Captain Kangaroo

He also would make a poor center or power forward...because he's limited?

Most accurate summary of the McNees situation. Thank you.

He was THIRTEENTH on the Zips in total tackles as a JUNIOR. He had THREE sacks for the entire 2009 season...which upped his career sack total (three combined seasons) to...FOUR. Unless his last name is actually Conyers, there was little-to-no chance that he'd have made any impact in 2010. Buena Suerte en New Mexico.

If that were a universal truth, why would any AD hire such a coach? Sincerely, Urban Meyer

I think you're mostly right. However - JD's recruiting didn't fall apart over his tenure. It actually improved. JD wanted to win quick, and cash in big-time. So took your advice and took a bunch of at-risk athletes (not student athletes). It was a valid theory at the time because the league's best programs were built on non-qualifiers, JUCO's and troubled talent (see early 2000's Toledo & NIU). Unfortunately for him, and Zips fans, all JD's athletes flunked out. He subsequently righted the ship and recruited a better caliber of student athlete. But you can't undo the damage of back-to-back horrific recruiting classes in a single season or two. Not in football. JD reaped what he sewed, and got canned last season. The clock expired. But iCoach will benefit. Kinda like Mack Rhoades benefited from Mike Thomas' work. If iCoach is any good, he'll start winning fairly soon. If he's good enough to leave after 3 seasons...we'll have a pretty magical 3 seasons of Zips football to remember. That's 3X more than the last 25 years combined...so I'd be pretty grateful.

I'm simply happy K.e.n.t. State basketball will see Justice served at least twice per season. Too bad Singletary is gone...

Hunter Interview @ CCU

...so will Howard be a Zip or not?

That reminds me of a line from Caddyshack: Upon Ted knight saying "...I mean, he's been club champion for three years running, and I'm no slouch myself," Chevy Chase replies: "Don't sell yourself short, judge. You're a tremendous slouch." YSU basketball has won absolutely nothing in the past 30 years. Looking at the Beeghly Center rafters during the Zips/Penguins game two seasons ago...well...let's just say the Zips Women's basketball history over the past 30 years puts the YSU men's program to shame. Don't sell YSU men's basketball short, D.I.G, they're a TREMENDOUS slouch. CSU men's basketball is on a whole different level than YSU. Renewal of the Zips/CSU rivalry is HUGE for local hoops fans. It is a guaranteed 4k attendance game at the JAR, and could be a sell-out if CSU starts the season hot. As a NE Ohio hoops fan, I can't wait to see Dambrot vs. Waters @ the JAR.

Bowser got invited to the Arizona Cardinals rookie camp. Cool. Andre Jones is now on the clock....

Nick dunking on Jakkar Simpson PD Column Recruiting news: Even though major-college coaches are not here, at least one local school can expect some news. Benedictine's Nick Harney scored 23 points for the Ohio Basketball Club in a victory over the King James All-Stars. The 6-7 senior then said he would be playing his college basketball in the Mid-American Conference. "I'm going to be at Akron," he said. "We're going to announce it pretty soon." Seems like he already did. Rivals Bio

FYI See E. Howard for yourself.

Football-wise, Buffalo was a blight on the MAC (and that is tough to accomplish) for years...until Turner Gill. Then they were actually something the MAC could be a little proud of? Toledo was a flagship football program for years...then recently went in the crapper. Time will tell if Buffalo just got lucky, or if they are on to something good. I'm not worried about Toledo football. It will be back. The school is committed to winning.

If he were a Moderator, then you'd be dissing him. Poor Mike just can't win... Welcome back, CK. It just hasn't been the same around here without your unique commentary. For the record, I don't diss moderators, only immoderators. You made the kid from McDonald smile today, Dave.

You are correct. It essentially creates "The Fetid Four" -- Four teams who need to win a bogus NCAA Tourney play-in game just to get the right to participate in the "real" tourney. Three mid-majors that used to play on Thursday now get to play on Tuesday. Booo....

I'll respond here. Hopefully it's ok with Mike? * Quarterback — Outlook: If Nicely stays healthy, my retinas are en fuego. I continue to be astounded by anyone who gives Matt Rodgers a shot at the starting QB position. Matt is a super kid and a hard worker. But he doesn't have the arm strength to start as a MAC QB. Can he run? Sure. But his frame isn't like Tebow's. If the Zips rely on Rodgers' running ability...it will be an effective, but short-lived experiment. He'll get injured. He's a valuable back up to PN7. Nicely is going to be awesome. He'll get the whole snap-from-center thing solved this summer. He has a cannon, and if he gets OL protection...look out. * Running back – Outlook: Cautious optimism. Alex Allen will be a stud, IF he can take the pounding of a full season as a feature back. He started to return to form late last season, and by all accounts he's 100% for 2010. Dale Martin is an explosive, elusive back...when he's not on the trainer's table. If Martin can shake the injury bug, the Zips RB situation will be the envy of the MAC. Broderick Alexander? People were high on him last season. I wasn't. He was put in an impossible position, with his redshirt being pulled so late. And I applaud him for trying his best to help the team. But he needs to break initial contact with some regularity before I'm sold on him being an effective RB. Nate Burney is a wild card. He was somewhat of a HS legend in Youngstown, and is Mooney's #2 all time rusher last I checked. And Mooney is one of the more storied programs in the state. I think Nate has something to prove. And with Ianello's fresh eyes to evaluate things, Burney could be one of those recruits buried by JD who surprises us all in 2010. More later....lunch is over...

Featured Game on the Big10 Network 7pm start would mean GREAT tailgating. Assuming I can't swing both K.entucky and Indiana, this night game would definitely be the roadie game-of-choice.

Zips to Play Golden Gophers on December 15th in Minneapolis. Now when is Mike Thomas gonna play us in hoops?! Mack...the phone lines between Houston and Akron are functional, as far as I know...

If he were a Moderator, then you'd be dissing him. Poor Mike just can't win...

Several teams from CUSA have made the jump to a BCS conference...including Cincinnati. Meanwhile, none have moved up from the MAC. USF? They're in the Big East. Things have worked out well for them. Depending upon how things shake out, I'm guessing Marshall will be in much better shape to ascend conferences than any MAC program. The move to CUSA didn't hurt them. It was a great interim move. And...Marshall fans get to watch teams like SMU, Houston, Memphis, etc instead of EMU, K.e.n.t. and Ball State. Zips -- Move to CUSA tomorrow if at all possible.

They're not quite dead yet. Memphis basketball was around long before Calipari, and their massive basketball bankroll & Fed Ex Forum says they won't be "down" long.

I was out of town for three weeks. Just returned on Sunday. Looking forward to getting back in the groove.

Maybe we could play our Mountaineer game at The Q or Wolstein Center? I have to believe CUSA will be raided heavily by the "new" Big East before any MAC school would appear on their radar. Unfortunately I don't see any way a 16-team Big 10, and the fallout, would help Zips athletics.

Then this photo should infuriate him:

Looks like Jacksonville is a more likely destination than Akron?