Ever since the Internet became popular, college coaches have taken advantage of all the communication possibilities to aid their cause in recruiting. They have planted stories favorable to their purposes; sent copies of negative posts from fans of competing schools to recruiting targets; and used allies to call recruits claiming to be website recruiting gurus to find out their plans or plant negative information about competitors.
In addition, they have enjoyed the support, some free and some paid, of individuals who check out opponents' websites to find juicy information or counteract criticisms of their schools. With many athletes and/or their families and friends checking out the websites of schools offering them scholarships, the idea is to provide information on the Internet that will help targeted athletes prefer one school over all others.
The Illini basketball program has endured significant intrusions from competitors' fans on free forums such as those on Illiniboard (
IlliniBoard.com) because Illinois has been highly successful and a legitimate competitor for top basketball talent. One can recall the days Oklahoma star Shelden Williams was deciding between Illinois and Duke (and others). Several Duke fans posted on the Illiniboard on a daily basis, glorifying Duke and counteracting every argument Illini fans could muster that might favor Illinois. They left and were heard from no more once Williams selected Duke.
We are not talking about those children of all ages who like to rile up competitors with obnoxious criticisms. The Duke posters were highly organized and emphasized Duke's positives without destroying their credibility by acting like fools. They may not have been paid for their services, but they worked together well. If Shelden Williams or his supporters checked out the Illiniboard during this time, they read as much positive about Duke as they ever did about Illinois. This was the plan.
Ron Zook has been the victim of an organized effort by wealthy Florida alumni to cast aspersions on his coaching ability and good name for several years now. These Steve Spurrier loyalists could never accept blue collar Ron Zook as his replacement at Florida and worked continuously to get him fired. After three winning seasons, they finally got their wish. But their criticisms, often exaggerated or totally fabricated, have now been quoted by Midwest schools hoping to prevent Zook from making major inroads against their success ratios.
For example, it is a common deceit that claims Zook "can recruit but can't coach." This is total hogwash, as his 28 years of college and professional coaching prove. It is true Illinois suffered through a 2-9 season last year, but it is doubtful any coach could have done better with the talent on hand. And Coach Zook has surrounded himself with quality assistants who are as adept at teaching as recruiting. Better talent is being recruited, and the combination of recruiting and teaching will lead to happy times in Illinois' future. At least, it is wise to give Zook a couple more years before passing any judgement since the cupboard was so bare when he arrived. Again, don't believe all the BS!
A recent criticism is the notion Coach Zook recruits "thugs" who will not represent the University of Illinois well. There is no evidence that his recruits at Florida got into any more trouble than athletes at other schools. And the youngsters recruited by him to Illinois appear on first glance to be quality individuals who will be outstanding representatives of the school. Don't believe all the BS!
Ron Zook has a special ability to treat people from all walks of life equally and with respect. He is especially beloved by minorities who can recognize disengenuous phoneys a mile away. Since a large number of the best football players are minorities, Coach Zook has an advantage in recruiting. Don't think for one moment that other coaches and schools aren't deeply concerned he will be able to recruit superstars to Illinois. They will use any excuse, any lie, to paint Zook and Illinois in a negative light. Don't believe all the BS!
