Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced a number of coaching changes this week. Among the changes, Ron Zook was promoted to Special Teams Coordinator, replacing Shawn Slocum who was fired.
McCarthy, who also announced that he is giving up the play-calling this coming season, said he plans to play a much larger role in both defense and special teams this season. He said he’ll be in the meeting rooms and be a part of the game planning, trying to avoid some of the issues that led to the Packers being ranked dead last in the league in special teams rankings this past season.
So is Ron Zook the answer? He previously held one special teams coordinator position in the NFL, with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996-98. Those unites ranked 23rd in 1996, 24th in 1997 and 13th in 1998.
While at Illinois, Zook also involved himself in special teams with average results.