Maryland football adds Ron Zook as senior analyst

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.

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