Golf Coach Fired

[KingZip]

Men's Golf Coach Contract Not Renewed

Steve Parker just completed his sixth season as Zips' coach

May 20, 2005

AKRON, Ohio - The contract of University of Akron head men's golf coach Steve Parker will not be renewed for the 2005-06 season, director of athletics Mike Thomas announced Friday.

Parker just completed his sixth season at Akron, leading the Zips to a sixth-place finish in the 10-team 2005 Mid-American Conference Championships earlier this month.

"We appreciate Steve's efforts over the last six years, but I didn't feel the program was making sufficient progress to compete consistently at a high level," Thomas said. "We have some of the best facilities in the country and we're looking for our golf program to compete among the best in the MAC and in the nation."

The Zips struggled to a 10th-place showing in the 2004 MAC Championships after finishing sixth in 2003 and ninth in 2002.

A three-year letterwinner at Can't State and team captain as a senior in 1989, Parker became Akron's first full-time men's golf coach in May 1999.

Following his career at Can't State, Parker played competitively on the mini-tour, Hogan Tour and various PGA events. He served as a teaching professional at Brookledge Golf Club and Academy in Cuyahoga Falls, prior to his arrival at Akron.

A national search for Parker's replacement will begin immediately.

[Zipsrifle]

Well, IMO Thomas has done a pretty good job so far when it comes to replacing coaches. He wasn’t cutting it so lets get someone new in there.

[Z.I.P.]

Not sure if we can say there was NO progress under Steve Parker of Cannot State. This year's team could be called the best in UA history -- though that's clearly nothing to write home about. Blake Sattler is one of the MAC's top players, and there's at least one top recruit expected for next year, who could be in the team's top three immediately. On the other hand, Mike has the facts right in the press release. They haven't moved into MAC title contention yet. Personally, I would have waited another year, but like some other coaches with which we are familiar (snicker, snicker), that might be one year too many. Every coach on campus knows the pressure: Win or you're gone.

Am i correct though, that MT has yet to release a coach who he hired in his first four(?) years in the helm? The time is coming where we will find out whether the standards for his predecessors' hires are the same as those for his own. Coaches in tennis, volleyball, baseball, and womens' basketball are very much under the gun -- or should be given the recent history. I'm sure they all can see the writing on the wall.

Good luck and Go Zips!

[zipper]

Volleyball is almost always pretty successful. Baseball just advanced to the MAC tournament for the first time in years.

If I am correct, Thomas has hired women's basketball, football, men's basketball, and softball. Any others?

[Big Zip]

I think Parker already stayed too long in this job.

I've said for years -- playing your home meets at Firestone should have been enough to attract top talent. Herb Page is successful and he doesn't have anything with reputation or prestige of Firestone....they have him. It sounded to me like Parker never coached a team prior to this....that seems like a bad move. I hope the new coach has some experience when he get here instead of learning on the job.

[zipalong]

MT also hired women's soccer coach who has not been very successful. Understand the players don't care for her, but haven't complained to admin.

[zipper]

I could be wrong about this, but I'm pretty sure Thomas didn't hire the women's soccer coach. I think he inherited her, but just barely. Women's bb was his first hire, right?

[Captain Kangaroo]

MT also hired women's soccer coach who has not been very successful. Understand the players don't care for her, but haven't complained to admin.

I think the UA women's soccer program is only a couple years old. That's a tough position to put a coach in. You honestly can't expect to win much for at least 5-6 years. Akron's name/reputation as a solid soccer school, and the promise of immediate playing time should have helped to recruit and build a competitive program by that time.

[zipboy]

I think Heisel hired the womens coach. Starting womens soccer was his baby. BZ said about 2 years ago that golf was horrendous. I have no problems with the firing. If you look at the programs today . . .

Football - JD looks like the real deal. MT hire

Men BB - I love Dambrot. MT hire

Wom BB - I hope Kennedy turns it around soon. If the incoming FR aren't players, she is in trouble. MT hire

Baseball - Finally made some progress this year. I expect a little more. MT hire

Men Soccer - the most successful of Akron sports. Hopefully football and mens bb supplant soccer in the near future due to their hoped success. A Jim Dennison or Mike Bobinski hire?

Wom Socc - You still give her 5 years to win - Heisel hire?

Swimming - great start and now pretty mediocre. Can they move up to the next level? I think Mike Bobinski hire

Golf - always underperformed, Heisel hire?

Softball - 1 year in the program too early to tell - MT hire. Prior coach was Bobinski hire?

Womens track/CC - probably the biggest turnaround from where they were 10 years ago. Mitchell is awesome. Maybe a Bobinski hire?

Men track/CC - used to be horrible and at least now competitive

Wom tennis - the worst program in the dept even more so than Wom BB. Not sure if this was a MT hire. Tony is probably the next to go.

Rifle - They kick a$$. Hired by Red Cochran? Newt has been around a long time.

Wom volleyball - Very good program, always top tier in the league. I like Sweitzer a lot. I think a Bobinski hire.