The University of Illinois has fired head coach Ron Zook on Sunday, according to the Champaign News-Gazette's Bob Asmussen. While the news is unconfirmed, Asmussem cites sources and says that an official announcement is on the way. CBS Sports is also reporting that sources have said that a press conference has been called for 4 p.m. CT on Sunday afternoon to announce the firing.
Zook's firing shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone after the season that Illinois just had. The Fighting Illini started the season 6-0 with legitimate hopes of a Big Ten championship, but they proceeded to become the first team in college football history to begin the season 6-0 and conclude it at 6-6. Illinois managed to end its season by losing six consecutive games.
The former Florida Gators coach finishes his career at Illinois with an ugly 34-50 record over seven seasons. He only coached two teams to above-.500 records, peaking in 2007 when Illinois appeared in the Rose Bowl. His tenure in Illinois ends with an extremely disappointing 27-7 loss to a mediocre Minnesota Golden Gophers team.
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