BNI Newswire

BIRMINGHAM – How do you take over for a coach with a win/loss percentage better than .800? If you are Ron Zook, you simply get down to work.

Since arriving in Gainesville just after the first of the year, Zook has begun making changes. New coaches and new philosophies mean new playbooks and new terminology.

"The attitude our players have taken has been great," Zook said "They have bought into everything we’ve asked them to do. They’ve worked extremely hard. They’ve been a pleasure to work with."

Work, according to the Gator’s own Heisman candidate quarterback Rex Grossman, is something all the players have determined would be vital if the UF tradition of success is to continue with this team.

"We are working five times harder than ever before," Grossman said. "That’s because we have all come to the understanding that we have a lot to learn. The system is more complex and is more versatile. I was frustrated the first couple of days of spring practice, but after about a week, it was back to normal."

However, even with a core of athletes returning, many media types and even some SEC coaches believe this could be the year to go at Florida. Grossman said he hopes that is the case.

"There are high expectations at Florida," Grossman added. "There should be no let down."