Doug Snyder

I've been busy this morning. I took my sons to the shooting range. After yesterday, we needed to get some frustration out. I agree about leaving politics out of sports. Now back to your regular programming. I think politics are sport now. It is just harder to keep score. And it seems no matter who wins...we lose!!! But it is a good idea to keep those debates out of this forum. The only good thing you can say about the football season is.. It's over. No more frustrations.

Should he leave UA, it's debatable if another university would be able to hire Ianello as an assistant at a low-ball salary. If more than one school wants his services, his salary would likely be bid up to normal levels. He still has his 21-year reputation as a top recruiter at Alabama, Wisconsin, Arizona and Notre Dame. An experienced top recruiter might expect to earn an annual salary in the $150-250k range at a high-level program. As I mentioned previously, the lowest-paid assistant at Oklahoma makes $250k+. A closer look at the contract's $381k compensation package plus variable supplemental compensation reveals that if Ianello were to leave UA, he would likely only be owed base pay for the remainder of the contract: $300k base pay. $50k for media work (voided by failure to do media work for UA after leaving UA). $25k footwear, equipment & apparel contracts (voided by no longer publicly displaying sponsor products on the field at UA games after leaving UA). $6k club membership (voided by no longer being eligible for local club membership as a UA representative after leaving UA). All variable supplemental compensation (voided by no longer performing duties required to earn supplemental compensation). Bottom line is that if he were to leave UA, he would likely be owed $300k for each of the remaining years of his contract. If he earned $200k from another school, which is not unreasonable, UA would only owe him $100k per year, or 1/3rd of his annual base salary. You are forgetting payroll taxes and assistant coaches. Even if your assumptions are correct (I am a skeptical), the costs are much higher. This will be expensive.

I have been privileged to attend many games in a friend's suite since the stadium opened. They feel that it has been a complete waste of money. Food and drink only go so far. When going to a game--in a luxury suite--is a dreaded weekly burden, something needs to change. My friends and I cannot and will not tolerate another game of Ianello-ball. So, personally speaking, I know of tens of thousands of dollars that the coach is ALREADY costing UA. Not to mention the empty stands and many other suite owners whose renewal notices will go unreturned. College football is a big business. UA better realize that and get in the game....or get out altogether. They're putting a coach and product on the field that's like milquetoaste compared to Cardinal Mooney, Chagrin Falls, Mentor, St. V. It's pathetic, Luis. College is about EDUCATION. If football is all about big business then it should be left to those willing to take financial risk for financial reward. You seem to be OK with others footing the bill in all things. The university to provide your entertainment and your friends to provide access to that entertainment. Your attitude is exactly what is wrong with society today. "Give me", "Provide it for me", "I/we deserve it"

I'd like to think that this (lack of signed recruits so far) is what did him in. If they go ahead and fire him, it's not like the new guy will be losing a ton of recruits. In fact, whomever it could be, he would likely have enough time to salvage a better class than iCoach would have ever signed in 2012. IF he is replaced...recruiting potential will be a big reason. I have thought all along that we needed to AT LEAST win 3 games to be able to recruit effectively. If he stays...next year will be difficult. He will have to rely on JUCOs and the guys already on the roster. Alternatively...a new coach could easily sell back to back 1-11 seasons to new recruits. So for Ianello...it will be an albatross but for a new guy it will be an advantage. I will renew my season tickets in any event.

Clayton Moore maybe? Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Grant??

Would you like to go on record some more? Wow....you manned up and called him out after 2 years. Impressive. CK knows of one guy who will not post here anymore because of Skip Zip. I know 3 that won't post because of you. True story.

Appreciate it Dave. I don't even remember what our dust up was about a few years back, but you've always been a voice of reason and moderation around here and I know we all appreciate that. 1. Dave is not always reasonable 2. Not all appreciate that he tries to be 3. Neither Dave nor you are always right...but you have rational, well thought out opinions and often times from an informed point of view. I respect and look for posts from you both although I don’t always agree. But...what the heck...you guys probably know you are wrong from time to time

I am opposed to wasting 2M or more to replace any coach. College football is just not that important in the scheme of things. But if we could get Tressel to replace Ianello...I think it would be a good investment in the program and would eventually pay dividends. Any other coach would be almost as big of crap shoot as Ianello. The MAC just does not attract top tier coaches...it is where potential coaches prove themselves. Tressel and Solich would be exceptions. I think it would also start and upward trend for the MAC as these guys probably would retire at their respective schools. Go Zips!!!

Comparing the death of one's mother to the death of a football program?? If I would write the words here for what I think, I am sure I wold be banned from this site. And someone who would consider such a thing is not worth getting banned over.

72 days or some longer period?? I think Tressel would consider it. He is an ohio guy and has made enough money.

+1 +1

Few are happy with the performance of the football team. But no one can question the effort of Ianello or his staff. I have always supported the coach and actually think he is a good guy. His players and the players family like him personally (those that I know or have spoken to). I truly wish the team had been a success on the field this year. Losing a mother and possibly losing your job is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. To see it happening to someone I respect and like is heartbreaking. I hope he finds the strength to carry on. They say God only gives us adversity in amounts we can handle...if so, Ianello must be a very strong man. Coach Ianello...you will be in my prayers. You, your family and team continue to have my support.

THAT...is a GREAT idea.

+1 and I have come to respect you more and more. Being a Zip fan is tuff...you do it with dignity.

Read the contract. He's required to make "reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain a coaching or other comparable employment position as soon as practicable following such termination." Under terms of the contract, he does not have the option to hold out for a head coaching position. Ianello has a fine assistant coaching resume to land a good assistant position. I may be wrong...but I think most coaches contracts have similar wording. If he does not work for 3 years...we will pay and we will not go to court. There is no way we will set that kind of precedent. Walt Harris came here and worked for practically free because he was paid by Stanford. Don't hold your breath hoping this will save our ass. Show me the contracts of Shane Montgomery, JD and Walt Harris. They would be relevant comparisons. All got paid by the firing University. Can we save maybe 50-60K year?? Maybe. But unlikely in year 1

Do you have access to inside info, or are you just guessing like everyone else? As is now evident from examining Ianello's contract, UA would not likely incur a heavy penalty by releasing him early because it's likely that Ianello would land a well-paid assistant position in a major program that would offset most or all of what UA would owe him over the remaining 3 years of his contract. Based on the Zips' record over the last 2 years, including the most recent team performances, UA would have to have really deep and abiding faith that Ianello is on the verge of a major turnaround next season to keep him in place. I'd be just fine with Ianello as UA's head coach if it were true that a major turnaround is just around the corner. But, like others on this forum, I've seen no evidence to give me deep and abiding faith in that scenario. I am pretty sure that he would not be required to accept a position below HC. We would like be on the hook for a few years. Plus all the assistants will likely be let go. And if we listen to the mob...TW must go too. We would be talking probably in the 1-2M range. Reminds me of a famous saying.. "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." I wonder where people think this money will come from?? What should we do if the next hire (surely will not be a big name no brainer) is not successful??

I don't see Meves punting a whole lot during the games. He did boot a far one against SMU that impressed me. The majority of the time, he's throwing the ball down field. His throwing distribution has been very impressive. Am I the only fan here that would be very happy to have Meves as our GK next year? He's no Evan Bush but he's turning into one solid goalkeeper. I was at the NW game and he punted quite a few times. Since I am NOT an expert on soccer...I don't understand the strategy. Why ever punt??

You're giving TW too much credit. Caleb Porter, Keith Dambrot, Jodi Kest, ... , almost every other coach besides RI was at UA before TW. I give TW credit for not mucking up success in other sports by over-emphasizing football like was done when Bob Huggins was the Zips Mens Basketball coach, but that's really about all I can give him. BTW, as far as the money, I've heard rumors of someone possibly donating to buy out RI. I have no idea if those rumors are true or if footballscoop.com is correct. However, if both are true, the university may not be on the hook for the amount with which we're all concerned. People have money they are willing to donate. I believe if this guy (or anyone) did not donate for this purose...we would get the money for something else. So unless it truly is incremental money...UofA will suffer a financial loss and students or other programs will pay for it.

While I agree this notion is worthy of serious discussion, if I already had concluded that sports are over emphasized, I'm not sure I'd be spending this much time on a fan message board voicing said opinion. Just sayin' Fair point. I was one of the few who attended the games when we were D2. I even dragged friends and family. I will attend the Mount Union game this weekend. I assume it will be sold out or close to it. My point is...sports can be followed avidly by its students and fans without being big time or "over emphasized". Truthfully...football is the real problem. Money corrupts. I hear what you're saying, and it's one of the reasons why I enjoy "MAC level" football. I just prefer for my team to be a little more competitive at it! +1

While I agree this notion is worthy of serious discussion, if I already had concluded that sports are over emphasized, I'm not sure I'd be spending this much time on a fan message board voicing said opinion. Just sayin' Fair point. I was one of the few who attended the games when we were D2. I even dragged friends and family. I will attend the Mount Union game this weekend. I assume it will be sold out or close to it. My point is...sports can be followed avidly by its students and fans without being big time or "over emphasized". Truthfully...football is the real problem. Money corrupts.

My thoughts as well. I was surprised by the phrase "released from contract". That seems to contradict what I have heard round here that R.I. will continue to get paid even if he doesn't coach. He would get paid and he should. And we would want him to get paid. Seriously...what kind of coach would come here if they knew they had only 2 years to be successful with a program that has never had success.....AND if you were not successful, you would get cheated on your contract. I saw it in print where Dewey beat Truman. Until it happens…it is just a rumor. It is interesting that we are debating whether sports should be de-emphasized and now we are anxiously spending other peoples money to the tune of 2M and want to can an AD who has had success in every measure except in football. iCoach has been a failure but I do not think we should spend 2M to get rid of him this year. I agree with the initial idea…sports are over emphasized. Just my opinion...

A 1,000-mile round trip in a Mini? So what do you have to offer for the people you don't like? Unfortunately, I can't work this trip into my schedule. When I made the offer I assumed the game would be played before 2PM. That would have allowed time to drive home...however late. Now with the start time in the evening, it will be next to impssible to drive home and get to the JAR the next day in time for the bus trip to WV. I could sleep on the bus but since I snore (rumored only..I have never heard anything) that would put me at risk with other Zip bball fans. I will have to watch online or stop up at some watch party. And...who said I like you ??

+1. +1

Formula is hire an experienced HC that has a history of consistent winning and running a good program. There are many D1-AA coaches out there that fit the bill. I'm not opposed to that either, but proven coordinators for former HC's rom BCS schools should also be considered. I think you even said so yourself in a post the other day. Just don't hire anymore stinking recruiting coordinators or position coaches with little or no experience. In almost 25 years since joining 1A, this school still hasn't figured out how to hire a football coach. Yes, I did say that. I have no problem with a coordinator. If it's the right one. They can be tricky though. They haven't been the head dog and some aren't cut out for HC. Some coordinators are great until they become the HC and then they forget all knowledge of football. I agree about no more freaking position coaches though. John Harbough was a position coach (so was the Atlanta HC I think). There really is not set formula. I think you should look at programs that have a history of hiring good coaches and emulate their evaluation process.

Black Friday game? How appropriate. Football season ended for me a couple weeks ago. I can't even listen to the games on the radio. Unfortunately I can't avoid the embarrassing scroll running across the lower TV screen. Sucks that the nation will see "WMU 58 Akron 13" scrolling across their TV's both Friday AND Saturday. You do realize Black Friday is named for the day many businesses turn POSITIVE??