New Soccer Coach - Will We Simply Roll On?

[Captain Kangaroo]

I know nothing about Lolla's departure. However, I have to think he screwed up by leaving.Yes, he's a great coach and he'll likey be a winner wherever he goes....but he had it all going for him at Akron.It seems like he made a rash decision based upon his anger over the tourney seeding snub. But I swear that would likely have been a one-time "screwing." I guarantee next season, if the Zips were again highly competitive, he would have received his better seed. Furthermore, he now aided the very cause he despised. He had the ability at Akron to change "the system." Akron could have been the little guy to crash the big guy's party. There's no way the NCAA denies the Zips again. Instead of staying and fighting, he left to join the big guys. Too bad, because before he threw in the towel, he was ahead on the scorecards. He needed only to win one more metaphorical "round."The next coach that takes over gets the best soccer job in the country. He's inheriting a Top-5 program. He'll get a great salary (if we matched Louisville's offer, we can obviously offer identical coaching money as any of the "big boys.") The students love the sport. Community interest couldn't be higher.The only thing missing is the fact we're stuck in the MAC. MAC soccer blows goats. It is like Duke basketball playing in the MEAC. However, Akron only plays 5 MAC games per year + the MAC tourney. We have such program respect that we can get Big 10 and ACC teams to come to our own field! While our situation in the MAC is not ideal, I think the next coach should still be expected to field a top-15 team on a yearly basis. And we should still be able to schedule great non-conference matches. And, we should still expect and annual NCAA bid.I hope we beat Louisville every time we meet. The sooner the better. Lolla - dare you schedule the Zips?

[Captain Kangaroo]

I hear ya, CK. I think U of A soccer is in the same boat as Memphis basketball. Memphis far outclasses all CUSA hoops opponents. CUSA hoops, minus Memphis, is pretty weak. However, Memphis has the "power" to continue playing top-level competition on their home court, hiring the best coaches, playing in the best facilities and maintaining their Top 20 (Top 10?) program. Mack Rhoades should call the Memphis AD to get his thoughts on maintaining an "elite" program in a "mediocre" (soccer-wise) conference.

[Zip Watcher]

Agreed and well put! Sort of like Temple in the A10 generally.