...characterisitic of the guys on this list: Barry Switzer Phil Fulmer Bobby Bowden ...then think about a few coaching geniuses: Bill Walsh (17-7 at Stanford the first time, worse afterward) Jimmy Johnson (30-25-2 at Ok St before going to scUM; only one win his first year with the 'boys) Steve Mariucci (6-6 in one season at Cal) Which group had more success coaching college football? I get that you could make a list that includes the likes of Spurrier, a football genius who has also had great (and instant) success in the college game. That list would be very short. My point is the head coach need not be a recognized innovative genius for UF to be extremely successful, and having an innovator for a coach is not a criterion for winning. Now think about the very sophisiticated offensive schemes of these power house programs: Georgia Notre Dame Iowa Ohio State The fact of the matter is we do not have consistent play makers. It isn't Zook's fault that our TE forgets to use his hands on two key passes, one leaving us at 4th down instead of 1st down and the the other leaving us 7 points further behind. It isn't Zook's fault that a senior free safety decides to keep the opponent's drive alive with a cheap shot way down the field. It isn't Zook's fault that a pro-bound CB loses his balance after reading the out pattern, resulting in an opponent's TD anyway. It isn't Zook's fault a blitzing DB runs right past a scrambling QB, whiffing the air in the process. The key point is, at the end of the day, it gets down to execution. Generally, the UF team was in position as much or more than the F$U players. Sure, some of F$U's plays worked when our side got caught in a bad play -- that's part of the game. In a match-up like this one, it is play making that determines the winner, and the ability to make plays comes down to talent. When a safety is too slow, when a kicker cannot kick, the WRs cannot separate, and a TE cannot get his hands into position quickly enough, it is a talent problem, not a coaching problem. I think this UF squad would have finished 9-3 at best this year. If we win the bowl game we'll be 9-4. Hmmm... That could never happen under Spurrier, right?? Zook and his coaching staff have a lot to learn about working together as a unit. They need to get some players in whom they believe will execute their system extremely well (having Rex even trying to run the option is stupid, sure, but at least they only tried it once). The jury is still out on this staff -- but let's leave it at that. I saw some signs of improvement among the coaches and players this year, which bodes well for the days when we once again (hopefully) have the superior athletes and play makers. Until that day returns, not even Spurrier could consistently win big road games against high quality opponents, even when coaching UF.