Thank you for your concern

I want thank all of the Illini faithful who stopped by over the past couple of days with expressions of concern about me. Whether it was that I have "too much time on my hands" or that I have an "unhealthy obsession" or even that perhaps I have an unsatisfactory "penis size" it has all been very touching. I realize that there's a lot questions about me so I've decided I'd pull back the curtain just a little bit.

The first thing you need to know about me is that I'm not Baghead. Like a cheap tribute band or an Elvis impersonator, I'm just an admirer of Baghead, the genius who started fireronzook.com back in January of 2002, not the real thing.

The next thing I want to address is why I have an allegiance to the Gators. I do in fact have a bachelor of science from the University of Florida which I earned in 1991. I am from a major metropolitan area in Florida and not a local yokel from Gainesville, so save the "Billy Bob" jokes.

As far as my personal life goes, I have a relationship with a lovely lady (who is the only person who should really care about the size of my penis, and I haven't heard a complaint yet), have a couple of beautiful kids and love my job where I earn a six figure salary.

So what's with the "obsession" with Ron Zook, many of you have asked. Well obsession is a strong word. I wouldn't say it's an obsession. As you can see by reading my archives this blog has been around for about a year and I've only made a handful of posts. But what drives me is the great lengths to which some of my Gator brethren go defend Ron Zook, even today. And the reason it bothers me is that in order to defend him these people often end up smearing the reputation of the man who put Florida football on the map, Steve Spurrier.

You see I was at the University of Florida when the school had never won an official conference title. I sat there in the stands as the team underperformed in the pre-Spurrier era. I know what it's like to be 6-5 and disappointed to be playing in some 3rd tier bowl, if at all. I realize that for most of you Illini fans 6-5 doesn't sound so bad. But it's a matter of perspective. Once you've tasted success you don't want to go backward.

And Ron Zook really gets under my skin. First he downplayed the talent he inherited at UF, claiming he had an empty cupboard. That was a lie made out of whole cloth. Then he claimed that our Gators were improving. But the results never improved. All of a sudden our home field advantage was gone and we were losing to perennial doormats of our league.

Since he got canned at Florida, Zook has not relented. He takes subtle digs at UF whenever possible and made a ridiculous claim that he would have won a national title at Florida in 2005 if he had been given the chance.

I am sure Ron Zook is a helluva guy. To a man his players are loyal to him. And there's probably nobody I'd want to have watching my back, if I got into a spat with some frat boys, more than the Zooker. But Ron Zook is not a smart coach.

One of you Illini left a comment asking if Zook's difficulties at Florida had anything to do with his inexperience. My answer to that is no. Ron Zook may have never been a head coach before but despite his youthful appearance is man in his 50s who has been around football at the college and pro level for more than a quarter century. Given that, some of the decisions he's made are seemingly inexplicable. But I think there is an explanation. Ron Zook has some sort of learning disability. If man is the only animal that trips on the same stone twice, Zook is the only man that trips on it a dozen times and remains unconvinced of the presence of the stone.

Another thing. Why do you take anyone with a bag on his head seriously? Why do you care what I think? If you really have the goods in Ron Zook you'll all have the last laugh.

I will admit that the Illini have already surpassed my expectations this year. All of you, if you are honest, will admit the same. You have had 2+ seasons to watch and listen to Zook and you know that you've had your doubts along the way. Zook can be successful if gets out the way of his players and coaches and sticks to what he knows how to do: recruiting, barefoot water skiing, and squats.

Oh and one last thing. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. We're only halfway through the season. And although the schedule is looking pretty good for you the remainder of the way (except of course for OSU) there's still a good chance that Ron Zook I've come to love (as your coach, not mine) will make an appearance. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Sue me.