JD: Fire him?

[UAZipster0305]

One program is showing some signs of progress, and two of them have not.It's that simple.

Unfortunately, that program is UB.

[skip-zip]

Trimmy...please read posts a little more carefully. I'm talking about why BG and Miami are changing coaches, and Akron is not.

[UAZipster0305]

Trimmy...please read posts a little more carefully. I'm talking about why BG and Miami are changing coaches, and Akron is not.

skip-zip, I understand the context of your post, but disagree with how optimistically you compare our program. UA football success should be relative to current MAC champions and rising programs (UB). Not the falling ones (BGSU and Miami). You must be a Browns fan too.Nothing personal.

[skip-zip]

Actually...never been a Browns fan. I just wanted to be clear about this being a comparison of a situation where teams lose their coach, and why we will not.

[InTheZone]

[RUMPLEMINTZ]

Forget the importance of next year. J.D. has not earned the right to continue. He has mis-used coaches (fire Fleming), mis-used philosophy (3-3-5), mis-used talent (Jacq under pressure, wideout drops, special teams, last three games, etc) and failed to lead (lost 4 games that should have been won ( Temple, BG, UC, Buffalo). These are the same issues we have talked about before and after the last two seasons. Nothing has changed and a new stadium will not bring a diferent style of coaching. Only a new coach will bring that. Make the change to get better. The present coach has shown he can't do it left to his own devices. He has had a fair shot. Time for a change, if we can afford to eat his contract.

Dude, your spewing rhetoric out your pie hole and I say that because you don't have a clue about what your saying!!!!!!! Obviously, you weren't at the game and you simply speculate; meaning your just a guy that does not know very much about football. That defense was lights out on Friday afternoon.......I thought it was the best play defensive play calling all year...how can a defense be continuously put on a short field and shut them down over and over and over again and have some "guy" talk crap. Keep on spewing......there must be someone listening to you for you to talk as senseless as you do. Sure ain't anyone that went to the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tbozeglav]

I voted to not fire him.Simply put, considering the number of coaches who have been canned in the MAC this year and the number of coaches in general throughout the NCAA that have been canned, it's not a good time for UA to get rid of JD. I am not saying JD is a good coach, but that if we were to get rid of him, it would make it next to impossible for us to get a good replacement. I believe that JD should be the coach next year, but that anything less than a winning season and a bowl game is reason for him to go. Like others have pointed out, he has showed improvement since he started here, but I think it is time we move forward as a program and begin demanding success overall than small spurts of success. If JD cannot provide us with a successful season next year, especially in the new stadium, it's time for him to go as that would show he doesn't have it in him to take the program to the next level where we become a consistent power in the MAC. I want Akron to be contending for MAC championships every year, but I don't think JD is the man that will do it. We need to bite the bullet for one more season and see if he's got anything left in him. Next season is do-or-die for him and I hope he knows that there's a fire raging under his a$$. Hopefully that will spur DC changes so we aren't subjected to the horror that is the 3-3-5.

[ZachTheZip]

If we were to fire JD, our options would come down to an unproven coach from a lower division or one of the fired BCS coaches. I don't like those choices, especially given the number of teams competing for head coaches this winter.Tennessee hired former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin to be their new HC. Not sure how that will work out for them

[johnnyzip84]

If we were to fire JD, our options would come down to an unproven coach from a lower division or one of the fired BCS coaches. I don't like those choices, especially given the number of teams competing for head coaches this winter.Tennessee hired former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin to be their new HC. Not sure how that will work out for them

Agreed! That seems like a huge stretch to me. I wonder what Nebraska fans would say? Can you say CALLAHAN!

[Dr Z]

The Zips gave up 400 yards a game to our opponents. How can you win games like that?While I don't think JD is the problem, he has to make a change on defense. If he is too stubborn to do so,then I am for a HC change. I don't think I can watch another season of teams walking down the field on us, shinny new stadium or not.I voted keep him, and am hoping for a change on our "defense" (I use that term loosely)PS Congrats to Kennedy, 17 td's, six 100 yard games, 5.5 avg was quite an accomplishment on this team. Hats off to the O-line as well.Half of me wonders how many wins we would have had going under center, playing two TE and a FB and pounding the ball.Never mind, you need a good D to do that. We have to play a high risk offense to compete.

[ZachTheZip]

Anybody change their minds? Right now there is no competition in the coaching merry-go-round.

[Dr Z]

Anybody change their minds? Right now there is no competition in the coaching merry-go-round.

Nope, I still agree with me.

[johnnyzip84]

Anybody change their minds? Right now there is no competition in the coaching merry-go-round.

Nope, I still agree with me.

I still agree with me as well. But since it didn't happen at the end of last season, I think it shouldn't happen until the end of this season. I'll be rooting for a turnaround regardless. I just thinks it's nearly unfathomable at this point. As another poster pointed out on an other thread, the team's general body language told the whole story for me yesterday. I don't know how you change something like that over the next 2 months.

[cornbread]

Do not fire JD.The offense needs to figure out a way to stay on the field and give the Defense a break. That contributed alot to the lopsidded numbers CMU put up against our defense. Note that we had stuffed Cotton most of the game. If this keeps up, and the defense keeps playing 1.5 games of football every time they step on the field, then you are going to see more tired defensive play and more injuries accumulate. I want to run the ball at people. I want a fullbacklined up in front of Torrence, and handoff to the side of the formation with a Tight End. Nothing could be better to soothe the lineman's frayed ego's than a crushing, run-orientated attack.

[mivid12]

Do not fire JD.The offense needs to figure out a way to stay on the field and give the Defense a break. That contributed alot to the lopsidded numbers CMU put up against our defense. Note that we had stuffed Cotton most of the game. If this keeps up, and the defense keeps playing 1.5 games of football every time they step on the field, then you are going to see more tired defensive play and more injuries accumulate. I want to run the ball at people. I want a fullbacklined up in front of Torrence, and handoff to the side of the formation with a Tight End. Nothing could be better to soothe the lineman's frayed ego's than a crushing, run-orientated attack.

you brookhart apologists are sickening....shouldn't even be a question mark....

[flipthezip]

Make the move today!!! You have an off week to make the transition and get ahead of the curve in looking for a new coach. The program is nearing a complete meltdown. Under his watch we have lost scholarships - academics, have dismissed the starting quarterback and a suspended a DL becuase of assault charges - discipline and character, suspended an assistant coach for potential recruiting violations - lack of institutional control, and lastly we aren't winning - coaching.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

I say dump him today as well. I want to see a "statement firing" by the university. The statement: this season is lost and we all know it. Damn you JD for sucking so hard and ruining the inaugural season at Infocision. We will not accept the product you have put on the field. We're swapping coaches now, and if we continue to lose this season, guess what, we're still going to blame you. Any kids who don't like the firing or who don't perform from here on out, you can pack your bags too. This team has given up. This program is going to change its culture 180 degrees, and any losers who aren't ready to get on board, get the hell out.I liken it to the SF 49ers, who brought in Mike Singletary (sp?) mid-season last year, and you know what, that team still sucked and there was a huge amount of turmoil in the locker room the rest of the season. He basically threw players out to the street who weren't prepared to go with his program, like right now. This season, the 49ers look like an entirely different team, a completely different football culture, already. His deal? You accept my system, you play your damned heart out every play, we are going to be difference-makers. You don't accept ANY of that, get the hell out of my locker room, right now. Many of the posters here are fans who will buy tix and cheer the team regardless of their suckitude. As an aside, Sorry fellas, but I gotta say too that for those of you who religiously attended games at the Rubber Bowl I think you were nuts, almost suckers for putting up with such crappy football in such a nasty, decrepit facility. A little but of Stockholm Syndrome going on there? Anyway, posters here are generally the outliers. The average Akronite, who may have bought season tix for this year because of the Info, IS GOING TO WALK AWAY AFTER THIS YEAR if this team doesn't give them some reason to keep coming. You think 18K was bad? It'll be 12K before you know it with this team. We all want, need, deserve better. JD needs to go, and needs to be sent with malice.STZ

[RACER]

if jd cannot win six games in the worst confernce in d-1 then he needs to go at the end of the year.four losing season is plenty.if jd was at bcs school he have been gone last year.

[Buckzip]

No coach is going to accept a job during the season. The only thing would be if it was internal. Then it would only be the infamous interim title. That will not help the program in the long run.

[akronad]

If and I stress if things get worse(how can they), I still would not fire JD until the end of the season. Who are you going to bring in? Will it change the program? All I can hoe for now, if for the Zips to get their heads out of the butts and start playing football.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

What exactly are you guys hoping for by keeping JD instead of firing him? Maybe one more win, for a grand total of two for the season? Accept it: we may very well go 0-fer the rest of season, with or without JD. Hell, let Okruch or one of the Offensive coaches (Harris, Montgomery) carry on the suckitude. Make a statement. That statement says that we are not going to allow you to be a part of the UA football program and suck anus. If that means we have to blow it up, OK. We're still going to blame it all on you JD but at least the fans and players will know that UA is GOING TO FIND A WAY TO WIN. STZ

[johnnyzip84]

What exactly are you guys hoping for by keeping JD instead of firing him? Maybe one more win, for a grand total of two for the season? Accept it: we may very well go 0-fer the rest of season, with or without JD. Hell, let Okruch or one of the Offensive coaches (Harris, Montgomery) carry on the suckitude. Make a statement. That statement says that we are not going to allow you to be a part of the UA football program and suck anus. If that means we have to blow it up, OK. We're still going to blame it all on you JD but at least the fans and players will know that UA is GOING TO FIND A WAY TO WIN. STZ

If we are really concerned about the long term success of the program, there is really nothing to gain by firing JD immediately. A petty attempt at retribution will do no good for anyone. The Info itself is a visible enough reminder of the commitment this adminstration has towards the football program. In fact, I would argue that overly harsh treatment of a current HC will only serve to scare some potential candidates away.The only scenario I can see for making the move immediately is if you already have "your guy" on staff (like KD under Hip). While I've liked what Okruch has apparently brought to the team, one has to wonder why he hasn't been offered a HC gig after all these years. And I believe HC experience at some level could be a perceived requirement by the administration. I'm in the camp that thinks Harris would not be interested (and I'm fine with that). As far as Montgomery goes, I'm beginnning to see why the sweaters look at him as the guy who tried to turn the cradle (of coaches) into the grave Looking back, Shane's big accomplishment that lead him to being names Miam's HC was his time as Miami's OC from 2001-2004. Gee, I think just about anyone could have had success given the QB they had during most of that time. So, no thanks. In summary, I don't see "THE guy" on this staff.

[MDZip]

I will reserve all judgment until the season is over. Regardless of how many want the King's head, taking it now and letting the prince take over doesn't do much good. Pretty discouraging so far but let's at least see how the season plays out. Then rational decsions can be made instead of those made in the heat of the moment. That's means don't fire him now.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

How rational is it though to allow the stench to grow the rest of the way? Isn't that the definition of irrationality, to allow this team, and the fans that UA hopes to entice with Infocision, to become tainted by the same stench of failure that has sullied the program over the years? Imagine they win one game or so the rest of the way. How many season tix do you think UA will sell for next season? What will that do for recruiting? What looks worse to a player coming in from HS? A lame duck loser who is destined to be fired when all the other firings are going on and there is a mad scramble for head coaches happening, or an interim coach who is losing but is doing so within an environment that will no longer tolerate crappy football long term. I'd rather see the commitment made NOW, rather than waiting to the end of the season. That would also give UA a leg up on identifying and targeting their new head coach. Waiting until the end of the season is the same old crappy Akron football product. Ho Hum. It tells me that the administration is OK taking my money for season tickets and just letting the crappy year play out, perhaps without another win. Even if Wistrcill allows JD to finish out the season, announce it NOW that he will not be back, and let us know that this is a new era. Losing and mediocrity will no longer be tolerated. Show US that UA cares as much about quality college football as we do. Major college programs and their boosters simply do not sit around and hope for the best. They make it happen. ADs and boosters at major programs are ruthless and will destroy the head coach when things go badly. It's amazing at this point that JD isn't lustily booed every time this team takes the field. Some of you call for calm, waiting to see how things play out. Is that the reasonable approach or have some of you just become mired in the old UA apathetic mode of crappy ball? Some of you really are like beaten spouses. Is it really "emotional" to want to actually see decent football from this team? Is it really rational to continue to trot to the stadium, for this? This team is getting beaten down, worse and worse each game. Their loss to a MAC team was FAR worse in quantity and quality than their loss to Penn State was. They are spiraling downward each week. Remember too that ultimately the only reason for football in its present incarnation, college included, is to generate revenue by providing entertainment to its fans. We are the fans. How many of you are entertained by what you see at UA this year? How many of you feel as though your entertainment dollars have been well-spent watching this football team? If they don't entertain, if they don't play exciting ball and win some, if they don't sell tickets, there is really no reason for them to be on the field. If JD hasn't been able to make that happen after all these years, it's time to go. Now. Come on Tom. Show us something. You took the job, you want to take this program somewhere special. Make it happen. Keep us interested.STZ

[Lee Adams]

I say dump him today as well. I want to see a "statement firing" by the university. The statement: this season is lost and we all know it. Damn you JD for sucking so hard and ruining the inaugural season at Infocision. We will not accept the product you have put on the field. We're swapping coaches now, and if we continue to lose this season, guess what, we're still going to blame you. Any kids who don't like the firing or who don't perform from here on out, you can pack your bags too. This team has given up. This program is going to change its culture 180 degrees, and any losers who aren't ready to get on board, get the hell out.I liken it to the SF 49ers, who brought in Mike Singletary (sp?) mid-season last year, and you know what, that team still sucked and there was a huge amount of turmoil in the locker room the rest of the season. He basically threw players out to the street who weren't prepared to go with his program, like right now. This season, the 49ers look like an entirely different team, a completely different football culture, already. His deal? You accept my system, you play your damned heart out every play, we are going to be difference-makers. You don't accept ANY of that, get the hell out of my locker room, right now. Many of the posters here are fans who will buy tix and cheer the team regardless of their suckitude. As an aside, Sorry fellas, but I gotta say too that for those of you who religiously attended games at the Rubber Bowl I think you were nuts, almost suckers for putting up with such crappy football in such a nasty, decrepit facility. A little but of Stockholm Syndrome going on there? Anyway, posters here are generally the outliers. The average Akronite, who may have bought season tix for this year because of the Info, IS GOING TO WALK AWAY AFTER THIS YEAR if this team doesn't give them some reason to keep coming. You think 18K was bad? It'll be 12K before you know it with this team. We all want, need, deserve better. JD needs to go, and needs to be sent with malice.STZ

:blink: just so we stay away from the personal stuff...EVERYBODY is frustrated...i am sure brookhart is frustrated..for a fact he was big time nervous going in to the season...why has this looked so bad?...on the offensive side maybe we are seeing why Montgomery's teams were not very productive at miami after BR left,especially recently...yes the defense has been on the field but sometimes a defense has to win a game or two..this D is what is has been for years...i said before, brookhart had to come out of the buffalo game with at least 2 conference wins...they have to beat ou and ub to have any chance...no matter what don't see the AD letting him go mid season UNLESS he wants to send a real early message about the job opening...i doubt if, a change is made after the season that anybody on the staff now gets the job...the new AD is going to bring in his own people...here's hoping the next 2 are wins...if not Brian Kelly are you out there?