Ron Zook was a forgotten name in coaching circles for a few years, but he’s back.
According to Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com, the former Illinois and Florida head coach is joining the Packers staff.
Zook, who was fired by Illinois after the 2011 season, has some degree of NFL experience. He coached special teams for the Steelers for three years (1996-98), spent 1999 with the Chiefs as defensive backs coach and was defensive coordinator for the Saints for two seasons (2000-01).
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was the Saints offensive coordinator during that last stint, establishing the link.
Zook was an impressive recruiter, getting players to Illinois. But he had an impossible job at Florida, following Steve Spurrier there.
The Packers have a vacancy as an outside linebackers coach, after Kevin Greene stepped away this offseason.
UPDATE 12:57 p.m. ET: Zook will replace Chad Morton as the Packers’ assistant special teams coach, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.