OU-AKRON

[Lee Adams]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

[Zipgrad1990]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

They can't spell Special Teams either. Who's the Special Team's coach, fire Him! (I know its JD so he needs to fire himself).

[Big Zip]

What a freaking waste of a season!!!JD spent all week building up his excuse for losing instead of instilling the right attitude in his team. "They are better than their record, blah, blah, blah" And guess what JD your team is worse than its record. Why does nobody interviewing him ask him the tough question:Why do we still play the 3-3-5 when it stops nothing?Why do your defenses suck every single year?Give the fans one reason why they should look forward to a JD Brookhart coached team next year?Should Mac keep you as the coach of the Zips?What a pathetic year. All we are going to hear about is look at the record -- they were supposed to finish last in the division. Excuses, excuses I didn't listen to the post game did anyone hear the excuses?

[Let'sGoZips94]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

They can't spell Special Teams either. Who's the Special Team's coach, fire Him! (I know its JD so he needs to fire himself).

But we can spell CHOKE! Unbelieveable.

[zipsbandman]

QuestionIf we go 5-7 do you let this coach open up the new stadium and hope JD gets a position as an assistant with an NFL team so you don't have to pay him? This is a mediocre / borderline bad football team, and we are worse than our record. If zip fans get to watch this same garbage again at the new stadium the novelty will quickly wear off and we go back to square one. This is the MAC. Get a coach that can win in this joke of a conference. What more is there to see? We are OU's second MAC victory with the other coming against Can't.

[zippyrifle32]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

They can't spell Special Teams either. Who's the Special Team's coach, fire Him! (I know its JD so he needs to fire himself).

one game we're talking about how great the special teams are (block pat for 2pt safety?) and now they have a bad game and we're calling for the coach's job. we really are pathetic fans.

[GoZips88]

We're a couple of good bounces away from being 3-8 (and those bounces came in games against crap teams Can't and EMU). We're bad.

[UAZipster0305]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

They can't spell Special Teams either. Who's the Special Team's coach, fire Him! (I know its JD so he needs to fire himself).

one game we're talking about how great the special teams are (block pat for 2pt safety?) and now they have a bad game and we're calling for the coach's job. we really are pathetic fans.

It's not just this one game though. It's the fact that we've had the talent to win four other games this season, but continue to make the same mistakes/errors that have prevented us from being put over the top in those contests (i.e. high snaps, in opportune penalties, dropped passes, poor game management, and an unwillingness to try something new when old tactics aren't working...3-3-5). These are all COACHING issues! Given the fact that we were close to winning all of these games proves that we have the talent to be 8-3 or 9-2.I have been a supporter of JD up until now, but I think the Temple game should be make or break for him. Even at 6-6 and bowl eligible, we will not be offered a bowl game and IMO, we don't deserve to one.Other than a couple BCS wins against losey programs, JD has nothing to hang his hat on since the MACC. Yes, we won that game, but even so, we were lucky to be in it given the tie break scenario. Let's not forget that we've had roughly one win every season that shouldn't have been (EMU this year, WMU last year, etc). Take those away and what do you have?Yes, JD has beaten Can't 4 of 5, but this program would really be in the if he hadn't. Given how poor Can't has been, beating them every year is no longer a feather in the cap, but an absolute requirement to continue as coach.

[ZippyforPresident]

one game we're talking about how great the special teams are (block pat for 2pt safety?) and now they have a bad game and we're calling for the coach's job. we really are pathetic fans.Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.

[Zipgrad1990]

how do the Zips spell defense?..they can't...what a damn shame!

They can't spell Special Teams either. Who's the Special Team's coach, fire Him! (I know its JD so he needs to fire himself).

one game we're talking about how great the special teams are (block pat for 2pt safety?) and now they have a bad game and we're calling for the coach's job. we really are pathetic fans.

I wasn't saying fire JD as coach of the team, I meant he needs to fire himself as special teams coach. But you are correct, for the most part he has done a good job with the special teams so far this year other than this game. He does need to find a special teams coach though so he can concentrate on the mess of a defense the zips have.

[Buckzip]

Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.Thanks for stopping by Mrs Brookhart...

[bUAkronG]

Story of the season. Offense tries to keep up with the points the defense gives up and by some miracle we get let back into the game only to have our defense let us down in the end. I have never in my life been ashamed while leaving an Akron football game until tonight. I can't believe I convinced myself to waste my money driving 3 hours away for that.And to fight back to get yourself back into the game only to lose on a botched play that goes for nearly six. Ugh. I am disgusted. I can't give up on JD yet but there needs to be some major work done.*edit* here is a stat that I just discovered on my own. Before the Buffalo game we were 13-0 since 2001 when we've scored at least 40 points. However after today we have now lost two games in a row with 40 points or more. Thus we are now 13-2 since 01. What does that tell you about our defense this year?

[ksu sucks]

*edit* here is a stat that I just discovered on my own. Before the Buffalo game we were 13-0 since 2001 when we've scored at least 40 points. However after today we have now lost two games in a row with 40 points or more. Thus we are now 13-2 since 01. What does that tell you about our defense this year?

Ha. The funny part is I remember posting a comment about this stat before the UB game as a joke. I said something along the lines of "good news is, if we score over 40, we win"Ahh..the irony...the sick, twisted, irony.Edit: btw, great point. That is good support for changing the defensive scheme(as if the play on the field isn't enough..).

[zip37]

I KEEEP TELLING ALL OF YOU. JD IS A SUB-.500 COACH, AND NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT. I GUESS THAT THE HIGHER UPS ARE HAPPY WITH THAT, OR JD WOULD HAVE BEEN GONE AFTER 4 YEARS AND NO PROGRESS.

[johnnyzip84]

I've said from the beginning of the season that 6-6 or better and JD should probably stay and that 4-8 or worse and he should probably go. I've also thought that 5-7 would be the "toss up" record, where Rhodes/Proenza would really have a difficult choice. Given that, here are the conversations that I truly hope takes place this week.Proenza: "Mack, three in a row is something we simply can't tolerate heading into the opening of the Info next season. We can't tolerate losing the last three games of 2008 and we can't tolerate the 2008 season as being the 3rd losing season in a row. Do you understand?"Rhodes: "Yes Dr. Proenza"Rhodes: "It's make or break this week, JD. You need to defeat Temple on Friday, or someone else will be heading the show as we open the Info next year. That's just the way it is. And I have the utmost confidence that you'll do whatever is necessary this week in practice to give us the best chance of accomplishing this."JD: "We'll do what we can. What about the recruits we are already lining up? What about the talented RS class from this year?"Rhodes: "Relax, JD. If you win Friday, you'll get to coach them next year. If not, I believe the Info itself will recruit plenty of talent for the next head coach. And he'll also benefit greatly from this year's RS class. Either way, we certainly appreciate all you've done for UA while you've been here. Now go beat the Owls!"Tune in Next Week for the Next (Final?) Chapter of "As My Stomach Turns"

[skip-zip]

My take...Only out of frustration from a close-game loss do we not listen to what ZippyForPresident (and ZippyRifle) are saying. IT IS THE MAC. Like it or hate it, it's not changing anytime soon. Over time, there are very marginal differences between these teams. Like they say..."sometimes you're the windshield...sometimes you're the bug". A couple of years back, we all picked on Buffalo and Temple as the weakest links...before that it was Ohio and Can't. Now..Buffalo has risen to the top, Ohio has won a title....and the once mighty BG and Miami have now been looking up at most of us for the last couple of years. If someone wants to name me a program besides Marshall that has not flip-flopped from the top of this league to the bottom again, and back around again....over the time they've been in this league, I'd like to hear it. My point here his....as fans, let's criticize the team all we want for poor play...let's get mad at JD for some bad coaching....let's get mad if you don't agree with the defensive scheme. But by all means, please maintain an understanding of where we are. We're in the MAC, where talent is mid-level...(but, I believe, improving), and quite a few teams have a chance to win the league if everything rolls their way on any given year.We've seen some great improvements this year, especially from our QB and Offense...let's not forget about them. And....Don't fool yourselves that there weren't times this year when other coaches were saying "oh gosh..where did Akron come from"? We unexpectedly put ourselves in a position to contend, didn't finish it, and we all share the same frustration. Every one of us was hoping for the best, and losing our voices every Rubber Bowl game, and it didn't work out for us. Next year is another year, and I truly believe that we won't be overlooked as a potential contender in 2009. One more comment...I'm simply not seeing the overwhelming criticism of our special teams. ONE element of the special teams failed us today...in oONE game. It's hard for me to be angry at that, after what they have collectively contributed to this team.

[ZippyforPresident]

Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.Thanks for stopping by Mrs Brookhart...

Hahaha. Well played sir. Well played. Okay, so maybe I over exaggerated just a little with that post. That was an extremely frustrating game.

[GP1]

I've said from the beginning of the season that 6-6 or better and JD should probably stay and that 4-8 or worse and he should probably go. I've also thought that 5-7 would be the "toss up" record, where Rhodes/Proenza would really have a difficult choice. Given that, here are the conversations that I truly hope takes place this week.Proenza: "Mack, three in a row is something we simply can't tolerate heading into the opening of the Info next season. We can't tolerate losing the last three games of 2008 and we can't tolerate the 2008 season as being the 3rd losing season in a row. Do you understand?"Rhodes: "Yes Dr. Proenza"Rhodes: "It's make or break this week, JD. You need to defeat Temple on Friday, or someone else will be heading the show as we open the Info next year. That's just the way it is. And I have the utmost confidence that you'll do whatever is necessary this week in practice to give us the best chance of accomplishing this."JD: "We'll do what we can. What about the recruits we are already lining up? What about the talented RS class from this year?"Rhodes: "Relax, JD. If you win Friday, you'll get to coach them next year. If not, I believe the Info itself will recruit plenty of talent for the next head coach. And he'll also benefit greatly from this year's RS class. Either way, we certainly appreciate all you've done for UA while you've been here. Now go beat the Owls!"Tune in Next Week for the Next (Final?) Chapter of "As My Stomach Turns"

Good mock conversation. I look forward to the final chapter.In my opinion, a lot rides on next week for JD. As I have been posting for three years now, the 3-3-5 defense is junk and the injuries to the DL this year are really starting to become magnified. The defense falls apart every year towards the end of the season because the small players used to play it are too small and beaten up to stop anyone. Throw in the fact that a bunch of young players are playing and the disaster that happened yesterday should be no surprise. I didn't see the game yesterday as I was busy watching Wake Forest continue their late season slide, but my guess is the game went something like this....Step 1: OU calls a play for their option offense.Step 2: Jim Flemming signals in his best guess for the 3-3-5 defense. After all, the 3-3-5 is a guessing game.Step 3: The ball gets snapped and the OU qb gets to see UofA's guess.Step 4: The OU qb adjusts based upon our guess.Step 5: Referee signals first and ten.I want JD to stick around next season under one condition. The 3-3-5 defense has to go. I predicted Akron would go 5-7 this season. If they give up 49 again next week, my prediction will unfortunately be correct. I want badly to be wrong. If they lose again next week, the conversation should sound like this:Mack: "JD, three loses in a row. I need you to make a decision right here and now. Will you get rid of the 3-3-5 defense?"If anything other than "yes" comes out of JD's mouth, he gets the boot. If not, he stays for another year.

[Zip_ME87]

Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.

Sorry, but I disagree. Compare our current loser coach to all the loser coaches before him and all you have is more losing. Don't blame it on the MAC. CMU, WMU, Ball State all find ways to rise to the top of the MAC. Miami has done so, Ohio has done so. Bowling Green has done so. At Akron, people are so used to losing that they just accept it. That is not the way to ever become a winner. A good coach would have motivated his players to perform better than that against the dregs of this Conference.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Take a look at the number of points the O is putting on the board most weeks. Even though Jacq and Bowser drive me nuts, it's pretty hard to argue that the offensive unit is failing this year. On the other hand, the defense has just KILLED us. JD must be forced to address this ridiculous defense in the off season. You all know I've been talking a lot about how cool InfoSumma is going to be. We all have. However, bad team play is not going to cut it for knowledgable NE Ohio football fans who we all want to be attracted to the new facilities. The thing that will turn people off is playing terrible fundamental football, and this defense may single-handedly suck the energy out of the new digs with games like yesterday's. And to those of you who keep on saying "Aw shucks, that's just MAC football" I say horse____. If these programs can build offenses with skill players that put up 30+ points seemingly every week, don't tell me that at least some of these staffs cannot build solid, tackling, fundamental defenses. I will not accept the MAC excuses. Damn it, the university and community are investing substantially in this program. Trotting out a team that scores 30+ but gives up 35+ just will not work anymore. If that means that JD goes bye bye, so be it. Fix it or get the ---- out JD! You can't hide out at the crappy Rubber Bowl anymore, Zips football. You have no choice but to get better or you're going to hear about it from a much larger group than you ever have in the past. The silver lining in this cloud? If you win, if you get better, you'll have many more behind you than you've ever dreamed of in the past. Now un---- yourselves, and that starts with JD and the idiot defensive coordinator (with a special one-time dishonorable mention for Zips special teams yesterday). Go Zips.SeeTeeZip

[michelobdog]

My take...Only out of frustration from a close-game loss do we not listen to what ZippyForPresident (and ZippyRifle) are saying. IT IS THE MAC. Like it or hate it, it's not changing anytime soon. Over time, there are very marginal differences between these teams. Like they say..."sometimes you're the windshield...sometimes you're the bug". A couple of years back, we all picked on Buffalo and Temple as the weakest links...before that it was Ohio and Can't. Now..Buffalo has risen to the top, Ohio has won a title....and the once mighty BG and Miami have now been looking up at most of us for the last couple of years. If someone wants to name me a program besides Marshall that has not flip-flopped from the top of this league to the bottom again, and back around again....over the time they've been in this league, I'd like to hear it. My point here his....as fans, let's criticize the team all we want for poor play...let's get mad at JD for some bad coaching....let's get mad if you don't agree with the defensive scheme. But by all means, please maintain an understanding of where we are. We're in the MAC, where talent is mid-level...(but, I believe, improving), and quite a few teams have a chance to win the league if everything rolls their way on any given year.We've seen some great improvements this year, especially from our QB and Offense...let's not forget about them. And....Don't fool yourselves that there weren't times this year when other coaches were saying "oh gosh..where did Akron come from"? We unexpectedly put ourselves in a position to contend, didn't finish it, and we all share the same frustration. Every one of us was hoping for the best, and losing our voices every Rubber Bowl game, and it didn't work out for us. Next year is another year, and I truly believe that we won't be overlooked as a potential contender in 2009. One more comment...I'm simply not seeing the overwhelming criticism of our special teams. ONE element of the special teams failed us today...in oONE game. It's hard for me to be angry at that, after what they have collectively contributed to this team.

Excellent points. Also, you may think OU sucks. But, the reality is that they probably have the best talent in the league right now. Their problem is that they are also one of the least disciplined teams in the league. Our defensive scheme sucks for sure, but don't tell me that the offense hasn't surprised you this year, especially Jacq. I was upset when he was named the starter in the beginning of the year. After last year's performance, I thought "oh, God." But, he and the offense (and coaches) deserve credit for turning things up a notch. Hopefully next year they will turn it up yet another notch.

[ZippyTuba11]

Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.

Sorry, but I disagree. Compare our current loser coach to all the loser coaches before him and all you have is more losing. Don't blame it on the MAC. CMU, WMU, Ball State all find ways to rise to the top of the MAC. Miami has done so, Ohio has done so. Bowling Green has done so. At Akron, people are so used to losing that they just accept it. That is not the way to ever become a winner. A good coach would have motivated his players to perform better than that against the dregs of this Conference.

So lets go replace him. And if the new guy doesn't work out soon enough, lets replace him. And if the new guy doesn't do what we want, replace him. Same goes for the quarterback. Oh wait...this is not the Browns.I'm with you on not accepting failure. But lets not replace everyone who makes a mistake. This team is close to being that perennial MAC powerhouse. And JD is the one that has gotten them there. Now he needs to make the proper adjustments and get the proper recruits to push us over the edge.We have already see a look at the 4-3. The defense is obviously going to be the focus in the off season this year. I bet we'll see a number of other adjustments next year and I will be excited to come out and watch this team next season to see if they can get over the hump.

[zipsbandman]

KD said it in his press conference. We got to think bigger than the MAC. Screw the MAC. It's a joke conference that's taking us nowhere. We have a huge huge opportunity to grow our fan base and generate some buzz around this program, and we are blowing it. I'm looking at the excitement being generated by our soccer team and I'm amazed. We sent three buses of students down to Columbus to cheer AGAINST the Buckeyes. Thank goodness for our soccer team. And now I'm thinking, man what if our football team....? Look at what Caleb Porter, Keith Dambrot, Dennis Mitchell, and some other UA coaches are doing around here while the guy who gets paid more than all of them continues to field a team that can barely beat fellow MAC schools. This team makes fundamental mistakes. They have the consistency of a high school squad. We need to stop accepting mediocracy. If the next coach can't get it done you fire his butt too. This is a business. We need to sell tickets to remain a viable 1-A school and pay off a stadium.

[skip-zip]

michelobdog....you and I are certainly on the same page in many respects. I don't want people to forget this. Whatever happened during the offseason, our coaches turned a bad offense (it even turned bad during the last year of the Getsy era) into a very productive unit. And the majority of them will be back again. And from what I've heard from a number of inside sources, Jac is our best QB...the coaches stuck with him...and it paid off for us this year in a big way.The defense. I urge everyone get off of this mindset about the scheme. Is anyone really implying that JD does not have his best 11 defenders in the game? And if he does not, why would he do that? Come on. As we've discussed many, many, many times....we do not have big playmakers right now on that side of the ball. John Mackey and Brion Stokes will not magically appear again. But, I hope we have some guys who will start to fill those kinds of roles very, very soon. I couldn't care less what kind of scheme we play.....we need guys who can make the plays.ZippyTuba...I like your comments. MAC teams do not shuffle coaches. They simply do not have that luxury...financially...like some of the upper echilon schools do. Owens stayed here for 8 years despite a record of 20+ under the .500 mark. For this very reason, MAC coaches tend to have much longer tenures...unless, of course, they are hugely successful and get offers from bigger programs.

[Zip_ME87]

Wholly agreed. Those that want to go fire JD can go eat it. Boo hoo. Sorry crybabies but he really is a decent coach. Lets play the game of reality. We are a mediocre team in a mid major conference.... what is it that you think we're going to do? Play for a BCS title? Let's get real. JD is the best coach that Akron has ever seen in it's MAC era and we're lucky to have him. This team really does have a lot of potential despite our "crap" record. I know the past two games were uber disappointing but welcome to life in the MAC. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes... Hats off to OU. Way to find motivation to win a game that meant nothing to you when it meant everything to us. Go cats.

Sorry, but I disagree. Compare our current loser coach to all the loser coaches before him and all you have is more losing. Don't blame it on the MAC. CMU, WMU, Ball State all find ways to rise to the top of the MAC. Miami has done so, Ohio has done so. Bowling Green has done so. At Akron, people are so used to losing that they just accept it. That is not the way to ever become a winner. A good coach would have motivated his players to perform better than that against the dregs of this Conference.

So lets go replace him. And if the new guy doesn't work out soon enough, lets replace him. And if the new guy doesn't do what we want, replace him. Same goes for the quarterback. Oh wait...this is not the Browns.I'm with you on not accepting failure. But lets not replace everyone who makes a mistake. This team is close to being that perennial MAC powerhouse. And JD is the one that has gotten them there. Now he needs to make the proper adjustments and get the proper recruits to push us over the edge.We have already see a look at the 4-3. The defense is obviously going to be the focus in the off season this year. I bet we'll see a number of other adjustments next year and I will be excited to come out and watch this team next season to see if they can get over the hump.

Ok, I'll agree with you that I don't want to keep replacing people over and over...we'll get nowhere with that. JD talks about bringing in people to talk to and motivate his team; perhaps Mack needs to bring in some folks to motivate his coaching staff. I just don't get the feel of a winning attitude. Look at our home record this year. I sure hope next year that JD emphasizes over and over that we must defend our home field (Infocision). It has to be a place where other MAC teams dread coming...not because it's a crap place like the Rubber Bowl, but because the Zips put the hurt on you. He also needs to go into a season with the attitude that we are going to win the MAC and not just do better than the "MAC media" believes. The media doesn't give a crap about the MAC...there is no analysis behind their picks.