anyone see that?

http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/...23UFLETTE4R.htm

 

Players send letter to UF president

 

 

Twenty-four University of Florida football players signed a petition, asking that Florida football coach Ron Zook be retained.

 

Here is the content of the letter sent to University of Florida President Bernie Machen

 

What does it mean to be a Florida football player?

 

A Florida football player is expected to be the best player to ever step on a football field, to give 110 percent during every football game. Our players, and coaches have been criticized for the past three years. Yet we still continue to play 100 percent every game day. Why is 100 percent not expected from the rest of the students, faculty and staff at the University of Florida? If you always expect perfection from us (perfection meaning a win against every team we play, a ranking in the top ten and a contender for the national championship every year), then we reserve the right to demand perfection from the rest of you.

 

Students should be expected to maintain a perfect grade point average (4.0) at all times at the University, if not, then the professors responsible for the underachieving student should be fired at midsemester. All University administrators should achieve perfect job performance marks, if not, then their boss should be fired midsemester.

 

The same standards should hold true for those in media who have just not given our team and our coach a fighting chance during the past three seasons. Expectations should be fair and equal throughout the school. If you expect 100 percent perfection from us, we expect it from you.

 

We the mighty Gator football players have had our feelings hurt and have been made to feel ashamed for the past three years. It is time to turn the tables. We are a majority. We have a voice. We have played our hearts out for you and you have turned around and heckled us, criticized us, and have had our coach fired midseason. We are the Gator football team and we have a voice. Please hear us, we have heard you, we have heard your distress. Hear us now; we want to keep our coach. We want our team to stay together; we want a chance to show you what we can do without constant negativity. Give us more seasons with full support.

 

Come together as a University and a a town and support us as we have supported your cheers and jeers for three years.

 

It is time to chance the tone of college football. We are young adults, still considered kids to most of you. We came for an education and for some of us, a chance to play football in the professional leagues. There is no man who understands that more than Ron Zook. We are kids away from home for the first time and just like every other UF student once was. We are finding our way in life on our own and in the spotlight. We deserve more credit and respect. Step in our shoes and see how hard life is.

 

We feel it is fair to remind you that we beat FSU this year and we were the only team to beat LSU last year (those 2004 National Champions) and did we mention that we also beat UGA last year? This season has been the toughest of all so far. We dealt with the hurricanes that came through this area just like everyone else and we still played football.

 

We had our games canceled, game times changes, lost our midseason bye week and learned our coach would not be with us next year. Yet we are still fighting for wins and for our coach to keep his job. We have all felt the hardships you have, we are human so please let us be.

 

We believe the perception of college football needs to change. We are not professional football players. Auburn University's football team basically imploded last season but the town rallied around the head coach and now the team is a contender for the national title. We are not telling you that we will win a national championship next year if Zook stays, but at least give us a fighting chance. Surround us and support us or just don't say a word.

 

We are facing a situation laced with dirty politics. The perception is that when Spurrier left us, he knew exactly what he was leaving; a team in ruins and an administration about to be changed. Zook fell right into that mess. But Zook looked beyond negativity and he recruited highly talented football players and coaches and started the rebuilding process of the Gator football team. Unfortunately, Zook never made the correct friends at the University. He ended up with the loudest, most influential people at the University as his enemies from day 1. The situation Zook faces most likely happened not because of anything Zook did but just that those loud and influential people were so upset that their beloved Spurrier left them and they had to lash their anger out on someone.

 

Now the University has a new president that wants to be known for something and those enemies of Zook have convinced Dr. Machen that firing Zook and bringing in Urban Meyer (for example) will look really good for his presidency. Urban Meyer could potentially become head Gator and when he does; he inherits a very talented football team (that Zook recruited) and will have all the support of those loud and powerful Zook haters. Zook and we (players) are political pawns in this game and it is not fair. We are standing up for truth and honesty and asking Dr. Machen to be more concerned with academics than whether we beat Mississippi State; because frankly, football is a game with wins and losses and it is time we start remembering that.

 

We would also like to ask if it OK with the students, faculty and staff of the University that large amounts of money will be spent on Zook for the remainder of his contract and also on the new head coach's salary? Can we keep Zook and use the money that would otherwise be used for a new coach and instead give the professors a pay raise or a bonus?

 

We believe in our coach, Ron Zook. We believe in the coaching staff.

 

We believe that the University and Gainesville can turn a corner and start believing in us. We also believe in ourselves as players, teammates and people. Please hear our voices and rehire our beloved coach, Ron Zook.

 

Sincerely,

 

The 2004 University of Florida Football Team

 

(signed by 24 different players)

AWWWWWWWWWWWW HOW CUTE LOL

 

But seriously, do you think this will work ?

 

I doubt the administration really cares, I feel that Zook is gone no matter what these players have to say, eventhough they like the guy and really want to play for the guy

zook got a raw deal.

I seriously, no kidding, believe there is a 1/10 chance Zook is the "new" Gator coach next year. Why? Because the only "big" name left is Meyer, and a lot of things can happen to queer that deal. This administration won't make the mistake of hiring a no namer again. I honestly think if they don't get Meyer and no other high-profile coach moves out of a job you could see Zook re-hired, for a year or 2. I think it can happen at UF. Not that I care much, I am a Miami fan, so don't think because you see I go to UF thinking when I think about the Gators I think with my heart... I am a die hard Canes fan, tends to happen when you live 18 years in Miami.

The players contradicted themselves. Zook wasn't putting in his 110 percent this season, otherwise they wouldn't have lost to Mississippi State.

 

GO FSU!

Zook is a mediocre coach. He'll get wins with his back against the wall and his job on the line, but he won't when he's comfortable. Mayer or Butch Davis will come in and make UF into a fantastic program that brings in solid recruiting and wins games and SEC championships.

Not gonna happen. Bring in Meyer or Butch.

 

Both are awesome coaches.

 

And this is why they fired Zook midseason. So he wouldn't get one that big win and cement his job for another mediocre two years.

Well, at least the football players typed it up gramatically correct, not like we can expect that from UF.

F Meyer and his mormon offense.

Butch is the man. Target Stoops and Davis. Two consistant winners.

The Gators have a better chance of landing Vince Lombardi as head coach than they do Bob Stoops. Don't fool yourselves.

The Gators have a better chance of landing Vince Lombardi as head coach than they do Bob Stoops. Don't fool yourselves.

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*Digs up*

 

 

 

*Finds a note saying, out to lunch.*

 

 

:plain

not a big college football fan, but from what i've heard zook has done a great job recruiting and the team figures to do much better next season. i think he deserves a chance to play with his recruits and either prove he can win with them or go down in flame with his players.

not a big college football fan, but from what i've heard zook has done a great job recruiting and the team figures to do much better next season. i think he deserves a chance to play with his recruits and either prove he can win with them or go down in flame with his players.

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A lot of people are still saying that.

 

It all comes down to money though, and the boosters usually get what they want.

 

I agree, I would love to see Butch Davis in Gainesville. He's a great coach.

 

Stoops is NOT going to leave Oklahoma. He is going to go down as a legend there.

Zook won't be head coach. He wasn't even well-liked. Notice only 24 names signed that petition. There are over 100 guys on the team counting scout teamers. I know a few people who either played for UF, do now, or have friends that do.