By Steve
Goldstein
Thursday, October 17th, 2002
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Ron Zook took over for the incomparable Steve Spurrier, who's
currently finding out that the NFL isn't easy, even if you don't follow a
legend. Spurrier consistently kept Florida near the top of the rankings
with an exciting offense and a solid defense. When Spurrier decided he wanted
a new challenge and also realized that Bob Stoops' departure for
Oklahoma had hurt his defense, Zook was brought in.
Zook wasn't Florida's first choice. But Stoops decided to stay in Norman
after winning a national championship. And Mike Shanahan decided that
he enjoyed the NFL life in Denver and a chance at another Super Bowl victory.
That left Zook. And it leaves the Gators sinking in quicksand.
Fortunately for Florida, another legend, Florida State head man Bobby
Bowden, seems to gradually be losing his touch. For a second consecutive
season, the Seminoles aren't where most of us expect them to be. It could
simply signal a brief down period. It could also be a sign that Bowden should
start preparing himself for retirement.
Larry Coker, meanwhile, is undefeated as Miami's head coach.
If Florida doesn't want to lose ground, then firing Zook -- as insane as
it may sound -- could be a way of writing off a mistake and remedying it.
He probably isn't available, but Florida would be wise to give
Colorado head coach Gary Barnett a call at the end of this
season.
Barnett and Spurrier accomplished two of the greatest feats in the history
of college football. Spurrier finished a brief stint at Duke with
an above-.500 record. Meanwhile, Barnett led Northwestern to two major
bowl appearances, including a Big 10 title and a trip to Pasadena. Barnett
was an assistant at Colorado before heading to Northwestern, so it's pretty
clear he enjoys the Rockies. However, no other state -- with the possible
exceptions of Texas and California -- produces the football
talent that Florida does.
If Florida decided to declare the Zook experiment a failure and come up with
a package approaching seven figures a year for Barnett, the Gators would
have a proven winner as the man in charge. Barnett also wouldn't be intimidated
by the shadow of Spurrier over the Florida program. This is a man who wasn't
intimidated by decade after decade of losing at Northwestern. He simply won.
Then, when he had the chance at a better college football job, he took it.
Florida and Barnett would be a great fit.
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