Florida coach apologizes

Zook's flap with fraternity draws ire of AD

? Florida coach Ron Zook acknowledged Wednesday that he confronted several fraternity members after a fight between them and three of his players last month, and athletic director Jeremy Foley called Zook’s behavior “unacceptable.”

Foley called Zook on Sept. 16 and told him to go to the Pi Kappa Phi house to defuse a dispute between fraternity members and several football players. But when Zook arrived he threatened fraternity members, according to witnesses.

He said, “I will do anything in my power to take this house down,” according to a University Police Department incident report.

Earlier that day, three Pi Kappa Phi members allegedly fought with reserve offensive linemen Billy Griffin, Drew Miller and Steve Rissler.

Griffin received abrasions and bruises in the fight while Rissler sustained a laceration and a broken nose. A sworn complaint was filed with the State Attorney’s Office accusing fraternity members Aaron Baseman and Dustin Robinson, both 19, and Justin Bailey, 20, of breach of peace and disorderly conduct. The State Attorney’s Office will investigate the complaint and decide whether to file charges.

“At the time, I didn’t think the exchange was confrontational,” Zook said. “If I raised my voice, I apologize.”

About a dozen football players showed up at Pi Kappa Phi around 9 p.m. Sept. 16, according to the police report. An officer responding to a call from the fraternity phoned Foley, who then called Zook to have him go there to be a mediator.

According to the report, Christopher Bullins, the dean of students who oversees Greek life, witnessed the confrontation between Zook and fraternity members.

Bullins told police Zook said, “I’m not going to let you take the (expletive) football team down.”

Bullins said he asked Zook and his players to leave, and they complied until one player pointed out Bailey as the one who had punched Rissler. Bullins said Zook stopped and told Bailey: “Oh, you’re the one who hit Rissler? Oh, you’re going to get yours.”

Fraternity members refused to discuss the incident Wednesday.