clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Illinois Fires Head Coach Ron Zook, According To Reports

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.

For more, keep tabs on SB Nation Chicago and SB Nation's NCAA football page. For more on the Fighting Illini, check out Hail to the Orange, SB Nation's Illinois Fighting Illini blog.