exit322

No, Wistrcill is replacing a different yet-to-be-publicly-announced departures.

I think that's one of the reasons Carney seems a better fit. He's no introvert. Not that introversion is bad...I'm an introvert haha. But head ball coach isn't necessarily the best role for an introvert.

I say this and then Akron has its best crowd of the year on a Tuesday. So what do I know, haha But in general, attendance is still way way down on MACtion nights.

I mean, all of this is true. It's hopeless in Akron, of course, there's too many people that will tell you that you're wrong and that Akron can never compete. Just be glad Akron made things fun once, because it's really just going to be 4-8 at best every year even though there's a bunch of MAC schools that have the same exact problems but yet never consistently only win 2-4 games every year. But my comment was more "that game was insane and all the crazy was used up for this week."

The crowd on Tuesday proved that attendance can be improved. Because the athletic department actually went and improved attendance...FOR A FREEZER GAME ON A TUESDAY. And then, they gave those folks that attended a reason to come back (even in a loss). I'm certainly not sold that Joe is the guy...and am generally sold that Joe ISN'T the guy...but I am very much willing to admit that even in a loss that game was good for the program.

TO BE FAIR, there was 7:14 on the clock. It wasn't particularly egregious IMO, but it did feel like a letdown. Now, 7:14 wasn't a usual "7:14" since Joe had already blown all three timeouts. But I would say it was "midway through the fourth."

Akron and Kent used up all the MACtion this year.

It's just time. But Akron can't afford to fire. So Joe's gonna have to leave on his own. Good luck to the AD, who probably also has his hands tied behind his back. Especially if Joe doesn't leave and we lock in another 4-win season.

I think if Joe were hitting 5-7 wins And not 12 total in four years. We wouldn't be having many of these conversations. That said, Joe is only leaving if he decides he'd rather be an OC somewhere else making the same (or more) money. As noted, Akron doesn't really have the cash to do that. And I think you're 100% spot on about the "selling the program." I don't think anyone here is pretending this is, or should be, easy.

That really is symbolic, haha!

It is kinda wild they're both former Fordham QBs and that's where the similarities end.

This in general isn't wrong. He did recruit the players that did all those things, though. And that means it's on him. We finally have a "hey he gets credit for a great offensive performance" in...Game 47 of his time here. And it WAS a really good offensive performance by a really limited quarterback whose NFL comp (if you adjust for MAC-level talent) is Mason Rudolph. They didn't quit, though. This is accurate. And credit must also be given for that. You're also right, this was a great game. A classic game that likely made a few fans of college football, if not the Zips or Flashes. If this was the norm and they were at least fun most of the time, I think you'd see many opinions (mine included) be different.

And they're a decent team with largely the same roster they were 0-12 (and worse than that record) with last year. Hopefully this stays a fun little set of games.

The recruiting has to change because of the portal and NIL and such. What it seems Akron needs to do is emphasize to those transfer candidates looking to rebound of "here's what this guy got, here's what this guy got. We don't have the money, no, but we have the exposure that's going to get you paid." I have no idea if that'll work...but it feels like it could. I am serious about getting YSU on the schedule...last night had perhaps the largest "actual" (not announced) crowd of the year for the rivalry game...on a Tuesday. Adding another game with an opponent the local market might care about is (to me) worth the potential of losing to an FCS school. At least it's a decent one, and at least it's a game that would matter to someone a hell of a lot more than Morgan State or Duquesne.

Here's the deal. Akron showed up to this game. And they got a classic game. Make the damn things fun. The winning may come. Maybe play Youngstown, too...ya know, to get opponents people want to see. I don't care if it's a loseable game against an FCS school. Fun football at the stadium with opponents that people care about is enough for now. What they did last night to market...do that for all the games. Get people to come out, get a little better on the field...and maybe just maybe there's actual hope the program can turn it around. Last night was fun. I guess if they get over the practice restrictions and such, maybe they can just be fun. I dunno.