Zip_ME87

Specifically this...do not fully realize how perilously close this program is to slipping from the elite, returning to the ranks of the very good also-rans, a position we have occupied for most of the program’s existence. This next hiring is monumentally important. I cannot over-emphasize that point. Seriously, you don't think we realize this? BTW...I happened to be a student at UA the first time UA Men's Soccer played for the National Championship. I'm not sure if that makes me a "youngster" in your book or not. EDIT: This is a good, healthy debate. I really don't have a problem with any of this discussion or anyone's opinions here. I've not been a soccer fan as long as ZIP or you; when Caleb says that it's a goal of his to "grow the sport", he can count me as someone whom he has turned into a fan of the "beautiful game". My fear is not just of Akron Men's Soccer slipping from the elite, but also turning away from the beautiful style we currently enjoy.

And I know at least one of our current players thinks highly of Brian Maisonneuve. I do see your and fknbuflobo's (as well as others') points, I just don't want to see Embick overlooked, which seems to be the Akron way in most things. [At least UA didn't do so when hiring our Men's Basketball Head Coach.]

I disagree with and am insulted by this statement here and it's alternate phrasing in your letter to TW. All of us have posted here because we are very much concerned about this. It is not your concern alone. Like you, I will support whomever is chosen as Caleb's successor because our Soccer Program means a lot to me.

Nice. Interesting how they referred to Penn St, Michigan, blOSU, and Michigan St as "some Big 12" matchups.

Yes, Porter is the reason recruits come to Akron. What I mean is that currently Akron (with Porter) recruits itself. We can possibly continue that for 1 more year if Embick is selected by showing that the Akron system is not changing. That would change for the following season if Embick is given the chance, but is not successful. I still think that Embick is the best option at this time. Give him a year, if he would agree, to prove himself. Making a wholesale change, even for another successful head coach, seems like a bigger risk to me. As far as the process in 2006, that AD IS GONE. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN as much as you wish it could. EDIT: By the way, I realize there is no perfect answer to replacing the best Head Coach that Akron has ever had. There is risk in any approach that is taken. Our Men's Soccer Program means a lot to me. My opinion is that what we have works, and we should try to continue it. Caleb Porter was relatively unknown when he came to Akron. I don't think we have to hire a "name" in order to continue our success. I think Jared has put in a lot of hard work helping to build what we have and should be at least given an opportunity to show that he can continue it if he wants it.

If Embick were named head coach, Porter and he could continue to recruit for next season now. Also, thanks to Caleb, Akron recruits itself. With Embick named as the head coach, that may still continue because the system would not change even though Caleb is leaving. No guarantees, but this would be my preferred approach.

The only known is that Caleb Porter will not be the Zips Head Coach next season. Hiring an existing head coach brings no more guarantees than hiring a well-qualified assistant.

Although this is not MLS, NASL or USLPro, it involves a former Zip who is now a professional player...

Nearly seven weeks after Urso suddenly passed away after collapsing at a downtown Columbus bar, we learned that it was a preexisting heart condition he likely never knew he had that caused his passing. A reminder that every day is a blessing. Rest in Peace Kirk Urso.

You're just slightly behind the times Z.I.P. http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?sh...13+Philadelphia Seems that you may have forgotten.

Kofi Sarkodie (and Will Bruin) picked up an assist on an Oscar Boniek García goal in the 44th minute today for the Houston Dynamo. (match is still in progress) EDIT: Unfortunately Philadelphia won 3-1.

+1

I hope Fred (as Alfred told me he likes to be called) is making a speedy recovery. I want to see all of our Zips healthy and available. And, by the way, I think Renaldo has been doing great.

Agree. I will be there and am bringing 2 friends (who happen to be AK Rowdies) with me.

Kudos to all of the Rowdies quoted in this article...http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/marla...uccess-1.334782 Caleb Porter has been awesome for Akron and very much deserves this kind of support.

I agree with your conjecture. The only way I see some of this being prevented is if the assistant coaches are given an interim year to show that they can keep Caleb's system going. Conjecture on my part that players who came to Akron for Caleb's system are not going to stick around and buy into a new system.

I really like Dillon and wish he would stay at Akron longer, but I certainly would understand. I just want it all to work out well for the guys. I can't thank them enough for coming to Akron. I hope they'll be successful at winning an NCAA Championship, but moreso, I hope every one of them is successful beyond Akron on and/or off the soccer field. This is what I suspect will happen with a number of our players, especially if we make a complete change. Also, I don't see any way that Caleb and his staff will be able to effectively recruit for next season without a decision (soon) on the next head coach. I think MLS teams have been happy for players to stay at Akron under Porter because they don't have to sign the players, but they know our players get professional level experience in our system. A complete change in our system will change this.

Congratulations to Ampai on his recent goal and call up to the Thailand National Team... anthonyampaipitakwong.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/toyota-cup-first-leg/ Posted September 6, 2012 Last night was the first leg of two games, home and away vs BEC Tero. We had a slip up in the forth minute giving up a big mistake in the back and ending up going down 0-1. In the second half I was given a ball on the top of the box which I took my first touch forward and shot it low back post. I’ll be honest the goalie should have made a routine diving save but the ball was wet which ended up skipping past him back post! Goal is a Goal BABY!! Also there was news this week I was called up for a friendly match to represent the Thailand National Team on the 10th. I am very honored in this news and there will be more info about everything later. Until then, take care everyone and enjoy Your day!

I will be there for both games. Staying in Elkhart (< 20 miles away) at a reasonable rate. Sunday's game is at 2:15 pm EDT, as I understand it. GO ZIPS!

I don't think so. As long as Caleb is the head coach, he'll continue coaching the same as he always has. I witnessed nothing different in Omaha other than perhaps a little more hands on direction than usual.

As was already posted, Dave Giffard at VCU. However, I'll point out that Jared Embick has also already been a head coach (see GoZips.com bio excerpt below). He was also a coach with the Cleveland Internationals Soccer Club, but it's not mentioned in his GoZips.com bio.... http://www.internationalssoccer.com/boys/staff/coaches (scroll down the page) Prior to joining the Zips, Embick spent four seasons as the head men’s soccer coach at Missouri Baptist University. There he oversaw operation of the entire soccer program, including practice planning, recruiting, scheduling, fundraising, budget planning and development and academic monitoring. During his four seasons the men posted a record of 47-21-8, including the program’s first NAIA regional tournament berth in 2003. In 2006, the school achieved its highest-ever national ranking at No. 7. In addition, Embick took over head coaching duties for the women’s program in 2006. In all he spent six years with the Spartans, including two seasons as a graduate assistant (2000-01) and one season as assistant coach (2002) with the men’s program. While at Missouri Baptist, Embick also served as assistant coach for River Cities FC of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). There he assisted with practice planning and recruiting, helping to lead the squad to a 13-2-1 record in its inaugural season and an appearance in the WPSL national final. Embick has kept active at the club level, working as a part-time staff coach with Metro United (2000-06) and Marion Lightening (1999). His experience at the collegiate level includes serving as a staff coach with the Indiana University Soccer Camp (2001-05) and the Duke University Soccer Camp (2003).

I'm confident that I'm not making assumptions. Also, I don't think we should wait too long. One thing that Caleb has given us is time. If a decision can be made soon that Akron is continuing our brand/style of soccer, then our coaches will be able to sell Akron to any new recruits to whom they are likely already talking. Remember, LOI day is in February. Those players aren't just recruited at the end of a season. If I remember correctly, we already have at least 1 verbal and perhaps more. I haven't looked for awhile. Those players need assurances that we're trying to remain with the same brand which is different (better) than others. Giving Jared and the rest of the staff 1 year (interim) would be a win-win for all, in my opinion. If they do well, they will receive longer term contracts. If not, we can move on from there. It seems riskier to me to just up and make a complete change after this season.

I think the best suggestion is to keep Caleb's staff and give them the opportunity to prove themselves next season. This would provide continuity, helping us keep our players, and allow Caleb and staff to continue recruiting throughout this season. It doesn't make sense to me that when you've built a winning brand that you would take a huge risk by making a wholesale change. Our assistant coaches deserve the opportunity. Although Caleb has been the driver, he hasn't built our program completely on his own. Jared Embick has head coaching experience, and this is his 6th season at Akron. Oliver Slawson is in his seventh season on Caleb's staff. Pablo Moreira is from the area and played under Caleb. Stuart Dobson is in his first season at Akron, but I'm told by the parents of one of our GK's that Stuart is the best GK coach he's had at Akron. These coaches know the Akron system, and deserve at least a 1 season opportunity to prove themselves.

From Gozips.com Porter came to the Zips from Indiana where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach for the Hoosiers, four of which came under Hall of Fame head coach Jerry Yeagley, who is the all-time winningest coach in Division I history and a six-time national coach of the year honoree, and the last two under Mike Freitag. As Indiana's recruiting coordinator, Porter helped compile a recruiting class that was rated No. 1 in the nation in 2005 by College Soccer News and StudentSportsSoccer.com. The talent he attracted to the Hoosiers included four national players of the year, 14 Youth National Team members, 18 All-Americans and 12 state players of the year. During his time as an assistant with IU, the Hoosiers won five Big Ten Conference championships and made six NCAA Tournament appearances - including four trips to the College Cup. Indiana won consecutive national championships in 2003 and in 2004. A 1998 graduate of Indiana with a degree in sports management, Porter was a four-year letterwinner in the midfield for the Hoosiers. He was just the second three-year captain in IU history and was the runner-up for the 1997 Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation's top collegiate player. Porter's Indiana teams won four Big Ten titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the College Cup on two occasions. As a senior, Porter captained IU to an NCAA record 23 consecutive wins before losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the national semifinals. Porter's resume also includes playing two seasons with the U.S. National B Team in 1996 and 1997 and earning a bronze medal at the '97 World University games. The three-time All-Big Ten selection was chosen by the San Jose Clash as the 26th overall pick in the 1998 Major League Soccer Draft. He spent one season in San Jose and one year with the Tampa Bay Mutiny before a knee injury ended his career in 2000. During the MLS offseason in 1998, Porter served as an undergraduate assistant coach at Indiana while finishing his degree. That season IU won the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles en route to an NCAA Championship. From 2003-05, Porter served as a coach and senior age group trainer with the Bloomington Cutters Soccer Club, winning an Under-18 Indiana state championship in 2004 and a U-19 state championship in 2005.

Caleb Porter is still at Akron for the next 4 months. I know for a fact that he cares deeply about the University of Akron and the program that he has raised to national prominence. In my opinion, he needs to be involved in the process of selecting his successor, and I'm confident that he wants to help. Akron owes that to Caleb's recruits. That's probably the best way to retain our players and ensure continuity of our outstanding program. I ask everyone who is passionate about Zips Soccer to impress upon our AD that he needs to solicit Caleb's input/help, if he hasn't already asked. Please don't assume that our AD has asked since we don't know that, and don't assume that he reads this forum. Use the "Ask the AD" feature on GoZips.com, and tell him. He's asking for our input.