --- NR/NR2007 Illinois 9-4 6-2 T-2nd Rose 20/182008 Illinois 5-7 3-5 T-6th --- NR/NR2009 Illinois 3-9 2-6 9th --- NR/NR2010 Illinois 7-6 4-4 T-4th Texas NR/NR2011 Illinois 6-6 2-6 5th (Leaders)TOTAL (10 YEARS) 57-65 34-46 - 5 BOWLS at Illinois (7 years) 34-51 18-38 - 2 Bowls

Polls listed as AP/Coaches *Led Gators to Peach Bowl berth

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