clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Maryland football adds Ron Zook as senior analyst

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

After Maryland head coach Mike Locksley left the Terps for the first time in 2002, the former running backs coach/recruiting coordinator joined the post-Steve Spurrier Florida Gators in the same role.

Ron Zook was the head coach for the Gators at the time. He would coach in Gainesville for three more years before accepting a position as the head coach with Illinois, where he brought Locksley with him.

On Wednesday, Locksley returned the favor, announcing the hiring of Zook as a senior analyst who will work with Maryland’s special teams and defense in an off-field and non-recruiting role.

“To be able to add the caliber of coach that Ron Zook is — who I’ve had the opportunity to work for at Florida, as well as at the University of Illinois — to our staff as a senior analyst gives us another great set of eyes and advice,” Locksley said. “We’re excited to add Coach Zook to our staff.”

After posting a 23-14 overall record at Florida, Zook took Illinois to the Rose Bowl against USC and won Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2007, his third year with the program. He finished with a 34-51 record during his seven seasons with the Fighting Illini. Locksley left in December 2008 to accept his first head coaching job at New Mexico.

Prior to Maryland, Zook coached defensive backs and special teams for the Alliance of American Football’s Salt Lake Stallions until the league ended in April. Zook comes to the Terps bearing some NFL experience as well, serving as the Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator from 2015-18.

Despite only having a small role with the team, Zook will be a good asset to have on Maryland’s side.

In other news

After going 59-147-1 in four seasons, Maryland softball coach Julie Wright resigned Wednesday.

Locksley gave an update on Maryland running back Lorenzo Harrison III and wide receiver Sean Savoy, who had missed some time during fall training camp.

Incoming freshman Diamond Miller wasn’t the only Maryland player representing the U.S. this summer. Rising sophomore guard Taylor Mikesell had herself a game in the Pan-American Games with a team-high 16 points. With its 103-55 win against the U.S. Virgin Islands, Team USA advanced to the medal semifinals.

It’s Specialists Week here at Testudo Times, and Sean broke down how the Terps may turn to a few new players to fill their long snapper position

Former Virginia Tech and current Maryland wide receiver Sean Savoy and quarterback Josh Jackson are expected to be playmakers for the Terps this season. Lila explains how they have relied on one another through their tribulations.

As fall training camp continues, a few guests have swung by to show their support to the Terps.

And the final thing that we will leave you with is a new wallpaper for your cell phone.