SEC KICKOFF 2002
Southeastern Conference Football Media Days
July 30 - August 1 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Wynfrey Hotel * Hoover, Alabama

FLORIDA PARTICIPANT AUDIO
  Coach Ron Zook
  QB Rex Grossman
  DT Ian Scott

Florida Quotes from Kickoff 2002 - SEC Football Media Days

Head Coach Ron Zook

"We're excited to get going. Lot of questions about the University of Florida right now, and we kind of like that.

"Everyone (in SEC) is basically doing the same thing, so don't know how much it will change. (offense). We will continue to be wide open offense and score lot of points, we have weapons that can make that happen. I want to make sure we can run the football efficiently as well. We want to do both.

Do you think Jeremy Foley took a chance in hiring you?
"I don't, not at all. Learned a long time ago, I had to be me. In the jobs I've had, I've been able to be me. I'm able to coach the same. I can't come in here and try to be somebody else. I have to be me, whether that's good or bad, we'll find out.

On Rex and Heisman
"I don't think I have to worry about that. We have had a couple of Heisman trophies and Norm Carlson knows how to handle that, so it's not Rex's concern either, He came back to Florida because he thought we had a chance to be a good football team. If we do the things you have to do to win, the exposure we get in this conference allows him to have the opportunity. It's not a lot of special things that have to be done.

On Rex
"The guy had some excellent games, but Rex wants to improve, wants to become more consistent. Wants to have same type of year he had last year and keep on going.

On defense
"The players we have fit the most of system we'll run. Wide open. Not the biggest guys on the edge, but we have some depth there. I like the makeup of our defensive football team.

On Hot Seat
"I don't feel that way at all. What makes the Southeastern Conference such a great conference is the expectations. We're expected to win like all the other SEC schools. Because coach Spurrier did such a great job and won a lot of games, that's kind of where the bar is set.

On Style of Play
"If you followed Ed (Zaunbrecher) at all, what he did when he would run the offense at Marshall was to put pressure on the defense. Those of you who know my personality, we want to be a football team that's attacking in all three phases.

"The one thing at University of Florida, every three or four years you get a receiver depth problem. We're probably in that now. But it gives young guys an opportunity to step up, and that's what they came to Florida for. The offensive line is same thing, gonna be young there. Everybody has certain parts of the football team where they have concerns about experience, It's something you can't buy.

Quarterback Rex Grossman

"I'm looking forward to the season. I'm not looking much further than that. As long as I keep improving every part of my game, I'd be happy."

On returning: "It was a difficult decision. As soon as I got all the facts, it was pretty easy. I still wanted to be a Gator."

"The only thing I have to prove to everyone is that I can play well with any system. We'll just have to do it without Spurrier. Coach Zook is a great coach."

"This year has been a little more comfortable. This year I can just concentrate. It's a lot better feeling than uncertainty."

"It would be fun to win the Heisman but it's not on the top of my goal list. I'd like to win games. Just winning the SEC is on top of my goal list."

On Coach Zook: "He's a real intense players' coach. He's gonna be real hyper. He's a fun guy to be around. He's organized and he's gonna lead us in the right direction."

"We're gonna be an uptempo offense, trying to catch the defense on their heels."

"I'm just looking forward to playing Miami and Tennessee. There's gonna be a lot of fun games. I am never gonna be able to do this again. I just wanted to make sure I accomplished everything in college football and left on my own terms."

Defensive Tackle Ian Scott

"Coach Zook has been pushing us along with the strength and conditioning coaches. They have been pushing us to the limit. Hopefully, we can take all the hard work and do great things."

"Coach Zook probably learned a lot under Coach Spurrier. He's a real go getter and he bring a real intensity to the field, but he also takes care of his people. He looks after us."

"The fact that Coach Zook has been at Florida before and knew people before he came in, has helped to make the transition a lot easier in us."

"Any player who doesn't have anything to prove doesn't get better. If we can come together as a team, we can improve as a team."

"Rex will have a lot more freedom with the offense. Before, it was Coach Spurrier's offense. Now, Rex will be more in control of the game. It will be a lot of fun. I think we will surprise a lot of people this season."

"Coach Thompson's philosophy is pretty much the same. You have to be able to stop the run. We've handle transition well as a team."

KICKOFF 2002: FLORIDA PHOTO GALLERY (Click on the thumbnail to see the full size image and caption)