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Packers won’t retain Ron Zook as special teams coordinator
Published:
Amidst the coaching change in Green Bay, it’s been reported that special teams coordinator Ron Zook will not be retained by the Packers.
ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reported that Zook is out as special teams coordinator following the coaching change. New head coach Matt LaFleur is taking over after the organization fired longtime coach Mike McCarthy.
Zook had been with the Packers since the 2014 season.
Prior to joining the staff in Green Bay, Zook was on the college sidelines from 2002-2011, coaching at Florida and Illinois. He was the head coach of the Gators from 2002-2004 and was fired after posting a 23-14 record in three seasons in Gainesville.
In 2005, Zook was hired to lead the Fighting Illini. Zook rejuvenated the program, taking a 2-9 team in 2005 to a 9-4 squad in 2007. That year, Illinois posted wins over No. 21 Penn State, No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State. The Illini landed in the Rose Bowl at the end of the season.
But Illinois appeared in just three bowl games during Zook’s tenure. He was fired after his seventh season in Champaign, leaving with a 34-51 record.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB