Replacement rumors.

[Dave in Green]

threw this on twitter earlier on got some positive feed back, so ill ask you guys here, how would you feel about Jay Gruden as head coach?

Jay Gruden is a successful NFL offensive coordinator who is being rumored for an NFL head coaching position. Do you think there's even a remote possibility he might give up 15 years of pro coaching experience (AFL and NFL) on the verge of his first NFL head coaching position to consider an offer from UA to coach in the MAC?

[Captain Kangaroo]

IF,its down to these 3, Winters has the BETTER quals. for THIS job in my humble opinion.

Better than Mike Johnson?

Played pro QB for several seasons.

UA alum.

NFL coach for many years.

Kids want to hear that they can get to the pros. Even if they have no chance of doing so. Mike's NFL connections could be HUGE in getting a higher-caliber athlete to the UA campus.

[Roo2]

IF,its down to these 3, Winters has the BETTER quals. for THIS job in my humble opinion.

Better than Mike Johnson?

Played pro QB for several seasons.

UA alum.

NFL coach for many years.

Kids want to hear that they can get to the pros. Even if they have no chance of doing so. Mike's NFL connections could be HUGE in getting a higher-caliber athlete to the UA campus.

I agree. If I'm not mistaken, Johnson was Michael Vick's qb coach in Atlanta. Despite how most people feel about him, Vick is still very popular with the young football players. Connections like that could definitely impact recruiting here.

[Z.I.P.]

IF,its down to these 3, Winters has the BETTER quals. for THIS job in my humble opinion.

Better than Mike Johnson?

Played pro QB for several seasons.

UA alum.

NFL coach for many years.

Kids want to hear that they can get to the pros. Even if they have no chance of doing so. Mike's NFL connections could be HUGE in getting a higher-caliber athlete to the UA campus.

I agree. If I'm not mistaken, Johnson was Michael Vick's qb coach in Atlanta. Despite how most people feel about him, Vick is still very popular with the young football players. Connections like that could definitely impact recruiting here.

I agree -- Mike would be a great OC at Akron. That is what you meant isn't it?

[Dr Z]

I agree -- Mike would be a great OC at Akron. That is what you meant isn't it?

Mike isn't coming to Akron to be an OC!

What do you think the next job is for this guys resume? Akron head football coach?

Oregon State Beavers (1997–1998)

(Wide receivers coach)

Oregon State Beavers (1999)

(Quarterbacks coach)

San Diego Chargers (2000–2001)

(Quarterbacks coach)

Atlanta Falcons (2002)

(Wide receivers coach)

Atlanta Falcons (2003–2005)

(Quarterbacks coach)

Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)

(Wide receivers coach)

San Francisco 49ers (2009–2010)

(Quarterbacks coach)

San Francisco 49ers (2010)

(Offensive Coordinator)

UCLA Bruins (2011-Present)

(Offensive Coordinator)

I would love to see it happen, but if that's my resume, I'm not touching this job with a ten foot poll.

[GP1]

IF,its down to these 3, Winters has the BETTER quals. for THIS job in my humble opinion.

Better than Mike Johnson?

Played pro QB for several seasons.

UA alum.

NFL coach for many years.

Kids want to hear that they can get to the pros. Even if they have no chance of doing so. Mike's NFL connections could be HUGE in getting a higher-caliber athlete to the UA campus.

I'm going with Winters over Johnson. I'm also guessing this is one of those times when you post something you don't really believe to get some discussion.

We need substance, not flash with this choice. I want a kid who wants to win at Akron and isn't worried about the NFL. Spread offenses aren't what the NFL is looking for anyhow (save it Tebow fans).

Paul understands the MAC and he has turned a horrible loser into a winner. It's been a long time since Mike had to live the life of a MAC....anything. The new coach needs to COMPLETELY understand what he is getting into with Akron. While they both probably have understanding, Paul has been living it for a long time now. Paul is the choice.

[letsgozips86]

This whole thing is zany. Even for an internet chat board it's zany.

As zany as thinking all of Notre Dame's 5th year seniors were going to leave ND to rescue the Zips.

There are a number of good jobs open for experienced coaches this year and not a large number of big names looking. Akron is forever hamstrung by their inability to pay big $$ to get a top name. Those top names are either taking time off or moving into top assistant roles where they can live good and make big $$ while waiting out another opportuntiy or not (see Mike Stoops).

Crazy things could happen, like Mike Johnson returning to Akron instead of the NFL, but the smart money is on a DII coach moving up. Winters? Could be.

However, just to show I can't avoid the all the wacky fun, how about Chris Spielman?

[g-mann17]

This whole thing is zany. Even for an internet chat board it's zany.

As zany as thinking all of Notre Dame's 5th year seniors were going to leave ND to rescue the Zips.

There are a number of good jobs open for experienced coaches this year and not a large number of big names looking. Akron is forever hamstrung by their inability to pay big $$ to get a top name. Those top names are either taking time off or moving into top assistant roles where they can live good and make big $$ while waiting out another opportuntiy or not (see Mike Stoops).

Crazy things could happen, like Mike Johnson returning to Akron instead of the NFL, but the smart money is on a DII coach moving up. Winters? Could be.

However, just to show I can't avoid the all the wacky fun, how about Chris Spielman?

Spielman wasn't a good player, heck he isn't even a good announcer. He has no coaching experience and quite frankly, no people skills.

[Dr Z]

.....how about Chris Spielman?

Uh no.

Spielman was the coach of the Columbus Destroyers, an Arena Football League team, in 2005. He coached one season, compiling a 2-15 record.

[letsgozips86]

This whole thing is zany. Even for an internet chat board it's zany.

As zany as thinking all of Notre Dame's 5th year seniors were going to leave ND to rescue the Zips.

There are a number of good jobs open for experienced coaches this year and not a large number of big names looking. Akron is forever hamstrung by their inability to pay big $$ to get a top name. Those top names are either taking time off or moving into top assistant roles where they can live good and make big $$ while waiting out another opportuntiy or not (see Mike Stoops).

Crazy things could happen, like Mike Johnson returning to Akron instead of the NFL, but the smart money is on a DII coach moving up. Winters? Could be.

However, just to show I can't avoid the all the wacky fun, how about Chris Spielman?

Spielman wasn't a good player, heck he isn't even a good announcer. He has no coaching experience and quite frankly, no people skills.

He was a 2 time All American and 4 time Pro Bowler. Much better player than me at least.

He had no arena league talent.

[GP1]

.....how about Chris Spielman?

Uh no.

+1,000,000

The guy is as dumb as a dried-up bag of leaves.

[UAZipster0305]

.....how about Chris Spielman?

Uh no.

Spielman was the coach of the Columbus Destroyers, an Arena Football League team, in 2005. He coached one season, compiling a 2-15 record.

Sounds like the second coming of iCoach. I'll pass. If not Tressel, then Winters.

[akzipper]

Mark Mangino anyone? The guy had problems at Kansas, along with some health concerns. But I wouldn't mind him and with our facilities he'd weigh 100lbs after a week in the gym. Just don't tell him about Swensons or Barberton chicken! hah

[zippy5]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

[ZipRoo]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

And Dithers for A.D.

[akzipper]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

I really don't get it...

What is the fascination with this guy. If people want a former Zip so badly why not get Charlie Frye or Jason Taylor haha at least people actually remember them!!

[zippy5]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

I really don't get it...

What is the fascination with this guy. If people want a former Zip so badly why not get Charlie Frye or Jason Taylor haha at least people actually remember them!!

I'm not sure if Withers played for Akron..

[akzipper]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

I really don't get it...

What is the fascination with this guy. If people want a former Zip so badly why not get Charlie Frye or Jason Taylor haha at least people actually remember them!!

I'm not sure if Withers played for Akron..

Sorry with all the obsession around here about Winters, I read your post quickly and didn't realize it actually said Withers

My bad! but who is Withers? Everett Withers from UNC??

[you am i]

Mark Mangino anyone? The guy had problems at Kansas, along with some health concerns. But I wouldn't mind him and with our facilities he'd weigh 100lbs after a week in the gym. Just don't tell him about Swensons or Barberton chicken! hah

It worked out well for OU with Solich, but I'm not crazy about hiring a coach whose career is in a downward trajectory. I'd rather try to catch a guy on the way up.

[akzipper]

Mark Mangino anyone? The guy had problems at Kansas, along with some health concerns. But I wouldn't mind him and with our facilities he'd weigh 100lbs after a week in the gym. Just don't tell him about Swensons or Barberton chicken! hah

It worked out well for OU with Solich, but I'm not crazy about hiring a coach whose career is in a downward trajectory. I'd rather try to catch a guy on the way up.

As long as they were successful at the BCS level I think they should be considered. Hell I'd even take Butch Davis, but that would never happen either...

Sad part is I think a school like Memphis has a big advantage on the lower level of coaches. As in the coaches not good enough to be a BCS HC, but not bad enough for 1-AA, if that makes any sense.

[ZachTheZip]

Carl Pelini expected to take the FAU job. I doubt we even tried to contact him.

[skip-zip]

Carl Pelini expected to take the FAU job. I doubt we even tried to contact him.

If a mid level Sun Belt team can get a guy like that, with Ohio roots, he should have been on our radar too.

Yet, some folks on here are hanging their hopes on a D-II coach with barely a .500 record? Come on folks. Talk about lowering the bar. But I know, it really wasn't that bad if you eliminate the years where he had a bad record

[hiroad1]

Carl Pelini expected to take the FAU job. I doubt we even tried to contact him.

If a mid level Sun Belt team can get a guy like that, with Ohio roots, he should have been on our radar too.

Yet, some folks on here are hanging their hopes on a D-II coach with barely a .500 record? Come on folks. Talk about lowering the bar. But I know, it really wasn't that bad if you eliminate the years where he had a bad record

I have to get this off my chest. I'm finding it frustrating that people discussing Paul Winters are saying "Oh, he is an Akron man." Or "Oh, he will never want to leave and he'll stay here forever"

So what to both!

If he is a great coaching talent who can get this program winning quickly, then that is all that matters to me.

We should evaluate Paul against ALL other qualified candidates on only those two issues. Then get the BEST guy for Akron.

[Blue & Gold]

I'm really holding out for Withers.

I really don't get it...

What is the fascination with this guy. If people want a former Zip so badly why not get Charlie Frye or Jason Taylor haha at least people actually remember them!!

I'm not sure if Withers played for Akron..

Sorry with all the obsession around here about Winters, I read your post quickly and didn't realize it actually said Withers

My bad! but who is Withers? Everett Withers from UNC??

He's just referencing a running joke from another thread in which a poster misspelled Winters' name as "Withers."

[you am i]

Carl Pelini expected to take the FAU job. I doubt we even tried to contact him.

If a mid level Sun Belt team can get a guy like that, with Ohio roots, he should have been on our radar too.

Yet, some folks on here are hanging their hopes on a D-II coach with barely a .500 record? Come on folks. Talk about lowering the bar. But I know, it really wasn't that bad if you eliminate the years where he had a bad record

I assume your last sentence is sarcasm. If so, its misplaced. Winters took over a bad team and turned it into a winner. If you look at his over-all record, it has to include the early years where the team struggled, which lowers his winning percentage.

Put it this way, lets say the next Akron's coach goes 2-9, 5-6, and 9-3 in his first three seasons. His over-all record would be 16-18, but we'd be calling home coach of the year after three years and begging him to stay. He'd be a prime candidate to move up to a bigger job, and someone at a BCS school would be posting, "He's got a losing record."

I remember when Butch Davis was coach of the Browns for the 2004 draft. Roethlisberger was available for the Browns in the first round, but Davis passed on him. I read that people on the staff were telling him to take Ben, but Davis had a thing about not taking a high first round pick on a player from a mid-major school. It was just a bias on his part. I wonder if TW has the same thing going on. When it came to RI, I think TW got stars in his eyes about picking someone from Notre Dame. I hope he's over that and can look objectively at a guy like Winters.

I just saw a promo on TV for the OU-NIU game. Interesting contrast in coaches. OU got a big name in Solich and NIU went the other route. The NIU coach is another guy who was hired in the MAC who was a career assistant with no head coaching experience. You can have success ether way, or you can go the Paul Winters route and go for a successful head coach at a smaller school. I don't really care which way they go, as long as it works.