Illinois AD strongly indicates he won't make football coaching change
Will evaluate Ron Zook's embattled program at end of season
Although Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther remains silent publicly on the status of football coach Ron Zook, Guenther has "strongly indicated" he will not make a coaching change next season, according to Illinois spokesman Kent Brown.
As he does every season, Brown said, Guenther will evaluate the program after the season.
Guenther has declined to speak to reporters and has no plans to release any specific statements about Zook's status, Brown said.
Zook's name increasingly has arisen as a coach on the hot seat as the Illini, who play Saturday at
Purdue, continue to struggle each week.
Zook, who is in his fifth season at Illinois (1-5, 0-4), received a one-year contract extension before the season that runs up to January 2014.
Illini fans seem to be running out of patience, booing at home games and posting frustrations on message boards.
Illinois has lost six consecutive conference games and eight of nine overall, the lone victory this season coming against Illinois State.
Zook guided the Illini to the
Rose Bowl with a 9-4 record in 2007, but finished just 5-7 last season.
"Talent is one thing, productivity is another," Zook said earlier this week.
With a wealth of offensive talent returning, including quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn, the Illini were predicted as a bowl-bound team.
Zook has swapped players, including using backup quarterback Eddie McGee for a short stint, but nothing seems to work.
"We're going to keep pushing buttons and keep making changes and moves until we get this thing where it has to be," Zook said.
