akzipper

Yup. These guys were asked to say something positive about a former coach. It's all so forced to create some hype around a program that will be going through a significant rebuild. On social media we saw overwhelming support from both current and former players when Ford was hired. Yet some of those same guys decided to bail on Akron almost immediately. Words mean nothing.

Do we want to see our team go .500 and get knocked out in the first round in Cleveland or have a shot at winning the conference and make the dance?

If Groce was still coaching the Zips, I'd say the same. Now? I couldn't care less and I want to win the MAC. If that means playing a cupcake schedule like Miami, then so be it.

Wishful thinking unfortunately. The second Groce left, I had a feeling it was the end of our run. Hopefully he enjoys the nicer weather down there.

Back when I was at UA they definitely were. I interviewed for a internship within the athletic department and they knew I was a poster here. I had a different account back then (Dambrot era) but they knew exactly who I was based on my posts. Nothing bad and I got the job. But they knew lol. From my experience everyone worked very hard and did what they could with the limited resources of a MAC school on a tight budget. They are young, come from big schools and know what they are doing. The problem is most don't see Akron as the final destination, but a career stepping stone. So there isn't much longevity and lots of turnover. My bosses all ended up in the Big Ten, Big 12 or SEC within 5 years of me working there. Personally working for the Zips would be my dream job. But I don't think many others see it that way.

Zips fans show up when it counts. Kent games, Cleveland, etc. They don't care about directional Michigan schools coming to the JAR in the middle of December because those games don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. In Charleston their basketball team is really the only show in town and they have a much nicer arena. Everyone there probably goes all-in on the basketball team. Whereas in NE Ohio we have pro sports down the road in Cleveland, as well as two MAC schools splitting the region.

Maybe it was a mutual change of scenery situation. Groce was happy, UA was happy, but maybe both sides decided it was time to try something different? I'm probably just trying to make myself feel better. 3 MAC championships in a row is awesome, but 3 tourney losses in a row have been heartbreaking. Will Ford be a better coach? Doubtful. Will Groce win more games at Charleston? Maybe. But I think both sides saw the ceiling. If a big school saw our results, their coach probably would have been fired after the tournament losses.

Mahaffey and Young have a chance to develop into two of the best Zips ever if they stay. Hopefully part of the reason we kept Ford was to make sure that happened.

I'm not happy about what has happened today. But Zips alum have come out with resounding excitement about Ford getting the job. Even guys like Romeo Travis, who never played for him. That gives me some hope. Miami and Kent fans are doing victory laps right now. Hopefully we can shut them up next season.

I live in Erie and follow Gannon somewhat. Fee definitely turned the program around, but Bazzoli took them to another level and a national championship appearance. He's a very smart dude and will be a D1 coach someday. Just not sure if that time is now.

Couldn't agree more. This is like JoMo ditching Akron football to coach The Citadel. I hate Duquesne and now I hate Charleston. I school I didn't even know existed a few weeks ago.

Losing our best two coaches ever to Duquesne and Charleston is about as painful as it gets. Nobody can convince me that the CCA and Charleston is a step up. If it is, we have big problems.

It's not sustainable to rely on one guy to fund our entire program and get nothing in return but a 3peat hat or courtside seats. Financially minded people, specifically rich folks, all want to see money come back to themselves at some point.

I thought the same thing about Duquesne. Lateral move at best. But the A10 is significantly better than the CAA or whatever.

Wait are we really going to lose our coach to the College of Charleston? Is this how it ends? That would be a new low.