GJGood

I noticed on the new Dambrot show that the game at Marshall was listed as 12:00pm on Jan 1, however every other schedule I have seen for either school indicates 4:00 that day. Anybody have any insight as to if there was a time change here or if the show's graphic was just incorrect?

Most sports fans probably don't even know that Wayne State even exists. So, he's a step above that. While it may be true that Mr. Thomas does not know what division Wayne State or even the University of North Alabama is in (even though he should be sure to know before speaking publicly about those places), I am much more concerned that he doesn't seem to know the difference between the three Michigan schools in the MAC. How can you be a beat writer for a MAC team and not know who the other MAC schools are?

I used to love college volleyball before they went to rally scoring. Now the matches seem quicker and less interesting to me. That being said I will always be a Zips fan, just think the changes in rules over the years have made it harder for me to maintain a high level of interest. Anybody else miss the days of 'side out' volleyball?

I agree to a certain extent on the FCS head coaches. I mentioned Coen at Lehigh because it is a clear step up from Lehigh to any MAC school, even Akron. I mentioned Ash at Montana State simply because he knows how to recruit and has some strong western PA connections. A move to Akron in addition to being a "step up" to FBS (I don't know how close the pay scales are, I had assumed the Akron job would be higher) would also bring him much closer to "home". It may very well be that if either of these guys were contacted they'd have no interest, but I'd still like to know that we contacted some FCS head coaches that have attained some level of success.

For what its worth, I do think it will turn out that Akron just hired a pretty good baseball coach. I don't know exactly how much of a hand TW had in that search. Of course that hiring pales in comparison to that of one of the "money programs" at the university.

Good point, I don't know for certain who is being looked at, but all the names I hear bantered about are guys who appear to not be interested in the job or guys who are only position coaches. I'd like to see a guy with head coaching experience, preferably at least at the FCS level. If we can't get a head coach from somewhere then we need to at least get a coordinator (not a position coach) from a FBS school. I'd love to hear names like Rob Ash from Montana State or Andy Coen of Lehigh or someone with similar credentials start being mentioned in connection with this search.

Seriously, why aren't we looking at ANY FCS head coaches? There are certainly some out there who have had some success and would be interested.

I just hope we are also looking at successful head coaches at the FCS (1-AA) level. If somebody from those ranks is a finalist and Winters, Johnson, or anyone else beats them out in the interview process than so be it but FCS HC's should be being considered as much as D-2 HCs or any coordinator or position coach that has never held a head coaching job. I just can't believe more FCS head coach names are not being mentioned.

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

Next Saturday 11am ESPN2, Zips fans may want to check it out. Wayne State vs. Delta State or Pittsburg State (KS) from Florence, AL

Probably right on Winters at least being one of the primary candidates, but lets not forget the FCS level is in its quaterfinals this weekend too. It could be possible that we are looking at somebody still playing at that level too. I, for one, would certainly be glad to hear it if we were.

I like this one or anyone who has clearly significantly risen the level of a FCS program as their head coach. I also like the idea of Mick McCall, the OC from Northwestern if we can't make a splash with a more well known name like Pat Hill or maybe even a Ron Zook. I like the idea of Paul Winters too but would much rather see someone who has made good strides at the FCS level instead of the D2 level. I think Winters could be a really good HC long-term but the adjustment period may be longer with a guy coming from D2 than with an FCS head man or FBS coordinator.

Of all the players I saw in the state title games, the ones I'd most want to see in a Zips uniform are whoever the guys were that were making the plays on defense for Springfield Shawnee against Mooney. They wore numbers 54 and 51 I believe. Also, the featured tailback for Mooney looked like a potential big time player in the collegiate ranks. Sorry, I don't remember the names but may recognize them if I heard them again. Outside of that game I was most impressed with the, previously mentioned in this thread, Adam Wallace of Norwayne and the tall, extremely fast wideout for Pickerington Central whose name I also cannot recall but he scored on a long TD against St. Ignatius.

Just saw where Tulane may be interested in Northwestern offensive coordinator Mick McCall. Given that he has ties to the MAC (having been at BG in the past) and the Midwest plus has had a huge hand in developing some pretty good QBs at Northwestern, should the Zips be looking at this guy?

There are obviously some red flags regarding Pat Hill. But he had FRESNO rated as high as #8. He is worth a taking a look and kicking the tires. CK and others may be right...he has lost the fire in the belly to compete. Maybe there are other issues...California schools have come under extreme budgetary pressure as the state is almost bankrupt. I am assuming those things can be determined during the vetting and interview process. IMO...he should go through that process to see if he still has the fire...he would be a great hire he he does. Akron is a far better launching pad than Fresno State. I agree, it can't hurt to contact him and see if he'd be willing to interview. The guy obviously could recruit in better budgetary times at FSU and while not exactly a big-time household name, he is at least a big enough name to tip the scales our direction in some recruiting battles against other MAC schools.

So if Akron were to go the BCS or top mid-major coordinator route, who may be available? Does anyone have head coaching experience in either the FBS or FCS? Who would you all like to see as a candidate from the coordinator pool?

So if Akron were to go the BCS or top mid-major coordinator route, who may be available? Does anyone have head coaching experience in either the FBS or FCS? Who would you call like to see as a candidate from the coordinator pool?

Was reading that late last night, and somehow must have blocked out the "coach killer" portion. I actually would agree with him if we were talking about a program that was getting mediocre or slightly below average results and makes a change. Maybe if he knew more about the Akron situation (i.e. facilities upgrade, local high school talent going elsewhere, 2-22 over two seasons, etc...) he'd not be as harsh in discussing Akron.

I know there is a strong sentiment here that our next head coach should have experience as a head coach somewhere else, but I have also seen rumors that we are considering people serving as offensive or defensive coordinators. Personally I just don't want a guy who has never been above a position coach or recruiting coordinator. I found this article about one quite successful BCS school coordinator who tearns to run his own program. In the article, the Akron vacancy is named specifically. Shouldn't this guy should at least be a strong candidate with his experience if we don't see being a previous HC as a prerequisite. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/hokies...RJm8N_blog.html

Michigan State defensive coordinator Patt Narduzzi seems to have his sights on BCS conference jobs only. Looking at Michigan State though, and if we were to go the coordinator route, I think I'd rather have MSU's offensive coordinator than their defensive one. I;m not really sold on the coordintor route if the candidate has no real head coaching experience, but at least if we did go that route we should at least look at guys that were in charge of the best units of their own team.

So, is Turner Gill a candidate for the Zips? Would you want him to be? Just a question for the board to ponder.

The funeral for Ianello's mother is on Monday, I have no problem with waiting until Tuesday. Agreed, if a change is happening, no reason to announce the University is piling on Ianello in a time of personal grief. Let's be a little humane here.

I'd take Rob Ash, the current head man at Montana State. He has coached in Iowa, Montana, and most importantly Pennsylvania before so he would have some interesting recruiting connections, not to mention he is a successful and experienced HEAD COACH that tends to stick around for a while when he gets a new job.

I understand the sentiment for a division of schools similar to Akron, I really do but I just don't like it. Believe it or not I think things are getting better in the college football landscape, 15 years ago schools like Utah, TCU, and Boise State would never be on the national radar. Today they are. Granted it hasn't happened yet for Akron or the MAC but I am not willing to say that beyond all doubt the MAC can't be as competitive as a league like the Mountain West, Big East, or even ACC is now somewhere down the road.I just don't want to throw in the towel just yet on the aspirations to get to, and be considered part of, the top level of college football. The overall trend has been more inclusive not exclusive and I think Akron and the MAC for that matter should wait to see how all the changes pan out. It may somehow turn out to work to our advantage. We won't know until all the changes come to an end.

With the MWC and CUSA merging, any chance the MAC and remnants of the WAC do the same?