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Thanks 23 years is a long time to wait. Congrats to your team as well. Maybe we can have an Akron vs. VCU Championship game..........

Looks Like USD is off the schedule.(Source)The Coyotes were close to playing an additional road game with Division I FBS Akron, but because USD's games against bowl-eligible teams will not count until next season, the Zips - after unsuccessfully petitioning the NCAA to have the game count - are pursuing other schools.Akron could still play USD if attempts to find another opponent fail, but a decision on that would come later in the year.

He is at Cowley Community College. Below is a link to his stats. It does not appear he is getting very much playing time.Stats Link

Hey buddy- I thought Meyer should have succeeded Tresey and LO should have fired Tresey after the almost loss to that D 3 team who ran it up on us in the first quarter. do you remember that game ??Is this the game you talking about? I believe Liberty was up 14 - 0.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=222852006

Welcome Back Dude.Footballscoop.com reported this a little while back:Baldwin-Wallace: We hear Wayne State linebackers coach Jim Meyer will accept the defensive coordinator job at Baldwin-Wallace. I have not seen anything in the papers to confirm.

Source Rutgers narrows athletic-director search to three top finalistsBy KEITH SARGEANTStaff Writer The university is expected to appoint its next athletics director from a trio of finalists that includes CBS Sports executive Tim Pernetti, University of North Carolina-Wilmington athletics director Kelly Mehrtens, and University of Akron athletics director Mack Rhoades, a number of people familiar with the search process told Gannett New Jersey newspapers Sunday.After nearly two months of interviews conducted with more than a dozen candidates, university officials will invite the finalists on campus Tuesday for formal interviews with the school's three principle coaches, multiple sources said.On Monday, the university's budget and finance committee is expected to finalize the compensation package which will be offered to the appointed athletics director.On Tuesday, the finalists are expected to be on campus, meeting individually with Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano, men's basketball coach Fred Hill and women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer in a series of 30-minute interviews.The 14-person search committee will meet for the second and final time on Wednesday to discuss the merits of each candidate.Philip Furmanski, who heads the search committee, could nominate an athletics director for the board of governor's approval before its meeting on Thursday, multiple people familiar with the search said.Rutgers' governing board, which has the final say on personnel matters, is convening at the Paul Robeson Campus Center in Newark.The people familiar with the search requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the interview process. Furmanski, nor any Rutgers officials tied to the search, including president Richard L. McCormick, will comment on any candidates until the final stage of the search.Of the three finalists, Pernetti is the only candidate with Rutgers ties, having played football in the early 1990s and serving as the color commentator for the Rutgers Football Radio Network for the past eight years.Pernetti also serves as Executive Vice President at CBS Sports Network. Pernetti, who earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Rutgers, played one year of high school ball for Schiano at Ramapo and remains close with the Scarlet Knights football coach.Mehrtens, 45, became athletics director at UNC-Wilmington in July 2007 after serving as Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women's Administrator at Kansas for nearly four years. Mehrtens also worked in the athletics administrations at Illinois, Northeastern and Miami.UNC-Wilmington, which does not have a football team, is a Colonial Athletic Association program featuring 19 varsity sports. Mehrtens, 45, earned a bachelor's degree in 1986 at Alabama, where she earned All-America honors as a discus thrower, and completed her master's degree at Illinois in 1991.Rhoades, 43, is in his fourth year as athletics director at Akron, a Mid-American Conference school with 15 sports. The Akron football program is in the final stages of construction of a $54 million on-campus stadium, which is slated to open this September.Rhoades, a 1993 University of Arizona graduate, also has experience in the athletics departments at Yale, Marquette and UTEP, where he worked in fundraising, marketing, licensing, media relations, budgeting, and facilities upgrades.The Rutgers athletics department is currently being directed by Carl Kirschner, chairman of the university's academic oversight committee for intercollegiate athletics, who took over as interim athletics director on Jan. 1 after Bob Mulcahy was fired in December. Kirschner said he did not wish to be a candidate when he was appointed interim AD on Jan. 1.Of the finalists, Pernetti appears to be the clear favorite to succeed Mulcahy due to his Rutgers ties. Despite his lack of AD experience … university officials have said that is preferred, but not a prerequisite … those close to Pernetti say he's a rising star who has the charm and charisma to represent Rutgers in the best public light.“Obviously someone with experience at a program, who's ready to move on and take another challenge is one part of the package,” Furmanski said last month, defining what the university is seeking in its next AD. “You also don't want to eliminate what I'd call a diamond in the rough.”Pernetti, who also was a candidate for the Big East commissioner job last fall, may just be that “diamond in the rough.”Still, one member of the search committee, who requested anonymity, said being so close to Schiano will raise questions.“My whole goal since this process started was to see that all Rutgers sports are represented, not just football,” the committee person said. “By hiring Pernetti, you might as well hire Greg Schiano. That's why we're in this mess in the first place. I liked Bob (Mulcahy), but he could never say no to Greg.”How much influence the search committee will have on choosing the athletics director is unknown. Those familiar with how the search has been conducted for the past two months say McCormick, Furmanski and Bruce Fehn, treasurer on the board of governors, have conducted the interviews while the search committee has been kept out of the inner circle.“Really, we haven't heard about any specific candidates who've interviewed,” one search committee person said. “What does that tell you?”Parker Executive Search was hired in January, at a fee of $58,000 plus expenses, to assist university officials with compiling a list and gauging the interest of outside candidates.Big East Associate Commissioner for Football Nick Carparelli, Buffalo AD Warde Manuel, Army AD Kevin Anderson, Long Beach State AD Vic Cegles, Indiana AD Rick Greenspan and Stony Brook AD Jim Fiore were among the candidates interviewed in the first phase of the search, Gannett New Jersey learned.No one working in Rutgers' current athletics administration, including Deputy AD Kevin MacConnell, was formally interviewed.Keith Sargeant: ksargeant@MyCentralJersey.com

Here is a recent article from scout.comNorth Canton junior tailback Erick Howard had a tremendous junior season, one that saw him win the coveted Ohio Mr. Football award. Howard is also receiving a lot of attention from college recruiters, and has picked up four early scholarship offers. How does Howard feel about Ohio State? Bill Greene has the latest on this fine prospect. North Canton (Ohio) Hoover star junior Erick Howard became the first Stark County player to win the Ohio Mr. Football award, when he captured the honor this past season. Howard rushed for 2,387 yards and scored 31 touchdowns, in leading Hoover into the state semi-finals, where they lost to eventual state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius. "The award was a big surprise to me, and I couldn't believe it when they said I won it," Howard said. "I was hoping to get the Stark County MVP award, but I never thought about Mr. Football. I'm surprised to be the first person from Stark County to ever win it, because there have been a lot of great players come from this area." Howard was proud of the season he and his teammates achieved, but admitted he was hoping for a state title. "We had a great season, and a lot of people see us as over-achievers, but our goal was a state championship," he stated. "We probably did the unthinkable by getting as far as we did, but after playing St. Ignatius, now we know what we have to shoot for. We need to get back in the weight room, and get started on getting ready for next season." Howard has admitted to having a troubled past, but has totally turned his life around, and credits his head coach, Don Hertler. Hertler has spoken fondly of the turnaround in Howard's attitude, and the youngster appreciates his coach's trust. "Coach Hertler is a great man, and he has helped me so much," Howard said. "He's a great coach, but he's a better person. Once you get to know him like I do, on a personal level, you realize that there's no reason to be intimidated by him, and that he cares so much about all his players." Howard, 5-foot-10 and 210-pounds, is starting to attract a lot of recruiting attention, and as his academic situation improves, he will see more offers coming his way. "I kind of messed around as a freshman and sophomore, but I'm doing good now in the classroom," he stated. "I got a 3.0 grade point average in the first nine-week grading period. I think I can do better than that, and plan on doing better. I'm taking the ACT test soon, and I'm working on the practice test right now." He has received four scholarship offers, and is hoping to earn an offer from his favorite school. "I have offers from Cincinnati, Can't State, Akron and Colorado," he said. "I'm keeping my options open, but I'm hoping for Ohio State to offer me. That's the one I'm really looking for." Howard attended one of the Ohio State bowl practices, and spent time with several Buckeye coaches, including head coach Jim Tressel. "I was down there for their recruiting day, and talked to Coach Jim Tressel," Howard explained. "He flat-out told me to get my grades up and I could be a Buckeye. That's what I wanted to hear. (Offensive line) coach (Jim) Bollman comes to the school to talk to my coach, and he checks in on me. It was amazing watching them scrimmage, and I love playing power football. The running backs coach, "Doc" Tressel talked to me, and he said they're interested, but he said the same thing about my grades. Hearing the Ohio State coaches say that really motivates me to do better academically. I know I need to maintain a 3.0 average, but I want to do a lot better than that. Ohio State is my favorite school. Next would be Miami of Florida, but they're not really recruiting me at all. I just need to keep doing good, and everything will work out fine."

Here is another RB.Erick Howard from North Canton HooverHe was Mr. Football last year and should be in the running this year as well. I have seen this young man play several times and he is a beast. If OSU offers he will take it but with past grades issues it moght not happen.

Although a possible risky student he would look good in a Zips uni.Eteyen Edet

It should happen today.SourceMontgomery named Akron offensive coordinatorStaff Reports AKRON — Shane Montgomery wasn't out of work for long.Montgomery — who resigned as Miami of Ohio head football coach at the end of the season — has been named offensive coordinator at Akron University, according to his father, Rusty Montgomery of Zanesville. The school will officially announce it on Tuesday.Shane Montgomery was a star quarterback at Newark Catholic and North Carolina State, prior to entering the college coaching ranks as an assistant at several schools before getting the Miami head coaching job. According to his father, former Ohio State quarterbacks coach Walt Harris will have the same job at Akron. Harris was also formerly head coach at Pittsburgh University."I'm happy he got a coordinator's job," Rusty Montgomery said. "It gives him a chance to get his feet back in and get built back up. They're building a new football stadium on campus and it's going to be beautiful; it seats around 30,000. Plus, they have a real nice indoor facility."

Rivals.com is saying Walt is coming to Akron.February 16, 2009Tom DienhartRivals.com College Football Senior WriterAkron has hired former Pittsburgh head coach Walt Harris as quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator, according to Zips coach J.D. Brookhart. Harris, 62, has not coached the last two seasons but brings a wealth of experience to Akron that includes 13 years of head coaching experience. Harris' most successful run as a head coach came from 1997 to 2004, when he led the Pitt to a 52-44 record and six bowl trips. His 2004 team won a share of the Big East title and played in the Fiesta Bowl. Brookhart was an assistant to Harris with the Panthers. Brookhart was Pitt's offensive coordinator before taking the Akron job. Harris also was head coach at Pacific from 1989-91, posting an 11-24 record. Most recently, Harris was head coach of Stanford from 2005-06, going 6-17. Tom Dienhart is a national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dienhart@yahoo-inc.com.

More from footballscoop.comAkron: We hear Akron is trying to lure Walt Harris to join the staff as quarterbacks coach / pass game coordinator.

Thanks CK.I think this will be a great hire.

This is from Footballscoop.com.Akron: Our sources tell us that former Miami (OH) head coach Shane Montgomery has accepted the offensive coordinator position at Akron.

There was an article on the West Virginia scout.com site today about Clarke. He is saying he is done taking visits and will now mull over Pitt, WV, and Akron. He did mention he wants to major in Civil Engineering. It might help Akron does have one of the very best Engineering Colleges in the nation. There was no time table mentioned.

My thoughts and prayers to the Steiner family. SourceGlenOak assistant football coach Steiner dies--------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Todd PorterCantonRep.com staff reportPosted Feb 09, 2009 @ 11:40 AMLast update Feb 09, 2009 @ 01:28 PM--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chuck Steiner, an assistant football coach at GlenOak High School since its first season, died Monday morning after a brief illness. Steiner was GlenOak’s offensive line coach this past season.Steiner’s son, Adam, signed a national letter of intent last week to continue his education and football career at the University of Akron.“I’m stunned,” GlenOak head coach Scott Garcia said. “He caught something over the weekend, and he went like that. He had pneumonia, but it was something that he caught almost every winter.”An announcement was made at GlenOak High School over the public address system, and the school held a moment of silence. According to the announcement, Steiner was surrounded by family when he died at a Canton hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending.Steiner was a physical education teacher at GlenOak High School. Garcia said Steiner started coaching at GlenOak in 1975, when the school opened.Steiner applied for the GlenOak head coaching job that Garcia was hired for. Steiner, who coached Garcia when he went to GlenOak, recommended Garcia for the position.This year, Garcia named GlenOak’s offensive line award for Steiner for the coach’s loyal years of service.

Thanks for the response Johnnyzip. That is what I wanted to hear.

From everything that has been said about Henderson I can not firugre out if he will be able to play next year. Does anyone know the rest of the story? Paul Harvey......Anyone.

Thanks for the updates!Can you check on a DE named Will Clarke. I guess he took a late visit to Akron. He was supposed to sign with Pitt but has not yet. The Pitt boards are saying he could be a Zip. I am not sure we have anymore room for him. Maybe a grayshirt?

Tonga is the only one missing from CK's final list on Feb 1st. He mentioned ball would be a no show.

I am going to throw out a different name for Mr. X. Will Clarke 6-6 240 DE

Jordan Houser (Rivals Bio)CornerbackFairborn (OH) FairbornHt: 5-foot-11Wt: 175 lbsForty: 4.5 secsClass: 2009 (High School)Jeremy LaFrance (Rivals Bio) Wide ReceiverFullerton (CA) Fullerton C.C.Ht: 6-foot-1Wt: 200 lbsClass: 2009 (Junior College)Phil Tonga (Rivals Bio) Strongside DEWilmington (CA) Los Angeles Harbor C.C.Ht: 6-foot-4Wt: 285 lbsClass: 2009 (Junior College)

According to Rivals.com *** WR Sean Farr has changed his mind and is now going to Louisville. It seems he had a team commit there recently and that player must have flipped him from Akron.

I hope he does take it and all of his dreams come true. Because we all know next year they well find some 4 or 5 star kid and he will never see the field.

I wish him well and than him for his time at Akron.But had he made the catch vs. Buffalo he might have boosted the Zips to a victory..........