Area Coaches are Upset by David Lee

[Zipster Jr]

Here's a lovely article from David Lee this morning:

Several coaches upset with Akron, Can't State

Neither Zips nor flushes had many local players in their recruiting classes

By David Lee Morgan Jr.

Some high school recruiting services gave University of Akron coach J.D. Brookhart a ``thumbs-up'' for his 2005 recruiting class.

Dwayne Long, recruiting editor of Ohio High Magazine, said the Zips have one of the best recruiting classes in the Mid-American Conference.

A few area high school coaches aren't as enthusiastic as Long.

The Zips did not have a Summit County player among the 24 student-athletes who signed letters of intent during national signing day Wednesday. Antwon Hight, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive lineman from Canton McKinley in Stark County, is the only signee in the five-county area of Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne counties.

Can't State's 2005 class of 23 was similar with just one local player, also from Stark County -- safety Jameson Konz from Lake.

That's why some City Series coaches are upset.

``I think it's a travesty that the city of Akron doesn't have one player going to either Akron or Can't State,'' Buchtel coach Claude Brown said. He has six players who signed to play in college next year, going to places such as the University of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Ohio Dominican (Columbus) College and Edinboro (Pa.) University .

``You can't tell me that Buchtel or Garfield didn't have any players who can play at Akron or Can't State,'' Brown said.

Garfield coach Bob Sax thought the same as Brown.

Sax said he believes that one of his players, four-year starter and first team Division II All-Ohio selection Marcus Council (5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback), is definitely a Division I player.

Council was the City Series Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Beacon Journal five-county team. He is expected to play for former Zips head coach Lee Owens at Division II Ashland University.

``It's a shame that Akron or Can't State didn't offer Marcus anything,'' Sax said. ``Here is a guy who is an outstanding player and student, a four-year starter and the defensive player of the year in the league and because he runs maybe a 4.6 or 4.7 (40-yard dash) he can't play Division I? I don't agree. I can tell you this, Coach Owens said he can't believe he got Marcus.''

Akron's 2004 roster did have several area players including quarterback Brian Flaherty (Stow), linebacker/defensive back John Mackey (Walsh Jesuit), defensive back Reggie Corner (Canton McKinley), fullback Dan Basch (Walsh Jesuit), tight end Dennis Basch (Walsh Jesuit), linebacker Brandon Butler (CVCA) and defensive lineman Mark Groza (Manchester).

The Zips had three players who played at Akron schools -- Bryan Howe (Ellet), Josh Smith (North) and Tim Wilkes (St. Vincent-St. Mary).

Brookhart said he is definitely not overlooking the local talent pool. In fact, he said being new to Akron was not a factor because he covered Northeast Ohio in recruiting while he was previously an assistant coach at Pitt.

``We made some real efforts in the area to go after the high-caliber recruits,'' he said. ``We want to fight the recruiting battles with Pitt and West Virginia and the rest of the MAC schools. We're recruiting players who we think can help us win a MAC championship. People can say what they want, but we're sitting here with the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the MAC.''

Said Akron athletic director Mike Thomas: ``Nothing would make us happier than to have Division I players stay at home and play for the Zips. That's our objective.''

Some of the area Division I prospects in the 2005 class who are playing elsewhere include Hoban's Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern) and Shawn Glaser (Toledo), North's Lyndon Gayle (Toledo) and St. Vincent-St. Mary's Lawrence Wilson (Ohio State).

``Lots of times the local kids want to leave home and go somewhere else to play and that's understandable,'' Thomas said.

Can't State had six area players on its 2004 roster, and coach Doug Martin said he's happy with his recruiting class this year.

``We signed the third-most Ohio kids (nine) of any school in Ohio, behind Bowling Green and Ohio University,'' he said. ``When you look at it, we have no reason at all not to take a local player but at the same time, we are trying to get the best available player.''

As for addressing the issue of Akron and Can't State not signing any City Series players, Martin replied, ``That's unfair criticism. Why criticize Akron and Can't when 117 (Division I) schools passed on some of those kids?''

[zipsbandman]

As for addressing the issue of Akron and Can't State not signing any City Series players, Martin replied, ``That's unfair criticism. Why criticize Akron and Can't when 117 (Division I) schools passed on some of those kids?''

Like it's our fault if these kids are choosing schools like Toledo or Pitt over Akron. I'm sure there are many of these players we would have loved to have. We've raised the bar in recruiting, and we will not settle for the scraps of the BCS schools. If these coaches want their kids going to Akron, they better see that their kids raise the bar because we have.

[Guest David Lee]

Come on now, You guys are obviously missing the point here. The good local players should go to the BCS Schools. They demonstrate how great area HS football is to the rest of the country. It is also the local coaches job to reccomend the BCS Schools to the good players rather than a MAC School. On the other hand, the players that don't have other schools beating down their doors should get an automatic scholarship to UA. I mean they are good kids and work hard. I have to agree with these coaches....how dare UA build the best recruiting class in the MAC and pass over these players. Is the goal at UA to win, or to just be a good local small school? Everyone knows that it is impossible for a state to support more than one major College program so UA should just step aside and take in these local kids. Besides, the better Akron gets the less opportunity I have to keep backing up LO.

[zff]

Great Post Zipster Jr........

To Coach Sax and Coach Brown........ ..........

I would like to ask both Coaches a question.......How many seniors were sitting the bench for your teams last year??????? I am sure you each had some because the best players play.......If the Akron and Can't coaches felt that any kids were solid D I talent they would be been higher up on their charts.......

I have another question for you Coach Brown....Why didn't you push harder for your kids that went to Pitt and Cincy to come to Akron.........

Coach Sax why didn't you push your player who just committed to the Suckeyes to come

to Akron......

The days of Akron being a place for marginal D I players to play big time football is over.....Coach Brookhart is making it a point to make The University Of Akron the best it possible can and you can't do that with kids who aren't D I material..........

Oh and by the way......Coach Owens should not be shocked that he ended up getting the young man from Garfield........He should have realized that talent evaluation is what got him fired at Akron............War Eagles!!!!!!!!!

[GP1]

``I think it's a travesty that the city of Akron doesn't have one player going to either Akron or Can't State,'' Buchtel coach Claude Brown said.   He has six players who signed to play in college next year, going to places such as the University of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Ohio Dominican (Columbus) College   and Edinboro (Pa.) University .

Sax said he believes that one of his players, four-year starter and first team Division II All-Ohio selection Marcus Council (5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback), is definitely a Division I player.

``It's a shame that Akron or Can't State didn't offer Marcus anything,''  Sax said. ``Here is a guy who is an outstanding player and student, a four-year starter and the defensive player of the year in the league and because he runs maybe a 4.6 or 4.7 (40-yard dash) he can't play Division I? I don't agree. I can tell you this, Coach Owens said he can't believe he got Marcus.''

God, this just proves everything I have ever said about most high school coaches. They have no clue what makes a Division I player or what it is like to be involved in Division I sports. Even Cant wasn't stupid enough to give these players scholarships. Owens was a high school coach and we had below average teams most of his time here.

Let's start with Brown's comments. If Akron is recruiting a player who signs with ODU and Edinboro, Brookhart is at fault for recruiting less than Division I players. Enough said, Brookhart made the right decision.

Secondly, a kid that runs a 4.7 or 4.8 fourty yard dash will get eaten alive in Division I as a cornerback. Basic skills are necessary for any job. This kid didn't even have the basic skill to compete at U of A. Enough said, Brookhart made the right decision.

Thirdly, these idiot high school coaches need to understand that Akron is not running a charity with the football program. The purpose of the program is to win football games with whatever players they need to win within the rules of the NCAA. The purpose of the program is NOT to give free scholarships to local players because they think the community owes them something. We saw enough of this type of behavior with Owens. What did that get us......nothing.

Good players don't need to come from Summit or Stark County. Let me name a few players. Frye, Biggs, Jason Taylor, Dwight Smith, Jake S., Butchie Washington, Brake, Payne. None of these players were from either Summit or Stark County.

Finally, this article begs the question: What made Morgan write the article? Either one or more of the coaches quoted in the article called him to complain or he wrote the article to try to stick it in the eye of U of A. My guess is that it is the second choice. For whatever reason, the Beacon has a hard on for U of A football since they fired that loser Owens. My guess is that it is that sneaky prick Pluto leading the charge. All they want is loveable losers in Akron. That way they can write their feel good stories about the good guys who are trying their best but can't get over the hump. Wouldn't it be more fun to write about a winning football program? As a fan, what do you want, loveable losers or winners? If you say anything but a winner, you yourself are a loser, or a former Owens player......they are actually one in the same.

Don't worry about articles like this. JD knows what he is doing and the program is going in the right direction. JD's staff knows how to scout and recruit players without relying on the high school coaches for advice or help from these huge ego high school coaches who should just worry about football in the fall and teaching whatever classes they teach the remainder of the year. Good grief, we have the highest rated class in the MAC. Losing that dwarf to Can't will do nothing to hurt the program. When Akron has a winning program, these high school coaches will be crawling on their hands and knees to get players signed with Akron.

Well, off to a cocktail party ............have fun at the BB game Wednesday. My plane gets in too late to go.

GO ZIPS!!!!!!

[Guest Guest]

When there are players from the Akron area, the community doesn't support it well. Mainly because of a poor record or non-entertaining play, so let's get the best players here whether they are from Akron, PA, WV or Florida, and maybe , just maybe people will support our teams.

With Basketball the past few years the majority of players are/were from Akron, and the fans didn't respond, so the bottom line is just win! Go Zips!!

[zipsbandman]

``I think it's a travesty that the city of Akron doesn't have one player going to either Akron or Can't State,'' Buchtel coach Claude Brown said.   He has six players who signed to play in college next year, going to places such as the University of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Ohio Dominican (Columbus) College   and Edinboro (Pa.) University .

Sax said he believes that one of his players, four-year starter and first team Division II All-Ohio selection Marcus Council (5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback), is definitely a Division I player.

``It's a shame that Akron or Can't State didn't offer Marcus anything,''  Sax said. ``Here is a guy who is an outstanding player and student, a four-year starter and the defensive player of the year in the league and because he runs maybe a 4.6 or 4.7 (40-yard dash) he can't play Division I? I don't agree. I can tell you this, Coach Owens said he can't believe he got Marcus.''

God, this just proves everything I have ever said about most high school coaches. They have no clue what makes a Division I player or what it is like to be involved in Division I sports. Even Cant wasn't stupid enough to give these players scholarships. Owens was a high school coach and we had below average teams most of his time here.

Let's start with Brown's comments. If Akron is recruiting a player who signs with ODU and Edinboro, Brookhart is at fault for recruiting less than Division I players. Enough said, Brookhart made the right decision.

Secondly, a kid that runs a 4.7 or 4.8 fourty yard dash will get eaten alive in Division I as a cornerback. Basic skills are necessary for any job. This kid didn't even have the basic skill to compete at U of A. Enough said, Brookhart made the right decision.

Thirdly, these idiot high school coaches need to understand that Akron is not running a charity with the football program. The purpose of the program is to win football games with whatever players they need to win within the rules of the NCAA. The purpose of the program is NOT to give free scholarships to local players because they think the community owes them something. We saw enough of this type of behavior with Owens. What did that get us......nothing.

Good players don't need to come from Summit or Stark County. Let me name a few players. Frye, Biggs, Jason Taylor, Dwight Smith, Jake S., Butchie Washington, Brake, Payne. None of these players were from either Summit or Stark County.

Finally, this article begs the question: What made Morgan write the article? Either one or more of the coaches quoted in the article called him to complain or he wrote the article to try to stick it in the eye of U of A. My guess is that it is the second choice. For whatever reason, the Beacon has a hard on for U of A football since they fired that loser Owens. My guess is that it is that sneaky prick Pluto leading the charge. All they want is loveable losers in Akron. That way they can write their feel good stories about the good guys who are trying their best but can't get over the hump. Wouldn't it be more fun to write about a winning football program? As a fan, what do you want, loveable losers or winners? If you say anything but a winner, you yourself are a loser, or a former Owens player......they are actually one in the same.

Don't worry about articles like this. JD knows what he is doing and the program is going in the right direction. JD's staff knows how to scout and recruit players without relying on the high school coaches for advice or help from these huge ego high school coaches who should just worry about football in the fall and teaching whatever classes they teach the remainder of the year. Good grief, we have the highest rated class in the MAC. Losing that dwarf to Can't will do nothing to hurt the program. When Akron has a winning program, these high school coaches will be crawling on their hands and knees to get players signed with Akron.

Well, off to a cocktail party ............have fun at the BB game Wednesday. My plane gets in too late to go.

GO ZIPS!!!!!!

Nice post. 4.7 and a cornerback?! :blink: I thought the kid was a d lineman. What a bunch of idiots.

[Zipsrifle]

GP1...

I bet JD gives him an interview slot right after the folks from the Tokyo Times next fall. He's burning bridges he knows he's going to have to cross over.

Here are some quotes reportedly heard on campus this morning:

Buchtel Hall--Dr. Proenza "David Lee, what an idiot!"

JAR -- Mike Thomas - "David Lee, what an idiot!"

JAR -- JD - "David Lee, what an idiot!"

JAR -- Frank the Janitor "David Lee, what an idiot!"

ROBS -- Thelma the lunch lady "David Lee, what an idiot!"

Buchtel Commons - Ed the Bum "David Lee, what an idiot!"

Exchange Street driving- Doug Martin (On his lunch break) "I wish I worked here.....David Lee, what an idiot!"

[zipboy]

Amazing that we have the best recruiting class in school history and a story like this comes out. Beacon must be getting really worried that the new stadium becomes a reality. A top 25 program with sellout crowds will be hard to ignore. Too bad some people still think Akron is several steps down from other Div 1 programs. Thank goodness for Proenza, Thomas, and JD.

No mention in the article that the Hoban lineman going to Toledo picked the Rockets over us. No mention that Tyrell Sutton was offered as a soph. It's one thing if Akron is not even offering local kids who all get scholarships to Div 1 schools. If anything the article should have been why can't Akron land 6 local stars who picked other Div 1 schools. I heard JD make a comment last week that the most impressed kids were from Cleveland, Columbus, Cincy, PA etc. The hardest kids to get are the local ones. Wonder why? Too bad so many people are missing the boat locally.

[Guest Zip in Paradise]

Wow!!! Does this hit home for me!

Let's compare this situation to the one closest to me. The institution where I work, the University of Hawai'i just signed a FB recruiting class listed somewhere below the Akron Zips -- around the mid-80s I guess. Following the signing day, there erupted a HUGE brouhaha between HC June Jones and the HC of the top public HS, Kahuku on O'ahu's North Shore. Kahuku has been the #1 public HS for about 20 years, and this year had 11 players sign national letters of intent with Division 1-A FB programs (BYU, Oregon, Washington, Utah, etc). But not ONE with Hawai'i. Now at his post-signing press conference, when asked why he had no signees from the top-3 high schools in Hawai'i, Coach Jones complained that "one school" was directed players away from Hawai'i. Later when pressed, he admitted he meant Kahuku.

So, of course the Kahuku coach is all choked up about being upbraided by this coach who gets a bowl invite every time he wins 7 games (and he gets 8 home games and the Aloha 7 refs to do it in). Coach Siuwaki Livai challenges the reporters to find even one of his players who has ever met June Jones. It ends up, not a single player at Kahuku was offered a scholarship by UH -- and Jones has been to the school only once in six years at Hawai'i. Jones expects

local high school coaches and players to come and talk to HIM -- ask his permission to be recruited by HIM or he won't even look at a game film.

When compared with June Jones, JD Brookhart, who offers scholarships to the best true Div 1-A prospects, but they choose to go to Pit, ToAMu, or Toledo, is an example of a locally-minded and humanitarian coach. How would Coach Brown feel dealing with June instead of JD? In other words, count your blessings.

Now I've gotta get some sleep. I'm heading to Pro Bowl practice in the morning, and hoping to ask #99 what role he played in JD's MAC #1 recruiting class. I suspect the departure of his coach to Pittsboyg may have played a factor in Akron recruiting.

[Dr Z]

I'm heading to Pro Bowl practice in the morning, and hoping to ask #99 what role he played in JD's MAC #1 recruiting class.  I suspect the departure of his coach to Pittsboyg may have played a factor in Akron recruiting.

Z.I.P.

Ask him if he has anything to do with any donations that are going toward the stadium project.

[Guest Claude Brown, Wannabe College Co]

I am just pissed because no one at Can't State or Akron will hire me. I have an axe to grind so my homey David Lee done set me up with some print props. You dig?

[GP1]

No mention in the article that the Hoban lineman going to Toledo picked the Rockets over us. No mention that Tyrell Sutton was offered as a soph. It's one thing if Akron is not even offering local kids who all get scholarships to Div 1 schools. If anything the article should have been why can't Akron land 6 local stars who picked other Div 1 schools. I heard JD make a comment last week that the most impressed kids were from Cleveland, Columbus, Cincy, PA etc. The hardest kids to get are the local ones. Wonder why? Too bad so many people are missing the boat locally.

These are all good questioins. I think one of the major driving forces is maybe a kid wants to go far from home. Toledo is a good pick for a kid from Akron because it is two hours from home and not to mention that they won the MAC this year. A MAC Championship is a better recruiting tool than a new practice field. When we win our MAC Championship with JD, we will have to turn players away hand over fist.

[Guest BZ]

These coaches don't push their star players to UA. They push them to OSU, Michigan, Pitt, etc. Yet, they expect UA to take the second tier players.

So they don't feel UA is good enough for their best players, but get upset that UA

doesn't want their second tier players. What a bunch of whiny hippocrites.

[fan37]

These whiny Akron FB coaches are poster boys for the Nanny State philosophy taught in the high(?) schools, they think the U of A is a welfare program for marginal players.