FRZ: The Foley Letters

[gatorduck]

Letters to Foley (week starting 12/1/2002)

This section is going to get long, I imagine....keep copying us though! We won't quit! No pictures, no glamour...just letters.

Dear Mr. Foley,
I thought you did a great job with getting Billy Donovan and making Gator Sports into something special. With that being said, I am very disappointed with coach Ron Zook. I feel that our season this year is not because of a lack of talent, lack of urgency, arrogance, but rather because of coach Zook and his ability to lead the Gators. I feel that the community of gator fans gave him a chance. The outback bowl is not what Spurrier created at UF, nor is it what UF is about. I implore you to make the right decision and fire, lay off, force resignation of, buy out, Ron Zook.

You might think that I have been manipulated by www.fireronzook.com but I know that it is not the case. This website is just a response to one of the biggest bumbles in college sports. The turning point for me was when I was sitting at the Swamp and all I could hear in our beloved stadium was “LSU, LSU, LSU”. Enough Said.

Do the Right Thing,

Arun Skaria
Gator Fan, Alumni.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My letter can be summed up in 4 easy words:

Please Fire Ron Zook!

I was pretty disgusted to see Rex Grossman and some other players on the sideline of the FSU game laughing and high fiving each other while FSU is beating the tar out of us. It may be unfair to make comparisons, but Spurrier would of never put up with that and would have been in their faces. Zook just lets it go on no worries. Maybe Alabama might want Zook we don't!

Please Fire Ron Zook! (4 easy words)

Suggestions on replacements: Almost anyone else.
Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops, June Jones, anyone...........

Please consider it before we are back in the days of 0-10-1. Spurrier helped in my recovery of those years please don't let us go back there.

Please Fire Ron Zook!

Thank you,
Richard

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

i hope your happy with yourself. our team is awful and it is ron zook's fault. 8-4? 8 and 4 and in a poopy (PG rated version) bowl. look how easy texas a&m got a good coach in three days. (oh ya you tryed for three days to get a coach who is a celebrity in his own state, makes millions, and has won a national cahmpionship, like he would up and leave for you! in fact he would have come to UF if you weren't the AD!) and also why would you try to get mike shanahan? he wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire. so you panicked and got a Defensive coordinator of a team who gave up 168 points in 4 games. (thats 42 PPG) i think the only way you make up for this is pray the redskins stink (PG rated version) for the next 4 years and you hire Steve back. (yes you WILL need over 35 million, but you better come up with it.) but of course if that doesnt work you can panick and hire the bengals defensive coordinator

--Disgruntled Gator Fan

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For the sake of one of the best football programs of the past 10 years, please fire Ron Zook. Of course it would be hard for any coach to replace Spurrier and the dynasty that he created at Florida but Ron Zook just isn't up to the standards of any respectable football program. He hasn't gotten one decent player to commit to Florida to play for them since he has taken over recruiting. Please take your time and find a quality coach and don't make any bad decisions.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Jeremy,

Please fire Ron Zook. Can you believe he chose to punt with 8
minutes left to beat the noles? PLEEEZE!!!!!

What a moron!!!!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hey Foley

I found a quote in the orlando sentinel that said:
"UF stands for Utter Failure"
SHAME ON YOU FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT GETTING THE BEST FOR UF.
When was the last time that you read this about the university you were supposed to represent. and if you don't do anything about it then you are worst than I thought. It is ok for you since UF is not your Alma Mater but it does bother real UF students.

You are a disgrace to UF

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Foley,

You once took a risk and went for a young head coach - Billy Donovan! Consider doing so again! Rob Chudzinski (no relation!), offensive coordinator at Miami, has demonstrated a Spurrier-esque understanding on the offensive side of the ball. I’m sure that in the not too distant future (this year or next) some foresighted athletic director at some lucky school will put him at the helm of their football program and enjoy many years of success - maybe that school should be UF?

---John

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Where do I send my contribution for the "Keep Ron Zook" fund?

Tony Parsons
FSU Class of 78'

[gatorduck]

...and Foley comes back with an uppercut!

If you've written Foley and received a legitimate response...let's have it!

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeremy Foley [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 8:36 AM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Ron Zook

This program and hopefully its fans, true fans, is about integrity and doing the right thing. In this case that means giving a coach the chance to build his program. One year is not that chance. I wonder if we made a coaching change after one year what that would say to the rest of the country about our ethics and integrity. I wonder what message it would send to the rest of our coaches. You think Billy Donovan wants to be part of a program like that? Bottom line is that is NOT the type of program we are going to run and you can either be with us or against us. Your choice. Ron Zook will be successful here I am convinced. And if he isn't then I am perfectly capable of evaluating this and making whatever decisions need to be made. Just as Coach Spurrier hasn't forgotten how to coach despite his 5-7 record , I haven't forgotten how to be an Athletic Director. Again, either you want to support us or be a dissenter. We need people like you behind us and if you are loyal fan you will be. Take care and have a Happy Holiday season.

[gatorduck]

Letters to Foley (week starting 12/9/2002)

Damn I love this first letter. Thanks Jeff.

Dear Mr. Foley,

Thanks a bunch for the outstanding job you've done with the UF athletic program in general and the football program in particular. Even though some UF alumni questioned the hiring of Coach Zook I think it was a stroke of genius! While Coach Spurrier did have some success in his years at UF, I think the everyday aspiring coach, like myself, was annoyed with all those multple formations, aubibles, and the dizzying pass patterns that the receivers would continually run. Not to mention those darn hand signals the quarterbacks would use!! I could never figure out what the heck those even meant!!

But now, thanks to Coach Zook and Coach Zaunbrecher, things are so much easier to understand now. Running the same 8 plays over and over from 3 formations is so much less confusing for the erstwhile fan. I mean, now the everyday joe can dream he's the coach of the Gators and there will actually be a thread of plausibility to it! I can never thank Coach Zook enough for that surge of pride I felt when Rex Grossman lined up in the shotgun and I predicted the tight end was getting the ball just by the way he lined up....Wow, what a rush!! I could never do that with Spurrier's offense! Furthermore, figuring out whether it's gonna be a pass or a run is a total snap now!! That darn Spurrier.....you never could know what he was up to!!

Now I know some fans are a little miffed at the 8-4 record, But, you know, all those SEC championships and endless weeks in the Top 10 were getting trite anyway. Let someone else win for a change. Heck, did you see how happy those LSU fans were when they beat us in the Swamp?? That's what football's all about...sharing the fun.

Anyhow, I just wanted to let y'all know...you're doing a great job! My Pop Warner also thanks you....they were so thrilled when they realized they were running the same offense as the mighty Florida Gators!! Keep up the good work!!! Hmmm, I see an Independence Bowl in our future!!!

Sincerely,

Jeff from Fort Pierce, Florida.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Foley,

I am a UF alum, and local Gainesville business owner. I've had the pleasure of meeting you as well as Ron zook and Steve Spurrier and many other coaches at Napolatanos on more than one occasion.

I don't believe you had many alternatives before choosing Ron to fill suddenly vacant shoes.

Nevertheless it is my opinion that Coach Zook does not posess the ability to coach at this level and meet the standard of success firmly established by Coach Spurrier.

If Coach Zook recruits as well as he is reputed to do, perhaps the program will not suffer as much as we the fans for a few "trial" years.

To believe however, that Coach Zook could possibly lead a Gator team back to Atalanta and beyond, (especially with Ed Zaunbrecher) is to be unrealsitically positive.

Please consider a change. More of the same in '03 will be sadly disasterous. If Zook is to remain in '03, please...please, replace Zaunbrecher. Kudos to coach Thompson.

The Gator Nation must never accept mediocrity.

sincerely,
Chuck R

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,

In football, what you did was "drop the ball" aka FUMBLE. Football, maybe you've heard of it? Florida used to be pretty good at it. Until you dropped the ball with your hiring of Ron Zook.

I appreciate your loyalty to your buddy...really. I think it's sweet. However, you may have failed to realize that you actually needed to get a good coach to win championships in this "football" you seemed to have never heard of. You could've gotten a big name coach. You could've gotten a not-so-big-name coach that was high on talent. What about Charlie Strong, defensive coordinator at South Carolina? How about Mike Stoop, O. Coordinator at Oklahoma. Why did you go after Tyrone Willingham, we all see what he can do with a far less talented team than our beloved Gators.

No my friend, we just had to have that dynamo of a defensive coordinator that allowed about forty points per game at New Orleans. When I turned on my TV that fateful day, I expected to hear about you pursuing a good coach. But you had to hire your buddy, and betray countless Gator fans.

But I guess that doesn't matter, you haven't even really heard of football.

Bleeding Blue and Orange despite your ignorance,
Bryan H

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jeremy,

From my view, UF is loaded with talent. I believe that Rex Grossman would have won the Heisman this year under Spurrier. We were loaded with talent and should have competed for the national championship. Thanks to Auburn missing a field goal or we would be 7-5.

Ron Zook seems like a very nice person. I wont be facetious by adding that FSU coaches and fans agree with me. By some miracle, we beat Georgia. However, let me relay a comment from a high school football coach where I live that is from Georgia: “We sincerely hope that Florida will keep Ron Zook and give him a chance.” He was obviously being facetious.

The handwriting is on the wall. Keep Zook, and we will lose to Georgia next year. In fact, I predict that we will actually have a losing season next year under Zook. And, if you want to keep him for a third year, we will likely have a record of 4-8.

Yes, Ron is a nice guy. If you keep Ron at the helm I suppose that means that you are a nice guy too. Dumb, but nice.

The obvious choice to replace Spurrier was Bob Stoops. No one knows, but I would be willing to bet that you insulted him with the offer that you made. Gators football would not have missed a beat under Stoops.

It is time that you make the right decision. You know what it is so show some guts and just do it.

Bear Bryant once said, “if those folks down there ever get someone that knows what he is doing we are all in trouble.” Well, we now have someone who obviously is above his head. Remember also, that Gator recruiting will sharply decline under the status quo.

Mr. President, perhaps it is time……

J.D.
North Augusta, SC

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,
This year has been a very, and I stress very disapointing year for the Florida Gator football team. Everyone knew that Ron Zook couldn't achieve what Spurrier did, but we did not expect this at all. I mean come on, the outback bowl, a heisman hopeful gone to crap. If Grossman were smart he should have left with Spurrier to the NFl when he had a chance of actually being drafted in a round before the 4th. Now, he will probably end up being an undrafted free agent, and get picked up by someone such as the bengals. My advice, which, probably doesnt mean much to someone like you, comming from a fifteen year old from orlando florida, is to try to fnd someone else that actually wants to run a little offense and cover the defense a little better. Zook is supposed to be a defensive coach but he allowed how many points against FSU? That's all I have to say but if you don't fell the need to fire Ron Zook, then i think you need to look for another job yourself.
Thanks Alot,
A Spurrier Fan

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley:

As an alumnus of the University of Florida I was disappointed when Steve Spurrier resigned as head coach of the Gator football team; however, when esteemed names and proven coaches were rumored as candidates for the head coaching job I was more than a little enthused. By esteemed names I am referring to Mike Shannahan, Bob Stoops and John Gruden. Any of the aforementioned coaches would have built on Steve Spurriers legacy and instead of playing a meaningless bowl game the Gators would have accepted their annual invitation to a BCS game emblamatic of their status amonst the elite of college football. When you did not recieve an immediate acceptance from one of these coaches without delay you went and hired an individual with NO head coaching experience at any level (including Pop Warner). When Ron Zook was the defensive coordinator at Florida we played an antiquated 4-4-3 defense which allowed teams to pass on us at will and forced Spurrier to outscore opponents in virtually every game. Noting the error in Zook's strategy Spurrier immediately demoted him and hired Bob Stoops to coach the defense and low and behold we immediately improved our pass coverage leading to a national championship in 1996 and a consistent positionn in the top 5 of virtually every poll. Furthermore, as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints prior to his failed tenure with the Gators Mr. Zooks defense relinquished over 40 points in 5 of his last 7 games an NFL record for defensive futility. I am miffed at your decision to hire Ron Zook. In an interview 18 months ago Florida was determined to be the most coveted college coaching job given the resources, tradition, stadium, ability to recruit, fan/alumni support, weather and salary potential. With all of these factors on our side I am sure you could have hired a coach with a proven track record as well as a recognizeable name. Notre Dame executed this plan upon hiring Dick Willingham from Stanford and it has paid immediate dividends as evidenced by the teams 10-2 record following years of mediocrity. The Gators on the otherhand went from a near national title and final #3 ranking to a mediocre 8-4 and an Outback Bowl invitation. Furthermore, Rex Grossman went from one of the best years any quarterback has ever enjoyed to a year characterized by inconsistency. Mr. Grossman has hurt his prospects with the NFL and has regressedd dramatically in his play. As I am sure you remember lat year he was the AP Player of the Year and a runner up for the Heisman Trophy, this year his name is not discussed in these lofty circles although his competitors in 2001 (such as Ken Dorsey) will make another strong run at the Heisman and another national title. I urge you to replace Zook with a more appropiate choice immediately or risk further alienation by the alumni who will begin to withhold support of your program. In basketball Billy Donovan is clearly one of the premier coaches in the NCAA and I believe our Football Program deserves the same quality coach rather than the failed assistant you have given us. Your reckless choice of Ron Zook gave the alumni who are the life blood of the program absolutely no thought, furthermore you shirked your responsibiltiy to act in the best interest of the University. I am not alone in my thoughts as well over 300,000 people have hit the site Fireronzook.com, this is not an anamoly but an outpouring of emotion to right our ship. If you disregard the wishes of the students, fans and alumni it will only be a short while until they are calling for your job. Please act now and restore our football team to national prominence.

Sincerely,
Curtis P

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Foley,
I am writing in response to this years football season. Although I realize 8-4 and second in the SEC East is not as bad as many other programs in the country. This type of record however has become sub-par at the University of Florida, at least to the fans and Alumni.

As I have read from other Gator Fans , I too would like to commend you for the work you did in hiring Coach Donovan for the UF basketball program. I could have only hoped and dreamed you would have shown the same level of enthusiasm in selecting a LEADER of our beloved football program. I am human and realize we all make mistakes, but part of that is admitting that we have made mistakes. I too also realize that it was/is Coach Zook's first time at the helm. Does that mean we should give him a break? Maybe if this was Florida A&M, or Central Florida, maybe even if this was Kentucky, but it's not. He has poorly represented the University of Florida as head coach. Think of all the recruits that Miami and Florida State will get now because of his lack of commitment.

Did Coach Zook have some success? I wouldn't be a decent, fair person if I said no. I believe yes in fact he did, Tennessee and Georgia to be specific. Unfortunately he did not keep the morale from those two games into less than decent performances against Ole Miss and LSU. In my opinion two less than par SEC teams.(Yes I realize LSU won the SEC last year, however at 9-3. Not exactly a great SEC record) Then to make some really poor decisions against FSU, well that was just embarrassing to know that I invited friends to my home to watch pay-per view and see that performance. If Zook was this supposed "special teams guru", why couldn't Leach hit a simple 26 yard field goal this year? I am sure he was the poorest kicker in recent times at UF. Why then was our punting the most deplorable in recent memory? I am sure there are other contributing factors, but I strongly feel like it was due to the lack of experience in LEADING a team. Ron Zook was demoted in Spurrier's system for a reason, I feel confident that there was a reason and this reason is why our Gators finished the regular season 8-4.

I would ask and hope that one you actually read this message, but two that you take my words and the words of other Gator Alumni and fans alike and reconsider who should LEAD the Gator Football Program in the years to come.

Respectfully,
Brian O
New Orleans, LA

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Foley,

I am a Class of 2000 graduate of the University of Florida.
I was one the original legit fans in Gainesville during Billy Ball's unveiling his original season 1996. I commended your decision to take a chance on this young, unproven Head Coach then and I do so today. You deserve credit for that and nobody can take that away. However, unfortunately, you know where I'm heading.

I am not one of these irrational, vulgar, slur-throwing, Ron Zook haters. I am just a very depressed member of the Gator Nation. I know deep down you have to agree that Ron Zook was the wrong man for the job. You have to be doubting yourself. It's natural. Any human being would. I also know that its only been one season and the system takes time to implement. But it's not gonna get better. Please have the courage to correct this mistake before Zook can further destroy what was built during the last 10 great years.

I wouldn't write this letter if I though maybe, just maybe, things could get better in the next two years. THEY CANNOT. I will not throw stats and game situations people are still complaining about to you. No specific X's and O's. Because I'm sure you've got plenty of people with more football experience and know-how telling you Zook and his staff are inept On the Field. I will paint a different picture Off the Field.

Here it is plain and simple:

What kid out of South Florida or even Jacksonville or Orlando would in his right mind choose to play for Zook over Larry Coker and the University of Miami. They can reload and compete for a National Championship on the players they get in Florida alone. If I was a high school senior from say Miami Southridge or Norland or any Miami High School powerhouse program, you know what his coaches are saying to him right now was recruiting really intensifies.

"Yes, Gainesville is beautiful, fun and filled with great college experiences. Not to mention playing in the Swamp. But you want to get a chance to showcase NFL talent. Zook and his coaches cannot do that for you son. UM and Coker can and will."

End of Ballgame. UM gets the Blue Chips. FSU gets the solid, 4-star players and Zook and Red Anderson get the 3-star leftovers. I don't fault Zook and his staff. God knows some of this is Steve's fault as he really eased up and thought his brain could get UF by. And mostly, it did. But he is gone as you know too well. Zook and his staff are in over their heads. They may appear to have the experience and the know- how to lead us out of these dark days, but they Do NOT. I know they are nice men who are your friends so that makes this all much more difficult. I wish they could succeed. But they cannot. Not this offseason and certainly not next season when we probably lose Rex, Taylor, Kewain, Bam Hardmon, Mike Nattiel. Ian Scott and Todd Johnson just to name a few. We are rebuilding. And that sucks. Elite schools don't rebuild.

Take a chance on UM's Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinsky before some other lame Big East or Pac Ten school steals him. Or simply Make Marvin Lewis a better offer than Michigan State did. And maybe, just maybe he can bring some of the assistants and credibility Steve stole back to the town they all love.

Its really simple. Florida is a place for SEC and National Championships, not excuses.

Bradley R
Aventura, FL

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley:

January 4th of last year was one of the most depressing days of my life, as Im sure it was for most of the Gator Community. I believe the only day that was more depressing was when you named Ron Zook the head coach. I have been a huge football fan both college and pro since I've known what football was, and my first reaction was WHO?? After I did a little more research about Ron Zook, the only question I still had was WHO??? However I did not jump on the Fire Ron Zook bandwagon that quick. I gave him a chance for the whole season. He had some great wins and some good games. Not even Spurrier won in Doak Campbell, however this is GATOR FOOTBALL !!!!!!!!!!!!! We are supposed to be fighting for a National Championship every year, not accepting an Outback Bowl Bid, and saying we had some good wins. I lost all respect for Zook after watching the Georgia-Auburn game. Knowing we had no chance of playing in the SEC title game even with a win is not acceptable. I have never seen the Gator Community more down after a win in my life. I put that squareley on the shoulders of Zook, the crowds in The Swamp are pathetic, you can hear the visitors more then our own team, and again 100% on Zook. Please do not give him another year, he has never and will never prove himself, another year will do nothing but make the greatest football program in college football a middle of the road team. If and when you do hire a coach that will keep this tradition going and get the Greatest Fans in the World back in The Swamp, it'll be too late if you give him one more year. Please do it NOW and do whatever it takes to get a coach that will bring Gator Dominance back to the forefront.

Jason (Gator Fan and Alum)

[gatorduck]

Mr. Foley,

I've waited patiently until the season ended to write this email. As a UF alumn and life-long Gator fan, I was shocked, confused, and frustrated when Ron Zook was chosen to fill the position Steve Spurrier vacated. But the line I repeated to myself and others was, "Give Jeremy Foley the benefit of the doubt. He has a good record."

Though I was skeptical of Zook's ability, I forced myself to ride out the season with patience. After watching nearly every Gators game, re-watching some on the Sunshine Network, and attending some in person (including the LSU and FSU losses), I can say with certainty that Ron Zook is not qualified to coach a program of Florida's caliber. There's a reason Spurrier demoted him, and there's a reason he was unsuccessful in New Orleans. And, I'm sad to say, those reasons have translated into a rough season rife with wasted talent. If we can't be successful with the likes of Rex Grossman, Taylor Jacobs, Ernest
Graham, Todd Johnson, etc. how do we expect to be successful without them?

We have allowed Ron Zook to ruin Grossman's college career. Grossman began the season as the #1 Heisman candidate and ended the same season with 4 losses and barely more TDs than interceptions. We watched Zook run the option at FSU late in the game while Grossman got hammered for it by FSU's defense. An FSU fan near me commented on Grossman's toughness, "If Rix were being hit like that, he'd have to be carried off the field on a stretcher."

Most of the Gator faithful are tired of seeing things that are "correctable" going uncorrected week after week. We're tired of hearing that the Gators are improving and learning a new system. As long as Ron Zook is in charge, I'm confident that we will continue to waste the talent, location, and facilities that UF offers.

As we enter the recruiting season, I'd like to ask one question? Why would a high school senior with NFL aspirations trust his future to Ron Zook? It doesn't seem to have worked too well for Rex Grossman.

Go Gators!
Go Zook. Go somewhere else, that is.

Shane

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley:
I know that no matter what I say in this letter, Ron Zook will be the Head Football Coach at the University of Florida next year. This is very unfortunate, as he has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt what most everyone suspected, he is in way over his head. To think that a career, second rate assistant coach could continue to build upon what Spurrier took 12 years to build was obviously a mistake.

Why was Ron Zook hired in the first place? Because you like him personally? It certainly was not because of anything he had accomplished. It is very arrogant of you to take complete control of the football program that belongs to us all and hire a friend that has had no head coaching experience and who has already been a failure as both a college assistant and a Pro assistant. He was without a doubt going to be fired at the end of last year with the Saints and instead he gets a promotion.

What will it take for you to correct this mistake and hire somebody who Gator fans can get behind and support and RESPECT? Do we need to lose 6 games next year? Do we need to lose 4 for the next 3 years? I just ask because I would like to have an idea as to when I will be able to enjoy Gator football again and have a head coach that we all can be proud of. Ron Zook is certainly not that man. He should not have been anywhere near a list of candidates to replace Spurrier. Did anyone ever show any interest in Zook as a head coach at any level?? Why was he third on our list? What was the reason? I really would like to know. He's a tireless recruiter? Winning is the best recruiting tool. Who in the state of Florida would right now want to play for Zook given the opportunity to play for Bowden, Cocker and for that matter, Richt? Our recruiting has already gone backwards. I have no doubt that Florida will continue to decline under Zook. The amount of damage done may be irreparable and we might be a mediocre program for years to come. For this I hold you, and no one but you, accountable. You will eventually pay for your arrogance with your job. The hiring of a complete unknown and unproven coach to take over one of the better programs in the country is embarrassing and in doing so, I believe that you have put your fate on the line along with Zook's.
I wish that you did the right thing and found someone qualified to replace Zook. I know that your pride and arrogance will not allow you to do it. I wish there was something I could do to change this fact.
Sincerely,

Javier B
Class of 1993

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr Foley,

Does anyone honestly believe Ron Zook will put the Florida Gator football team in their rightful place in college football's place of prominance? Ron Zook took one of the most high flying offenses in college football and turned them into average Joe's. Losing to Ole' Miss, getting killed by lowly LSU, and taking a beating to FSU is unacceptable. We are the mighty Gators. Ron Zook, is an average coach at best. He was your 8th choice. Lets get someone better in there. I CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE FIRING OF RON ZOOK.

- Brian from G-town Texas

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hello,
I am 12 years old and love the gators to death. And seeing the gators lose soooo badly really hurts. It's just sad to see them lose when I know that they can beat any team. Ron Zook gave a good try but I think you need to get a new coach before the gators get off the polls. I know the gators can play awsome, please help me and other loyal gator fans, get a new caoch.

from,
Alex B (the true and loyal gator fan)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,

I am writing you to express my concerns about the University of Florida’s football program. I have been a Gator fan for many years and I must say that we all have been spoiled a little with the amazing turn around that coach Spurrier did for the football program at the University of Florida, compared to the program of the late 70’s and all through the 80’s. I like everyone else was truly sorry to see coach Spurrier go on to the NFL but I also felt with the accomplishments that coach Spurrier achieved with the UF football program the program would have a choice of almost any (good) coach in the country to come in to the program and continue the winning tradition that coach Spurrier has laid the foundation for in the previous twelve years. I want to express my concerns to you because I also believe that UF has gave coach Zook a chance and I have watched and I am just amazed that he and his staff have come into a program with some of “the best” athletes in the country and were not able to capitalize with the talent that they were handed to them, an example is Rex Grossman, how can you take a (possible) first round NFL pick, a Heisman trophy runner up and a quarterback that in his third year as a Gator was on track making and breaking a lot of the UF quarterback records before him and make him look so average this year. I understand that this is a new staff, a new system and I also did not expect the new coaching staff to come in to UF and win a national championship, (although that would have been nice) but I do understand football and I understand that not every year can be a winning year. But I also watched other collage football programs around the country that have had the same circumstances with a new coaching staff but have not had the same problems that UF has had this year. Examples being coach Stoops at Oklahoma, Larry Coker at Miami, coach Richt at Georgia, Nick Sapan at LSU, Tyrone Willingham at Notre Dame, couch Spurrier in 1990 and the list goes on, I am not trying to say anyone could come in to the program and do what coach Spurrier has done but as I said earlier anyone who would come into the UF football program would have a golden opportunity to take advantage of the UF program and the athletes that UF has. I strongly believe that coach Zook and his staff a not the fit for the Florida program, just look at the special teams, the UF program has to be last “in the country” with their special teams I mean it is almost a joke at the way they play and the kicking game is awful. I thought coach Zook was a special team’s expert? What happened to the UF kicking game? I know we lost the best kicker in UF history but I also know that the UF program is loaded with talent just waiting for a chance to win a starting job. The offense system that the coaching staff has put in place is definitely very predictable for other team’s, and the coaching staff has a big problem making adjustments to win football games that we should win with out a problem, I mean what ever happened to throwing the ball down field every once and awhile to loosen up the defense, that is part of “everybody’s” offensive plan in the country and with the talent UF has offensively I don’t understand why they are not doing more with the players the couching staff has had gift wrapped and handed to them. A lot of people are saying that coach Zook has done a good job his first year by beating Tennessee and Georgia and I am very happy he did so but then to turn around and lose to Old Miss, LSU, and a Florida State program that they had a full two weeks to prepare for is just not acceptable. I know that Florida State has been UF’s biggest nemesis as far beating them at home, but they are also on the downside compared to years past. I don’t understand the system the coach Zook and his staff have put into place at UF, I feel strongly that the system is full of holes and “hokey” and with the players they acquired this year the were fortunate to win the eight games they did and with most of those players leaving this year “I can’t say I blame them” I think that next year will not be an improvement from this year but a true showing of the inexperience and inefficient system the coaching staff is trying to use. I as a “true” Gator fan will be around through the thick and thin of things as I have done for the past twenty-five years and also with some of the down years under the Spurrier era but I hate to see a program that has been built to be among the “elite” in the country go down hill to just the average or below average football team’s of the past. To turn around and go backwards is just not acceptable, and to have a program that took twelve years “actually more” to build just fade away into the other 100 average/below average collage football teams in the country is just a shame for the UF program and all of the hard work and dedication that everyone associated with the UF program has put forth including yourself. Every time I hear coach Zook talk I feel like I am hearing a sales pitch all his fast talk and the same thing over and over with no results it is like a broken record and also very annoying, I mean come on I know from what I hear that coach Zook is a workaholic and he works all hours to get things done, and as a professional in my profession I also know a lot of people who work all the time a lot of hours and still do not produce (no results, no job), I mean the proof is in the producing results I don’t care if coach Zook works twenty-three hours a day what I as a fan care about is winning football games, I know that you can not win them all but if coach Zook and his staff are working so hard to win games well then a least let it show on the field, I just don’t see all the hard work showing up when it counts. Mr. Foley I would like to thank you for your time in advance for taking the time to hear my concerns, I know you are a very busy man and have a tremendous responsibility for the University of Florida. But please think about the future of the UF football program and the fans that follow the program, I used to justify my season tickets for the UF games every year as a necessity and not just part of my joneses, I some how some way managed to justify the expense as part of my needs for the annual family budget. I have regrettably say that after a couple more years with no results I will have to make the sacrifice and do as I did with my father years ago and just listen to the games on the radio and hope the can pull out a victory, if coach Zook and his staff can not win I don’t think I will be able to see the games on television (no network will want to show the game bad ratings), and I will refuse to pay thirty dollars to watch a UF football game on pay preview I know UF will lose. Please take the time to consider a coaching change; there are a lot of good coaches out there that would love a chance at one of the primer coaching jobs in the country I ask you please to take a second look at who is available for the job and not let the program go down hill. People are saying that coach Zook should get a few years to prove his ability as a coach, well if you look at the coaches I named above they did not need a few years to prove their coaching ability they proved it from the time they were given the opportunity to do so. Just like coach Spurrier he produce his first year from ability to coach and he did not have the athletes that coach Zook has been given, same with all of the others I mentioned above they have taken the opportunity with average football programs and produced results with average athletes. On the same token coach Zook ahs been given all the right pieces “athletes” to have a good team and can not do so based on his inexperience to be a good head coach.

Sincerely yours,

Eric

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sirs -

As an alum and a supporter of another SEC school, I urge the administration at Florida to not be deterred by the popularity of FireRonZook.com. Ron Zook was a fine choice and he is good for the conference as a whole. As long as Ron Zook is your head coach, we all have a chance.

I remember the days when you could pencil Florida in the SEC championship game before the season ever started. You should remember those days too, since last season was Florida's first taste of mediocrity in quite some time. Your brilliant choice of Ron Zook for the position of head coach at Florida has created something within our conference that we were badly in need of: Parity.

Surely it was tough for you to watch the SEC championship game, knowing that one loss - one inexcusable loss - kept you out of that game. That loss? Ole Miss. How do you lose to the can't-run-the-ball, can't-stop-the-run Rebels? The 6-6 Rebels? The we-lost-five-in-a-row Rebels? The Vanderbilt-of-the-SEC-West Rebels?

The Rebels love Ron Zook. So do the rest of us. Please don't fire him. He gives us hope.

Doug

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley.
Let me put it this way. If well over half of the -FANS- (and media, as you can easily see on frz.com) can out-coach Ron Zook, MAYBE SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. If a special teams coach lets his special teams blunder more than any other team in college football, MAYBE SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. If what was "talent wise" one of the nation's highest ranking football teams loses to Louisiana State University SEVEN - TO - THIRTY ****ING SIX, -- MAYBE -- SOMETHING -- ISN'T -- RIGHT. Thank you for listening, and I hope this letter was one more that was able to fuel the haste on the decision everyone around you already knows you're going to make sooner or later. Fire the retard.

~Belovéd Gator Fan, Ryan

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley:

I am sure you have been bombarded of late with plenty of FIRE RON ZOOK e-mails.
In the same vein, however, please consider these things:

1) Florida Football in 3 short months has become a laughingstock of the SEC, if not the NCAA. Silly losses to Ole Miss, LSU, and a sub-par FSU team demonstrate how ill-prepared Florida was. The inability to kick an extra point, field goal, or even punt the ball 30 yards was at best, inexcusable. I won't even broach the subject of the laughably predicable "offense", or the misdirected play calling of Zook and his coaches during the season.

2) Two of Zook's alleged strengths are special teams and recruiting. Well, special teams this year (covered in point #1) did appear as if the players were indeed, "special". That leaves recruiting---his shining star during Coach Spurrier's tenure. Remember one thing, however---Zook had a whole more lot to sell to potential recruits in the 90's----"Come play for Steve Spurrier at Florida". The words "come play for Ron Zook at Florida" don't ring quite as true, do they? Well, except for punters, place kickers, punt returners, etc.,--those players should be easy to sign.

3)It takes a big man to admit his mistake; it takes a bigger one to correct it. Considering Ron Zook wasn't even YOUR first choice, the crow you may have to eat now (in replacing Zook) would be considerably less than the fallout a year or two for now after a few more 8-4 or worse seasons.

4)What exactly has been the bright spot in this season? What CAN Zook (and the Florida faithful) hang their hats on? That we beat a Georgia team that was so full of themselves that their egos barely fit into (the former) Gator Bowl? That we unconvincingly had to COME BACK against Ohio University? That we averaged about 20 points less a game offensively than the last several years? That Chris Rix and FSU finally "got it together" in what was "one of Bobby Bowden's worst weeks ever?" If you remember the game, the previously benched and beleaguered Chris Rix wasn't blitzed much at all. He pretty much had all the time in the world to pick apart our secondary. But, I digress.

5)Finally, please do not permit our proud (12 year) Florida tradition of winning football be unceremoniously dismantled. Please do not allow the tides of change so quickly embark upon the SEC east. More to the point, I live in Atlanta and I really am sick of all of these Georgia flags.

Sincerely,
Dane H
Class of 1989

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Foley,

Unlike the profanity-laden tirades that I'm sure you are receiving by the boatload right now, I'd like to refrain from that and intelligently go over some of the numerous reasons why Ron Zook should be fired the day after the Outback Bowl, regardless of the outcome. I'll level with you, Jeremy...I was knocked flat when I heard that you had selected Zook to be Spurrier's successor. He is a coach who has proven his mediocrity time and again, and was even demoted once before at UF. I lived through the Zook years, and it was a rather depressing time to be a Gator. During Zook's first runs as a UF coordinator, the team's defense and special teams were always clearly our Achilles' heel. It was not until Bob Stoops took the reins of the defense that the Gators were able to take the final step and win a national championship. There was a very well-defined defensive drop-off between the Bates and Stoops eras, and that period was called Zook. Then, the job you tore him away from...as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. Perhaps you were unaware, but the Saints had one of the most porous defenses in the NFL last season, giving up 40 points per game in their last four games of 2001. It befuddles me as to why your successful hiring strategy for Billy Donovan (take a risk with a largely unproven but incredibly talented young coach) was completely ignored when it came to one of the most important jobs in all of sports. It seems to me that you established an artificial requirement that the head football coach have previous ties to UF. This was unfortunate, because there are several fantastic mavericks out there tearing up college football, but they did not make your painfully small list of candidates. Did you realistically expect Stoops to leave an already-established national powerhouse ot Oklahoma? Did you think for a moment that Shanahan would leave the team he has coached to two Super Bowl wins? I only hope that Zook is merely a stopgap and that you have someone lined up that we don't know about. The Gator offense took a dramatic turn for the worst this season. We possess one of the greatest pure passers to every play college football in Rex Grossman, and we ran screens and trick plays. I do not exaggerate when I say that our defense narrowly rescued UF from a 6-6 (or worse) record this year. I have no realistic hope of Grossman returning next season, and why would he? He went from a narrow Heisman runner-up to mediocre in a single season. I'd cut my losses, too. Who will face off against Brock Berlin and his grudge next season down in the Orange Bowl? Not that Grossman would make much of a difference while hogtied in the Zook/Zaunbrecher "offense." I could throw statistics at you all day long as to why Zook was completely unqualified for the head football coaching position at UF. But what bothers me even more is the attitude on the field and sidelines. After our losses and close shaves this year, all I heard was Zook saying how much the Gators were improving. I don't think I stand alone when I say that there really wasn't that much room for "improvement" from 2001! I'm all for intensity and desire, but cheerleading only gets you so far. In the SEC, you had better back it up with action. Jeremy, I do not write this letter to you out of spite. I was born in Shands Hospital and later attended UF as a student. I even met you once in person on campus. I am a proud, life-long Gator and I write the following out of my undying love for Gator football: Please fire Ron Zook.

Regards,
Ed M UF Class of 2000

[gatorduck]

Letters to Foley (week starting 12/16/02)

Dear Mr.Foley.

As a freshman in 1958 I remember watching our beloved gators compete against teams like Alabama, LSU , Auburn and although not as talented as the opposition was, they always competed and represented our school at the highest level of pride and desire.

I have followed Florida football since 1958 and never felt as bad as I did this year. From the days of Bob Woodroof, Ray Graves. Dickey , Charley Pell and Glen Hall to Steve Spurrier not one of those teams played as poorly coached as the 2002 Gators. What happened to Grossman, Jacobs and other members of our team was really a shame.

Please do the Alumni a favor and bring a Head Coach that can lead this team with ingenuity and pride.

Ramon F
Class of 63.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am quite concerned by a quote from Coach Zook which appears on espn.com. "We're going to get a really good look at our younger guys. The guys who are going to be playing a lot for us last year."

I would assume coach Zook means "next year" rather than "last year."

I'm just curious why coach Zook would be willing to jeapordize a victory by not playing the seniors. Unless i misunderstand the intentions of the quote, I would assume that he is planning on playing younger people to see how they fare in a national game against a staunch competitor. I am concerned because I want to see the players who have earned the bowl bid play ALL of their final game at Florida. I also would like to see the gators emerge victorious. So, please, keep Coach Zook from approaching this game as a scrimmage, and please encourage him to let Taylor Jacobs (for example) show what he can do rather than getting a better look at the juniors (Kelvin Kight, Carlos Perez).

Thank You
Josh L

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hello Jeremy,

So now I see our football program is pursuing Juco transfers and allowing thugs like Javon Kearse to sit on the sideline at games, excuse me, stand on the sideline, the head ball coach doesn't allow sitting, thought he was a great recruiter and special teams coach, got any more good buddies you can bring in to further humiliate my alma mater, there's an AD opening at the U of Iraq, you should take it and maybe the US will drop a bomb on you like the one you've unloaded on UF

Philip J

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,

I have been a loyal and deidicated Gator sports fan for many years. I am also a Gainesville resident for the past 27 years. When Coach Spurrier left for the NFL I was very sad to see him go, However I was hopefull that you would hire a good, quality replacement for him, as you did when you hired Billy Donovan. I was wrong. I am passed your decision to hire Ron Zook now. Then, the Florida football program went from a national contender with a Hiesman hopeful, to a team that is going to the Outback bowl, and a GOOD quaterback think of leaving early for the NFL. No one can blame Rex for think about leaving, I mean hell, Ron Zook took a Hiesman quaterback and turned him into a bad quarterback. He better leave before he can't even throw anymore. Mr. Foley, I think you understand that all the Gator fans in Gator nation are telling you, and that is, to FIRE RON ZOOK. There are alot of quality coaches in the land, that can effectively take the Gator football program back to dominance. For pete sake, Jeremy, have you read ANY of your e-mails? YOU HAVE KIDS, 9-16 TELLING YOU TO GET A NEW COACH! If they can see it, why can't you? After saying all of this, I only have one more thing to say: Jeremy, if you can't make the right choice and FIRE RON ZOOK, and get a quality coach for the Gators, then I firmly beleive that YOU should hand in your resignation, or President Young should strip you of your Athletic Director title and ship you back to ticket sales!

Sincerely,
Hank
Gainesville, Fl.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, this is just a follow up e-mail that I highly doubt will ever be read. I am a true and loyal Gator fan and University of Florida student, who becomes physically ill when I think about what Ron Zook has done to this program. 8-4 lets break that down. (1.) U.A.B. was a gimme (2.) Miami we looked like a deer in the headlights the second half (3.) Ohio is the joke of the state (family there) and we looked terrible against them (4.)U.T. a big win but U.T. isn’t U.T. this year due to injuries and other factors (5.) Kentucky we almost blew that game due to one of the worst jobs on special teams I have ever seen (6.) Ole Miss how do you lose to this team? (7.) LSU I have never before in my life been embarrassed to be a Gator, until that day at least (8.) Auburn we lost that game! We won it by a fluke field goal block (9.)Georgia HURRAY a decent win, but the team still looked sloppy (10.) Vandy that game was a disgrace even though we won (11.) South Carolina a good win, but it should have been a great win (12.) FSU I don’t even want to mention that game.

Ron Zook has managed to turn this team into the joke of Florida from the toast of Florida. I have to hear it everyday from both Miami and FSU fans about how bad our program is. We are not that bad due to lack of talent, but more like lack of a head coach. I am sure you already know what this is going to do to future recruiting, and I am sure that you have heard all this before. I don’t know anyone who is happy with Ron Zook many including myself supported this guy, but he has failed the Gator Nation poorly and this is going to impact not only the school but the local economy. I know friends who say that they are doubtful they will make all their annual visits to the Swamp and it pains me to say this but I do not blame them. Please after the Outback bowl do us all a huge favor, and fire, buy-out, force to resign, whatever it takes to remove Ron Zook from the Gator football program.

Thomas

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,

Let me start off by congratulating you on a job well done in the hiring of Billy Donovan. Donovan has done an outstanding job with the University of Florida basketball program. This letter is not, unfortunately, in reference to the basketball program. This letter is concerning the state of the football program at the University of Florida and its coaching staff. I personally believe that your ego and own personal agenda ran Steve Spurrier out of town. The man made Gator football what it is...quite simply Spurrier created excellence. Now it is your same ego that has the UF football program in its current state. You seem to pride yourself on finding talent in hidden places attempting to make you personally look like the genius behind the entire operation when everyone in the country knows who the real genius is. He now resides in Washignton D.C. You panicked after Shanahan turned you down and decide to go after the sure thing in Ron Zook. Completely missing the boat on John Gruden. Ron Zook is not only incapable of raising the bar in Gainesville he is incapable of maintaining the bar of excellence for Gator football. Ron Zook, known as a special teams witch, single handily dismantled our special teams unit into the state of disaster that it is currently in. The UF offense, formally known as the Fun 'n Gun, used to strike fear into the hearts of opponents, is now known as the Dink and Dunk offense where our most dangerous play is the horizontal screen or the option play where our Heisman candidate QB gets drilled for a solid three yard gain. The UF offense is so predictable that my 10 year old son was able to call the plays before the snap during the Vanderbilt game. All I could do was watch in disbelief as my son rattled off play after play and every time his prediction was correct. This was the turning point for me. Zook promised the Gator faithful at the beginning of the season several things. He promised to focus more on the run, this is obvious he did this because in every game Earnest Graham began to crank things up UF abandoned the run for the D & D offense. ie: Opening drive to FSU game. Zook promised Grossman a shot at the Heisman trophy...better luck next year Rex oh thats right the NFL doesn't have a Heisman trophy. Zook promised to correct the special teams at the beginning of the year...no need for comment here everyone feels my pain. I think Mr. Foley you are getting the point of this letter while Zook maybe a great guy and your best buddy he should not be the Head Ball Coach for the University of Florida. With Christmas rapidly appraoching all I want for Christmas is a new head coach, talk to Shanahan again if he still says no talk to Gary Kubaik the Denver OC, talk to Mike Stoops, Charlie Strong, Mike Malarky, etc, etc. IF you need more ideas email me back I have about a hundred proven coaches better than Ron Zook. Gator fans used to be able to laugh at 8-4 teams now they have become an 8-4 team.

Heading to Tampa instead of Tempe,
Jay

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. Foley,

As we all know, the 2002 Florida Gator football team had a less than spetacular season. Our team was loaded with talent yet, we were VERY fortunate to finish the season at 8-4. If Tennesee had not of had an off year, that would have been a loss. The only reason we won in Rocky Top is because they feared "The Gator". I am quite sure that they won't have as much fear next season. As we all know, Auburn should have won at Florida Field against us. I am quite sure, they will not have any fear next season when they play "The Mighty Gators". As we all know, Florida tried to give Georgia the victory in Jacksonville but, Georgia was still intimidated of "The Mighty Gators". Georgia was not used to winning "the big game", but now they are. They are the 2002 SEC champs. I am sure they will not be the least bit intimidated next season.

I am a UF alumni, and I bleed orange and blue through and through. I will always support my Gators but, I do not understand why in the hell you hired Ron Zook. I tried to defend him through the season but, Zook proved my gut instincts to be true. He would be a total flop, with a loaded team. Now, we are the laughing stock of the SEC. I have Tennesse, Georgia, Florida State, Auburn, and LSU friends, and they all think we should keep Zook as a coach. If you don't listen to the voices of the Gators, listen to the voices of our enemies. They are all making fun of you, and your decision.

You need to make a change. You need to find somebody credible, with HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE. We do not need a defensive coordinator who was demoted to the special teams coach, to be the head coach of the Gators. Afterall, we had an acceptional year on special teams. Every extra point was an adventure, and so was the punting game. We had to rely on our back up quarterback for punting. That was very sad and embarassing. It would also be very interesting the know the punt return average and kick return average of the opposing team. This is one of the many reasons the mediocre Seminoles whooped up on us.

If you decide to keep Zook, I hope you prove me, and the hundreds of thousands of Gator fans, wrong. But, if you keep Zook, I will make a prediction. We will lose to Miami, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, and Florida State. If I am correct, both Zook and yourself should step down, and let somebody CREDIBLE return the football program back to a dynasty. In the Pre-Spurrier era, we spent too many years of mediocre football. I do not want to go back there nor, do my fellow alumni and fans.

Be smart, save your own butt, get rid of Zook, and hire a head coach that has EXPERIENCE.

LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE GATORS!

Dwayne W

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr Foley-

In my brief stint as a student-athlete at the University of Florida was greatly impressed by the way you ran the Athletic Department. The facilities were first class, the coaches were all highly respected throughout the country and losing was unacceptable. Coaches were let go because they did not win championships...Andy Lopez (Baseball) is a name that springs to mind.

Coach Lopez (who I played for) went to the College World Series two out of three years at one point - and was let go because he did not bring a championship to UF. I played on a team with FIVE current big leaguers, a testament to his ability to recruit and develop talent, but an indication of his inability as a coach to turn that talent into results.

The point that needs to be made is this...his teams were competing for national championships, winning the SEC and making the University proud...he was still let go for failing to win.

You had no qualms letting him pursue greener pastures elsewhere, where he commented, "I guess (the athletic department) thought we weren't getting to (CWS host city) Omaha enough.".

Another story written in June of this year outlines the precedent you have set in firing coaches who do not win championships:

There are very few weak links in the Florida athletic program. The Gators have won 54 SEC titles in Foley's 10 years as AD. They just finished third in the race for the Directors' Cup, which goes to the most successful sports program in the nation. Still, Foley never stops trying to improve. Earlier this month, he fired men's track coach Doug Brown, even though Brown's team had just finished fourth at NCAA outdoor nationals. A few weeks earlier, longtime gymnastics coach Judi Markell was forced out despite a 124-81-1 record in 10 years. Men's tennis coach Ian Duvenhage was fired last year, just one season removed from an SEC title. Foley also fired baseball coach Andy Lopez, who led the Gators to two College World Series in seven seasons.
''The expectations are tremendously high,'' Duvenhage told the Orlando Sentinel. ''That's just the way it is.'' Foley says he doesn't take any of these personnel moves lightly. "But I'm a big believer in the saying that if something needs to be done eventually, it needs to be done immediately,'' he said. ''We have a responsibility to be as good as we can be.''
-Orlando Sentinel

The firing of Ron Zook will happen eventually, please follow the precedent you have set and make it happen immediately. You have worked for many years to build the athletic department up to the level that it is...it is sinking quickly with Coach Zook at the helm.

I love the University with all my heart, and it pains me to see what is happening. Mediocrity has never been acceptable to you before, nor should it be acceptable now.

Thank you for your time.
Arin M '98
Houston, TX