Lee Adams

Think this was suggested already.

Beside winning games,this program needs to get fans interested again. I'm not talking about the students. If the team wins, a FEW more of them will show up. These kids never have been a dependable fan base. Williams has to get the community involved. Like they did with the Acme Zip game decades ago. A known name like Kosar would at least get some of the older crowds attention. Look ,this program has never been a real big draw. The most attendance was decades ago at the Bowl at the Acme Zip games. Used to 'fill the Bowl' at least for one game. And, they were winners back then. The football program is approaching a crossroads over the next few years. Better do what they can if they want to save it!

Looks like it. UAB decimated Northern Illinois last night! Hope they are losing a lot of people. Troy also home. UMass on the road.

Once the decision was made by Williams I wish Bowden had at least offered to retire. He certainly doesn't need the money Akron is going to have to pay him to maintain his lifestyle. He can go back to TV or maybe get a job at a lower level school. I agree that this is a situation the new AD and new coach probably do not want OR need. This needs to be Williams' and Arth's program. Don't need any 'ghosts'. They sink or swim with it. I would heartily suggest that Akron fans read the Crain's Business article about the severe financial issues the University has in general and athletics has specifically. That article makes it appear that Williams and The University need to succeed here on the field and financially or there may be bigger changes coming.

Hopefully people won't get too bent out of shape if next season,especially the non-conference portion is rocky. Its going to take playing some 'real' games not just scrimmages to see how players are actually going to respond to the new staff and the new 'system'. We should all know that from experience. Any information on length of contract? He gets 5 years unless there is another Ianello debacle.It does appear that if he can bring some of his own key recruits that there is at least enough serviceable talent left on the roster that an entire rebuild won't be necessary. I am waiting to see what he can do with the offense in general and Nelson and Ramart specifically. Wonder if he prefers a scrambler or more of a pocket guy. He will certainly have to improve the anemic run game by working on the O-line. Also,still want to know if Williams is going to try to get Kosar involved in the program somehow to try to raise awareness.

So Kosar shows up in person to support this guy. And,apparently has a history with him from the earliest. Wonder if Williams has something in mind as far as having Bernie somehow associated with the program. Still a whole lot of people around here who remember what he and the Browns did in the '80's. Even if he would work with the QB's in the offseason or do some PR for the football program. That would certainly help raise the profile a bit.

I wasn't really referring to getting rid of sports programs like football,b.ball etc. Was thinking more about 'moving down' to a different level of competition that would require a lesser financial obligation. But, thats a wait and see situation. Hopefully,the program will improve over the next few seasons.

I do like the fact the Arth has a strong background as a QB especially at the professional level. One would think that by being a backup to Manning that some knowledge about QB play specifically and offensive play generally would rub off. Maybe he can improve the caliber of play at that position here. Here is hoping.

I too had hoped Getsy would be the guy. Even e-mailed some people at the Athletic Department. Don't know for sure but, if Getsy was making the published $600,00/year at MSU it would have been real hard for him to walk away from that. He will get an HC position in the future. Not as positive about Bowden's overall record after his time as you are. But, on the surface this seems to be a different hire than Ianello. Certainly the talent left on the team is better than when Ianello left. But,we have to see who bails. As far as exciting the fan base if the program starts winning consistently more fans will pay attention. Thats the only way over time that will happen. If finances are that much of a hinderance it might be time to look at 'downsizing' the football program before the next guy is hired.

As I said previously. No matter who had gotten the job he gets 5 years. Over .500 in the MAC and a couple of firsts in the division after 5 years. Thats better than we have seen in along time.

I would rather see Arth recruit AND GET some of the top talent from Hoban.That would do a number of positive things for the program.

I'll show up with an offense that looks lie it knows what it is doing.

Doing anything MEANINGFUL?

Seems like Williams had pretty much made up his mind. Looks like he wanted a guy with NFL experience. Wanted somebody who was familiar with this part of the country. And wanted somebody UofA could afford. He gets 5 years. Has to be over .500 in the MAC.

Except for the Ianello train wreck,if I am not mistaken, Owens, Brookhart and as we know Bowden got more than 5 years. If AFTER 5 years Arth does not have a a total record in the MAC OVER .500 and has not won the East Div. at least 2 times you can start looking for another HC. Only the MAC record counts! Thats where they play.They need to be competitive every year IN THE MAC. They need to beat OU, Buffalo,Miami,KSU,NIU, Toledo....etc,etc. If they win 5 in the MAC they can still get to some obscure bowl game. I hope he has some really good assistants lined up. He has some talent on this roster,DEPENDING on which players BAIL on him. This is more like a Brookhart situation than an Ianello situation. Hit the ground running or lose more fan support. I am hopeful that when I buy my season tix for next year I will be seeing a more competitive MAC program.

Barf!

Maybe Moorehead is pushing him?

Hope so!

Nice topic. I have no experience in supervising anything other than a bunch of parole officers on my last job. 1)Recruiting: What parts of the country do you see as essential to recruit successfully to upgrade and maintain a talent level that will keep the program competitive in the MAC season after season? 2) Current talent level: What is your assessment of the talent level of the current roster? Be specific to each unit...offense,defense special teams. Which unit is it essential to upgrade first? 3) Assistants: If hired,do you have names of potential assistants with experience in recruiting,scholarships,academic requirements who could be willing to start immediately? 4) What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a potential head coach? What do you think have been your biggest 'mistakes' as a coach at any level? What did you do to correct those situations? 5) Discipline: Scenario: You have a talented player who is not a good 'citizen' or teammate. Tell me what steps you would take to try to remediate that situation.

You would think if an AD makes sound personnel decisions(coaches,assistants ect.) that would benefit the programs he/she/oversees as well as himself/herself. Thats what good administrators do in ANY line of work.

The 'Heat Seeking Missle'!

Didn't realize that Tressel was that close to getting the UofA president's job. Lebron James and Terry Bowden were in Akron at the same time for several years before James decided to leave again. Dambrot was here also until 2 years ago. Were the three ever connected in a PR sense? Embick has also been here for a bit. Sure AD Williams could hire another Ianello. He might hire a Jim Dennison(goes back to the last consistent winning period for the program) or Matt Campbell type. Lets hope he has made the best decision to get the program to be a consistent winner, in the MAC year in and year out. Thats what HE gets PAID to do.

If the University is putting an emphasis on bringing in more students from Ohio due to finances seems it would be quite important. I am not just referring to Akron high schools. But a coach here has to be able to get the HS coaches to encourage kids to look at Akron more closely. There are certain positions which can be filled with good athletes from within Ohio. Skill position players will be harder to bring here because if they are really good they go to the P5 schools. Gotta keep good HS talent here. A head coach with few or no connections in Ohio is gonna find it much harder to talk to the HS coaches.

Thanks, Bob Mueller.

At this level,coaches and AD's are normally looking for their next job at a more prestigious school. Bowden may have been the exception due to age and prior experiences. Most younger,ambitious people in college sports seem to be looking to move up if possible. Other AD's here have done it.