InTheZone

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. I would be surprised if even a successful D-II coach was the most targeted candidate for any D-1A school looking for a head coach. I'd be incredibly underwhelmed if he is selected. I see him as the "we couldn't get anyone else" candidate at this point. And you'd see him completely wrong. That's okay, I promise we won't bring all these comments up when he wins his first MAC championhship

Mike Bajakian

You don't know shit. GP, tell me what you think of the overall team size and speed of that level of D2 ball in person. The game last week that a lot of people here watched was played in northern Minnesota in frigid 20 degree weather. LSU would look slow playing in those conditions. My experience in the Ashland-WSU games I've attended is that the level of play, at least amongst the starters, is comparable to the MAC. The difference between the GLIAC to MAC is about the difference between watching a MAC game to a Big 10 game.

Apparently we're no longer allowed to pay women compliments on ZNO. Must've missed that rule

If by Paul, you mean Paul Winters, sure....

For the rest of us, the game will be shown online on ESPN3.

I think everyone on here knows who my #1 candidate for head coach is, but with Fresno State cutting Pat Hill loose today (I think they'll soon find out this was a huge mistake), I think he'd be a good guy to give a call to and get in here for an interview. Through the years I was always impressed with the fire his team played with and the way they'd go out and punch anybody in the mouth. Some near upsets of USC during their glory years mid-decade were particularly entertaining. He fits the mold of what I've stated repeatedly we need: A coach who has built a program from nothing, and knows how to get the most out of limited talent. He's had a winning model through the years, only this year having a rough 4-8 record and being let go.

Fichtner was the Memphis offensive coordinator for many years according to his bio, including in 2005 when they played us. I doubt an NFL assistant with no ties to Akron would be interested in our head coaching position. It would be a step backwards. I don't know of any NFL assistants with ties to Akron at this point.

I think it is a stretch, or at least an overly broad genegralization to to say any D2 school is recruiting the same players as a D1 conference, even the MAC. That would be like saying Akron recruits the same players as the Big 10. Well, maybe Akron coaches look at all of them and gather stats and rank them. Maybe they even send them letters or attempt to contact them. But our coaches don't sit in the living rooms of, or secure campus visits from very many kids that are considering the Big 10. Those that do give Akron a serious look are usually marginal for the Big 10. That does not equate to Akron being in the same league as the Big 10 when it comes to recruting Big 10-level prospects. I am not saying Winters can't recruit in the MAC if he comes here. It is only speculative to say he can or can't. But to say he is already doing it at a D2 school seems like too much of an exaggeration. My point was not that Wayne State LANDS MAC level players (though sometimes they do). My point was, just like Akron RECRUITS players that end up at Big 10 schools, Wayne State recruits guys that end up at MAC schools. It's all about previous contact, and being able to use those already established relationships at your next job. Part of building a program up from the bottom is also being able to find players that nobody else wants but who have big time potential and can play, because that's the reality of the situation: nobody wants to play for a loser. Paul has certainly shown the ability to do that at Wayne State (do some research on Joique Bell and a few of the other players Paul has put in NFL camps from WSU).

Ummm.... he's never turned us down? Larry Kehres on the other hand has turned a lot of people down, Can't State multiple times. He's never leaving Mount Union. Plus, the ways a D3 program, with no scholarship component and no spring practice etc., is built, is a completely different story than the other 3 divisions. I'm not sure Kehres would even have the know how on how to get it done at this level, and he probably realizes that. I'm fairly certain Akron made overtures, if not an offer, before they hired J.D. Pluto was always pushing for it, too. Sure, things operate differently at D-1 than at D-3, but season after season after season of National Championships and undefeated records says a whole lot about your coaching and the way you do things. Akron would've been foolish to have never approached Kehres. I'd be curious to know Tressel's thoughts on Kehres and coaching at D-3 vs. D-1, having moved up from D-2 himself with such success. Some guys will likely tell you: If you're a winner, it doesn't matter what level you're coaching at...success will follow you. No they certainly did not. He pursued it hard with the blessing of Lee O, got a token interview, was told they were not going to hire him, and he took the job with Wayne State. As for Tressel, he came from FCS. And ask any coach who has coached at multiple levels ar knows coaches who have: They will tell you that running a program is very similar in 1-A, 1-AA, and D2. D3 is an entirely different beast with very different rules, requirements, and strategies for success. The Kehres stategy has been to bring in about 100 guys with every recruiting class and play the odds on finding diamonds in the rough. There is no way to implement that stategy in D1.

Ummm.... he's never turned us down? Larry Kehres on the other hand has turned a lot of people down, Can't State multiple times. He's never leaving Mount Union. Plus, the ways a D3 program, with no scholarship component and no spring practice etc., is built, is a completely different story than the other 3 divisions. I'm not sure Kehres would even have the know how on how to get it done at this level, and he probably realizes that.

Those of you concerned about recruiting, Winters brings a huge advantage: He's already recruiting MAC level players. GLIAC coaches recruit all the same guys as the MAC schools, actually do pick a few off from them, and then wait and see which guys get passed over with offers. Basically, Winters already has extensive contact with MAC level recruits this year, and a lot of those guys who may not have considered Wayne State because they're D2 but really liked Winters are now going to say, "Hey, this guys at a D1 school now with great facilities and a chance to play right away". That advantage cannot be underestimated.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/sports/2010/ja...2014-ar-214682/ Based on this article, Rocco's going nowhere anytime soon. He's had plenty of FBS suitors, and simply said, "No thanks." Ridenour has the right idea though. We don't need a head coach who has simply been successful by walking into a situation where there was already talent and success and either keeping it going or expanding it. That's not the situation here. We need a head coach with experience in taking over an absolute diaster of a football program and building it from the ground up. Danny Rocco has done a great job of that, but he's still never even made the FCS playoffs. Paul Winters on the other hand has taken one of the worst programs in the country in a horrible location where most kids (and most kids moms!) wouldn't want them to go, and is now competing for a national championship! The ultimate turnaround, from the bottom of the barrel to the a national powerhouse. Couple that with his love for Akron, his local ties, his MAC experience, and his offensive genius, and he's the perfect candidate.

Looking at our new coaching staff list on GoZips.com, it appears that Vince is the only assistant outside the office workers and GA's to survive the Friday Night Massacre. http://www.gozips.com/sports/fball/coaches/index

I know more about Morehead's character than just seeing him with fans, when anybody with half a brain will be in kiss-ass mode (Ianello was obviously missing that half of his brain). I was teammates and friends with a lot of the guys he coached in his 4 years here and a lot of those guys had some less than stellar reviews for Mr. Moorehead's "character". My personal experience with him was in more social settings where some social lubricant perhaps brought out his more pompous side. So yes, Dr. Z and Cap, if I'd had your experiences with him, and said what I said, I'd be a pretty bad judge of character. If you'd had mine and said what you said, that distinction would fall on you. Since we've obviously been exposed to different sides of the man, we'll just agree to disagree. Character aside, I think there are stronger candidates out there that would be better for the program based on experience, qualifications, and success. I'm not opposed to him being in the conversation though.

Lol no I'm a former player of his, so I'm pretty close with him. I've never tried to hide that fact or my bias when it comes to Coach Winters, but that doesn't make my points any less valid, ya know? Do you still keep in contact with Winters? I am just wondering if coaching at Akron is something he still really wants to do. He's been away for some time now, so it might not hold as much meaning for him as it did in the past. I don't know who I really want just yet, but Winters does seem to be a really good fit. It will be interesting to see what guys actually end up being interviewed. Coach Winters is the kind of guy who is going to be completely focused and dedicated to the situation he's in, and he's not going to talk about anything other than that. When I was playing and he was being nominated for top assistant awards, a lot of BCS schools were contacting him wanting him to come interview for assistant positions. He never talked about it to us, and if he was asked about it he would quickly shift the conversation back to the matters at hand (all while actually turning down those offers because he believed in what he was doing here). That being said, I did talk to him not too long ago, before Ianello was fired about the possibility. He wasn't hearing it, and said only that he was focusing on continuing to build the program he was in and investing in the lives of the guys he was coaching. I do know however, that last go around, he wanted the job, and wanted it bad. It was a major disappointment to see it go to a guy like Ianello, whom I'm sure Paul had an idea was not the right fit for this job. Does that disappointment carry over to bitterness in that he's not going to be interested this time around? Knowing him, I don't think so at all. He loves Akron and wants to see this program rise to greatness, which was part of what made the last rejection sting so much. If he were given an opportunity to take over here I think he would take it in a heart beat, despite of what he's saying now when such an offer doesn't exist. He's also in a much better position this time around coming off a 9 win and still going 10 win season competing for a national title, and he knows that. The man still has a love and loyalty for the program he sweat and bled for, and poured countless hours of work into during the 90's and 00's. If we come calling, he'll be here, and for the long haul.

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

I guess we had different experiences with him, we'll leave it at that. As far as recruiting goes though, he was a major architect of the failed JD "Go big or go home" strategy of the early years. His big recruiting coup was the infamous "Glenville Four" in '04. We all know how that turned it out. He subsequently got out of town before the major implications of those recruiting blunders hit. In terms of big wins, he was only co-offensive coordinator for the '05 march to the title (a march that included a dandy shut-out at the hands of Army). That title was mainly given to him to keep him from leaving and increase his pay, but Pry was still running the show. He was coordinator alone in '06 when we beat NC State, but if you remember correctly, that game was won 17-14 on a great defensive effort. If Paul Winters ever had half the defense we had in '05 and '06 we would've won 10 games a year. Winters > Moorhead

Paul Winters is 33-13 in the past 4 seasons, 19-5 in his last two, and currently competing for the national championship. If that's mediocre, I'll take mediocre. Compare that to Shane Montgomery's recent coaching records and you'll see the absurdity of the statement.

:lol:

Lol no I'm a former player of his, so I'm pretty close with him. I've never tried to hide that fact or my bias when it comes to Coach Winters, but that doesn't make my points any less valid, ya know?

Moorhead was another guy who always struck me as a douche bag on a personal level. Ego the size of Texas, and he's another guy who would just use this job as a stepping stone. Also, his offenses were good in comparison to what we've seen the last few years, but still didn't put up close to the numbers of Winters. Edge to the true Akron guy. Winters > Moorhead

Once other schools are beating down his door, it's too late for us buddy. Every coach has to get his first shot in the big leagues from somebody. Brian Kelly's came from Central Michigan. They took a winner at a lower level nobody was "beating down the door" for. I don't think they regretted their decision. This is a guy who knows how to turn a program around and win. Instead of focusing on everybody else, focus on the Zips needs, and you'll see he's exactly what we need.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20111129/SP...--not-Akron-job Last Updated: November 29. 2011 1:00AM. Wayne State coach Paul Winters is focused on next game, not Akron job Detroit— Paul Winters was busy at work Monday, getting Wayne State prepared for its biggest game in school history. And, people are taking notice of Winters' work. His name was mentioned in the Cleveland Plain Dealer for the Akron head coaching job, which opened up after Rob Ianello was fired after a two-year run resulting in consecutive 1-11 records. Akron athletic director Tom Wistrcill was disgusted with Akron's performance Friday in a 68-19 loss to Western Michigan. The Zips were embarrassed by Can't State on their beautiful, new $61.6 million, 30,000-seat InfoCision Stadium earlier this month. Winters — in his eighth season at Wayne State — has turned the Warriors into a Division II national power. They are 33-13 the last four years. They set a school record with nine wins and were ranked No. 12 last season. They earned a D-II playoff spot for the first time in school history this season, and took advantage of the situation with wins at St. Cloud State and Nebraska-Kearney to improve to 10-3. Now, they will play in a national quarterfinal game Saturday at defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth. When asked if he had interest in the Akron job, Winters was quick to the point, saying: "The only interest I have is in winning the national championship. We're playing the defending national champions. I think for our young men, it's a great opportunity to go up against the very best and I know to a man they are looking forward to it." Winters' name has been thrown into the mix at Akron for good reason. After all, he was a standout running back for Akron in the late '70s, earning the school's Athlete of the Year award in 1980. After a stint at running backs coach at Wisconsin in the early '90s, he moved on to become offensive coordinator at Akron under Lee Owens (1994-2003) before his arrival in Detroit. In 2003, Winters helped Akron become the nation's 11th-best scoring offense (36.2) and No. 7 passing attack. Just two years after Owens' departure in 2003, J.D. Brookhart guided Akron to the MAC championship with a last-second touchdown pass for a 31-30 win over Northern Illinois in the 2005 MAC title game at Ford Field. Brookhart didn't come close to duplicating the championship season and was fired after the 2009 season. But, Winters is duplicating success over and over again at Wayne State. And, he's focused on nothing but Saturday's regional championship game for a spot in the Final Four. "We were ready to play and got some early turnovers," Winters said of Wayne State's 38-26 win over Nebraska-Kearney, where they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, including a 47-yard interception return by safety Jeremy Jones, one of his three picks on the day. "(Minnesota-Duluth) has quite a few seniors back from last year. They have a power-oriented offense. They like to run the ball." Yes, Winters has only one thing on his mind ... how to stop Duluth's running game. The Akron job is off the radar.

It's a crapshoot with assistants, but obviously all head coaches were assistants at some point. We're at a point in this program though where we can't afford to have a guy come in and learn on the job. We need a guy who knows how to take a terrible team and turn them into a powerhouse, a guy who's done that. In Paul Winters, we have that guy, and a guy who loves Akron football, loves this community, and would not use this school as a stepping stone. We also have a guy who has actually been here, knows how to recruit in the MAC, and has taken MAC athletes and turned them into one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. You find me somebody else like that. It should also be pointed out that coaches in the GLIAC recruit all the same guys that MAC schools are recruiting. They keep contact with the same guys through their junion and senior years, and then take the ones that don't get MAC offers (and some that do!) That being the case, Winters already has relationships with many of the kids that are being recruited in our conference and we will be competing for. That's a MAJOR plus given the short amount of time our new coach is going to have to put a class together.