NewZipsFan

Several coaches are on the road. Including Coach Bowden.

#1. Agree with you 100%. I'm still trying to have realistic expectations - because when I look at the schedule, I want to say 6-7 wins are very possible. Things would have to really go our way, but nothing is impossible. I can't help thinking about what Coach Bowden did at Auburn They had two losing seasons in a row when Pat Dye got fired for getting the program put on probation. Terry came in late December, and of course went 11-0 that season and was the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year (beating his father, who won the National Championship). Then, won the first 9 games the next season - winning 20 straight in the SEC and going 20-1-1 in his first 2 seasons there. But I digress.... I'm supposed to be keeping my expectations in the realm of the realistic!

This will be very interesting to look back on at the end of 2012!

I hear ya.... How many wins this season do you think most fans would be happy with? As much of a Coach Bowden and co. fan I am, I have to keep reminding myself to have realistic expectations. I think it's great to be opening the season with UCF at home - Coach Bowden lived in Orlando for 10 years, and had a daily ESPN radio show on three stations across central Florida for 4 or 5 years, so there will be a lot of attention. However, what if we don't win the game? What if we do? It will be interesting to see how everyone reacts.

According to Rivals, he is visiting Iowa this weekend, and hasn't visited Akron. So I'm not hopeful about that one. Rivals - Willie Henry

Exactly. I am still a little surprised to be reading some of this stuff. We've got some of the best football minds in the country on this staff. Amato was always considered one of the best recruiters in the country - for many many years. These coaches collectively have put over a hundred players in the NFL. They can spot talent - and especially the type of talent that they need specifically for their offensive and defensive schemes. AND they will get the absolute best performance out of their players - putting them in situations to succeed, not try to force them into positions or spots where they will fail. Coach Bowden simply DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO LOSE.

Looks like quite the event Coach Bowden put on to raise money for the football program at UNA back in 2009: A Day With the Bowdens - 2009 University of North Alabama

Thought I'd post them - nothing earth shattering, but it's so dadgum quiet in here! Non-Big Six wrap Football Recruiting

I'm sure Coach will be there if he can be. I'm also sure that his son would probably invite him - not that invites on FB and Twitter wouldn't be appreciated

I said in a post a day or so ago, that just because someone was a verbal, didn't necessarily mean that they would be getting an offer. Some of those verbals were from the previous staff - and I'm thinking that CTB and staff may have found other players they like better? Just thinking out loud....

I wouldn't worry about that one bit.

Looks like Wade Edwards from Armwood HS in Seffner, FL is coming for a visit this weekend: Wade Edwards

Get him working with our new S&C coach, John Grieco and feed the boy

I don't fit in any of those categories, either....

Gotcha.... Let's put it this way... if Coach Bowden was afraid to face him, he'd sign him

What if Terry doesn't feel he's the right fit for the team? Not saying that's the case, but I'm hoping that everyone gives the new staff a little credit for knowing what they need for their offense/defense...

Might be both scenarios. As everyone knows, with the very late start the staff has gotten for this class, everyone needs to be realistic. I do know that we have already started working on next year's class (research, etc) and once signing day is over, the staff will know the direction they want to go in for 2013, and will be going at it full speed.

I just scanned the list of verbals pinned here, and there are several guys that had other D1 offers. I have a feeling that this list is going to be pretty different after this weekend.

I hear that he is a very good all-around, all-purpose back... can run, catch, block.. everything needed in Coach Bowden's offense.

2011 Season Stats 2010 Season Stats Interesting how the entire team's individual defensive stats went down in 2011, but the team's record increased fron 3-7 in 2010 to 8-2 in 2011.

They list the kid at 6'4?? I dunno about that... CTB is only 5'6 - does that look like a 10" difference to you? Yeah - maybe

From what I'm hearing, after this successful recruiting weekend, the staff may actually be "slow playing" more than a few guys they've been recruiting... They are pretty confident that they're getting some guys they really want, and so some of the guys who are "verbally committed" may not actually have received actual scholarship offers from us to begin with.

Of course they took the recruits to the game!!!

I believe he's coming for a visit either this weekend or next. It's the Todd Stroud connection. He was very high on hm when at Colorado State - and looks like he will follow the coach who was recruiting him - to Akron

I'm told that the new staff is very impressed with the way he runs. They are scratching their heads a bit about why he doesn't have more offers - but from everything they've learned about him, they're very happy to not have to fight over him. One thing you don't have to worry about with this very experienced staff - is them not doing their homework, and not being able to recognize talent and certain intangibles that are invaluable to being a great football player. If Coach Bowden wants a player, I want him to be a Zip. Period.