morris buttermaker

I do care about Akron, and the Zips, but I'd also like to be the first to say, that I am not disgusted by OSU.

Who is paying for what they don't want? What burden? There are no fees to the students, and no general $ are moved from the University to athletics... the dept is self sufficient. I think OSU came into this conversation because Akron should not worry about what ANYONE else is doing, and that OSU is the only school in Ohio that can do what they want salary wise because their business model is the only one that works.

I know what OSU has built, how it attracts coaches and players... I also know that the Athletic Dept alone can service the debt at OSU. "Can you imagine what Akron Athletics could have if they were the athletic department of a school that was irresponsible enough to TRIPLE their debt load in the next 10 years"... Akron would never be able to service that debt, so whats the point?....Akron athletics cant service its debt with $24million in University support. Im not worried about OSU's athletic model. "So much is left over after paying the athletic bills, OSU each year transfers some money from its athletic department to the academic side of campus. The transfer was $8.6 million in 2013-14 and $8.3 million a year earlier, according to the school's last two financial reports to the NCAA."

Thanks for all that info... Since they are a self sustaining athletic department, and service all of their debt from within the Athletic Dept. I will stick with my belief/ statement that Ohio State can afford to pay what they are paying.

Well I think soccer avgs about 2,000 fans , so the math probably doesn't work there.... we know it doesn't work for any of the other sports.....and everyone already knows where I stand. It doesn't work for almost every coach in Ohio.... but at least OSU can afford to pay what they are paying

Im glad Bill referenced the Romeo Dru teams.... I remember the quote when asked about his scheduling then... KD responded by saying that group had done too much for the program to be sent out on the road

Jeff Boals seems to be a candidate, and a year ago he was willing/ seeking HC opportunities that paid $365,000 +.... in the tri-state ($). There should be no shortage of capable applicants looking for a bump to $250,000 and an opportunity to get paid (somewhere else) further down the road if they are successful. Edit to reflect $365,000

I would say none of those schools resemble Akron... I do think it moves the needle for certain schools. We see how years of sustained success has moved the needle here-- not at all, and perhaps the university has even moved in the other direction. I don't think you can pay a premium for a coach in hopes of a sweet 16 or elite 8 run, hoping the needle moves. Not at a cash strapped public university. if Akron had the money to make the hires that 90% of this board wants to make or spend, I would be all for it... but they don't, and to pretend they do is irresponsible by the powers that be.

Thanks Balsy for saving me from typing most of that.

What does $600,000 get you vs $250,000? Universities are businesses, and the UA is strapped. I like cable TV way more than any UA sport-- but I tell you what I do if i'm ever strapped...I whack cable TV. You wait for Matt Wilson to really start gutting things around campus on the academic side after he gives the guy in charge of a basketball team that loses money a $600,000 contract...that will tell me he is more brave than sharp, because those cuts are coming.

What is the importance of the program... important to whom?... 30 of us on ZN? A sharp guy?--- I guess we will find out.

The attendance each of the last 2 years has been right around 3,300

I think part of the reason for building a large stadium would be to satisfy D1 attendance requirements. If you build a 18,000-20,000 seat stadium, you lack the "extra seats" you will probably need-- to manipulate your avg attendance

Ha... I knew that press release was written on a phone

When did we get a mediocre FBS football team?

Especially since we were told last week that only 8,170 city residents working in the city earn more than $40,000/ yr

If I was Akron I would block any transfers to Duquense.... just sayin

IDK....but here is Bethune-Cookman "For bigger schools, the going rate (for guarantee games) is about $80,000, plus hotel and transportation while you're there," Craig said. "Stanford is paying us 75 or 80. We called them up and added them late, since we were already going to be out there and we needed one more guarantee game. The bigger schools are always looking. The big schools have money to give. They usually go out and buy three or four games."

But those games also keep broke programs afloat

That they don't have any money

Answer:... 308 Question:...How many days until Adrian or Hiram show up at the A.J. Palumbo Center

Isn't this the opportunity Matthew Wilson has been looking for.... fiscally speaking, it has to rank as one of his best days as President. He loses the university's highest paid employee, and his seasoned (paid) staff. Without being the bad guy.... he gets to reset the basketball program finances.... which loses money, generates very little revenue, and has ( if we use attendance as a reference) relatively little interest to the community - city and school. He probably would love to make a hire of a coach who's pay would be in line with what the program's true value is....given the financial condition of both the Athletic Dept, and the University as a whole. Easily spun as this is a great young coach blah blah blah

I believe when players are released from scholarships, schools can specify conditions ... i.e. No MAC schools........ or Duquesne

Did he write that on his phone?

I think they could play outside... he left for $7 million over 7 years