GJGood

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?

Also, every team Akron has already played this season that played today won their game.... OSU over Illinois, Temple won big, Cinci over Louisville, EMU beat CMU, and even VMI beat Presbyterian. FIU had the day off as they play this upcoming Tuesday night against Arkansas State. So, maybe its possible our schedule has been a little tougher than we thought originally and the weakest part is still ahead.

I agree. I don't see why we are playing CFU and FIU in the same season and what that is trying to accomplish. Why are we playing top level Big Ten teams and not the Minnesotas and Indianas of the world. How about Duke or Wake or Kansas or Kansas State or Iowa State or Colorado State or New Mexico? Hell, get NC State back on the schedule...I saw them last weekend and they are going nowhere in a hurry. Michigan?...They will be loaded by the time we get around to playing them. Notre Dame and Pitt in the same season I don't like.I agree with what you are saying about scheduling the lower to mid-level BCS conference teams if we are serious about trying to build the program by getting some nationally noteworthy wins. Apparently though Coach Ianello and the powers that be in the program are opting for the other option, namely scheduling for recruiting first and wins second.Make no mistake about it this schedule was put together with recruiting in mind. The MAC level high school prospects would much rather go up against the Penn States, Michigans, and Tennessees of the world than the Dukes, Iowa States, and Minnesotas out there. Plus, games with UCF and FIU give Akron more noteriety in Florida where Ianello undobtedly had many connections while the cheif recruiter at Notre Dame.Personally, I would rather see us go the route where we pick up wins over lower BCS competition and build our way up to bigger opponents because it means the potential for more wins. However, I can't argue against the fact that better recruits are needed as well and that this schedule will help. I don't know that there is only one right way. I just hope that the program gets to a point where MAC titles and bowl berts are possible and even expected in the not too distant future.

Are we recruiting any kickers for this class? There look to be some pretty good ones that are HS seniors down here in my area but as far as I know only one of them has a FBS offer and that is from Buffalo. Should the Zips throw their hat in that ring?

That was what I thought was pretty much the case too but then again we were the only Division 1 school to offer a scholarship to Brian Wagner, he almost got missed. How many of those are out there at smaller schools like Springfield Catholic Central? How many don't get the recognition they deserve because their own high school coaches are misevaluating for that matter?

I was actually thinking about Wagner and how he was not offered by any other FBS when I was posing the question. I know I live in a school district that every year fields a 6 to 8 win football team but never has anyone go higher than D-III for college ball. In fact two years ago the Ohio high school Division III player of the year played here and ended up going on to Lake Erie College I believe. I just wonder if he'd been more highly recruited if he was at more of a 'name' school. I understand what you are saying about the problem with recruiting from "name" schools but couldn't the opposite also be true? Couldn't the good player make his teammates look "great" and BCS-worthy? And if that was the case wouldn't it be good for a school like Akron?

There are a couple of recruiting questions I hear discussed from time to time and I'd like to see how my fellow Zips fans feel about it. How important is the size of a high school program when looking at potential Zips recruits? Would you rather see more focus on getting good talent from huge high school programs that send their very best palyers to BCS schools regularly or do we need more focus on getting the very best players from those schools that a lot of FBS, and especially BCS, programs tend to overlook or pass by? Also, how important do you feel the success of a high school program is in choosing whom Akron should recruit? Do you think its possible that there is some great high school football individual talent out there on mediocre or even below average high school football teams? Should a school like Akron take a closer look at some individuals at those types of schools? Obviously the final answer is that you probably want to find the right mix of all the above types but is there one of the types you'd like to see Akron pay more attention to than they have recently? Just interested to hear your thoughts.