CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois is turning to Ron Zook to reinvigorate its struggling football program.

The school scheduled a news conference for today, at which the former Florida coach's hiring was to be announced, two senior university officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Florida fired Zook on Oct. 25, two days after the Gators lost at Mississippi StateZook, 50, a native of Loudonville, Ohio, and a former assistant coach at Ohio State, has a reputation for being a tireless recruiter.