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It's a shame that you even brought it up, truthfully

I dont think Harney developed much, if at all as player, JMO. Talk about a ton of unrealized potential. I won't blame KD for that though. He can only do so much. But here is where you have to look at the quality of character of the guys he is bringing in. (FYI I am much more pleased with the past 2 classes).

When Caleb Porter took over the Zips soccer team, he inherited a group that had just won two consecutive MAC Championships and just finished off an NCAA Tournament Round of 16 run. The team was already one of the better programs in the entire country. When Keith Dambrot took over the Zips basketball team, they had just finished a 13-15 season, losing in the 1st Round of the MAC Tournament. The program had not advanced more than one round since joining the MAC. This isn't to give excuses to Dambrot or to dismiss the greatness of what Porter accomplished here - but it's tough for me to compare the two given where they started. In the first 12 seasons the Zips basketball team played in the MAC, they had three winning seasons. They were 1-7 in the MAC Tournament (they didn't qualify the first 5 seasons). In the 10 full seasons since Dambrot has taken over, they have 10 winning campaigns, 3 MAC Championships, 7 MAC Finals appearances, and are 20-7 in the MAC Tournament. Dambrot has already taken this program to a much higher level than it was at when he started. That is indisputable. Now the goal is to take it to an even higher level, which I promise you he is trying his absolute hardest to do. He might tell George Thomas the goal is to win the MAC and it might seem like that's all that he's shooting for, but it couldn't be further from what they are trying to do. They're working their tails off to take it to the next level, and I believe in him doing just that. Final note - 2012-2013 was supposed to be the year it happened. The Diggs suspension and the Abreu arrest killed that from happening, but that team - which won 26 games, the MAC Tournament, and had a Top 25 ranking - with Diggs added and Abreu staying on the team would have absolutely made a Tournament run. I know, coulda, shoulda, woulda, but I think we had our "next level" roster once already, we just didn't see it materialize in the end.

Sorry to hear about your brother, Zen.

I've been a "KD-backer" for many years. Especially when I believe we had back-to-back losses to EMU and NIU, people were panicking. However, I've been swaying more towards "KD-doubter". I think the reason he has turned down other offers is because he is comfortable. I think the ambition of his job isn't gone, but what he thinks about it is gone. I think his idea of doing any damage in the NCAA tourney with Akron has lost some, if not most, of it's fire. He's still wanting to win the MAC, but I don't think he puts much thought after that goal. You never see him talk about it, even when in the NCAA tourney. That's the way he came across in the speaking appearance in Tressel's class. Personally, I think he feels winning the MAC and/or 20+ games won per season will keep the fans happy and keep giving him more contract extensions, which means more comfort. To add one thing, I would like for KD to keep growing as a coach. That would show me the fire in his belly is still there. Kest has always been a defensive coach. But in 2010, she went to Oregon to learn the WBB offense there. 4-5 yrs later, the team is 9-0, averaging 84.6 PPG, ranked in top 50 in 10 statistical categories in the country, and with only one senior. (Where's the youth excuse? Never mind, not going there...) All this after losing 4000 points, 2000 rebounds, and the all-time leader in assists in program history. You can always learn and be the student of the game. Do we believe KD is? That's where my "doubt" is sneaking in.

Nope. I absolutely love listening to Bowden in his interviews, and I think he says all the right things all the time. Everytime I listen to coach, I feel better about what's going on with our program: he doesn't promise anything, and doesn't sugarcoat anything.

Well, Means and Bivins are now officially Zips

These discussions about attendance and joining a larger conference overestimate the potential for UA to draw in fans. If you look at the potential fan base in a 25 mile radius or so, UA is not even the only D1 school. Plus a significant number of people in the area attended some other school. Then factor in the fans dedicated to the Browns and Buckeyes who are not going to change their interest (realistically, are they going to change from an NFL team or a national championship contender?) and there is not the opportunity here that there is in Boise or Utah. I doubt there is even the opportunity that exists in Cincinnati. I think the MAC is (or was, until this weekday TV contract) the right place for UA. If the league and schools did more to market the product as exciting and affordable (future NFL stars today, up close an personal, great family value, etc...) it would have a differentiated product with appeal. Unfortunately, lack of marketing is not going to bring anyone in and a terrible TV deal is liable to drive a significant part of the existing fan base away. Moving to a "better" (and more expensive) conference is not going to help.

Have to agree -- and frankly, I think any championship won on PKs should have an asterisk next to it!