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@dirty-sanchez-thighmaster is listing Bobby Hurley and Keith Dambrot as leading candidates to replace Groce.

If this happens (and I still think it's a big "if") I agree I would full much better about it if Ford becomes the new HC. He would have player and alumni buy-in, support from Wentz/FTR, give us continuity, and would already have a relationship with existing recruits.

Should this turn out to be true, I'm actually excited for all parties. For Groce, Charleston is beautiful and I think that would be a big draw as he gets up there in age. CofC is similar to Akron/MAC and he should be able to continue down a dominant path in a different conference. There's no football to detract from his available resources. For Akron, I love the idea of Ford as our HC. Keep in mind the first ever assistant Groce hired was Chris Holtmann. Ford joined the staff the following year and has been with Groce ever since. If Ford is anywhere near Holtmann as a HC, we'll be just fine. LCJ's support for Ford is everything I need to know, in addition to Bud Wentz being a big Ford believer. To boot, this is really going to tick off the Ohio fans who have wanted Ford for years. When Buffalo lost Hurley, they got Oats who ended up being even better. Here's to hoping we're on the same trajectory. GO ZIPS!

There were 2 viral quotes from that press conference - Kowalchoke's "luck" comment and Blyden's commitment. Both are evident that Toledo is an unprofessional program. He knew the desired quote from the Toledo fan base would be his commitment to next year so he said it. That makes it a big deal. Hopefully he learns his lesson on how to handle the media going forward. Saying things you don't mean to please people is not wise.

I wasn't going to go too deep into personal politics with my post, but what you say is definitely true. It is astounding and sad to me. Thanks for being a voice of reason.

I feel you're underestimating this new age of identity politics. People constantly vote against their own interests on both sides of the aisle and still do mental gymnastics to defend how they voted when they get 'screwed' over. Edit: An example, I have a friend whose wife works in a department at UA that I imagine would be on the chopping block. He will 100% still vote for Vivek.

Yes, will keep Engineering, Law, and probably the business school/MBA program. Eliminate mostly everything else.

I think its fine to have some games on weeknights. If we played on Saturday, November 10th I really don't think the attendance will be that much better than Tuesday, November 5th. The biggest problem I have is the rivalry weeknight games. This would be my perfect week 11 schedule played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Akron vs. Umass Toledo vs. Buffalo EMU vs. Ohio WMU vs. Kent Ball State vs BGSU Sacramento vs. CMU

https://x.com/i/status/2038033225793073276

Good news. Bad news. Good news, I haven’t heard anything more about over-inflated basketball balls. Bad news, the horn was stuck for a long time during the Illinois vs Iowa game. 🙄

Biggest difference appeared to be travel, but MAC is very close. Much cheaper to bus than fly. Edit: I would imagine main difference is in NIL. Either school plans to do more revenue share or they have boosters lined up to commit $2M+. Edit: I see @tpsjugglerdude already touched on this.

It doesn't look great, obviously, but I don't consider Groce gone until someone credible confirms it. Right now, we know: - He was a finalist at Butler, per the IndyStar - He was rumored to have been offered the USF job, but they moved on when he wouldn't commit - He is the top target at Charleston, but both sources - Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello - qualified their reports by saying a deal wasn't done, with Borzello adding "steps remain for both sides in the next 24 hours" Now, I'm not saying this is what is happening here, but just last year Rob Senderoff (a close friend of Groce's) was reportedly close to leaving Kent for Fordham, only to stay put with a new contract and increased commitment to the basketball program. Why would Groce not take the USF job if it was truly about the best chance to win? Why would these reports come out today that it was close but not done, right as speculation was increasing that it was done? I'm just saying...let's let this play out.

CoC is aiming for $2-3m annual revenue share for basketball in addition to NIL. Does anyone know our revenue share?

This is an absolutely stupid political position solely because of the fact that the UA, Kent, and CSU alumni bases are large enough to swing the election on the basis of this issue alone. It proves that VR is not a savy or suitable political candidate. But yes, as GP1 indicates, every last one of you who is currently registered to vote in Ohio should vote against this garbage. Aligning programs on one campus (such as STEM at UA) is one thing, but recklessly destroying programs and entire institutions is unaccepted, especially when done unilaterally.

Not glaring only $1M more in the budget. I would have expected a larger differential.

Not as bullish on Ford as most of you. I have a guy in mind - if it comes to it, haha

IF Groce leaves and IF Ford takes over, it will be fascinating to see what guys like Sharron and Eric do.

I took the time to read it. He basically lumps in Akron with Kent and Central State. Then he talks about getting programs to make schools central to one field of study. Think we aren't at or near the top of his list? This guy will gut Akron down to a shell of itself and what will follow will be the elimination of sports at Akron and Kent. If you care about UofA, you will vote for his opponent and let things play out for four years.

Dambrot at least had strong personal ties to his destination. This would be a tough pill to swallow. But we will see what happens.

This would be an insult

I dunno man. This doesn't feel lateral to me, but a slight step down. The Coastal is just as much a one-bid league as the MAC is, and he'd be moving from an elite mid-major to a pretty good mid-major. Yes, it does seem like CofC can pay him more, but I dunno...is this really the first time in his tenure someone has offered him more money to go elsewhere? With Dambrot, it was "I want to coach in a league that can get more than one bid," but assuming a) Groce doesn't feel that way and b) he isn't a lot more bullish on the CAA than I am, I really don't understand why he would do this. I've always sort of thought that I'm not going to hold it against an Akron coach if he leaves for a high major, but for the second time in a row (if it happens), this is not that, and just like I rooted against Dambrot and Duquesne I'm gonna root against Groce and CofC if this comes to pass.

I think it's smoke but we shall see.

Top tier mid major job to another top tier major job, still holding out that he stays. But even if he does, how many times can we keep doing this?

John's Next Endeavor. Full stop.

Feels like the most lateral of laterals. Yeah they don't have FBS ball but I was just in "low country," Citadel has more of a presence in the city than CoC. MAC > CAA