“Put Nick Saban there (at Illinois), and it didn’t matter ... it’s never going to change.”
— Ron Zook to The Associated Press’ Genaro Armas
It‘s 2015. Start of another football season. Time to review the big picture, to assess.
Given decades to get it right, and with more resources than many, was the comment by former Illini coach Zook a moment of clarity? Why has Illinois tumbled so far ... a 20-year Big Ten football record of 46 wins and 113 losses (1 tie)?
Let’s see. What are the factors in building a winner?