Overhaul complete, Guenther puts his faith in Zook

A restless Illini Nation was clamoring for change at the top. But believing that dismissing head coach Ron Zook would mean a lengthy rebuilding process, athletic director Ron Guenther defended his decision Friday to work with Zook on a massive overhaul of the coaching staff.

''The easiest thing is to take a position for popularity,'' Guenther said. ''It's not a popularity poll. I have to make a decision that gets us back as fast as we can get back. We've made an investment in a big way with coach Zook. He knows the academics, he knows the philosophy here, he knows the institution, he's well-grounded. If this works the way it might work, and I feel it has a great chance of working, we'll be back a lot faster than if we made a [head-coach] change.''

Vic Koenning, who engineered a turnaround that saw Kansas State's run defense climb to 16th in the nation this fall after being 112th in 2008, was introduced as Illinois' defensive coordinator. Koenning is the fourth new assistant hired. Barring any unforeseen developments, the staff changes are completed.

Koenning, who agreed to a two-year deal worth $325,000 a year, will be Illinois' second highest-paid assistant behind new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, who will make $475,000 annually on a two-year deal. The other hires were quarterbacks coach Jeff Brohm and tight ends coach Greg Nord as Illinois revamped its staff in an effort to revive itself under Zook, who is 21-39 at Illinois with one winning season.

With Illinois on the hook for so many buyouts -- from Zook, who has four years left on his contract, on down -- Guenther might find himself in an awkward position a year from now if Zook and his new minions don't show progress.

But that's a gamble the AD was willing to take based on his belief that Zook, who was a hero during Illinois' 2007 Rose Bowl season, can get the Illini going again.

''We're rolling the dice,'' Guenther said. ''There's risk in any direction you go. If you lose confidence you can't get there, then you make a decision. It's not a question of going too long or too short. If you don't think you can get there, you change. I was convinced there are other issues to address. I haven't lost confidence in coach Zook.''

Still, the pressure on Zook to show progress next fall will be intense. And Illinois hasn't handled the heat well the last two years, going 5-7 and 3-9 since the Rose Bowl year.

Guenther said he'll be looking for progress, not any particular number of victories.

''I don't know if you can put a number on it,'' he said. ''I just know there is more talent here that will be juniors, some seniors. The last two recruiting classes were good. I look for a much more competitive football team. We have some new energy, some strength, some experience, and there's a high expectation with the people coming in that we're going to have a pretty good football team.''

All they have to do now is convey that to outside skeptics.

Color Photo: Kansas State's run defense improved from 112th in 2008 to 16th in 2009 under new Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning.