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 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.<<
I have no such preference. I generally root for UF in most games. I like Georgia better and I go back and forth on FSU as far as who to root for. I always root for Florida against teams like Tennessee, LSU, and the like.
But past success is no guarantee of future success. Ask Bill Parcells. The AD is setting a very dangerous precedent in caving to fans' whims.
It wasn't like you had a losing record, year after year. You won 8, at least, with Zook I believe. Sometimes you have to face the music and realize that college football is VERY competitive and there's no ordainment or entitlement to the national championship (or even being in the hunt) every year.