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Yes, I don't see why we would have to deal in absolutes. When a player leaves you can leave the door open for them possibly to return, but at the same time make sure they're aware their is no guarantee their roster spot would be available if they want to return. Coaches would still have to look to fill openings, but if player A decides to want to return and you still have both an open scholarship and a need at that position why wouldn't you take them?

What do you know? I'm excited for a Zips football game!!! Let's goooooooooooo!!!

It all depends on whether the coach leaves the door open. There's no hard and fast rule.

I think Darlington would do a great job helping to develop future players in the Crew Academy.

Caleb knew. The first time he layed eyes on Darlington, he was more than "special"! https://fb.watch/CAlqYReQbP/

I don’t know, but I’m sure glad Groce brought back Ali Ali and Tavari Johnson.

University of Akron sees largest enrollment increase since 2021 http://bit.ly/4mdmYAK

I agree. He's Chuck Martin without the financial support and competent ADs. Martin has a slightly under .500 record at Miami, but has won 61% of his MAC games. He has been to six bowl games in 12 years.... actually six in 11 if you discount the COVID-19 season. Akron fans would take this in a second.

I’m not 100% sure but I’m pretty sure that most programs say goodbye to players when they enter the portal, it’s common practice. It’s not a matter of being stubborn it’s just a reality. Can you imagine if you didn’t do that? Every kid could just enter the portal and see what they get and come back if they don’t find what they want. And what does a program do while they are waiting for a kid to decide if he’s coming back? Do they just not recruit or offer until each kid makes his decision? They could end up in late spring with no kids. They really have to move on when kids enter the portal. I agree that Joe is a good person and a good football mind, but is he a good head coach? That remains to be seen. My other issue with him, is that he doesn’t seem to be a good promoter/ambassador of the program - unless he’s doing it very quietly behind the scenes (which in and of itself would say he’s not). This program needs a good coach and a good salesman to the public and student body. Like everything, wins would solve most of these issues. It just feels like since he’s been here it’s been one step forward and two steps back - stuck in an endless cycle.

I’m purely speculating, but from the outside looking in, Joe Mo doesn’t seem to have the type of personality to attract donors (for NIL purposes) like Groce seems to have. I just don’t know how fit he is to be a HC in this age of CFB. I heard Summers was only able to come back as a walk on after entering the portal. I swore I read something on here or elsewhere where he said he wouldn’t take somebody back who entered the portal (which I get to an extent but you have to put stubbornness aside when the program doesn’t have $ to work with). Feel like that was in reference to Jordon Simmons. I think he’s also somewhat to blame (most goes to Arth) for the bowl ban mess, but understand it’s a delicate balance and tough position to be in. I think Joe is a good football mind, seems like a solid person, and is pretty much doing the best anyone else would be doing here in this era of college athletics. But if we want to be a respectable G5 program, he needs to adapt. Additionally, regardless of who the HC is, the University/Alumni/fan base need to step up their support. I don’t think any HC is going to produce a regular winner here without a respectable budget and NIL support.

Love watching Darlington play. From the Zips to his stint with the Crew he was the best at his position in with every team he was with. I hope he stays with the Crew in some role. My only fear is that Jimmy Haslam owns the Crew and he has proven to be an idiot with all teams he owns. He only cares about the dollar and that hs led to many bad decisions.

Darlington is calling it a career after this season. One of the most decorated MLS careers of all-time. https://x.com/tombogert/status/1975339814569578979?t=Craoy3wgEtF467OFkkPw0w&s=19

I don’t see Tavari in those photos. Anyone have a comment on his play during the scrimmage?

Can you elaborate on that? How so?

Football feels like an afterthought at Akron as well. No community or booster support (NIL), constant bashing of the program.

If that were the case, it’s pretty hard not to extend the coach who would have the most wins since 2017 and elevated the program in back to back years, especially with all that the program has going against it (and fwiw I think Joe plays a part in that too).

On the bright side of the JoeMo conversation, Saturday I saw a lot of fire from JoeMo on the sideline. It was nice. He's got a freshman on the team this year who, though undersized, is the missing piece dual-threat JoeMo's been missing here at UA, and he's got a top-shelf dual-threat high school prospect committed for next year.

If Akron can stumble to 5 wins that way it's good enough to take pressure off firing him, but not good enough to extend would likely be the best case scenario.

Couldn't that be said about athletics as a whole? They haven't even made it to the NCAA tournament for men's hoops since 1992.

Football at Fordham is an afterthought. Not much pressure from the alumni or community to have a big winner.

Of all the things he did or neglected to do during his brief UA tenure, that might turn out to be amongst the least egregious moves. Go Fordham (1-5, with a win over 0-6 Holy Cross).

Well Chuck Guthrie did extend him after winning 2 games…

That's good to hear. I would still be nervous entering the season with only 2 bigs if Barre misses significant time. Another injury or even foul trouble suddenly places you in a bind. Hopefully he can return to the court soon. Nice to hear Amani expanding his range. That would allow Groce more flexibility if he needs to adjust his lineups in certain situations.

And if your team wins you do both