jaycevs

What makes us think if we pay JD the lowest pay in the country now (or close), or close, that we would pay two head coaches next year, at at least an increase of 250,000.

ESPN is not helping MAC football fans, or working to create anything but entertainment for those that are wagering on games.The difference in night vs day games is a big factor for the fans, but I don't agree that this is a league devoid of talent. Look at any NFL roster, and the players are there, Look around the coaching circles, and there is MAC influence in coaching almost everywhere. For the players, the only thing I see lacking is major talent in the trenches. I can watch SEC football and still see badly played football, with way more talent, but its not well played or well coached most of the time. Each conference seems like they cant play D except for the elite few, I think that's the nature of college football today, not just in the MAC, but offenses are ahead of the defenses. And last, there are a rare few that can make special teams plays like kick a field goal consistently, and this is all college football not just Akron. Right now in general, I think there are few actual quality teams in the NCAA. Bottom line, if you can play defense, you can always win, not so on offense. So, if Akron wants to win, forget hiring coaches that you think will average 35 points a game, find one that gives up 17 or less on DEFENSE, and an offense that can wear somebody down.

Its still hard to see a man lose his job either way, knowing the hours and dedication that go into trying to coach on this level. If they do bring him back (unlikely), I hope we win games, if not then I wish him, the players, and the staff the best. I know I'll still be here Friday at 2 o clock to try to support these guys and the University.

We had Tennessee at one point, but that's off. I also saw Michigan State listed online, if you look at Michigan States future schedules at Phil Steele's website (Sept 4th), but MSU doesn't list that anywhere else.

A somewhat local team did get a big win at Infocision tonight, maybe that's whats going on.

CUSA, SUN BELT, WAC, or MT WEST? Missing any? The tops of those conferences are all better than the MAC really, but below the top teams it would be competitive and maybe they would see it the same way, though it is a lot of travel to play most of those teams.

I watched LSU-Ole Miss tonight, and the end of the game was the worst sequence of coaching I have ever seen (not that I think any SEC football is well coached in general). The number 8 team in the country loses because of no one from LSU having a clue what was going on. In case you miss the replays:1. LSU losing by 8, scores, misses two point conversion. 2. LSU recovers onside kick after Ole Miss player purposely lets it go past him right to a LSU player. LSU gets into field goal range soon after. 3. Once in Field goal range, LSU QB takes awful 9 yard sack to the 41-42 yard line. 4. Third down 33 seconds left, LSU fails screen pass, 6 yard loss. THIS IS WHERE IT GOT GOOD.5. LSU, 4th and 26 coming up, doesnt take timeout until 9 seconds are on the clock, wasting about 18 seconds. Then at 9 seconds they call timeout and come up with a 4th and 26 play. 6. LSU completes 30 plus yard pass to inside the ten, clock stops to move the chains at 1 second left. 7. LSU runs around not knowing what to do, the field goal team stays on the sideline, and the qb takes the snap and spikes the ball, ending the game with no shot to win. Les Miles says afterward he didnt know who made what call from the coaching staff? During the timeout before 4th and 26, didn't they mention what to do if they caught the ball? I really cant believe that man won a national championship, its just amazing. If JD ever did that, I wouldn't be able to watch the rest of the year.

Is there something we should know? I hope wow is something that will be a benefit to UA football.

Same story. A bad special teams play, failure in the red zone, a fumble deep in a drive because of a goofy spin move, missed tackles, a RB(Alexander) taking a safety to try to get more yards bouncing it out when he would have had a 2 or 3 yard gain, and inability to stop Barnes when the entire world knew he was going to get the ball (mostly because there was NO pass rush at all). However, our field goals were 2 of 2, a miracle.

UofA gets plenty of NE Ohio kids. That isn't the problem. Being on the news with BW is not the problem. The problem is UofA is not giving someone from Cleveland or Lakewood or Lake Co., etc. a reason to drive 60+ miles to watch a football game. The product is bad. When they do, people from Cleveland will come. There are enough people in Summit and Stark Cos. to draw from...heck, there are enough alumni in those conties to draw from.We go through cycles where Zips fans think bringing in more NE Ohio kids will draw bigger crowds. Each time we have tried it, failure has followed. Let's bring in kids who are good enough to win in the MAC and want to win....not play in a new stadium as their primary motive.I dont think that getting those kids is necessarily a problem, but just in talking football with a lot of people in the Cleveland area, the real high school fans know Nicely for example, and are paying attention to how he is doing even if they don't care about Akron football in general. I just know there is a lot of talent up there, and we need to take some of it, and also see this weekend as a big opportunity with 2 of the best high school football programs in the country coming to Infocision. I know the goals before this season have diminished, but the possibility of ever leaving the MAC is likely tied into getting part of Cleveland to notice what happens here, and Akron does have this advantage to exploit being that this is a large market, but it has to start with winning football games.

We saw a similar situation last night. Dolphins up 7, at Carolina 28, 4th and 3. They could: kick a field goal to put the game away, but miss and give them good field position. Or you could try to pin them deep with a short punt. Or you could go for it and put the game away, being that they have no timeouts. The Dolphins went for it and missed, then survived a final Carolina rally. That's exactly what I would have done. Why, because Delhomme sucks and likely could make a mistake, and special teams are risky plays. A blocked kick could tie the game up, just like a punt return. However, Manning doesn't suck, and was heating up. The Pats defense needed a rest, and didn't get it when Brady threw incomplete on third down, so they ran hardly any time off the clock. They also had been running the ball well the whole game, so the short pass play was a good call to throw them off. I still think if he had a timeout left, there's a chance they get the 1st down with a review.

We will find out tomorrow at 5:30 if we have quit.

Maybe we can get a coach that can forge a relationship with Ted Ginn Sr and get one or two Glenville players and increase visibility in the Cleveland area, I'm tired of being shown on the news with the Baldwin Wallace highlights.

They need a loan to get the money, but already have the donors backed up to pay it over time. From what I have heard from interviews with Kelly, they have to practice in the stadium, so the offense and defense only has 50 yards to work with. Also, if they don't upgrade facilities, there is no buyout for Kelly to leave. UC needs to spend money if they want to keep competing in the Big East, they have no luxury boxes in their stadium and the capacity is way below the rest of the Big East at 35000. Also, the Bengals had plans to use their Bubble facility. How can an NFL team not have their own indoor practice facility?

Cinci Practice facilitiesIn their attempt to keep coach Kelly, the Bearcats are spending 9.7 Million on practice facilities. Really, is Akron that far ahead of some BCS schools in facilities, what else can we do now to advance this program except bring in a leader that can capitalize on it, Dr. P has done his job on this. They are looking to build a field and a half field, with a bubble over one of them, we already have a complete indoor facility and full outdoor field, not to mention Infocision stadium. I am not sure if this will keep Kelly, but it was in his contract. Also, I love reading the comments about it down there, its just like Ohio.com with people complaining about tuition, faculty pay, and them not being able to find jobs as being somehow related to this particular 10 million dollar investment. They also think UC is a better job to have than Notre Dame, and that Kelly would never leave, and that this is also related to Bob Huggins in some way.

My high school played McKinley in 1997 during their USA today national championship year, and it was 70-0, at halftime (Mike Doss had 300 yards rushing on 10 carries), with players like Jamar Martin, Kenny Peterson, Mike Doss, etc. Having experience in the Canton area, there is nothing like Massillon-McKinley, they talk about it every day of the year. It will be a good thing to get players of their caliber (and parents) into our new stadium and then try to recruit some future players.

There is still nothing like the opportunity to go to South Bend for a game, I have been there for a game and been there on a few gamedays including Michigan and there is still something special about the place even if they have fallen on rough times now. For Western, its something they will always remember.

I thought his name rang a bell? "A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Narduzzi earned all-state football honors at Ursuline High School. He played for his father Bill Narduzzi at Youngstown State as a freshman in 1985 and led the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles. Narduzzi then transferred to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter linebacker for the Rams from 1987-89."Narduzzi seems like a good one, knows Ohio and recruiting here, I also heard their staff just got a visit from the kid from St. V-M, Dorian Grant. Looking at his history, Narduzzi has moved up quick, and his boss at Michigan State was really the key in OSU's championship. From the experience from the Dantonio tree, he has a mix of influences from Tressel to Saban to Mason. These guys also led UC into the Big East and laid the foundation for Kelly to be a success. As you can see from my previous posts, building something where there was not success before is very important to me. As far as Tenuta, why has he not had an opportunity yet? He was on Coopers staff at OSU as DC, led the Georgia Tech D, was supposed to go with Les Miles to Michigan before they lost their minds and hired Rich Rod, and was a finalist for Michigan State before Dantonio got it. I don't think we are in his league to be honest, but after this year in South Bend maybe he would be available to at least talk about.

I have read about the guy at Tennessee, his experience there this year could be important for those of you that hate the defense we run, since they have one of the best defensive minds that has ever coached football. Maybe we should have lent Tennessee our defensive coaches for the year and then brought them back. Also, I hear Nu'Keese Richardson and a few other UT players may be available next fall.

I'll update my post and bump it up.K. C. Keeler - HC, DelawareBobby Hauck - HC, MontanaI researched both of these guys a little, here is what sticks out to me. Both coach at schools with a history of success, and both were winning lots of games before they got there. Second, both have a lower win % than their predecessor. So, neither have built a winning program, or winning tradition. Akron is not the job to walk into and keep our tradition going, that's not acceptable. We need someone to build this program, to me neither have proved that. Its the same debate I have on national forums of people in love with Peterson at Boise and Jones at CMU. Watch what they do once they both get other jobs, as they both stepped into programs already in good situations.

What about a couple of guys with experience, just for conversation (not that I realistically expect any hires like this):First, is Jeff Jagodzinski, who got fired from BC for talking to the Jets, then bombed as coordinator for the Tampa Bay Bucs and was fired before the season. Apparently he wanted back into NFL coaching (as head coach), which is why he tested BC and then got fired, but after the situation in Tampa he probably needs to get back into the college game if he ever wants another shot in the NFL, which may not ever happen. A guy like that may be had a lot cheaper than the 1.5 mill BC was paying him... and would likely get us to a higher level then leave, and turn it over to one of his assistants. I would gladly take it if the program took steps forward and is better than we are now.Also, his former O coord at BC is Tampa's Current RB coach, Steve Logan, who was successful at ECU for a decade. He produced 3 NFL QB's there, but is a little older (born 1953) than a lot of candidates. At ECU, he went to 5 bowls in 11 years. He wants back into the College Head Coaching game eventually.Last, there is always is Walt Harris, whose relationship with Nicely at this point would be a benefit.

Thank god we dont have to play Villanova, since they have no trouble with the Owls. This game should be a good thing for most of us. First, I dont think there is a lack of talent, second, this showing should be a big nail in JD's coffin, and three, this game may be the final time we see Al Golden, as he bolts for big money at another program. I also dont think we were dominated physically, but mentally we suck. Kickoffs going out of bounds, catching kickoffs out of bounds, the terrible Nicely pass while dancing around the rush, the punt return on special teams. We were alright against their run game, and forgot everything else that can happen in a football game. Last, and most important, I got on the scoreboard, I was thinking Arbys.

We did what I thought we would do, we were stopping the run, but every other phase was terrible, where we have been good all year. Can we keep the ball in bounds on a kickoff? Did we make them punt at all? I will stick by my original analysis, I dont think they are that good, and they got the easiest schedule you can have in the MAC, so we will see when they see CMU in a few weeks. This was probably the worst game I have seen Akron play, we looked better and more competitive against Penn State, for once I saw these guys just fold like a few have accused before.

We are not giving up 35 points. Look at their wins as being so impressive if you want, they did beat Army and Navy(WOW), but also have not blown most of these teams out or really dominated. They have no passing game, we need to stuff that back and make the QB make just a few mistakes, I think we capitalize on them and win this game. This team has not played Can't, OU, Northern Ill, CMU, WMU, or BG, so who have they played, since those are 6 of the top 7 in the MAC power rankings. We played 4 of them, with BG still coming up, and played them all well besides CMU.

We have a good defense, good enough to win this conference with a offense that can score 20+ points. Its definitely something to build on. UA may not go to a bowl, but they have another opportunity next week to ruin Temple's season. If they play how they did tonight, they can get a few more W's.