Doug Snyder

+1 Give him ...or anyone...a hall pass for next year and let them do it right. How many times did we get burned down the middle on pass plays this year. And the safeties?? Freshmen. Looks like they had some talent but they were freshmen!!! Bring in some JUCO linemen and redshirt ALL the freshmen. That strategy will simply not work at the D1 level. Telling all the freshman that they have to sit out would be the kiss of death for recruits. Read comments from recruits....many kids go to places that they think they can play right away. Working in the pro's is one thing, they dont have a choice where they get drafted. Players at the D2 level typically don't have the options to go to other schools, so they go with the program and sit out the year. Turner Gill redshirted his whole freshman class this year at Kansas.

Trust me...GP1 and I seldom agree on anything. But I think Winters is right man for the job. And I think he will make us a winner. If GP1 also thinks that way...it is OK by me. I don't think differently than GP1 because I don't like him or think he is stupid...we just disagree. Actually...I suspect he is a bright guy...just likes being a pain in the arse so he says controversial things and looks for holes or contradictions in peoples arguments.

So hiring a noname coach from MSU or Toledo is going to get people excited? Let's not focus on this though.... ......Let's focus on the first paragraph. Normally, a paragraph as stupid as the first above is reserved for drunks posting in the early hours of the morning. Done with finals are we? I can't believe you're arguing that Paul Winters has more name recognition than any of the other coaching candidates. He has the least name recognition of them all. Pat Narduzzi is known to a half-million MSU fans as a guy who will almost certainly be a BCS head coach by the end of the decade. Mike Johnson is known throughout Los Angeles from working at UCLA and nationally from his time coaching in the NFL. The only people who know Winters are his former players and a few thousand people in the 'hood of Detroit. I know how much you love Lee Owens' old offense, but Winters is not the guy for this job and he never will be. He had his chances and came up just short, just like his offense constantly did. Plea to Zip Watcher and other moderators... If Zach starts poisoning the forum with anti-XXXXX or hate XXXXX please ban him from this site. The last thing we need is a repeat of the last hire....in any way. Granted...Ianello made mistakes coming in. But having someone going on a crusade to oust the coach from the beginning because he does not agree with the hire is wrong.

He's quite safe. No one who actually still reads the Canton Rep even knows what the internet is. LOL Canton too??

Who was the only one to mention Narduzzi in the Wheel of Fortune thread? The idea that they would hire an only-recently-successful small college coach over a guy with Narduzzi's resume? That's laughable, and predictable. BINGO!! That's why I keep having a problem with the words "Safe Choice" coming from the Winters supporters. How can that possibly be defined as a "Safe Choice"? Skip. Although I am OK with any of the 4 finalists...but I am a Winters supporter. I have never used the words "safe choice". In fact...I can't remember reading those words except from you. Can you give me a list of a few of those using those words?? If not...please stop useing that accusation.

I have heard Okruch is a good and relentless recruiter. I hope we keep him on the new staff. He is a good guy and good coach.

Things changed. Two years ago, Fickell could play up his connection with OSU and his personal endorsement from Tressel when recruiting kids to Akron. Now he can't do any of that. He would have been better off coming to Akron and he would have been more successful than he was at OSU last season. Maybe you form an opinion of someone and stick to it even when absolutely everything has changed about that person, but I'm not afraid to re-evaluate my thoughts on people after several years of seeing them change. Revisionist memory. You were touting Fickell and slamming TW for the decision in September of this year. let's see... September, October, November and December. Years?? Months!! But it shows you are growing. You should be able to change your mind. I am glad to see you are maturing. I remember you ridiculously stating you "would NEVER give a guy a chance". Why do I think that you will shortly start a similar rant and crusade against Paul Winters (who you oppose)?? Maybe some of your peers that like you will persuade you to back off for the good of the program. I have already broken Rule # 1 twice today. Time to start adhering to rule # 1..."Thou shall not debate Zach"

I think the GA's can tell the recruits who will be coaching the Zips in 2012. But the recruits can't tell anyone what they've been told. I can't imagine any parent committing their son to play for a University where the head coach is completely unknown. Unless they are the world's biggest Vince Okruch fan. And we know that is Dr Z, so that's off the board. Like Dr. Z, I am a big fan of Okruch. So...now we have 2

Sounds like the college equivalent of the Steelers approach in the NFL. Seems to have worked well for both Wayne State and the Steelers. I was never close to being a D-1 caliber athlete, so I have no idea, but will this scenario translate when recruiting quality D-1 players? Most of them are pretty cocky (and rightly so) and firmly believe they're going to come in & be BMOC right off the bat, right? (Just playing devil's advocate here, because I know PW already has plenty of experience in recruiting D-1 players. Also, if need be, I'm sure PW could tweek his strategy a bit.) Our 2 best recruits (Chisolm and Suel) sat out last year. Don't know what impact it will have but I think it can be done. InTheZone may have some valuable input.

for...and against

Zach will have very little ammo if that's his plan. While Winters first season may not produce a ton of wins, we will see competitiveness, fire, and competence in managing a football team and coaching a football game, something that has been sorely lacking around here recently. By year #2 Zach will be embarrassed to have ever opposed his candidacy, as will a few other people around here. Ianello gave us a lot to gripe about both with his hire and lack of qualifications and his ability to run a football team. Winters certainly will not. My point is...there were many, Zach the worst, who crucified Ianello before he even coached his first practice. Whoever is chosen…we need to rally support around the guy. Any of the 4 would be a good hire and I will support. The sad thing about having Ianello was anyone with a pulse is going to be better than iCan'tCoach, at least in the fans' eyes. That's what I am afraid of. The mediocrity that Winters will bring will be viewed as a success in the eyes of fans who are just glad to get rid of Ianello and they'll be happy even when we could have done better. And, Doug, please don't say that you're blaming me and my disgust at his hiring for Ianello's failure. I was absolutely against him because I knew what would happen to the football program. The people that wanted to give him a chance were wrong from the outset. And don't tell me that I had no way of knowing that it would turn out that way. It was obvious to anyone who wasn't just blindly following what the AD was saying. And I will right once again. Winters is not the best candidate. He won't be a total failure like Ianello, but he won't do as well as any of the the other candidates in this coaching "search". He will put together a weak staff, cater to the Terry Plutos of north east Ohio and their condescending little-engine-that-couldn't attitudes, and generally do nothing to help Akron's cause regionally or nationally. He will wallow in mediocrity for five or six years, maybe getting to .500 in his third year, and then everyone will agree that we will need to move on to someone who can take us to bowl games and MAC championships. He will be Lee Owens part II and nobody wants to see that besides Owens' former players. Why can't we just skip that step and hire somebody who can get us to bowl games sooner, without having to wait another decade of mediocrity of a Winters era and then having his successor try to get his own systems running? Hmmm...I know I am OLD and probably have failing memory but I seem to recall you hammering Ianello shortly after the hire and hammering TW fo not hiring Fickell. The Fickell issue lasted into this year for you. Now?? You hate Fickell. "Tainted/Loser" The point is...it is a crap shoot and nobody knows for sure. The guy you advocated for would have been just as big of loser (per where you stand now). Caleb Porter took heat his first year.

+1 Give him ...or anyone...a hall pass for next year and let them do it right. How many times did we get burned down the middle on pass plays this year. And the safeties?? Freshmen. Looks like they had some talent but they were freshmen!!! Bring in some JUCO linemen and redshirt ALL the freshmen.

Zach will have very little ammo if that's his plan. While Winters first season may not produce a ton of wins, we will see competitiveness, fire, and competence in managing a football team and coaching a football game, something that has been sorely lacking around here recently. By year #2 Zach will be embarrassed to have ever opposed his candidacy, as will a few other people around here. Ianello gave us a lot to gripe about both with his hire and lack of qualifications and his ability to run a football team. Winters certainly will not. My point is...there were many, Zach the worst, who crucified Ianello before he even coached his first practice. Whoever is chosen…we need to rally support around the guy. Any of the 4 would be a good hire and I will support.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_co...nd-staying.html Stoops is currently making 440K and expecting a HUGE increase to 850K. Like his resume?? Maybe...but not that much. Down to 3. I just hope Skip and Zach don't try to poison the football forum next year with hatred for Winters like Zach did with Ianello without giving him a chance. Have a few beers...and get over it.

Mark. I think some people need to re-read the 4 choices presented in the poll. LOL I think your are right. I never noticed. But it is Mark that is being cnsidered for the job. At least that is what thought I read. I will have to go do some research now

Who was the only one to mention Narduzzi in the Wheel of Fortune thread? The idea that they would hire an only-recently-successful small college coach over a guy with Narduzzi's resume? That's laughable, and predictable. What's so great about his resume? His defense was fifth in the Big Ten in rushing defense? Why am I not filled with the desire to run to him with a job offer. This guy falls under the category of Coach X. Just another guy who attends all the clinics and does what everyone else does with varying success depending on the talent level of the team. Another Commander Riker. Everyone in Star Fleet knows a captain has to lead a smaller star ship to become captain of the Enterprise...or in our case, a medical resupply ship. In any event, at least Winters has experience leading a ship. With that said, could he be a good coach for Akron? Yes. Lots of people could win at Akron. We have loads of potential. His defense is ranked 9th in the country in total scoring defense and top 20 in every category. He also had the 35th ranked defense at Miami (Oh), 38th ranked D at Northern Illinois and top 30 defenses at Cincy. He has done it everywhere. He has a good resume. The Grate GP1 just does not like him and will pick and choose statistics to support his arguement. Funny that he uses "rushing defense" as he has been claiming all year the MAC is a passing league. Go figure.

Actually...I would like to see him hire a local HS coach. Thom Daniels. He has experience and contacts in Stark County and the Youngstown area. He no longer wants to be HC but is a great teacher and has a great football mind. Don't know if he would be interested...but I think he would be a good position coach or organization guy. Just my opinion.

Whoaaaaa. Someone asked a question about who Winters might POSSIBLY look to add to a hypothetical staff at Akron. Don't pin MY LAME A$$ attempt to research said staff on Winters. Why don't you wait to see if he's hired and assembles his own to do that. And by "barely above the high school" level, I assume you mean D-II. Now, not only are head coaches at D-II worthless pieces of $hiT but so are any and all the assistants who work at that level. If that's your opinion, so be it. It's definitely not mine. Go Zips! Well...the good thing is Toledo will suck. Matt Campbell started in D3.

Mark.

So let me get this right...because Winters is black he will recruit better? That is what I am getting out of your response. I did not read that.

LOL Paul Winters is the odds on favorite to be the new HC. He played here in the mid to late 70's Everyone referred to the school as "Akron U" back then. It was in the late 70's to early 80's that there was a push to get people using U of A as it was considered more respectable. The idea was to improve the image and reputation. So......if Winters is hired...don't be surprised if he makes a slip once or twice

+1 But I think they are referring to another Stoops. Mark Did you take that picture while Obama was vacationing in Ashland??

Good for him. I think he will be a great HC and this is a better situation than starting at Akron. Probability for success is much higher. Would not have been disappointed if he had ended up here.

Stick to soccer little man. I have met Z.I.P. Little, he is not. I thought he was a surfer dude. I can never get the faces with posters right.

Stick to soccer little man. Man...I love ya ITZ. But I think the adjective "little" could have been omitted. Just my opinion.