Did Zook Set the Table for Beckman?
When it comes to hiring a head football coach, you never know exactly how it's going to turn out. For example, West Virginia won 11 games in the final three years under Rich Rodriguez. Michigan hires him away only to finish with a losing conference record in each of the three seasons with Rodriguez in charge. The Wolverines hadn't had a losing conference record since 1967. But can you call the hiring of Rodriguez a total failure? After all, he did bring in quarterback Denard Robinson, who just led the team to a Sugar Bowl victory under Brady Hoke. Illinois has dismissed Ron Zook in favor of Toledo's Tim Beckman. Beckman appears to be an upgrade in coaching acumen, might he similarly benefit from what Zook left on the roster?
Urban Meyer instantly started winning more in Florida when he took over for Ron Zook, with a roster mostly consisting of Zook recruits. Zook never won more than 8 games in Gainesville and then Meyer won nine games twice and two national championships in the four years immediately after Zook. Each of those teams had at least somebody brought in by the Zook. In fact, if you attribute some of the recruiting class of 2005 to Zook, then Urban Meyer's only season in Gainesville totally devoid of a Zook recruit was his worst.
The all-conference team for the Big Ten wasn't exactly loaded with Illinois players this past season. That stands to reason when your on the field results are so poor. But who's to say that these same players with better coaching, won't improve? Defensive end/"Bandit" Michael Buchanan was a second team all-conference performer for the Illini. Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Brown was given honorable mention. Defensive back (and former four-star recruit) Terry Hawthorne did as well. There's also some four-star talent in offensive lineman Graham Pocic, defensive back Justin Green, and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase.
A quick turnaround under Beckman wouldn't be welcome news for Nebraska, since they'll play Illinois in 2013 and 2014. The good news for the Huskers is how many four-star players brought in by Zook are no longer on the roster. While he brought a good number in, he also saw a fair number leave before their eligibility was gone. The talent may be better than Indiana's, but it's not Wisconsin's either. Beckman walks into a pretty good situation, but he certainly hasn't inherited what Urban Meyer did.
2/15/2012
If I am an Illinois fan, I’m happy today. Beckman has all the marks of a coach on the rise. Learned under good coaches at good programs, had success as an assistant, took over a down program and got them to a bowl. Remember, Toledo gave OSU a good tussle in the early part of last season.
Illinois has been woefully under-coached under Zook. Regardless of recruiting, I think they will execute much better with Beckman and a young, “hungry” staff of assistant coaches. (note: he hired his offensive coordinator away from LSU…)
It’s a great hire, imo. And, as a Husker loyalist…I hate it.
2/15/2012
Not sure what the block was between Zook as the top shelf recruiter and Zook as the head coach. Wish we could fit him in at Nebraska because wherever he does land will see an improvement in recruiting. I see him going as a HC at an FCS school and doing well.
2/15/2012
Not unlike Hoke at Michigan, the predecessor did set the table for what could be an impressive run for Illinois.
Thankfully, we don’t see them head-to-head until 2013 (unless they make the Title Game), but the beauty is that they may be a wrecking ball that can go into Ann Arbor and steal a game from Michigan, or win against Northwestern if they prove to be a contender this year.
That can significantly help our cause if it comes down to Michigan and Nebraska for the Big 10 Title Game.