On Tuesday, Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther named Ron Zook as Illinois' 22nd head football coach. The former Florida head coach takes over for Ron Turner. Turner's team won the 2001 Big Ten title but could never build on that success. Zook takes over a squad that went 3-8 in 2004, 1-11 in 2003.

Zook is expected to receive a five-year contract but terms where undisclosed at this time. He is also expected to receive 1.8 million over the next four years from his Florida buyout.

Ron Zook's tenure at Florida was unpleasant from almost the beginning. He was Gator athletic director Jeremy Foley's third choice for the job. Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos both turned Foley down. Zook had been the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator before he took the Florida job.

Local media, Gator fans never forgave him for not being Steve Spurrier. Many felt his talented teams under-achieved on the field in his three years as head coach. During his three seasons at Florida, Zook had an overall record of 23-14, teams going 8-5, 8-5, and 7-4. This year's team will play in the Peach Bowl against Miami(Fla.).

Zook is known as a relentless recruiter, top-notch salesman for his program. He and his Florida staff brought in two top five recruiting classes in 2003, 2004. Florida assistant coach Larry Fedora joined Zook at the press conference in Champaign on Tuesday and will be the new Illini offensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Joe Wickline, defensive backs coach Dan Disch and linebackers coach Bill Miller are all expected to join Zook at Illinois.

Ron Zook's biography

FAMILY: Wife Denise, two daughters, Jacquelyn and Casey.

COLLEGE: B.S. (comprehensive science) from Miami (Ohio), 1976.

AS A PLAYER: Played defensive back for Miami (Ohio) from 1972-75; three-year letterman; team captain in 1975; team went 34-1-1 from 1973-75 and won the Mid-American Conference all three seasons.

PRO COACHING EXPERIENCE: Saints' defensive coordinator (2000-01); Chiefs defensive backs coach (1999); Steelers special-teams coach (1996-98).

PRO HIGHLIGHTS: 2000 Saints set a club record and led the league with 66 sacks and ranked in the top 10 in 10 categories, including eighth in total defense; 1999 Chiefs defensive backs scored six touchdowns and the defense had 25 interceptions.

COLLEGE COACHING EXPERIENCE: Florida head coach (2001-2003); Florida associate head coach and special-teams coordinator (1995); Florida special-teams coordinator (1994); Florida defensive coordinator (1991-93); Ohio State defensive backs coach (1988-90); Virginia Tech defensive coordinator/assistant coach (1987); Tennessee defensive backs coach (1984-86); Kansas defensive coordinator (1983); Cincinnati defensive coordinator (1981-82); Murray State defensive backs coach (1978-80).

HIGH SCHOOL COACHING EXPERIENCE: Orrville (Ohio) High (1976-77).