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The Daily OrangeFB | No dirty tricks
Once accused of shady recruiting tactics, Ron Zook is seen by coaches and players as a talented, but clean recruiter
By Joel Godett
Posted: 9/12/07, 10:34 PM EST Section: Sports
As Illini recruiting coordinator, Mitchell understands why prospects don't get that feeling from his boss. He said that when it comes to recruiting, Zook still sees himself as an assistant, working not just the high-profile prospects and the ones close to committing, but every target nationwide. And it's not just an act for the job - that's how the coach really is.
"I've learned early in coaching that I have to coach who I am and recruit who I am," Zook said. "…You learn from successful people, but in the same token, you have to take your own personality into that. I just try to be me."
In addition to personality, proximity is another big recruiting tool. Niedzwicki said that's what got Staples to commit to Illinois. The wideout's family lives in both Chicago and St. Louis, and with the campus about halfway between the two, Illinois made a perfect fit.
That said, Staples isn't an in-state prospect. It's those players that Zook targeted from day one on the job. He told Mitchell and his other assistants that recruiting starts in Illinois. If the team can't find what it needs there, the search works it way outward. Zook's goal is to make Illinois the best recruiter of in-state talent.
So far, that initiative has been successful, luring the likes of Juice Williams and five-star defensive end Martez Wilson.
Now what remains to be seen is whether Zook can finish at Illinois what he couldn't at Florida: win a national championship himself - not his recruits - under a new head coach.
One thing, however, is for sure.
"It's my opinion that (Zook's) in the top two (recruiters)," Jefferies said.
"I've learned early in coaching that I have to coach who I am and recruit who I am," Zook said. "…You learn from successful people, but in the same token, you have to take your own personality into that. I just try to be me."
In addition to personality, proximity is another big recruiting tool. Niedzwicki said that's what got Staples to commit to Illinois. The wideout's family lives in both Chicago and St. Louis, and with the campus about halfway between the two, Illinois made a perfect fit.
That said, Staples isn't an in-state prospect. It's those players that Zook targeted from day one on the job. He told Mitchell and his other assistants that recruiting starts in Illinois. If the team can't find what it needs there, the search works it way outward. Zook's goal is to make Illinois the best recruiter of in-state talent.
So far, that initiative has been successful, luring the likes of Juice Williams and five-star defensive end Martez Wilson.
Now what remains to be seen is whether Zook can finish at Illinois what he couldn't at Florida: win a national championship himself - not his recruits - under a new head coach.
One thing, however, is for sure.
"It's my opinion that (Zook's) in the top two (recruiters)," Jefferies said.
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