johnnyzip84

For those of you screaming "The University of Akron!", this writer also botched "The University of Pittsburgh". At least it's consistent

After thinking about it for a while, I did come up with a former MAC HC who eventually went on to become a MAC coordinator. It's former UT defensive coordinator Tim Rose, who had been Miami's HC quite a few stops before landing in Toledo.Rose Wiki

JD worked as the OC at Pitt under Walt. I have to think they would be pretty much on the same page as to where they want the offense to be. I would expect dramatic improvement in the QBs this year, between Shane (who developed Big Ben as the coordinator at Miami) and Harris.That's precisely my point, akronkid. With this sort of coaching talent on offense, JD is now free to focus on anything he pleases. We all know where the glaring weakness has been lately. I look at this as potentialy similar to the "special teams opportunity" that presented itself prior to the 2007 season. To his credit, JD took over that area after the shaky 2006 season and the results were much improved the following year.

This is HUGE, no doubt. I just wonder, even though JD's background is offense, will he be personally focusing more of his time on the other side of the ball this year? I mean with Shane and Walt on board and with the talent coming back (especially on the o-line where it all starts) the sky is the limit on offense.

Harris looks to be the QB coach. Montgomery the OC. That's the way I see it.Wow, this is unbelieveable. Those are 2 name guys and they are coming to UA....I wonder if this is a lead in to JD being gone after 2009 if things don't turn around.It looks like we could have the next HC on the staff.Yeah, and maybe the next HC will return the favor and keep JD on the staff.IF these two are hired into their expected positions, I see many potential coaching scenarios at the end of the 2009 season. But's there's no way JD stays on as part of the staff of a Monty or Harris regime, because that would mean the Zips underperformed in 2009. If that happens, they're probably all gone. Now JD leaving on his own after (say) a 9-3 season, with one of these guys taking over the reigns? That's at least possible.

Oh I'm in total agreement on that aspect. I'm just curious how much it cost to get them here.I haven't looked at his Stanford contract, but I would guess he's still drawing a nice salary from the Cardinals? The Zips might be able to get him at a reasonable rate. I think he still lives in the Pittsburgh area, so if he had the itch to get back into coaching, UA would be a logical choice to do so. I'm sure Nicely would be happy.He is definitely living in the PGH area (Shaler, see 1st link). Although the 2nd article is from last summer, it gives you an idea of his prowess in the passing game.Link 1Link 2BTW, I remember when Harris coached Pacific (before they dropped football) and had a QB by the name of Troy Kopp. The Tigers flat out "lit up the scoreboard" during those years. Incidentally, when UoP dropped FB, a young RB named Yasin Reeder was forced to transfer. He would up right here in Akron as I'm sure many of you recall.

Oh I'm in total agreement on that aspect. I'm just curious how much it cost to get them here.

Whoa, what's the offensive staff's budget now, anyway??? I might prefer to spend a little more on the defensive side of the ball. Nothing against Harris.....in fact if he is really willing to come in in THIS capacity, why not offer him the OC position in the 1st place?

Dick Flynn (CMU HC) coached under Lee Owens.BTW - Owens also hired a former Miami (OH) HC last week...Tim Rose.Also - Former Miami (FL) HC Carl Selmer coached under Gerry Faust.Those are some good names, CK, especially off the top of your head. But none of them were named the new COORDINATOR at the rival school.

Wow. I like this hire, but I'm pretty surprised by it. I'm trying to think of another instance in which a former MAC head coach hired in as a coordinator at ANOTHER MAC school. If this isn't unprecedented, then this list is pretty short indeed.This is yet more evidence of just how much support the program is getting from above, because I would feel pretty certan that Shane will be paid quite well in terms of MAC coordinators.

Some cupcakes just don't want to stay down..... .....that doesn't mean they're no longer a cupcake. 6-0 against the West would have been great, but if you had offered 5-1 at the beginning of this stretch I'd have taken it. I know Can't went 6-0. We'll have our shot against them head-to-head.

And you might eventually get into Cooperstown if you'd lay off pimping the sports memorabilia for a while! J/K of course zip37. You make a very valid point about team play (it's what makes KD's squads very compelling IMHO) but I couldn't resist the "Charlie Hustle" parallel

This article is a little more than a week old, but if what Clarke's HS coach says is accurate then unfortunately the Zips may be the long shot in the sweepstakes.Link

Excellent observations, ZW I agree that Ball St. did some things on D to temporarily (I hope and suspect) derail the improvements we've been seeing in the Zip offensive train. The Cards have been a good defensive team all year, so that's to be expected somewhat. However, I think WMU with Larson back at center might give them a run in the West.And it is a good sign to see the good, hard, clean fouls when necessary. Go Zips!!! Keep the train rolling!!

GoZips has the MAC tourney dates as Mar 10 (1st RD), Mar 12 (quarters), Mar 13 (semis), and Mar 14 (final). I don't see a day off between quarters and semis, at least not there.

As an alum with a BSCE and MSCE from UA I say "Alright"! Maybe the fact that the stadium is still under construction during his visiting period actually may HELP in this case. I hope they gave him a thorough tour of the site.

Who knew there were two South Dakota's? :blink:Weirder yet, there are ALSO two North Dakotas. Wow, do we really need FOUR Dakota college football teams? :lol:North Dakota St (Bison) is the team that has given Minnesota fits lately. NDSU and SDSU (Jackrabbits) were (I believe) charter members of the FCS (I-AA) Great West conference. This made their jump from D-2 to 1-AA at little quicker ans easier. But now they've both left the Great West for the much more highly regarded Missouri Valley Conference (ex-Gateway). In the meantime both USD and UND (Fighting Sioux.....I think Siouxie of Siouxie and the Banshees is their mascot) caught the "FCS (1-AA) bug" and they are now members of the Great West.

If there is a "trap" game in the midst of this sea of cupcakes, this could be the one. I am expecting a closer game, and one that might test the nerves down the stretch.Zips 64Cards 60

Hmmm but this is South Dakota (Coyotes), not South Dakota State (Jackrabbits) ?? Perhaps Reno got them confused the other night. If so, USD is a better match-up from a risk of embarassment standpoint. They are just barely removed from D-2 (Link).Link

Nice article by Gaffney again, this one on the "Nitro Net Nuker" BJ Link

Where to begin on this one OK, that feels better.Is it a "news flush" when there is pressure on a coach to have a winning season heading into a new stadium coming off of three straight losing campaigns? Captain Obvious agrees wholeheartedly Gee, I wonder why Reno Ferri (only the RUNNING BACKS COACH and as big of an AA fan as there is) didn't seem to share any particular concern over the running game the other night at OBC???I'll admit I was among those who thought that getting rid of JD after the late season collapse should have been at least considered, but with the way things happened with other MAC coaches and the apparent wealth of ability in this year's class I am glad that he has at least this season to try to put it all together here for the Zips.

I voted for "any post season play" because I believe that should be our "typical" or "mean" measure of success. If we can achieve that "mean" over time, then the "good excursions" or "plus sigmas" should result in a MAC championship or two coming our way.Now, since this was thought to be a "learning" year (won't say rebuilding, because we did get advanced word that these kids were talented) I didn't have as big of expectations as I might have had the last 2 or 3 years. At the same time, the future is now as the saying goes. Marino never made it back to the Super Bowl. I sure hope this year's Zips seize the opportunity.

What is up with us getting jilted by guys named "Boo" Jackson??? I mean we're 0 for 2 for Pete's sake!I wouldn't be concerned if were you. Neither one had monster hands."boo" is maybe a good kid, but come on now, how good can one be without the "MH". I mean really. No loss for the Zips. It's hard to argue with that logic You won't hear "boo" out of me on this subject ever again

What is up with us getting jilted by guys named "Boo" Jackson??? I mean we're 0 for 2 for Pete's sake!