72 Roo

That's a great looking soccer stadium. Better than what we plan IMO. But I understand money is tight, so I'll take and love what we plan. But Creighton has a cool place going up.

I am glad Can't suspended Singletary, but then again they had to do something. Too many people saw what happened both on TV and YouTube. So Can't took the safe route ... they suspended him for a game in which the opponent has the worst odds in the confernce to win the whole thing. Wow! Did they ever take the high road. If Can't had announced a two game suspension I would have given them some respect. They have a thug on their hands and they continue to let him do what he wants as long as he is a good B-ball player, which he is. They have no honor. That's why my kids will always be taught

Capt'n,Help me out here. How do you have a semi-new baby? Not to worry, though, if he/she is a new Zip that's all that matters. New or old we all know

Zipper, I talked with Greg Burke during the last round of AD hiring. I like him a lot and he loves the Zips. But his wife is from the South and not particularly interested in coming back to Akron. Perhaps times have changed and that is up for reconsideration. Greg likes the Akron situation so maybe you could be right that he would be interested.

The issue of local kids being told to go somewhere else is born out of misperception by the writer/speaker. Local coaches are not blind. They see our program is on the rise. They also know that is across the board including all sports, facilities, academics and campus. Most people who believe coaches won't recommend us also believe tons of D-1 athletes are coming out of Summit County. That just isn't happening.To build the program we all want JD must go out of Akron and out of state. The days of building a dominant D-1 football team from NE Ohio have long gone. There are not enough. No one expects Ohio State to recruit a majority of Ohio athletes. Why do people think we need to do it with a majority of NE Ohio athletes? It can't be done.

Capt'n, can't say it much better than that. It troubles me that Mac would want to leave now for a job that is better, but not the high profile job he could get if he were to bring everything together that is nearing completion in a year or two, i.e. Infocision, football respectability, attendance, soccer dominance, basketball dominance, emergence of women's programs, start of the soccer stadium, etc.Passing up all that for Rutgers. Makes you go Hmmmmm.

Random thoughts:1) Mac is gone. I agree with Capt'n, if not now he will go soon. He's got to go because he has tipped his hand that he is willing to leave for a mid-level Big East job. Not exactly the Big 10, SEC or Big 12.2) Our transformation, which is continuing as we speak, will be a long hard road. But it will happen. I see us dominating the MAC and looking to the next level in the years ahead. I'm willing to admit it may be many years ahead. But it will happen.3) Proenza will only leave for the right job. He was up for the Florida job , but didn't get it. He also applied for the University of California regents job that OSU's Gordon Gee was offered years ago, but Luis didn't make the short list. He is being selective on what he wants. He knows he has one job left in him and he wants it to be a statement position or he will continue to stay at Akron. I can live with that. There is still more for him to do here altho' he is still disappointed he couldn't orchestrate a medical school for Akron. A long shot at best, but he thought he was strong enough to pull it off. 4) Zip37 ... I'll disagree with you about Gordon Larsen. Even respectfully argue if you want. Gordon inherited an athletic dept that was in a shambles from the Red Cochrane era. Red was a promoter, but never a manager. Gordon started putting the program on the proper footing. He instituted title IX at Akron, he coached, he hired Bill Killen to replace Stu Parry, he hired Wyatt Webb and he got us into the Mid Continent conference. All on the smallest budget the school had seen to date. As a football coach he out-coached Don James (K.E.N.T.) and Earle Bruce (Tampa) with fewer scholarships. At first I didn't like him. After getting to know him I found he was Akron through and through. He was a man to be admired and a fierce competitor. I hope some of this changes your mind about him. he did many important things behind the scenes that few people gave him credit for.5) I like our position now better than ever. Our coaches are sound. Our facilities are rapidly improving. We have a core of passionate fans that will keep the focus on continuous qulaity improvement. We have a great president and a board of trustees that share his vision. We will survive and flourish. As I said above, it will happen.

Interesting discussion. I believe we all feel the same way but maybe choose different logic to support our opinions. Mine is to get the hell out of the MAC as fast as we can, provided we can compete to win in a basketball and football conference. That is a big proviso. Until then we need to dominate the MAC. We are only prepared to do so in soccer and track, not the money sports which rule all decisions. I'd love to be in the Big East, but they, rightly so, will not take us so we should get used to it. Frankly, I don't blame them. We bring little to the conference except for soccer and track. A more realistic goal would be Conference USA. That would help all sports and we could make the leap if we begin dominating the MAC. I hope we look that way in the future. If we focus only on dominating the MAC we still will not get the attendence or recognition we need to come close to balancing the athletic dept budget. C-USA gives us a better chance to do so and will make us continue to grow and develop. I can't see the MAC ever generating the attendence we will want.Until a jump is feasible we need to get our house in order and start winning the MAC regularly in football and Basketball. We need to be the program that causes all conference members to think the road to the championship goes thru Akron.

Sorry Capt'n, in the spirit of complete objectivity I've got to drop the Lady Zips to #11. There loss to WMU moves the UT men ahead of them. Take heart ladies, next year you'll kick their butt.

No, no...its: "There saying that this is a grate higher over their, butt they're kneads two bee sum immediate results." Zippy, Dude, you are too freakin' funny. I read that and it made my day.Zips do rule!

I like the hire. I agree it shows commitment to the program. Shane was a good OC before he took the reins at Miami and he will be valuable to JD to bounce ideas off of. His value as a recruiter is significant. More and more programs are de-emphasizing Florida and spending more time in Georgia. The Zips need to be able to have a presence in that state.The more I see of the program's changes the greater my hopes rise. I am hoping JD is laying a solid foundation that will carry the program after the excitement of the first year in our new showcase is over.

Nation, a couple weeks ago Mac sent out a letter to the friends of Zip soccer. In it he outlined the outstanding accomplishemnts of this year's team, future developments and reviewed the "injustice" that was heaped on the team and the university during the playoffs. I will not go into great detail, but I do what to give you all a flavor for what was discussed.First, my overall impression was one of great confidence and respect for what Mac and Caleb have done. I don't post all that often. In the past, when I did post, I was critical of Mac. Now that time has passed and I continue to see what he is doing and the challenges he faces with reputation, little tradition, Inadequate attendence, a poor conference, facility upgrades and budget pressures, I have slowly become a Mac fan. His letter only re-enforced that opinion. As part of his review of this year's accomplishments Mac discussed the contract extension for Caleb. We have the best young coach in the country, hands down, end of discussion. The soccer world also knows this. Caleb is now paid with the top 5-10 soccer coaches in the country. His assistants all got raises, the recruiting and travel budget was increased, and a second fulltime assistant was added. The university is clearly committed to winning a national championship. Mac is talking openly of that expectation of Caleb and himself. Additional evidence of that is this year's recruiting class and our Spring schedule (the best in the country on both counts).Mac next shifted to the soccer facility on campus. A new field and lights are planned for the 2010 season. Lights bright enough for night TV broadcasting will cost $500,000. There are three options for the field: 1) $750,000 to install a new field with a surface and drainage to handle 35-40 events per season and most weather conditions, 2) $1,000,000+ to install a sand based field and drainage that could handle any weather and more than 40 events per season, and 3) an artificial turf field that could handle all weather and unlimited events. The second option is preferred by all in the program. In fact, the third option could be expected to affect recruiting as recruits do not want to play on fake turf. Mac and Caleb are studying their options and possible donors to make the sand based field and lights happen. After 2010 the grandstand, bleacher and birm seating will be addressed in what's called phase II.The team will get new locker rooms and a lounge in the utility building at the north end of Infocision this season. Funding needs to be signed off by the board of trustees. It is considered it will go through when presented. That will be a great plus and help convince these national class recruits coming in that they made the best decision of their lives. Finally, Mac reviewed how the "injustice" (his word) of the playoff screw-job played out. He discussed it with passion and detail. We appealed the NCAA's decision 3 freakin' times and we went all the way to the top. All parties refused to listen to our points. I don't know how you felt during that time but I was sick and very upset. For the first time, I was reminded to look beyond my own feelings and consider the administrators at the university who even felt worse. After reading his account I felt a closer bond to his athletic administration than ever. The only thing Mac didn't review that I would have expected was our future, or lack thereof, in the MAC. We already have the top OCC schedule in the country with the RPI to back it up. The MAC kills our momentum. Unfortunately, we repeatedly face teams that decide to keep 11 men on their half of the field in hopes of playing for a 0-0 tie. Case in point, at the BGSU game last season their coach acted like he won the national championship when he only lost 2-0 or so. We need a conference where teams want ot play and not hunker down. That type of competition will only make a us better during the playoff run.This team is in good hands. We will continue to win big on a national level. Thanks to Caleb and Mac for making the dream a reality and thanks to the many nation supporters. You folks are getting a rep as the most passionate in the country. To cite an example, I sat with an athletic administrator from Ohio State at last season's game in Columbus. She was overwhelmed by the Zip following and could not believe that we had more in attendence than OSU did. She quized me constantly on how it got that way, how we became so passionate and what OSU needed to do to get to where we are. She ended the night by saying next to Indiana, we are the best program she has ever seen. Not a bad compliment considering Iu's numerous national championships.Thanks again to all who read this far.

I love the excitement that is growing over our commit list, but in the final analysis I really only want to see us getting better than our peers i.e rest of the MAC. If we do that, one day we will be out of the piss-poor MAC conference and moving in circles that get more respect and attention. If we maintain the staus quo (in the MAC) we eventually will deteriorate with the rest of the programs.

This in indeed fantastic news, but let's not overlook the challenges that face Caleb and the Zip soccer program. They are: 1) we have got to get out of the MAC (Please become an affiliate member of Conference USA and 2) we need a new soccer specific stadium. With those two issues addressed we can challenge for a national championship. Without them being resolved we will continue to get screwed by the powers that be.The bottom line is that we are on the cusp of being a top 10 program. With these improvements we will be a top 5 program.

Great idea Capt'n. If I was able I'd find some business to do in N.E. Ohio and drive up from Columbus for the event. Unfortunately, I've got to go leave tomorrow for a national sales meeting in Arizona. Nice weather, but no time to enjoy it. Kinda like a hostage crisis situation.BTW, why did the powers that be decide to drop the signing day hoopla? With this class and the excitement of the opening of Info it seems like a natural thing to do. I don't get it. Why not show the recruits and the public we are proud of this recruiting class.Any ideas? Enjoy the brew.

Racer, you are killing me with your never ending quest to discover capitals and punctuation. You can't be that lazy or did you really go to Can't? Hopefully, you are just a student who doesn't give a damn. The real world will be a shock one day. It is Christmas, though, and we should love everyone, even Can't fans. On second thought, let me think about that for a while. But you do have a good point in that our D lacks any linebackers with the size to make an impact at the line when plugging holes. We have rarely had the size at LB to play the 3-3-5. Yet we stay with it. I assume the coaches are doing their best to bring in the talent we need. That being said we have to show the flexibility to use the defensive scheme that suits our talent and is effective. The 3-3-5 may suit our talent, but is not effective. Hence JD has got to change. If he opens next year in the 3-3-5 I would read that as an open admission that he is beyond his coaching ability and we need to plan a change at the end of the season. There has got to be a potential D coordinator out there who can do a better job than Fleming did if Fleming is not committed to change. I hope JD finds that guy this off-season.What a nice Christmas present that would be. BTW, let's throw in a QB who can win games in the fourth quarter.Happy New Year!

Skip, you may be right, but I think Racer makes a good point. The D has to do its job. Jones gives us instant experience and talent to boot. While I agree he is a great receiver with the best hands on the team, you have to consider the great need to put a defense out that can stop anyone. We will need that if we are going to win the MAC. I would give his suggestion serious consideration.

Outstanding Post! I would expect nothing less from a Zip-aholic. Really cool to read. Makes me want to wish away the next 7 months.This made my day.

This is a depressing outcome. We were the better team, but didn't play like it. Yes, the NCAA screwed us and that can't be changed. Let's not forget that this team was good enough to play with anyone in the country. How many other Zip teams can make that statement? They never quit. They played as a team with great purpose, leadership and confidence. If the football team had done that they would have been 9-3. I'm going to let myself feel bad for a short time and then look to how we can get better.Trimmy hit it on the nose with his three points. I agree Mac has got to get us out of the MAC, not only for soccer, but for the future well being of all Zip athletics. Unfortunately, I can't see us getting a better facility next season unless we are ready to give up playing on campus for a full season. It will take that long to tear down the tennis courts,relocate and rebuild the field. My biggest worry is losing Porter. This kind of loss hits coaches in the heart and kills their optimism for getting it done at a school like Akron. Only Mac and Dr. P can solve this issue. They have got to convince Caleb that he will have the commitment, resources and facilities to win a national championship. If he feels, at any time, that is lacking he will be gone. There is too much demand for talented coaches like him to think he will stay w/o our Zip leaders supporting him. I, for one, plan to drop Porter a note thanking him for getting us this far and confirming my belief he will take us all the way to a championship.As we post our frustrations on this thread, let's not forget that this team is part of the solution, not part of the problem. They did all they could and next year looks brighter. I'd hate to see an air of pessimism linger over this program when it has such a great future ahead of it. Remember we started 4 freshmen, 4 sophmores, 1 junior and 2 seniors. We are loaded and will bounce back.Feel bad for now, but the Zips will be back. The NCAA hurt us but didn't kill us and we will be better and stronger.

I can't seem to get the stream up and running. I've followed the directions but the streaming doesn't pop up. If anyone can help me I'd appreciate a call 614-888-7590. I'm dieing! Steve

Forget the importance of next year. J.D. has not earned the right to continue. He has mis-used coaches (fire Fleming), mis-used philosophy (3-3-5), mis-used talent (Jacq under pressure, wideout drops, special teams, last three games, etc) and failed to lead (lost 4 games that should have been won ( Temple, BG, UC, Buffalo). These are the same issues we have talked about before and after the last two seasons. Nothing has changed and a new stadium will not bring a diferent style of coaching. Only a new coach will bring that. Make the change to get better. The present coach has shown he can't do it left to his own devices. He has had a fair shot. Time for a change, if we can afford to eat his contract.

How does your club baseball team differ from our varsity one? Why have a club team? Can you play intramurals?As for this thread, I by no means want JD to lose his job. But based on the philosophy that I use to run a successful busines, i.e. past performance is the greatest single predictor of future success, J. D. has not earned the right to continue as coach. Let him go.

The action by the NCAA is as demoralizing as anything I have ever witnessed in many decades of following Zip sports. In this instance I have a special perspective, that of a former soccer player. We lost a home playoff game several years ago because UConn could put more fans in the stands. We lost Ken Lolla because he felt he could never win a national championship at Akron. I fear this will hit Caleb hard too. He is coming off two #5 recruiting classes and this next one could well be #1. But if the selection committee refuses to respect the program, he, like any of us, will think twice when the big offers come after this season. I'd hate to lose him because he sincerely believes he can work hard enough to make even the NCAA sit up and take notice of the quality of our program. Today's action by the NCAA says that ain't gonna happen soon. So does he stay and fight or does he listen to offers from programs with better pedigrees and deep pockets? That's scary to think about.We got screwed today, no doubt about it. We should all be mad as hell. Vent all you want but at some time think about what can be done. Here's my two cents:1) Get out of the MAC and get affiliate status with Conference USA the same as Kentucky did when they left the MAC. That may have implications for all our other programs and would certainly cost the MAC an automatic soccer berth as it would drop below the mandatory 6 members 2) Mac Rhodes has to find the money to move the field to its position for when the new stadium will be built. That will require tearing down the tennis courts. Then moving the field 50-100 feet closer to the student center. Next they will have to dig down the foundation for drainage, sewer, electrical and water lines. All that is expensive and not real exciting as donors have nothing much to show for their money. But it is absolutely necessary as we are seeing now with the state of the Jack's turf, or mud. 3) Doing all that, you have got to buy a tarp to protect the field against deterioration in the late season. If it eventually drains well and is covered we are golden.4) For right now, the adminstration should consult, complain and consider seeking an injunction against the NCAA (a long shot). But if we can prove we have adequate facilities near Akron, I think we deserve to be heard. Hell they don't respect us now, so what does it hurt.5) The team has to rally and get real pissed off. Develop an us-against-the-world attitude and use it to feed their emotion. Go to NU and kick their butts. Win against NU and we only have one game stopping us from getting to Frisco, Texas. There the weather favors us with our speed and skill.Behind closed doors Mac has to vow to never let this happen again. I don't want to be him now because to solve it he needs a lot of money. But Caleb is one of those core coaches (Caleb, KD, Mitchell, Engle) you don't want to lose. So even with Info opening, you need to find the money Mac or get Luis to allocate something from the UA Foundation that has money for contingencies.We all know this soccer program is a top five program in the country. If we get screwed out of further tournament play we should never, ever forget it. I don't want to run like Lolla did, but i also don't want to stay put and complain. Our future belongs outside the MAC with better facilities. Without that we are doomed to see this injustice again and again.

Brian Kelly has always been looking out for Brian Kelly first. If he is the top choice for the UT job I bet he takes it. At CMU he was the highest paid coach in the MAC at near $400,000. UC came calling and offered $850,000 and BK left to start recruiting early. UC has since sweetened BK's contract ($1.1 M I think) but he will go to UT IMHO because of the money and the prestige.JD is nowhere near any list of replacements coaches at UC. He has a mediocre record, his team has not gotten better during the season, his recruiting is undistinguished, he is not experiencing any momentum in his career now and he has developed a rep for not being able to coach defense. In short he's not a hot commodity. I agree with the other poters that there are better candidates at Utah, CMU, Ball State and Navy. For what it's worth, if we weren't strapped for cash I believe JD would be gone at the end of this season. We have three games in which we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory i.e. BG, UC,and Buffalo. That's too many to be coincidence or bad luck. That's a lack of leadership and preparation. I'm not a JD hater, I just haven't seen any evidence that he can do the job. One thing I wouldn't do is give him a long contract extension based on one good year, 2009.The way we are improving the state of athletics at Akron, I feel the program is carrying JD rather than him leading or accelerating its growth. Still .

Thanks True Blue. It was truly an exciting game to watch. There was no quit in either team. I respect the way both sides battled.Other posters have already offered some areas of concern so here are mine:1) Can we make any adjustments at halftime to shut down Sparks out of the backfiled and Roosevelt? That was their entire passing game. I'm no genius, but I can see who's killing us and rotate the defense to stop them. Let's make the other players beat us if we limit those two.2) How can Jacq miss easy throws in big games. There were at least five passes that he short-armed his throw and subsequently put it in the turf or no where near open receivers.3) Can we get any pressure on athletic QB's like Wiley? I have no confidence in our defensive scheme. Please see any previous rant by any nation poster re: 3-3-5.4) Dropped balls drive me nuts. I'm real basic regarding them i.e. you drop it, you lose playing time.All that being said I came away with greater respect for the players and a sense that JD will one day do the job. Unless the team really collapses in the last two games, I feel JD has earned more time at the helm. I hate to see the bowl go out this way, but tonight was memorable and the game was contested as hard as the team could. I love these kids heart. Now let's find a D coordinator who can coach and not blame his lack of players.Congrats to the Bulls. They are a fine team. I hope a rivalry, with crowds, grows. It would be good for both programs. But when you next visit us at Infocision the atmosphere is going to be completely different. And very hostile as it should be.Didn't like the outcome, yet I loved the hope this team gave us.