1350AM says Ianello interview "a dead end"

[ZipRoo]

Rightly so, a caller to the Univ. of Akron FLAGSHIP station, 1350AM WARF (which, seriously, should change the "W" to a "B"....since that more accurately reflects listeners' thoughts about UA football), just asked the LOCAL call-in sportstalk show (3-6pm...prime drive time weekdays) why they have had flushes coach Doug Martin on multiple times, but we have never heard from Rob Ianello.

The hosts were leery about answering, but did offer that they have a good relationship with the UA Athletic Dept., but have been told that pursuing an interview (at any point this season!!) with the head football coach was "A DEAD END, we'll leave it at that."

I ask you, how idiotic is this schmuck? He alienates his players, colleagues and fans....and has the arrogance and audacity to believe he's "above" sharing any thoughts with the local flagship station?

Haven't we all heard and seen enough of this guy? He can't possibly be relieved of his duties too soon.

[ZachTheZip]

Rightly so, a caller to the Univ. of Akron FLAGSHIP station, 1350AM WARF (which, seriously, should change the "W" to a "B"....since that more accurately reflects listeners' thoughts about UA football), just asked the LOCAL call-in sportstalk show (3-6pm...prime drive time weekdays) why they have had flushes coach Doug Martin on multiple times, but we have never heard from Rob Ianello.

The hosts were leery about answering, but did offer that they have a good relationship with the UA Athletic Dept., but have been told that pursuing an interview (at any point this season!!) with the head football coach was "A DEAD END, we'll leave it at that."

I ask you, how idiotic is this schmuck? He alienates his players, colleagues and fans....and has the arrogance and audacity to believe he's "above" sharing any thoughts with the local flagship station?

Haven't we all heard and seen enough of this guy? He can't possibly be relieved of his duties too soon.

You can tell he's agitated enough having to do the ZipsLive interviews, even with all the questions pre-selected by the university. He seriously sounds like he's ready to have an aneurysm. I think if he actually had to deal with the 1350 afternoon guys in a more open environment he'd actually punch someone.

[ZipRoo]

Perhaps we now know why only ONE reporter bothered to show up to a recent "press conference." Who really CARES what dreck pours out of this guy's piehole, to begin with....but the fact that he feels comfortable snubbing the local media--when he was brought here to revive a program and fan interest--is beyond incomprehensible. It's reprehensible.

Frankly, if that ONE reporter wasn't a paid beat guy, I'm sure he'd rather have been having his wisdom teeth removed than sit and listen to Recrooter Rob spew his thoughts on another loss.

[Big Zip]

I was listening about five weeks ago to those two guys on my way home and they were telling us we were the problem. We weren't giving him a chance and he was left with nothing. He's a great guy, we know him personally, and he will turn this ship around. I'm wondering if that was all BS? Why would they change their story now?

On the flip side, I listen to the CSU Basketball call in show on 850 AM when I get the chance. The show is awesome, people call in and Gary Waters answers all the questions. Andre Knott (from St. V) hosts the show and he does a fantastic job. CSU is doing this right and we can't get out of our own damn way. I don't listen to the Zips call in show because it is just plain bad and is about as entertaining as listening to the two cups one coach video posted here previously. The funny thing is KD and Caleb are both great in interview settings. They are always great to listen to but the program sounds so canned it just isn't entertaining. I caught part of the Zips show last week and they were interviewing the graduate assistant of the football program....are you freaking kidding me?

[ZipRoo]

I assure you, Big Zip, I quoted the radio hosts EXACTLY as they responded to the caller. There was no attempt to portray the coach as anything other than stubborn and uncooperative. If they sang a different tune earlier, I'm shocked.

But let's be honest, college coaches need to also be PR agents for their programs....otherwise, as you say, Waters and even Tressel wouldn't bother with weekly shows.

Again I reiterate, I don't care to hear one word drip out of Ianello's sagging mouth, but that doesn't change the fact: It's his responsibility.

[Spin]

I was listening about five weeks ago to those two guys on my way home and they were telling us we were the problem.

They must really love Dolan...

[Bill Morgan]

Big Zip and Zach The Zip -

Thanks for listening to our Zips Live shows on Fox Sports 1350. The passion you both display for UA Athletics is great and without that kind of interest from you and many others that post on this board, Zips' sports would not be what it is today ( one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, a MBB team that - under KD - has consistently been one of the best in the MAC, an up and coming WBB squad that won more games last season than any other in school history, and an impressive track & field team led by Coach Mitchell, etc. ).

A couple of responses to your statements about the Zips Live shows......... Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL. Zips Live always has been and always will be an opportunity for UA to promote their athletic department through a partnership with Fox Sports 1350 and ISP Sports - IMG College. As host of the show, in an ongoing effort to PROMOTE the teams........ I'm going to consistently make the effort to look at things from the " glass is half-full perspective, " as opposed to the half-empty angle.

Any other similar show - it doesn't matter what conference you're talking about ( MAC, Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. ) - takes a similar approach. Do you think the host of Alabama's version of ZL grilled and diced & sliced Nick Saban when the Tide lost that game earlier in the season ? Of course he or she didn't.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY feels worse about a Zips' loss than the UA coaches and players who experience it personally. Whether it's KD, Caleb, Coach I, Jodi Kest, or whoever........ nobody has more invested in the success of these teams than the coaches and players. To suggest otherwise is, simply, incorrect.

Big Zip - I'm not sure what you were listening to last week, but it wasn't ZL. There was no show a week ago, because WBB was playing in their season-opener last Monday in Ft. Wayne. So if you heard an interview with a graduate assistant of the football program, it WAS NOT on ZL.

Again, your passion is great and thanks for listening to our UA broadcasts on Fox Sports 1350. You can e-mail me anytime at bmorganakronzips@hotmail.com

Even better, stop by a ZL broadcast sometime soon @ the Ripper Owens Tap House on Waterloo in Akron. Your first burger is on me......... Ripper and Randy will take great care of you !!!

[Zips Win!]

Rightly so, a caller to the Univ. of Akron FLAGSHIP station, 1350AM WARF (which, seriously, should change the "W" to a "B"....since that more accurately reflects listeners' thoughts about UA football), just asked the LOCAL call-in sportstalk show (3-6pm...prime drive time weekdays) why they have had flushes coach Doug Martin on multiple times, but we have never heard from Rob Ianello.

The hosts were leery about answering, but did offer that they have a good relationship with the UA Athletic Dept., but have been told that pursuing an interview (at any point this season!!) with the head football coach was "A DEAD END, we'll leave it at that."

I ask you, how idiotic is this schmuck? He alienates his players, colleagues and fans....and has the arrogance and audacity to believe he's "above" sharing any thoughts with the local flagship station?

Haven't we all heard and seen enough of this guy? He can't possibly be relieved of his duties too soon.

This may be true. But the hosts of the 3-6 pm drive show are a bunch of idiots so I put little stock in anything they say when it comes to UA.

The main host is a UA grad and all he talks about when it comes to college sports is guess who? Just what I like to see, another UA grad with a platform to promote the Zips...rooting for the buckeyes..

I had it on for 5 mintues today and all they could talk about was tosu basketball. Really? A show that was supposed to be dedicated to NE OHio sports and UA is another tosu talk show. Just what I've been waiting for....more luckeye talk.

The idiot (Ken) makes fun of UA and the MAC all the time so I wouldn't talk to him if I were iCoach either.

The best show 1350 airs at the 3-6pm time slot is when the national guys fill in...

I can't wait for the show to get canceled.

[ZachTheZip]

Big Zip and Zach The Zip -

Thanks for listening to our Zips Live shows on Fox Sports 1350. The passion you both display for UA Athletics is great and without that kind of interest from you and many others that post on this board, Zips' sports would not be what it is today ( one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, a MBB team that - under KD - has consistently been one of the best in the MAC, an up and coming WBB squad that won more games last season than any other in school history, and an impressive track & field team led by Coach Mitchell, etc. ).

A couple of responses to your statements about the Zips Live shows......... Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL. Zips Live always has been and always will be an opportunity for UA to promote their athletic department through a partnership with Fox Sports 1350 and ISP Sports - IMG College. As host of the show, in an ongoing effort to PROMOTE the teams........ I'm going to consistently make the effort to look at things from the " glass is half-full perspective, " as opposed to the half-empty angle.

Any other similar show - it doesn't matter what conference you're talking about ( MAC, Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. ) - takes a similar approach. Do you think the host of Alabama's version of ZL grilled and diced & sliced Nick Saban when the Tide lost that game earlier in the season ? Of course he or she didn't.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY feels worse about a Zips' loss than the UA coaches and players who experience it personally. Whether it's KD, Caleb, Coach I, Jodi Kest, or whoever........ nobody has more invested in the success of these teams than the coaches and players. To suggest otherwise is, simply, incorrect.

Big Zip - I'm not sure what you were listening to last week, but it wasn't ZL. There was no show a week ago, because WBB was playing in their season-opener last Monday in Ft. Wayne. So if you heard an interview with a graduate assistant of the football program, it WAS NOT on ZL.

Again, your passion is great and thanks for listening to our UA broadcasts on Fox Sports 1350. You can e-mail me anytime at bmorganakronzips@hotmail.com

Even better, stop by a ZL broadcast sometime soon @ the Ripper Owens Tap House on Waterloo in Akron. Your first burger is on me......... Ripper and Randy will take great care of you !!!

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I apologize for assuming the university chose the questions you ask. Maybe it's just my cynicism showing through. You do a good job most of the time. I don't think Coach I comes through as being as... animated as most of our other coaches. It's just frustrating for us to watch this team struggle like this, while the one guy with the ability to come out and soothe our rage with something as simple as an honest heart-felt statement does his best to avoid contact with fans. Maybe he is as frustrated as us or even more, but how can it show through when nobody ever sees the guy? That creates the appearance of him not caring, and I feel it's part of his duties as the head coach to come out in front of the fans and work to build up the image of the team. Being head coach is more than recruiting and coaching; it's about being the most visible promoter and being the face of the team, especially at a school that can't afford to spend tens of millions on marketing like certain other schools.

[72 Roo]

Bill,

Welcome to the board. I appreciate your first post and the class way you made your points. Your work requires you to be optimistic and to project that to your listeners. We do have tremendous things going on in our athletic programs at UA. Unfortunately football will never be part of that until we hire a coach. A recruiter can't do it. That is being proven on the field every week. Please post some more.

[72 Roo]

Big Zip and Zach The Zip -

Thanks for listening to our Zips Live shows on Fox Sports 1350. The passion you both display for UA Athletics is great and without that kind of interest from you and many others that post on this board, Zips' sports would not be what it is today ( one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, a MBB team that - under KD - has consistently been one of the best in the MAC, an up and coming WBB squad that won more games last season than any other in school history, and an impressive track & field team led by Coach Mitchell, etc. ).

A couple of responses to your statements about the Zips Live shows......... Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL. Zips Live always has been and always will be an opportunity for UA to promote their athletic department through a partnership with Fox Sports 1350 and ISP Sports - IMG College. As host of the show, in an ongoing effort to PROMOTE the teams........ I'm going to consistently make the effort to look at things from the " glass is half-full perspective, " as opposed to the half-empty angle.

Any other similar show - it doesn't matter what conference you're talking about ( MAC, Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. ) - takes a similar approach. Do you think the host of Alabama's version of ZL grilled and diced & sliced Nick Saban when the Tide lost that game earlier in the season ? Of course he or she didn't.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY feels worse about a Zips' loss than the UA coaches and players who experience it personally. Whether it's KD, Caleb, Coach I, Jodi Kest, or whoever........ nobody has more invested in the success of these teams than the coaches and players. To suggest otherwise is, simply, incorrect.

Big Zip - I'm not sure what you were listening to last week, but it wasn't ZL. There was no show a week ago, because WBB was playing in their season-opener last Monday in Ft. Wayne. So if you heard an interview with a graduate assistant of the football program, it WAS NOT on ZL.

Again, your passion is great and thanks for listening to our UA broadcasts on Fox Sports 1350. You can e-mail me anytime at bmorganakronzips@hotmail.com

Even better, stop by a ZL broadcast sometime soon @ the Ripper Owens Tap House on Waterloo in Akron. Your first burger is on me......... Ripper and Randy will take great care of you !!!

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I apologize for assuming the university chose the questions you ask. Maybe it's just my cynicism showing through. You do a good job most of the time. I don't think Coach I comes through as being as... animated as most of our other coaches. It's just frustrating for us to watch this team struggle like this, while the one guy with the ability to come out and soothe our rage with something as simple as an honest heart-felt statement does his best to avoid contact with fans. Maybe he is as frustrated as us or even more, but how can it show through when nobody ever sees the guy? That creates the appearance of him not caring, and I feel it's part of his duties as the head coach to come out in front of the fans and work to build up the image of the team. Being head coach is more than recruiting and coaching; it's about being the most visible promoter and being the face of the team, especially at a school that can't afford to spend tens of millions on marketing like certain other schools.

Well said Zach. The destruction of the program this year on top of its decline in the three previous years is heartbreaking. Fans want someone who understand how they feel and gives them credible hope through performance, not unfulfilled promises.

[ZipRoo]

ZipsWin, I must disagree with you about 1350. I enjoy having an "Akron" sports talk show, as opposed to hearing Reghi rant and Trivisonno eat daily from 3 to 6.

If you want to talk (or hear) about something other than what they're discussing, pick up the phone and ask a question...or make an observation. I've never, BTW, heard the show diss either UA or the MAC. That's kind of absurd to suggest. But what are we to make of a new head coach who won't even communicate with the fans thru the flagship media channels? Is he afraid someone might ask about his missing credentials for being hired?

[RUMPLEMINTZ]

If Ianello has a clue......he would call Jim Fleming and get on his staff ASAP!

[Dr Z]

Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL.

Thanks for taking the time to correct some of our members. Hopefully some of our members will try to get their facts straight before they post.

[Blue & Gold]

Rightly so, a caller to the Univ. of Akron FLAGSHIP station, 1350AM WARF (which, seriously, should change the "W" to a "B"....since that more accurately reflects listeners' thoughts about UA football), just asked the LOCAL call-in sportstalk show (3-6pm...prime drive time weekdays) why they have had flushes coach Doug Martin on multiple times, but we have never heard from Rob Ianello.

The hosts were leery about answering, but did offer that they have a good relationship with the UA Athletic Dept., but have been told that pursuing an interview (at any point this season!!) with the head football coach was "A DEAD END, we'll leave it at that."

I ask you, how idiotic is this schmuck? He alienates his players, colleagues and fans....and has the arrogance and audacity to believe he's "above" sharing any thoughts with the local flagship station?

Haven't we all heard and seen enough of this guy? He can't possibly be relieved of his duties too soon.

This may be true. But the hosts of the 3-6 pm drive show are a bunch of idiots so I put little stock in anything they say when it comes to UA.

The main host is a UA grad and all he talks about when it comes to college sports is guess who? Just what I like to see, another UA grad with a platform to promote the Zips...rooting for the buckeyes..

I had it on for 5 mintues today and all they could talk about was tosu basketball. Really? A show that was supposed to be dedicated to NE OHio sports and UA is another tosu talk show. Just what I've been waiting for....more luckeye talk.

The idiot (Ken) makes fun of UA and the MAC all the time so I wouldn't talk to him if I were iCoach either.

The best show 1350 airs at the 3-6pm time slot is when the national guys fill in...

I can't wait for the show to get canceled.

Tragically, this is description is quite accurate. I was awfully amped when they began the show and planned to listen every day. The show was billed as being about AKRON sports. Not Columbus. I was especially excited when they gave the impression that the show was going to focus on AKRON and not Cleveland. Sadly, it only took about 10 minutes for the show to turn away from the Zips (and even the Flushes would be okay) and turn into the disgustingly all-too-typical Cleveland/Columbus-centric talk show. If you want to know anything about the

COLUMBUS Suckeyes, the CLEVELAND Browns, the CLEVELAND Indians, the CLEVELAND Cavs, or why our AKRON show is hating on AKRON's own LeBron James in favor of the Akron Cavaliers, oh wait... I mean the CLEVELAND Cavaliers - silly me - then by all means, turn into 1350 AM between 3-6.

On the other hand, if you want to get insight into anything Summit/Stark/Portage or even Medina County or, most especially, the AKRON Zips? Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time w/ 1350.

[Zips Win!]

If you want to talk (or hear) about something other than what they're discussing, pick up the phone and ask a question...or make an observation. I've never, BTW, heard the show diss either UA or the MAC. That's kind of absurd to suggest. But what are we to make of a new head coach who won't even communicate with the fans thru the flagship media channels? Is he afraid someone might ask about his missing credentials for being hired?

I would love to call and have a two minute conversation about the Zips. Exactly what would I gain by asking two guys, one of which even admitted he hasn't been to a UA game when the show started, anything about the Zips. They don't know anything about UA athletics...

I am not looking for a 3-hour show 5-days a week dedicated to UA sports. I realize the sponsors and listeners would not support that...

I would appreciate 5 minutes a day dedicated to a review of the previous weeks games, a promotion of the upcoming games--i.e dates, starting times and location and a little effort to get a weekly guest from UA on the line wouldn't hurt. Heck, find a fan on this board and get him to call in weekly...but then the hosts would actually have to do a little UA homework or they would get embarrassed.

First suggestion- get on mapquest and find the directions to Infocision and the JAR...We can build on it from there...

[Lee Adams]

Rightly so, a caller to the Univ. of Akron FLAGSHIP station, 1350AM WARF (which, seriously, should change the "W" to a "B"....since that more accurately reflects listeners' thoughts about UA football), just asked the LOCAL call-in sportstalk show (3-6pm...prime drive time weekdays) why they have had flushes coach Doug Martin on multiple times, but we have never heard from Rob Ianello.

The hosts were leery about answering, but did offer that they have a good relationship with the UA Athletic Dept., but have been told that pursuing an interview (at any point this season!!) with the head football coach was "A DEAD END, we'll leave it at that."

I ask you, how idiotic is this schmuck? He alienates his players, colleagues and fans....and has the arrogance and audacity to believe he's "above" sharing any thoughts with the local flagship station?

Haven't we all heard and seen enough of this guy? He can't possibly be relieved of his duties too soon.

You can tell he's agitated enough having to do the ZipsLive interviews, even with all the questions pre-selected by the university. He seriously sounds like he's ready to have an aneurysm. I think if he actually had to deal with the 1350 afternoon guys in a more open environment he'd actually punch someone.

What the afternoon guys on 1350 need to do is start talking about the football program,at all. I listen to at least portions almost every day. They are repeating what most of the national shows said earlier in the day. If the coach won't come on the afternoon show,those guys need to say so. Then they need to start talking about the program AS THEY AND THE FANS see it. If the University doesn't want more input in that forum so be it.

[scottditzen]

Bill welcome to Zipsnation!!!!!

Big Zip and Zach The Zip -

Thanks for listening to our Zips Live shows on Fox Sports 1350. The passion you both display for UA Athletics is great and without that kind of interest from you and many others that post on this board, Zips' sports would not be what it is today ( one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, a MBB team that - under KD - has consistently been one of the best in the MAC, an up and coming WBB squad that won more games last season than any other in school history, and an impressive track & field team led by Coach Mitchell, etc. ).

A couple of responses to your statements about the Zips Live shows......... Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL. Zips Live always has been and always will be an opportunity for UA to promote their athletic department through a partnership with Fox Sports 1350 and ISP Sports - IMG College. As host of the show, in an ongoing effort to PROMOTE the teams........ I'm going to consistently make the effort to look at things from the " glass is half-full perspective, " as opposed to the half-empty angle.

Any other similar show - it doesn't matter what conference you're talking about ( MAC, Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. ) - takes a similar approach. Do you think the host of Alabama's version of ZL grilled and diced & sliced Nick Saban when the Tide lost that game earlier in the season ? Of course he or she didn't.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY feels worse about a Zips' loss than the UA coaches and players who experience it personally. Whether it's KD, Caleb, Coach I, Jodi Kest, or whoever........ nobody has more invested in the success of these teams than the coaches and players. To suggest otherwise is, simply, incorrect.

Big Zip - I'm not sure what you were listening to last week, but it wasn't ZL. There was no show a week ago, because WBB was playing in their season-opener last Monday in Ft. Wayne. So if you heard an interview with a graduate assistant of the football program, it WAS NOT on ZL.

Again, your passion is great and thanks for listening to our UA broadcasts on Fox Sports 1350. You can e-mail me anytime at bmorganakronzips@hotmail.com

Even better, stop by a ZL broadcast sometime soon @ the Ripper Owens Tap House on Waterloo in Akron. Your first burger is on me......... Ripper and Randy will take great care of you !!!

[Dave in Green]

Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL.

Thanks for taking the time to correct some of our members. Hopefully some of our members will try to get their facts straight before they post.

I'm reminded of the decision in 18th century England to try to discourage an epidemic of pickpockets by publicly hanging them. Sure enough, the public hangings drew huge crowds to the gallows. Problem was, these public gatherings also attracted more pickpockets who took advantage of the distracted crowds to pick their pockets.

Since even so drastic a practice as public hanging wasn't enough to discourage some pickpockets, I doubt that some posters will be discouraged from stating figments of their imaginations as if they were proven facts.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Years ago, someone said it would be worthless to start a site like ZipsNation. 120,000 posts (and millions of views) later... huh... who knew... I guess there are quite a few Akron fans out there who want to talk Zips sports?

ZipsWin! is correct... no real Zips fan will participate in a show where the opinion or subject knowledge of the host is weak. Everyone has better things to do with their time. But if there were a decent show, with interesting perspectives and interviews, I'm sure it would be successful.

Does a local show host want to do the heavy-lifting necessary to get a Zips-centric segment up and running? Or is it easier to just talk about the Buckeyes and Browns? To date, it isn't even close. In this instance, ZipWin!... ZipsLose!.

[GP1]

I'm reminded of the decision in 18th century England to try to discourage an epidemic of pickpockets by publicly hanging them. Sure enough, the public hangings drew huge crowds to the gallows. Problem was, these public gatherings also attracted more pickpockets who took advantage of the distracted crowds to pick their pockets.

It is also a little known fact that 95% of all Athletic Directors in D-1 athletics can trace their DNA back to these 18th century opportunistic pickpockets.

[GP1]

Years ago, someone said it would be worthless to start a site like ZipsNation. 120,000 posts (and millions of views) later... huh... who knew... I guess there are quite a few Akron fans out there who want to talk Zips sports?

ZipsWin! is correct... no real Zips fan will participate in a show where the opinion or subject knowledge of the host is weak. Everyone has better things to do with their time. But if there were a decent show, with interesting perspectives and interviews, I'm sure it would be successful.

Does a local show host want to do the heavy-lifting necessary to get a Zips-centric segment up and running? Or is it easier to just talk about the Buckeyes and Browns? To date, it isn't even close. In this instance, ZipWin!... ZipsLose!.

This station should call up CK and interview him once a week. I'm sure CK could break away from his desk or lock himself in his office for ten minutes. In other cities, people who own web pages are interviewed on a regular basis. One of my favorite web pages is Mondesishouse which is a Pittsburgh blog. He was a guy who started this blog and received a fan following because he had interesting things to say. He is now interviewed weekly on Pittsburgh sports stations.

I'm sure CK knows more about UofA sports than these guys and if they just tossed softballs to him for ten minutes he could fill up the time. It really isn't that hard to do a ten minute interview.

[Zipmeister]

Big Zip and Zach The Zip -

Thanks for listening to our Zips Live shows on Fox Sports 1350. The passion you both display for UA Athletics is great and without that kind of interest from you and many others that post on this board, Zips' sports would not be what it is today ( one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, a MBB team that - under KD - has consistently been one of the best in the MAC, an up and coming WBB squad that won more games last season than any other in school history, and an impressive track & field team led by Coach Mitchell, etc. ).

A couple of responses to your statements about the Zips Live shows......... Zach, UA has never " pre-selected " any of the questions I've asked Coach Ianello ( or any of the other coaches ) when they've been guests on ZL. Zips Live always has been and always will be an opportunity for UA to promote their athletic department through a partnership with Fox Sports 1350 and ISP Sports - IMG College. As host of the show, in an ongoing effort to PROMOTE the teams........ I'm going to consistently make the effort to look at things from the " glass is half-full perspective, " as opposed to the half-empty angle.

Any other similar show - it doesn't matter what conference you're talking about ( MAC, Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc. ) - takes a similar approach. Do you think the host of Alabama's version of ZL grilled and diced & sliced Nick Saban when the Tide lost that game earlier in the season ? Of course he or she didn't.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY feels worse about a Zips' loss than the UA coaches and players who experience it personally. Whether it's KD, Caleb, Coach I, Jodi Kest, or whoever........ nobody has more invested in the success of these teams than the coaches and players. To suggest otherwise is, simply, incorrect.

Big Zip - I'm not sure what you were listening to last week, but it wasn't ZL. There was no show a week ago, because WBB was playing in their season-opener last Monday in Ft. Wayne. So if you heard an interview with a graduate assistant of the football program, it WAS NOT on ZL.

Again, your passion is great and thanks for listening to our UA broadcasts on Fox Sports 1350. You can e-mail me anytime at bmorganakronzips@hotmail.com

Even better, stop by a ZL broadcast sometime soon @ the Ripper Owens Tap House on Waterloo in Akron. Your first burger is on me......... Ripper and Randy will take great care of you !!!

AHA! Now we know who to blame for the state of Zip football. It's not the players, it's not the coaches; it's Zach and Big Zip's fault.

[Buchtelsfinest]

I have read this forum for awhile now. I went to Akron. I want whats best. "Zips Win" and some others couldn't be further from the truth.

The host says all the time how much he dislikes soccer, but puts on the president of the rowdies to promote soccer games, as well as pre-game of soccer games to promote it because its a chance for a national championship. The show has been hosted in the JAR before UA games, and last week he said how he plans to do it again.

Plus, some of you may forget, Tom Gaffney from the Beacon was on at 5 exactly and talked about Zips football and a preview of basketball for over a half hour... which is why the question was asked by the caller in the first place.

He doesn't have to talk Zips constantly, but he does give credit where credit is due. I don't always agree with the dude, but he's not an idiot. He knows where he went to school, and he knows where he works.

[scottditzen]

It is easier to bash those in the media, rather than to encourage (and thank them for) increased coverage of Akron and the MAC.

I have read this forum for awhile now. I went to Akron. I want whats best. "Zips Win" and some others couldn't be further from the truth.

The host says all the time how much he dislikes soccer, but puts on the president of the rowdies to promote soccer games, as well as pre-game of soccer games to promote it because its a chance for a national championship. The show has been hosted in the JAR before UA games, and last week he said how he plans to do it again.

Plus, some of you may forget, Tom Gaffney from the Beacon was on at 5 exactly and talked about Zips football and a preview of basketball for over a half hour... which is why the question was asked by the caller in the first place.

He doesn't have to talk Zips constantly, but he does give credit where credit is due. I don't always agree with the dude, but he's not an idiot. He knows where he went to school, and he knows where he works.