With the firing of Ron Zook on Monday (October 25, 2004), it proves that anytime the Florida Gators football team is not in the Top 10 in the "post-Spurrier" era, the coaches job will be in jeopardy. In the so-called "Gator Nation," losing just isn't accepted.

With the creation of the famed web site FireRonZook.com, this termination seemed inevitable. Steve Spurrier's shoes are some very big ones to fill. He had one national championship and a record of 122-27-1 at the University of Florida compared to Zook's 20-13.

I can almost guarantee that for the next couple of months, message boards and sports writers will be buzzing about the "possible" return of the prestigious coach.

Recently, Spurrier told the Orlando Star, "I'll cross that bridge if it comes to that, the thing I've tried to do all this year is not be lingering around, acting like I'm waiting for another guy's job. I don't believe that's the right way to do it. But now that he doesn't have a job, I guess there will be some discussion. We'll see what happens."

Spurrier is not the only coach being considered for the job. Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and Urban Meyer of Utah also have been mentioned for the position, but don't expect any of them to comment on this situation anytime soon as both of their teams are in the top 10 and making a run at a championship.

However, nothing would make the true Gator fans more happy than seeing the "ole' ball coach" back on the sidelines.

After Saturday's loss to unranked Mississippi State, it was apparent that it was the "nail in the coffin" for Zook, though some players don't agree with the timing of the announcement.

"The whole situation is just messed up," defensive tackle Ray McDonald said. "I really don't understand why they are doing this right now, especially just before the Georgia game. I don't understand it, I really don't."

Although it's been announced that Zook will not be the head coach of the Gator's football team next year, they will allow him to finish out the season. After the season is over, then they will buy out each year of his remaining contract at $450,000 for each year. (Doesn't sound bad to me.)

Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley will spend the rest of the season searching for a new head coach for next year. Don't forget that Spurrier and Foley didn't always get along and they're probably not be sending each other Christmas cards, but Spurrier might be the best man for the job.

The Gators have two more tests before the end of Zook's tenure, with both being road games at Georgia and Florida State. After those games, Zook will pack his bags.

Well, there's two things that are guaranteed next season for the Florida Gators football program: 1) Ron Zook will be far, far away, and 2) there won't be any sort of FireSteveSpurrier.com's web sites popping up anytime soon.