a-zip Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Things are good, hate to bring in anything bad but................... We have a hot young coach who has shown a great talent for recruiting, motivating and strategy. What are the chances we are able to keep him long term and what would it take? OR will he be another contribution from the "Cradle of Coaches, MAC". I am not sure what his contract looks like but with all the momentum we have going in ALL sports it would be a major setback to lose him. Sure would be nice to have stability with JD and Dambrot, we could really have something! Oh yea, Mike Thomas has got to be a hot candidate too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 JD is a very young man for his position. He has a wife and three young children. If he takes a job for $1 million instead of the $150,000, or whatever Akron is paying, he has a moral obligation to take the $1 million. He would set his family up for life. I say after JD wins the MAC in the next two years, he will be gone to another school. When Akron builds another football stadium, something in that stadium needs to be named after Mike Thomas. He has created a real first class culture in the Athletic Department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsbandman Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 As bad as Pitt has been doing, you got to wonder if that could affect us. If Wanstedt is canned, wouldn't JD be a pretty strong candidate? We really need this new stadium to get rolling. If in fact we lose JD, we need to have something to sell an attractive candidate besides nice practice facilities. You can look at OU landing someone like Frank Solich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 He's coached a full 1.2 seasons of college football. The Zips haven't won a damn thing. They haven't won a championship. They haven't beat a real BCS team (beating teams like Rutgers, Army or Temple don't count as marquee BCS wins). JD isn't going anywhere soon. Look at Toledo. Miami. BG. Those teams stay atop the MAC despite losing coaches. The day JD ultimately leaves, we'll be fine so long as we have the commitment from the top. I remember everyone freaking out about the QB position this year..."How will we ever replace Frye?" Worrying about that was a waste of time, just like worrying about JD leaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-zip Posted September 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 We are thinking the same things.............. 1- A new stadium, along with the facilities already built, would influence JDs decision to essentially BUILD and sustain a winning program from scratch. (I always look at Boise St. and wonder how they keep their coach). It can be done. 2- The hiring of Solich INTO the MAC lends credibility and hopefully another team committed to excellence. The fact is, all the schools in the MAC need eachother to do well if we are going to start getting bids in BBall and FBall. 3- If Dambrot continues his success and stays, it will add to the overall awareness of the school........SOCCER TOO! It is nice to continuously see your school in the media and playing for championships. The whole thing could snowball into something great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckzip Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 IF JD, and KD ultimately turn things around, and get us into the upper echelon, then we may need to start worrying a little. Hopefully we get the new stadium, and we become a winner. Then, even if JD does go, we will look good to another hot candidate. Unfortunately, UA will always be a stepping stone. That's ok, if you can keep replacing the stones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip37 Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 HEY, THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, WE WILL BE WHERE WE WERE IN 1986, AND THEN WE HAD AN A.D. THAT TRADED JIM DENNISON AND BOB HUGGINS FOR JERRY FAUST, THE THEN PRES. MUSE ALLOWED IF NOT INSTIGATED THE WHOLE AFFAIR, SO THE SECRET IS A GREAT UNIV. PRESIDENT AND A.D., BOTH OF WHICH WE HAVE. PERSONALLY, I HOPE J.D. RETIRES HERE DITTO K.D., BUT IF EITHER LEAVES THEY CAN BE REPLACED IF, AND ONLY IF, THE PRESIDENT AND A.D REMAIN, WE BETTER HOPE THEY BOTH DO. WITH BALL AMMUNITION LOCK AND LOAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Craig Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Here at Akron, you would probably have to win at least two or maybe even three MAC championships before anyone really takes notice. I would have to think he stays here at least 4 to 5 more years. With all of the success that Boise State has had, I thinik they still have the coach that got it going for them. On the flip side, BG, Miami, and Toledo have had a lot of turnover at the coaching position. Hasn't really hurt them though. I'm just happy that we have to have these sorts of discussions. We've never won poo in the MAC. Our time is way over due! Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 HEY, THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, WE WILL BE WHERE WE WERE IN 1986, AND THEN WE HAD AN A.D. THAT TRADED JIM DENNISON AND BOB HUGGINS FOR JERRY FAUST, THE THEN PRES. MUSE ALLOWED IF NOT INSTIGATED THE WHOLE AFFAIR, SO THE SECRET IS A GREAT UNIV. PRESIDENT AND A.D., BOTH OF WHICH WE HAVE. PERSONALLY, I HOPE J.D. RETIRES HERE DITTO K.D., BUT IF EITHER LEAVES THEY CAN BE REPLACED IF, AND ONLY IF, THE PRESIDENT AND A.D REMAIN, WE BETTER HOPE THEY BOTH DO. WITH BALL AMMUNITION LOCK AND LOAD. I reserve the right to comment on this post at a later date. There are a lot of misperceptions about Dennison and Huggins I would like to add. Keeping them was not as easy as you might think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheZone Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 If JD leaves, I think d-coordinator Jim Flemming would be a fine replacement. In his only head coaching stint he took a 1-AA team to an undefeated season, and he seems very apt at motivating his players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-zip Posted September 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 HEY, THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, WE WILL BE WHERE WE WERE IN 1986, AND THEN WE HAD AN A.D. THAT TRADED JIM DENNISON AND BOB HUGGINS FOR JERRY FAUST, THE THEN PRES. MUSE ALLOWED IF NOT INSTIGATED THE WHOLE AFFAIR, SO THE SECRET IS A GREAT UNIV. PRESIDENT AND A.D., BOTH OF WHICH WE HAVE. PERSONALLY, I HOPE J.D. RETIRES HERE DITTO K.D., BUT IF EITHER LEAVES THEY CAN BE REPLACED IF, AND ONLY IF, THE PRESIDENT AND A.D REMAIN, WE BETTER HOPE THEY BOTH DO. WITH BALL AMMUNITION LOCK AND LOAD. I reserve the right to comment on this post at a later date. There are a lot of misperceptions about Dennison and Huggins I would like to add. Keeping them was not as easy as you might think. I cant wait to hear about this....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipsrifle Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 If he's winning we're worried about him leaving. If he's losing, or just besting .500, we're hoping he would leave. I hope we go 10-1 this year, after that, there is nothing I can do. At least the next coach will have a great foundation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-P Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 If you're really interested in what has made this program stronger, it's a 25 hour per day AD and his dedicated staff including UAM at the point. I hope JD pulls a MAC/C this year and if he goes, God Bless...........as long as we have The Boss around great things will continue IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 If you're really interested in what has made this program stronger, it's a 25 hour per day AD and his dedicated staff including UAM at the point. I hope JD pulls a MAC/C this year and if he goes, God Bless...........as long as we have The Boss around great things will continue IMHO. Hey Z-P: An old timer like you has to remember the similar talk of "How are we going to keep Lee Owens" about 2 years into Owens' tenure? I just cant participate in this debate 1.2 years into the guy's D-1A head coaching career. If CMU comes in and knocks us off...like they did Miami...everyone will be calling for the guy's head. Sports Talk in the 2000's is a funny thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryno aka Menace Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 Guys it is way too early to be having this conversation, as the person above me stated everyone was saying the same thing about Lee O. now what is everyone saying, everyone knows we get little respect, it will take atleast 2 maybe 3 championships before people say it is good coaching and not a lucky streak, or fluke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 This is not luck. Sorry, but LO never had a top recruiting class in the MAC. Talk to a few of the players who are still playing (and only had LO two or three years). Heck, ask Charlie Frye. They'll all say the liked LO (well, actually, not all of them at all), but in the next breath they'll tell you how much they learn from JD, how much they respect him, how much the love playing for him, etc. He and this staff are just much more knowledgeable about the game, they can recruit the pants off LO's staff, and they command respect. The guy's just got it. You all can wait it out, that's usually me, but this time I just know. My prediction for this year was I'd be happy with four wins. This was supposed to be big rebuilding year, remember? If JD and Co. has 7 wins this year, they're all geniuses, in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-zip Posted September 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 All I am trying to bring to light is that for Akron and the MAC as a whole to be competitive........we need stability. If you have good people, make them happy and keep them. In the business world it cost 3 times as much to hire replacements, train them and ramp them up vs. replacing a successful tenured person. I agree that this conversation MAY be premature but JD aint Lee Owens or Faust, Dambrot aint Hipsher or Crawford and the Mike Thomas aint (whatever his name was). How long has it taken FB and BBall to be competitive since we lost Coach Dennison and Huggins and that AD? Regardless of the win/loss records at the end of the year, they have both shown an amazing ability to recruit. That is HALF the battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 This is not luck. Sorry, but LO never had a top recruiting class in the MAC. Yes he did. Scroll down: Football Inks 22 Recruits on National Letter Day 2001 University of Akron Football Recruiting Class Brendon BANKS 6-0, 190, SS, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills) James BATTLE 6-0, 225, LB, Cincinnati (Colerain) Dorian BEARD 6-1, 250, DL, Verona, Pa. (Penn Hills) Geoffrey BEAUCHESNE 6-5, 230, TE, Montreal, Quebec (Du Vieux) Chase BLACKBURN 6-4, 215, DL, Marysville Mark CONLEY 6-2, 285, DL, Lakewood Diontre EARL 5-11, 230, LB, Toledo (Rogers) Dion ELIE 6-2, 185, WR, Atlanta, Ga. Lithonia/Euclid, Ohio Jamie GOODWIN 5-11, 160, WR, McKeesport, Pa. Justin HEIN 6-7, 335, OL, Lakewood Jeremy JACOBS 6-4, 245, OL, Uniontown (Green) Charlton LEWIS 6-4, 250, DL, N. Braddock,Pa.(Woodland Hills) Jason MONTGOMERY 6-1, 180, WR, Southfield, Mich. (Lathrup) Montae MURPHY 5-10 173, DB, Rankin, Pa. (Woodland Hills) Thomas PLUMMER 6-1, 215, RB, Etobicoke, Ontario (Henry Carr) Jerell RINGER 5-11, 195, RB, Dayton (Meadowdale) Brad SHELDON 6-2, 200, LB, Rochester, Mich. (U. of Detroit Jesuit) Richard SPAULDING 6-3 210, SS, New Albany Marcus SUBER 6-1, 185, SS, Sacramento City College Vince VAUGHNS 6-2, 185, RB/FS, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Santa Fe) Greg WILLIAMS 5-10, 185, SS, Canton (GlenOak) Chris WOOTEN 6-0, 240, LB, Bedford AKRON - A share of the 2000 Mid-American Conference East Division title and back-to-back winning seasons certainly made a positive impact on "National Letter Day" for the Akron Zip football program. UA coach Lee Owens today unveiled his seventh recruiting class and announced the signing of 22 student-athletes for the 2001 season. Based on early commitments, the class ranked first in the Mid-American Conference, according to RIVALS.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 I concede that point. Can we agree LO couldn't recruit defensive coordinators? Incompetent as a coach? All talk and no walk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckzip Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 That was a great class. However, how many of those guys actually stayed around, or made the grades? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 I concede that point. Can we agree LO couldn't recruit defensive coordinators? Incompetent as a coach? All talk and no walk? Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.