Looks Like Mack Is Keeping His Word

[Captain Kangaroo]

A couple times during the season JD mentioned his back-to-back dismal recruiting classes of 2005 and 2006, and discussions he had with Mack. He alluded to Mack agreeing to his plan to right the ship and get things back on track. If you look around the country, the popular thing to do is can a sub .500 coach after 5 years, especially after three consecutive sub .500 seasons. Especially if you are the young, up-and-coming, looking-for-the-next-job-UA-is-just-a-stepping-stone AD. Especially if the aforementioned coach wasn't your hire.Like the decision to keep JD, or not, you have to appreciate Mack sticking by him. It pretty much defies every possible precedent. We'll find out next season if he made the right call. I'm on record as saying he did. If I'm wrong, InTheZone will let me know.

[zippyrifle32]

did I miss something? was there some announcement that JD was going to be kept? Not going to argue whether he should or shouldn't be fired, but I don't think he will.

Especially if you are the young, up-and-coming, looking-for-the-next-job-UA-is-just-a-stepping-stone AD.

and I will go on record saying that we're going to have Mack for a while.

[Zip Watcher]

did I miss something? was there some announcement that JD was going to be kept?

Wondering the same thing here .. haven't really heard a vote of confidence yet.

and I will go on record saying that we're going to have Mack for a while.

And I'll go on record in saying that if / when the day comes where we're in the market for a new AD, we're total fools if KD isn't the first guy offered the gig.

[Zips Win!]

did I miss something? was there some announcement that JD was going to be kept?

Wondering the same thing here .. haven't really heard a vote of confidence yet.

and I will go on record saying that we're going to have Mack for a while.

And I'll go on record in saying that if / when the day comes where we're in the market for a new AD, we're total fools if KD isn't the first guy offered the gig.

I'm all for getting the right guy for the job and I would definitely support a UA guy to do it, however KD needs to coach basketball, period.No way would I want KD to do both....

[skip-zip]

WOW.....I'm doubting that KD would just give up his long journey to get back to major college coaching to take an administrative job. As far as an announcement that we are keeping JD....does anyone recall that this type of thing is very common? I actually expected that we would hear nothing. Captain....nice analysis. You are right that coaches who were not hired by the current AD seem to always be on a shorter leash. But, it appears Mack believes in continuity, and the direction that JD is headed, and doesn't want to take the risk of a setback, which is now a likely scenario at BG and Miami. I believe that JD is the right man for Akron...that we showed many signs of improvement this year...and that the fruits of his labor will become even more evident next season.

[InTheZone]

If I'm wrong, InTheZone will let me know.

OOOOhh, if you're looking for something you can count on in life, it will be that! :DI'll be letting you AND Mack know about it.But hell, for the sake of the program, I hope youre right. I just haven't seen anything, even in the MAC Championship year, since JD's been here that would make me think he's anything but a sub-par coach trying to bs his way around while learning on the fly.

[Zip Watcher]

WOW.....I'm doubting that KD would just give up his long journey to get back to major college coaching to take an administrative job.

First off, I hope it's a long time before this discussion becomes real. I like Mack & think he's doing great for the Zips.Not saying that at all. I'm saying there's not anyone we could find that would have a better feel & passion for UA Athletics than KD. He's been there as a player in a non-revenue generating sport, he's aware of the Academic ends and goals of the U .. and he's the head man at one of the key sports on campus. No one cares more than KD for the Zips .. and he'd be a good shepherd for the Department as a whole. Listen to his comments about the Soccer team on the radio last weekend, and you'll start to get it.The model would need to change .. instead of hiring a new AD, you promote KD to AD while he remains HC. But the AD support staff would grow to enable him to do both jobs. He'd need more "guys" than a normal AD .. but the budget would be there with minimal increase.It's not unheard of. Tressel was both HC & AD at YSU for several years. I think Perles was both AD & HC at Michigan State for a time.Just sayin .. KD would do a great job as AD.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

A couple times during the season JD mentioned his back-to-back dismal recruiting classes of 2005 and 2006, and discussions he had with Mack. He alluded to Mack agreeing to his plan to right the ship and get things back on track. If you look around the country, the popular thing to do is can a sub .500 coach after 5 years, especially after three consecutive sub .500 seasons. Especially if you are the young, up-and-coming, looking-for-the-next-job-UA-is-just-a-stepping-stone AD. Especially if the aforementioned coach wasn't your hire.Like the decision to keep JD, or not, you have to appreciate Mack sticking by him. It pretty much defies every possible precedent. We'll find out next season if he made the right call. I'm on record as saying he did. If I'm wrong, InTheZone will let me know.

As will Lee Adams....STZ

[Valpo Zip]

I don't like the idea of KD being the AD, not because he's not qualified or anything like that. If it was about the qualities of KD, i would trust him as the university president but the thing is that i will let him do what he does best and that's coaching and recruiting.I really hope those guys will stick around for a long time: (listed without any order)1 - Dr. Luis Proenza2 - Ted Curtis3 - Caleb Porter4 - Keith Dambrot5 - Jeff Boals6 - Will Kolman7 - Chad WelkerMack Rhoades was on list before the NW game thing. Seeing what happened there, i am not sure if he is such a catch anymore.

[Zipsrifle]

I don't like the idea of KD being the AD, not because he's not qualified or anything like that. If it was about the qualities of KD, i would trust him as the university president but the thing is that i will let him do what he does best and that's coaching and recruiting.I really hope those guys will stick around for a long time: (listed without any order)1 - Dr. Luis Proenza2 - Ted Curtis3 - Caleb Porter4 - Keith Dambrot5 - Jeff Boals6 - Will Kolman7 - Chad WelkerMack Rhoades was on list before the NW game thing. Seeing what happened there, i am not sure if he is such a catch anymore.

I actually thought Mack did about all he could do in the NW situation. In the end, I think Akron either went to Chicago or we would forfeit regardless of what Mack did....it was an NCAA decision. As for KD being the AD....I would give it to the guy if it was needed to keep him here. Otherwise, let him coach BB!

[zippyrifle32]

I actually thought Mack did about all he could do in the NW situation. In the end, I think Akron either went to Chicago or we would forfeit regardless of what Mack did....it was an NCAA decision.

agreed. last.

[johnnyzip84]

I actually thought Mack did about all he could do in the NW situation. In the end, I think Akron either went to Chicago or we would forfeit regardless of what Mack did....it was an NCAA decision.

agreed. last.

STZ, are you gonna just sit there and take that?

[johnnyzip84]

Watching Lousyville get ripped 49-0 in the 1st HALF at Rutgers is making me appreciate the close losses of this season just a wee bit more. I was having flushbacks to Owens 1st trip to Oxford, a game in which the Sweaters were actually taking KNEES BEFORE HALFTIME.I also can't help but think that the extreme turmoil in the college coaching profession at season's close is helping JD's case. I'm still not thrilled about having him come back, but in this particular climate it might be the prudent decision.

[Zips Win!]

WOW.....I'm doubting that KD would just give up his long journey to get back to major college coaching to take an administrative job.

First off, I hope it's a long time before this discussion becomes real. I like Mack & think he's doing great for the Zips.Not saying that at all. I'm saying there's not anyone we could find that would have a better feel & passion for UA Athletics than KD. He's been there as a player in a non-revenue generating sport, he's aware of the Academic ends and goals of the U .. and he's the head man at one of the key sports on campus. No one cares more than KD for the Zips .. and he'd be a good shepherd for the Department as a whole. Listen to his comments about the Soccer team on the radio last weekend, and you'll start to get it.The model would need to change .. instead of hiring a new AD, you promote KD to AD while he remains HC. But the AD support staff would grow to enable him to do both jobs. He'd need more "guys" than a normal AD .. but the budget would be there with minimal increase.It's not unheard of. Tressel was both HC & AD at YSU for several years. I think Perles was both AD & HC at Michigan State for a time.Just sayin .. KD would do a great job as AD.

Again, I have to strongly disagree about KD. Yes, I like what Mack is doing, but we let's face it, the first option that comes up for Mack to leave and double his salary, he will be gone. This may be next year or in three years, who knows. Then his replacement will come in and do the same.Getting a person dedicated to UA who wants to stay would be ideal. KD is just not that guy, no matter who you surround him with. I understand his ties to UA and his love for soccer, but that's probably because they are a winning, highly rated team. If we were a 0.500 club, not sure he would like soccer as much.The AD at UA has by my count six very important deciscions to make over the course of their tenure. (in no particular order)When to fire the basketball coach.Who to hire as his replacement.When to fire the football coach.Who to hire as his replacement.When to fire the soccer coach.Who to hire as his replacement.KD would not be the person to monitor this and make the right calls and would not be a great AD while being the head mens basketball coach. His only job needs to be coaching/recruiting basketball players.

[Zip Watcher]

Again, I have to strongly disagree about KD. Yes, I like what Mack is doing, but we let's face it, the first option that comes up for Mack to leave and double his salary, he will be gone. This may be next year or in three years, who knows. Then his replacement will come in and do the same.Getting a person dedicated to UA who wants to stay would be ideal. KD is just not that guy, no matter who you surround him with. I understand his ties to UA and his love for soccer, but that's probably because they are a winning, highly rated team. If we were a 0.500 club, not sure he would like soccer as much.The AD at UA has by my count six very important deciscions to make over the course of their tenure. (in no particular order)When to fire the basketball coach.Who to hire as his replacement.When to fire the football coach.Who to hire as his replacement.When to fire the soccer coach.Who to hire as his replacement.KD would not be the person to monitor this and make the right calls and would not be a great AD while being the head mens basketball coach. His only job needs to be coaching/recruiting basketball players.

Wow ZW! is your axe sharp yet? Calling KD a front runner for Zips soccer!!!? Are you sure?So if your list is accurate, and those are the 6 things the AD does ... doesn't he have PLENTY of time to keep up with the hoops gig?It's a moot point .. I didn't mean to derail a FB thread with such controversy. Mack's our AD .. and until that changes .. I keep them on: B) B)