Deadspin: Ron Zook

Ron Zook Freaks Out, Has A Jim Mora Moment

David Matthews — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

After Illinois' loss to Minnesota last Saturday, Ron Zook addressed the team's prospects for bowl eligibility. It's one of the finest moments in Motor-Mouth History. H/T Erik More »

The Ron Zook Coaching Tree Bears Intense Fruit

Tommy Craggs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:15:07 EDT

First-year New Mexico coach Mike Locksley learned at the knee of famous intensity-pisser Ron Zook, and it seems he learned well. Locksley now stands accused of punching his wide receivers coach in the face. More »

Of Ron Zook, Twitter And Big Swinging Dicks

Ben Cohen — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:05:00 EDT

Ron Zook had a busy Wednesday afternoon. First, he went to the Chicago Mercantile exchange. Then, he channeled his inner Faulkner and finally, he tweeted about the entire experience. More »

For Those Who Piss Intensity And Head Butt Coke Machines

A.J. Daulerio — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:45:52 EDT

Ron Zook's personal demo boat is for sale. It's the 2008 Malibu Response XLi — which can be yours for $51, 485. [MunsonSki] More »

Ron Zook: Pissing Intensity

A.J. Daulerio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:30:16 EST

Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to tips@deadspin.com . Subject : Morning crap More »

The Ron Zook Water Skiing Zapruder Film

Will Leitch — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:30:23 EDT

So The Big Ten Network has this reality show about the Illinois football team called "The Journey." Even though this is a "Hard Knocks" type series — albeit one with decidedly worse production values and dramatically more nondescript players — about my alma mater's football team, I have never seen this show, because I made the foolish decision to live in the sleepy outpost of New York City, where it is unavailable. God I hate The Big Ten Network. More »

Ron Zook Is Spreading Democracy

Will Leitch — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:35:11 EDT

You've seen him served as tea for kings, flashing the weirdest gang signs and, of course, water skiing like a madman. But now, we know once and for all that Ron Zook is keeping the world safe for democracy. More »

Ron Zook, The Sound You Make On A Bumpy Flight

Leitch — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

A reader who recently took a Virgin Airlines flight noticed this rather terrifying air sickness bag. We can't help but wonder if the designer is from Gainesville. More »

Not Even Zook Can Help The Illini

Jonah Keri — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:35:03 EST

Jonah Keri writes the college basketball closer (more or less) daily. E-mail your questions, comments or Clarence Ceasar-related memories to jonahkeri@gmail.com. More »

The Rose Bowl In The Twilight Zone

Leitch — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:15:10 EST

The question we've been discussing with fellow Illini fans over the last 12 hours or so; was it really worth it? Was it worth watching our Illini be absolutely destroyed in the Rose Bowl yesterday? Wouldn't we all have been better off if Illinois had a more competitive, fun, matchup against Florida in that Capital One Bowl? It took us most of the night, but we think we have our answer. More »

Ron Zook, Somewhat Less Intense This Week

Leitch — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:25:05 EST

We will say this: It is unlikely this photo above is going to replace Ron Zook Pisses Intensity Photo. More »

Oh, Like You Didn't Know This Picture Was Coming

Leitch — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:40:59 EST

Yep, it's really happening: Illinois — Illinois! — is in the Rose Bowl. The game they play on New Year's Day. That one. Seriously. Zook in Pasadena. Zooooooooook. More »

Ron Zook Continues To Piss Intensity

Leitch — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:30:52 EST

After Illinois' oddly easy win over Northwestern — to win the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, whatever that is — on Saturday, the most amazing Illini season we can remember draws to a close. Which means, of course ... it's time for the Ron Zook Water Skiing Photo! The man pisses intensity. More »

The Best JetBlue Flight Of All Time

Leitch — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:10:13 EST

We've watched our favorite teams play in some strange places. We once saw our Buzzsaw lose on the back of a boat off Lake Shelbyville while an old girlfriend vomited off the back. (We helped her out, once the outcome had been clearly decided.) But Illinois' breathtaking upset of Ohio State on Saturday was witnessed from the strangest possible place: We watched it on an airplane. More »

A Long Night In Champaign

Leitch — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:35:14 EDT

We very much enjoyed our trip to Champaign on Saturday, even if we watched our Illini lose, once again, to those Michigan Wolverines. A note to Michigan fans: As if you didn't already know, your fans travel very well. More »

Ron Zook, Illinois And Our Spinning Brains

Leitch — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:45:51 EDT

We have resisted as long as we can: We now, to finish our day, talk about the Illini. And what better way to do so than through the restless guns of Ron Zook. More »

A Real Team Would Play A Tripleheader

Leitch — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:45:48 EST

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More proof that our man Ron Zook — ARE YOU INTENSE ENOUGH FOR ZOOK???!!! — is a genius and is a force with which to be reckoned: He's smart enough to schedule games against teams who already have games scheduled that day. More »

Ron Zook Will Turn Your Conventional Wisdom Upside Down

Leitch — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:45:03 EST

Our beloved alma mater, the University of Illinois, is having a mediocre year in basketball and has won, like, four games in two years, even forcing us to sit through a 33-0 loss to Rutgers last year that mostly resembled a cock fight between a rabid rooster and an egg. But worry not, fellow alums: It's National Signing Day, and The Super Macho Intense Ron Zook and the Illini have brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. How are they doing it? Well, most people think they're cheating, of course. More »

Don't You Forget About Ron Zook

Leitch — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:45:47 EST

The Florida Gators might have overcome a few years of questionable coaching decisions, rugby-style kicks, random substitutions and BALLS OUT INTENSITY to win a national championship ... but rest assured, Ron Zook shall return triumphant! The Zooker's improving! And comin' atcha! More »

Florida Brings Back An Old Friend To Beat Buckeyes

Leitch — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:15:37 EST

So here's something that couldn't possibly go wrong. As Florida prepares for its BCS "Championship" Game against Ohio State, they are calling in the cavalry to help them get the win. They're so desperate for any advantage that they've even called in an old friend. More »

Ron Zook, Water Skiing

Leitch — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:10:03 EDT

After our Illini's shocking upset victory over Michigan State on Saturday, we felt like we had no choice but to post this picture of coach Ron Zook water skiing. Weeeeee!!!!! More »