Bigger Surprise

[Zippy989]

Who's the bigger surpise to you??

JD's surpising 6-2 football team playing for MAC EAST title in his first season and his recruiting class this year or KD's amazing run with the hoops squad... winning without JW positioning for a run at the Gund???

[fan37]

I voted for JD because I know KD's track record, plus KD did not have much time to recruit players, while KD had some input with the loser he replaced, so BOTH will likely be COY in the MAC (or maybe Ohio). I'm happy as heck that we have them both.

[Z.I.P.]

Any question who would be AD of the year?

No doubt! Thanks Dude.

[Z-P]

Not to sound too negative, but what did JD really accomplish?

Let's see next year and in two years...........

Luv him...........but it's too early yet for an Oscar IMHO

On the other hand..........THE BOSS..............gets and Oscar and an Emmy!

[zipper]

I'd agree with you on "what did he really accomplish"...except...then JD went and brought in the number ONE recruiting class in the MAC. That really sold me on the guy. The kids believe in him, he knows the game, and can recruit.

[mollautt]

=>This is a no-brainer.

I felt Akron's Football team really was supposed to do well. I always considered them a contender with a veteran star QB in Frye. Akron was coming off of a 7-5/5-3 season 3rd place season. Akron had Miami and Marshall at home. I actually thought the lousy start was indicative that the football coach was doing a poor job. Akron did right the ship so my opinion changed to an extent.

Keep in mind though, despite getting 5 bowl invites, it really was a down year for the league (MAC only won 3 non-league Division I games in the regular season-2 vs. Big East last place Temple and 1 vs. SEC last place UK). The MAC was "oafer" in the regular season vs. non-BCS teams (our supposed peers). Per Sagarin, the MAC was not only the worst DI-A conference, but was ranked behind 3 DI-AA leagues as well. Akron and Marshall were 2 of the 6 top teams in the league, yet both went 0-3 in non-league games and each lost AT HOME to a Sun Belt team (MTSU & Troy). I am happy Miami won the MAC East, but I do not think it was such a great accomplishment. Akron going 6-5/6-2 was not that impressive for the same reasons plus the expectations on Frey.

In basketball, the MAC is having a great year. 8 teams in the top 100 of the RPI. MAC is 67-48 in Division I games (much better record obviously if count non-DI wins). The MAC in 10th overall in Sagarin and RPI (ahead of WAC, Moun. West, A10, and Sun Belt). Last year Akron was a paultry 13-15/7-11, RPI of 201, and tied for last in the East. The year, Akron was supposed to finish behind Miami, Buffalo, and Can't. Akron is 15-7/9-5, RPI of 46, and tied with the second best record in the league. Oh, Akron lost Wood as well.

IN SUMMARY:

Akron Football: With Frey, met expectations. Went from 7-5/5-3 (3rd East) to 6-5/6-2 (tied 2nd/3rd) in a very weak MAC basketball year.

Akron Basketball: Exceeded expectations even before loss of Wood. Went from 13-15/7-11 (last East) to currently 15-7/9-5 (2nd MAC overall) in a very strong MAC football year.

Brookhart accomplishments are a little overrated. KD's seem very underrated.

[zipper]

Mol, that's the problem with trying to dissect other teams - you probably really don't know all the facts or the history.

Owen's last season the Zips' schedule strength was ranked the 116th out of 117 teams. We played not one, but TWO 1-AA teams, so 7-5 was actually 5-5. We had 17 starters returning. He should have EASILY been 9-3 at the minimum, and probably 10-2. Adding insult to injury, recruiting all but laid down and died those last two years.

The reason the FB team struggled at the beginning this year was almost completely because of Brookhart instituting completely new offensive (West Coast) and defensive schemes. You weren't just teaching your freshmen your system, you were basically reteaching the entire team. In my mind they learned quick. And then, remember, Brookhart went and brought in the number one recruiting class in the MAC.

Now, I think KD also is a miracle worker, but since he rose from the prior staff he already had a relationship with these kids and actually recruited most of them. This is a big advantage in your first year. And remember, he's a local guy and we all knew what he could do. After witnessing what KD could do, my expectations for bb this year were actually much higher than for football, preseason.

But hey, Mol, the main thing is they both should excel for Akron. And the fact that we even have the pleasure of debating this should give Miami fans great pause.

[GP1]

Mol, that's the problem with trying to dissect other teams - you probably really don't know all the facts or the history.

Owen's last season the Zips' schedule strength was ranked the 116th out of 117 teams. We played not one, but TWO 1-AA teams, so 7-5 was actually 5-5. We had 17 starters returning. He should have EASILY been 9-3 at the minimum, and probably 10-2. Adding insult to injury, recruiting all but laid down and died those last two years.

The reason the FB team struggled at the beginning this year was almost completely because of Brookhart instituting completely new offensive (West Coast) and defensive schemes. You weren't just teaching your freshmen your system, you were basically reteaching the entire team. In my mind they learned quick. And then, remember, Brookhart went and brought in the number one recruiting class in the MAC.

Thanks for doing my work for me zipper.

However, the basketball team is a much bigger story than the football team was. The football team had a meaningful game at the end of the season which was good and unexpected but as usual, they couldn't win their last game because of a lack of talent... which is on the way. The football team was also a one trick pony. As Biggs went, so went the team. A one game improvement against D-1 teams was better, but I think in time six wins will be expected.

The basketball had such low expectations coming into the season and that is what makes them the biggest story of the two. I don't know much about basketball, but I do know good effort and team work when I see it. KD is getting more out of those kids than even the kids thought they had. That's why the basketball team is the story.

[fan37]

I go mit FB Keith recruited the Fersh ,Soph, & Jrs. We would be lost w/o them. I have known keith since he was GA and really like the guy so would rather vote for him, but JD

has done the more creditable job. Mike Thomas, thank you.

[Captain Kangaroo]

"Who is the better coach?" "Who's having the better season?" It is surreal to be having this debate considering where the teams stood at the end of their respective 2003-4 seasons.

[Zippy989]

CK, you hit the nail on the head!!!

For the first time in a long time, it's great to be a Zip Fan!! :blink:

Bring on Cryami!!

[zipsbandman]

I can't really vote on this until the bball regular season is done. If KD and the gang can finish strong with these last four games, then he has my vote. I may even make my decision if the zips beat J Crew U.

[flipthezip]

I'm tossed up as to which way to go in this decision so I'll just pass and sit back and enjoy the winning seasons. Although I must say, it is nice to be able to have such a debate.