Sam Rutigliano

[Blue & Gold]

I was at a luncheon yesterday and sat with Sam Rutigliano. I didn't let on that I was a Zips fan because I wanted to get his honest opinion on things, so he spoke with me as if I didn't have much knowledge of the Zips' program at all.

The conversation centered mostly around the Browns, but occassionally turned to the Zips (and Columbus).

I asked him if he thought Coach Ianello, having been part of a staff that failed to win at Notre Dame, could possilby win at Akron?

Sam thinks iCoach can turn the Zips around. His reply was basically in 3 parts:

1) "Have you seen Akron's facilities?! Wow. They're not just good, they're fantastic! As good as any in the country." He then went on to denigrate the Rubber Bowl.

2) iCoach has to use those facilities to bring in more talent and keep local talent here. He likes the idea of MAC schools recruiting in Ohio and eastward, as most of the Big Ten schools dominate the midwest.

3) iCoach has to change the losing culture of the program, which Sam stressed is very difficult to do and will probably take time.

Mainly I just thought you guys would like to know Sam Rutigliano was so animated that he almost choked on his food as he described how he thought our facilities were among the very finest in the nation. I was proud of that.

[72 Roo]

Thanks for the report on Sam's thoughts. I would bet he has never seen the Zips play or Ianello coach. If he had, he would see the biggest impediment to breaking our culture of losing is at the top of the football program. icoach isn't the solution. He has clearly become the problem.

[zen]

That's pretty cool.

I would have asked Sam if he keeps a frozen clone of Brian Sipe that he can thaw out for the zips and coach. Dave Logan and Ozzie Newsome too.

[Dr Z]

Thanks for the post, I love Sam Ragu. Just for reference, did he also say that Mangini can turn it around?

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks for the post, I love Sam Ragu. Just for reference, did he also say that Mangini can turn it around?

He beat around the bush a little bit when that question was posed. He thinks Mangini should stick to coaching the defense & not meddle with the offense much, if at all.

[RUMPLEMINTZ]

Sam Rutigliano was a loser that got fired in the middle of a season with a 1-7 record. His record was 47-50 with the Clowns and he never got the job done. My five year old nephew knows the AK is second to none in our facilities. This guy coaching now should be talking to Sam about a possible job opening at Liberty as their recruiting coordinator! You guys crack me up!!!!!

I was at a luncheon yesterday and sat with Sam Rutigliano. I didn't let on that I was a Zips fan because I wanted to get his honest opinion on things, so he spoke with me as if I didn't have much knowledge of the Zips' program at all.

The conversation centered mostly around the Browns, but occassionally turned to the Zips (and Columbus).

I asked him if he thought Coach Ianello, having been part of a staff that failed to win at Notre Dame, could possilby win at Akron?

Sam thinks iCoach can turn the Zips around. His reply was basically in 3 parts:

1) "Have you seen Akron's facilities?! Wow. They're not just good, they're fantastic! As good as any in the country." He then went on to denigrate the Rubber Bowl.

2) iCoach has to use those facilities to bring in more talent and keep local talent here. He likes the idea of MAC schools recruiting in Ohio and eastward, as most of the Big Ten schools dominate the midwest.

3) iCoach has to change the losing culture of the program, which Sam stressed is very difficult to do and will probably take time.

Mainly I just thought you guys would like to know Sam Rutigliano was so animated that he almost choked on his food as he described how he thought our facilities were among the very finest in the nation. I was proud of that.

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks for your contribution, RUMPLEMINTZ! Subtle, as always.

In case anyone cares about the Browns & Colt McCoy (sp?), Sam likes Colt alot ("He's a winner."). He predicts good things out of Colt. Today is probably not, to say the least, the best scenario Colt could be facing for a first NFL start. But, if you're interested (unlike myself), you can see how Sam's prediction w/ Colt works out.

I just hope his prediction about the Zips is accurate!