[Zipgrad01]

Of the four finalists, Paul Winters excites me the least.

Narduzzi is my top candidate.

Of course he is. Pick the defensive guy who has no chance of getting hired because the mac is an offensive league. It gives you something to bitch about during this off season and the first losing season. You will have 18 months of material.

Right on.

Narduzzi is the favorite of more than just Zach. Unless you think others have the same reason for picking Narduzzi...maybe we should cut the kid some slack.

I pick: Narduzzi

I hope we are looking into Narduzzi. He has a great background and has had success everywhere he has been.

[zestycoyote]

Here's the key quote I see in that story:

"I love L.A.," Johnson said. "L.A. is a place I grew up and a place I've always called home and I like it here."

Zips will have a much better chance with someone who can make the same statement about Akron or NEO rather than L.A.

Exactly. As much as I love MJ's résumé, if he doesn't want to be here, I don't want him here.

We need an Akron guy. Is that Winters? Maybe.

We don't need an Akron guy. No Akron guy has been a winner here. We need "THE GUY" to turn around the program. I don't care where he is from.

"THE GUY" is an Akron guy. An Akron guy doesn't have to be an alum or anything. But someone with some ties to the Midwest and a desire to be here would help. The program isn't in good enough shape to be a stepping stone right now. He has to believe in the program/area, not just the opportunity.

[ZachTheZip]

Here's the key quote I see in that story:

"I love L.A.," Johnson said. "L.A. is a place I grew up and a place I've always called home and I like it here."

Zips will have a much better chance with someone who can make the same statement about Akron or NEO rather than L.A.

Exactly. As much as I love MJ's résumé, if he doesn't want to be here, I don't want him here.

We need an Akron guy. Is that Winters? Maybe.

We don't need an Akron guy. No Akron guy has been a winner here. We need "THE GUY" to turn around the program. I don't care where he is from.

"THE GUY" is an Akron guy. An Akron guy doesn't have to be an alum or anything. But someone with some ties to the Midwest and a desire to be here would help. The program isn't in good enough shape to be a stepping stone right now. He has to believe in the program/area, not just the opportunity.

You don't need to believe in the area to be successful here, you just need to understand it.

[hiroad1]

Here's the key quote I see in that story:

"I love L.A.," Johnson said. "L.A. is a place I grew up and a place I've always called home and I like it here."

Zips will have a much better chance with someone who can make the same statement about Akron or NEO rather than L.A.

Exactly. As much as I love MJ's résumé, if he doesn't want to be here, I don't want him here.

We need an Akron guy. Is that Winters? Maybe.

We don't need an Akron guy. No Akron guy has been a winner here. We need "THE GUY" to turn around the program. I don't care where he is from.

"THE GUY" is an Akron guy. An Akron guy doesn't have to be an alum or anything. But someone with some ties to the Midwest and a desire to be here would help. The program isn't in good enough shape to be a stepping stone right now. He has to believe in the program/area, not just the opportunity.

You don't need to believe in the area to be successful here, you just need to understand it.

I completely agree that a UA coach does not need Akron connections. How does that help him make coaching decisions?

Do people really think that a good coach wouldn't be smart enough to figure out the history or local recruiting? Why would a coach be any more committed to winning if he was from Akron?

1. Are successful CEO's from the cities where their companies are located?

2. How many succcessful college football (or basketball) coaches are from the cities where they coach successful teams?

To make being from Akron a prerequisite is VERY LIMITING. Why, why, why would we want to limit our choices?

IMO, that is a crazy approach that is not too much different than TW going with Ianello because he was part of the circle of people he had known previously.

As stated above, it matters if someone wants to be here. If they are a qualified coach, want to be here at this time (not necessarily for ten years), and really want to win (even if motivated by selfish career ambitions), then they can accomplish the goal of a winning Akron football program.

Heck, Paul Winters would never have gotten his job in Michigan if they had a "hometown guy" prerequisite.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Heck, Paul Winters would never have gotten his job in Michigan if they had a "hometown guy" prerequisite.

Good summary.

[Blue & Gold]

Paul Winters, Mike Johnson, Narduzzi.

Quality list. I like all three.

I'm going to be excited about the future of the program no matter who they decide upon.

[FBJunkie]

Paul Winters, Mike Johnson, Narduzzi.

Quality list. I like all three.

I'm going to be excited about the future of the program no matter who they decide upon.

Can't get excited about any of them except Winters. Narduzzi - about 20 years experience but none as head coach - makes me wonder. Winters only person with head coach experience. Getting somebody without head coaching experience is going to be a disaster with on the job training and many mistakes to be made. If it was me making the decision have a person with head coaching experience would be a requirement - I don't won't my new coach to be learning on the job - I would want him to already been through the process and made the mistakes and hopefully learned from those mistakes. I'm not saying a guy with no head coaching experience can't be successful - I just think you increase your odds in choosing the right candidate if you hire one with experience.