Ron Zook Reportedly Joining Packers as Assistant Coach

The former head coach at Florida and Illinois will reportedly fill the spot open for assistant special teams coach.

As first reported by Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com, former University of Florida and Illinois head coach will be joining the Green Bay Packers as an assistant coach.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was quick to follow, saying Zook will become Green Bay's outside linebackers coach, replacing the recently departed Kevin Greene, who stepped down to spend more time with family.

Zook has a reputation as a good recruiter but poor Xs and Os guy as a college head coach, going 57-65 in 10 years between Florida and Illinois. He originally stepped into a difficult position, replacing the highly successful Steve Spurrier back in 2002.

Prior to his stints as a college head coach, Zook previously spent seven years in the NFL as an assistant coach, including 2000 and 2001 as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, while on the same staff as Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Before that, Zook was defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999 and special teams coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996 to 1999.

Per our own Zach Kruse:

 

UPDATE:

UPDATE:

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Comments (21)

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Evan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:25 am

Update from Silverstein: "RT @TomSilverstein Zook is being hired, not necessarily as OLBs coach. Stay tuned."

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RC Packer Fan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:27 am

Interesting.

'Zook has a reputation as a good recruiter but poor Xs and Os guy'

He was a very good recruiter. I remember him bringing in some big time talent at Illinois. But it seemed like a lot of that talent never developed. Was that Zook or was that others?

Its an interesting hire that is for sure.

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THEMichaelRose's picture

February 07, 2014 at 12:07 pm

The talent developed. Vontae Davis, Mikel LeShoure, Corey Liuget, Arrelious Benn, Martez Wilson, Whitney Mercilus, others. They were just never consistent winners.

Only thing that feels weird to me is that he's a special teams "assistant," what exactly does that require? How much impact does he really have a chance to make?

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Evan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:29 am

Joe Johnson really thrived under Zook...so, that's a lot for that.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:41 am

Zook, might be one of those coaches that are great as an assistant. More one on one type of coaching.
He has an eye for talent. That is for sure. Maybe he will be able to figure out how to maximize that talent.

Joe Johnson (sigh). If Zook could get out of players what he got out of Johnson he would be a great asset.

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Evan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:46 am

Assistant Special Teams coach...interesting.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 10:51 am

That should be interesting.

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Stroh's picture

February 07, 2014 at 07:46 pm

Chad Morton used to be the Asst ST Coach IIRC.

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cLowNEY42's picture

February 07, 2014 at 07:58 pm

Yes.
The ST debacle was clearly the ASSISTANT ST coach's fault not he HEAD ST coach's.

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Stroh-Hater's picture

February 08, 2014 at 12:33 pm

cLowNEY, you should stop trying to reason with Stroh. He's impossible and probably a troll.

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Chicago Packer Fan!'s picture

February 07, 2014 at 11:18 am

Can only hope he knocks Slocum out of a job soon. He is the worst special team coach there is. In spite of having a great punter and a rebounded kicker.

His units are always outmatched and can't tackle. Hopefully Zook can figure it out.

GO PACK GO!

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Jamie's picture

February 07, 2014 at 01:24 pm

Zook's a firey kinda guy...something out STs u it's have lacked consistently under Slocum.

Maybe this is a precursor to Slocum getting the axe...should STs not improve dramatically this coming season.

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Phatgzus's picture

February 08, 2014 at 12:06 pm

*rimshot

Thank you, thank you, I'm here 'til Thursday; try the fish and tip your servers.

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SCFPackFan's picture

February 07, 2014 at 02:15 pm

Definitely adds some much needed coaching experience to our special teams unit.

Slocum, is your seat getting warm?

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cLowNEY42's picture

February 07, 2014 at 05:33 pm

I live in IL (worst place on earth).
I've seen a lot of Zook.

He's a grade "A" tool.

Other teams have to be laughing there asses off at the Slocum/Zook combo.

Put it this way - Zook has never upgraded anything.

If ST doesn't regress it'll be a miracle.

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Phatgzus's picture

February 07, 2014 at 06:10 pm

I'll have to take your word for it, seeing as there isn't a single hardware store employee in the world who knows more about grade-A tools than you, li'l buddy.

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Stroh's picture

February 07, 2014 at 07:45 pm

Nicely played Phatgzus!! LMAO

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Stroh-Hater's picture

February 08, 2014 at 12:22 am

The Packers are not getting back to the Super Bowl so long as Stroh keeps posting here. Go away Stroh, you are ruining everything.

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Stroh's picture

February 08, 2014 at 04:20 am

LMAO... Thanks for showing up and trolling me again. Takes an outstanding Fan and commenter to have someone so intimidated that he has to troll ONE person. You make my day every time you show up! I consider YOU the ultimate compliment!

Packers have gone to 5 SB in my lifetime and I expect they'll make 5 more SB before I leave this life!

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Stroh-Hater's picture

February 08, 2014 at 12:23 pm

Because of you we lost to the Broncos.

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ray nichkee's picture

February 07, 2014 at 11:41 pm

Clown 42 admitted he's a F.I.B. dude stay out of wisconsin. Just some advice. If you were as good as you think you would be doing the hiring for the pack.

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