I think this is spin. I would find it hard to believe they would fire Zook without having Spurrier in the bag on all but the details. Why go through another Mike Price or George O'Leary ordeal.
I'm not sure this was a reason to fire Zook midseason, but even if it was, what other reason was there to fire a coach midseason. You aren't going to replace him, and you risk the players quitting (figuratively) or transferring.
I think what they did to Zook was chicken$#&*. You don't lose anything by waiting until season's end. Besides, I'm here to warn you gator fans out there that the proverbial grass is always greener, and be careful what you wish for.
Not to mention that you can't go home again.
No. What is chickensh!t would be leaving Zook twisting in the wind until the end of the season. Also getting it out now, will help to minimize the damage to recruiting. And don't cry for Zook, they still have to pay him 2 million dollars on the final four years of his contract.
I think they fired Zook now precisely because Spurrier would not be willing to talk to them behind his back. Even if he was, he wasn't likely to tolerate being put in a position where suddenly Zook beats FSU or something and they feel they need to give him another chance. Plus, pressure from alums like me had to be unbearable. I had passed the point of being willing to wait a long time ago, and I decided to start emailing sports reporters. Judging by the response I got, I would hazard a guess I wasn't the only one.
I think it's hilarious that people who would prefer the Gators lose graciously (but most importantly, lose) feel it is somehow their obligation to warn us about having Spurrier come back. Give me a break. We were in the national championship hunt every year with him at the helm, and he had the highest winning percentage in SEC history. The only people who don't want him to come back are people who want Florida to be an also-ran, rather than a perennial powerhouse. The players love Zook? Really? Loved him so much they couldn't bother to show up and play for him against a 1-5 team when they already had two losses on the year? Spurrier left because it was his best chance to go to the next level and test his game in the NFL. He'd turned down big offers before, like the one from the Buccanneers. He gave it a shot and it didn't work out. No hard feelings from me, as long as he comes back to where I firmly believe he belongs.
I believe that the firing of Zook was to pacify or placate the alumi. They're powerful.