Zook has pieces in place to improve Illinois from its 4-19 record over last two seasons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Last fall, Ron Zook was fired in the midst of a 7-4 season at Florida. The same record this fall surely would earn him a raise at Illinois.

The Illini are 9-26 since winning the Big Ten title in 2001. They've defeated only one conference opponent in the past two seasons, a descent to mediocrity that cost Ron Turner his job last November.

Zook, dumped despite his 23-14 record in three seasons with the Gators, jumped at a chance to return to his Midwestern roots and Champaign-Urbana welcomed him with open arms.

"It's just been such a breath of fresh air," he said. "People are outgoing. They're friendly. They're helpful."

So after nine months of off-field rebuilding, the Ohio native is ready to see what his new team can do. He isn't promising miracles.

"I think the sign of a successful team is a team that improves from the beginning," he said. "I think when you start setting a number of games you have to win to be considered a successful year, I think you're setting yourself up for failure."

While 14 returning starters give the Illini some experience, they otherwise lack depth, speed and a proven quarterback to run Zook's fast-paced and pass-happy offense.

Junior Tim Brasic has played in only two games and has thrown only one pass. But he can run and showed his new coaches enough in spring practice for them to anoint him the man to beat, even though fellow junior Chris Pazan has much more game experience.

"Unless something changes drastically, he should be the guy," quarterbacks coach Ed Zaunbrecher said of Brasic. "He was the most consistent and protected the ball best."

Brasic will be giving the ball to some experienced running backs and receivers. The backfield is perhaps one of the best in the Big Ten with fullback Jason Davis and E.B. Halsey sharing time with Pierre Thomas at tailback, and split end Kendrick Jones caught 47 passes a year ago.

The offensive line lost two stalwarts, tackle Bucky Babcock and center Duke Preston. But Mike Maddox, J.J. Simmons and Martin O'Donnell still give Zook a good foundation for the offense.

"I think we have a chance to be pretty salty there," Zook said. "The concern obviously, as in every program, is depth. But I think we've got some good young talent there."

Zook also has some skilled freshmen who could provide an immediate spark, including running back Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for more than 1,453 yards his senior season at Niles West High School, and receiver Derrick McPhearson, if is able to recover from an ankle injury.

Defensive coordinator Mike Mallory, the only holdover from Turner's staff, will try to turn around a unit that allowed 29 points and 424 yards per game last season. Illinois' defense was ranked 97th among the 117 NCAA Division I-A teams.

The line is anchored by three-year starter Ryan Matha at tackle. Chris Norwell, Charles Myles, Scott Moss, Xavier Fulton and Josh Norris also saw significant action last season.

The Illini lost starting linebackers Matt Sinclair and Mike Gawalek, but sophomore J Lehman is leaner and quicker. The secondary returns three starters: cornerbacks Alan Ball and Travis Williams, who moves from safety and safety Morris Virgil. Sophomore Justin Harrison is expected to be the other starting safety, if he's recovered from offseason hip surgery.