Early word is that Fick is the top choice

[GP1]

He played 5 players for an entire season, who he knew were ineligible because they committed NCAA violations. That's cheating.

Well said.

Below are some simple questions about Tressel everyone should ask.

1. Does Tressel win? Yes

2. Does Tressel recruit well? Yes

3. Is Tressel well liked by high school coaches? Yes

4. Will he fill the stadium? If he wins, yes. If he doesn't, Faust Part II.

5. Is he a good coach? Yes

6. Does he use lying and cheating to accomplish success in questions 1, 2, 3 and 5? Yes

My biggest question is now and will always be until the question gets answered, Can he win without lying and cheating? There isn't much evidence he can because it has always gone on. He'll probably do just fine at Akron, but I don't have much certainty.

Paul Winters has won at a place where lying and cheating just isn't possible because nobody knows who the players are and almost nobody cares about the program. Good football players in Youngstown are minor celebritites, especially when they are on a roll so there is room for cheating. Good football players at OSU are celebrities and future NFL players. There are so many jock sniffers arond Columbus, rules ARE going to be broken.

It's easy to win at OSU. It's hard as Hell to win at Wayne State and PW has done it. Give me the underdog for an underdog program.

[hiroad1]

He played 5 players for an entire season, who he knew were ineligible because they committed NCAA violations. That's cheating.

Well said.

Below are some simple questions about Tressel everyone should ask.

1. Does Tressel win? Yes

2. Does Tressel recruit well? Yes

3. Is Tressel well liked by high school coaches? Yes

4. Will he fill the stadium? If he wins, yes. If he doesn't, Faust Part II.

5. Is he a good coach? Yes

6. Does he use lying and cheating to accomplish success in questions 1, 2, 3 and 5? Yes

My biggest question is now and will always be until the question gets answered, Can he win without lying and cheating? There isn't much evidence he can because it has always gone on. He'll probably do just fine at Akron, but I don't have much certainty.

Paul Winters has won at a place where lying and cheating just isn't possible because nobody knows who the players are and almost nobody cares about the program. Good football players in Youngstown are minor celebritites, especially when they are on a roll so there is room for cheating. Good football players at OSU are celebrities and future NFL players. There are so many jock sniffers arond Columbus, rules ARE going to be broken.

It's easy to win at OSU. It's hard as Hell to win at Wayne State and PW has done it. Give me the underdog for an underdog program.

First, I find it really difficult to comprehend that Tressel would really take the coaching job at Akron. Though, I admit I would be be thrilled if he did.

Anywhere he goes he will be under the microscope from both the NCAA and the media. IMO, he could turn around the situation at UA even under that microscope and with a probe placed you know where. The guy can coach, even if you want to dwell on the negatives. Plus, he could surely recruit better than anyone else we are going to get. And he'd probably get the best assistants.

If, somehow, UA could land Tressel, they must do it. I just can't imagine it.

[tpsjugglerdude]

Akron players can not win Gold Pants by beating Michigan, so they can not be sold.

Akron players can not win Big 10 rings, so they can not be sold.

When Akron wins the MAC, no one will want to buy a MAC Championship ring who is not on this board.

Akron players autographs will not be worth a free tatoo.

Tressel can't do any wrong here. lol

[zen]

Akron players can not win Gold Pants by beating Michigan, so they can not be sold.

Akron players can not win Big 10 rings, so they can not be sold.

When Akron wins the MAC, no one will want to buy a MAC Championship ring who is not on this board.

Akron players autographs will not be worth a free tatoo.

Tressel can't do any wrong here. lol

You jest, but I believe you are right.

As I said, OSU (as I suspect many other big football schools) have a subculture near to their football programs that worship everything about those programs and who are looking for clever ways to do favors for players. They know not only that you have to hide it from outsiders, but you even have to hide it from most of the insiders in the program.

You just don't have that here.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Akron players can not win Gold Pants by beating Michigan, so they can not be sold.

Akron players can not win Big 10 rings, so they can not be sold.

When Akron wins the MAC, no one will want to buy a MAC Championship ring who is not on this board.

Akron players autographs will not be worth a free tatoo.

Tressel can't do any wrong here. lol

You jest, but I believe you are right.

As I said, OSU (as I suspect many other big football schools) have a subculture near to their football programs that worship everything about those programs and who are looking for clever ways to do favors for players. They know not only that you have to hide it from outsiders, but you even have to hide it from most of the insiders in the program.

You just don't have that here.

I would guess that he would actually not be under that much scrutiny at UA. In terms of the college football scene, UA is the sticks. Nobody cares about UA and he would be left alone to serve his penance I believe. He would probably slide into some measure of bittersweet obscurity unless he came here and won big. Then, as long as the program hasn't become too renegade, a Miami U in Akron, he would be lauded for raising the Phoenix and it is certainly possible that his presence, along with a winning football program, would help elevate UA into a different/better conference. Who knows, I hated Tressel when he was at Ohio State, but if he arrived and earnestly worked toward raising this program out of the ashes and had any measure of success, I'd probably become a sweater-vest lover too.

[zen]

I would guess that he would actually not be under that much scrutiny at UA. In terms of the college football scene, UA is the sticks. Nobody cares about UA and he would be left alone to serve his penance I believe. He would probably slide into some measure of bittersweet obscurity unless he came here and won big. Then, as long as the program hasn't become too renegade, a Miami U in Akron, he would be lauded for raising the Phoenix and it is certainly possible that his presence, along with a winning football program, would help elevate UA into a different/better conference. Who knows, I hated Tressel when he was at Ohio State, but if he arrived and earnestly worked toward raising this program out of the ashes and had any measure of success, I'd probably become a sweater-vest lover too.

would that make us hipocrites?

I didn't hate tressel, but often I agreed with the "tresselball" criticism. He sometimes seemed too conservative for the level of talent he was playing with.

I wonder of that field position style of low risk wear-your-enemy-down philosophy would work here?

The reaction would be to say no. That you have be wild and creative. Maybe that mindset gets you in trouble at any level?

[Blue & Gold]

I would guess that he would actually not be under that much scrutiny at UA. In terms of the college football scene, UA is the sticks. Nobody cares about UA and he would be left alone to serve his penance I believe. He would probably slide into some measure of bittersweet obscurity unless he came here and won big. Then, as long as the program hasn't become too renegade, a Miami U in Akron, he would be lauded for raising the Phoenix and it is certainly possible that his presence, along with a winning football program, would help elevate UA into a different/better conference. Who knows, I hated Tressel when he was at Ohio State, but if he arrived and earnestly worked toward raising this program out of the ashes and had any measure of success, I'd probably become a sweater-vest lover too.

would that make us hipocrites?

I didn't hate tressel, but often I agreed with the "tresselball" criticism. He sometimes seemed too conservative for the level of talent he was playing with.

I wonder of that field position style of low risk wear-your-enemy-down philosophy would work here?

The reaction would be to say no. That you have be wild and creative. Maybe that mindset gets you in trouble at any level?

A big reason I'm so excited about the possibility of JT coaching the Zips is that he was wildly successful @ YSU. He knows what it takes to win with lesser talent than available to him @ OSU.

I think at this point in JT's career Akron is a perfect fit for him. He can't lose here.

-Less pressure to win.

-A fanbase that is quite easy to please.

-The terrible tenure of iCoach - a built-in excuse for a couple of rough years.

-Very high ceiling with our beautiful facilities.

-A conference that should be relatively easy to compete in, if not outright dominate.

-Lower-echelon Top 25 rankings to be had.

-Fulfilling coaching job that's largely out of the spotlight of the national media.

-Pretty good money.

-Opportunity to rebuild tarnished legacy.

This is a win-win situation here.

[ZipRoo]

To add to Blue & Gold's list:

Tressel is also a NE Ohio guy. His roots run deep here.

Local high school coaches love Tressel. His inroads into local recruiting are already there.

Tressel would also be following in the footsteps of his mentor and lifelong friend, Jim Dennison. (Yes, I know there were bad feelings when Dennison was replaced, but that administration is long gone. The current heirarchy can't be held responsible for that blunder.)

[ZippyRulz]

Zook is available.

Mike Thomas does the deed. Maybe we could contract MT for our search committee. I wonder who the Illini will go after now?

[Zipmeister]

I know that many of you hate tOSU with a passion and have offered numerous noncomplimentary remarks about the sweater, but how vindictive can you be?

Wishing the Akron head coaching position on the former Buckeye mentor seems a bit extreme.

In a court of law, such an outcome would likely be judged cruel and unusual punishment.

Come to think of it, I like the idea. Let's go get him.

[hiroad1]

I know that many of you hate tOSU with a passion and have offered numerous noncomplimentary remarks about the sweater, but how vindictive can you be?

Wishing the Akron head coaching position on the former Buckeye mentor seems a bit extreme.

In a court of law, such an outcome would likely be judged cruel and unusual punishment.

Come to think of it, I like the idea. Let's go get him.

I like this wit!

[Hilltopper]

I know that many of you hate tOSU with a passion and have offered numerous noncomplimentary remarks about the sweater, but how vindictive can you be?

Wishing the Akron head coaching position on the former Buckeye mentor seems a bit extreme.

In a court of law, such an outcome would likely be judged cruel and unusual punishment.

Come to think of it, I like the idea. Let's go get him.

I like this wit!

It gets old.

[Dave in Green]

Legend has it that ZN.o's Off Topic, Smack & Jokes forum was originally known as Zipmeister's Box.

One day someone accidentally lifted the lid on the box, and Zipmeister spread to all the forums.

Like Pandora's Box, once the lid was lifted, the results could never be undone.

[Z.I.P.]

IF indeed Ianello has been released (I've been out of circulation for the past four days and haven't seen anything official), and if in fact Akron has a shot at Luke Fickell, a.) I am thrilled! (especially about the first part); and b.) I give my permission for the team to go full blast for Luke. and c.) It will probably take a king's ranson (by Akron standards) to sign him, as he will get more to stay in the Capitol.

Any other names? (never mind, I'll read the rest of the board!)

[bUAkronG]

IF indeed Ianello has been released (I've been out of circulation for the past four days and haven't seen anything official), and if in fact Akron has a shot at Luke Fickell, a.) I am thrilled! (especially about the first part); and b.) I give my permission for the team to go full blast for Luke. and c.) It will probably take a king's ranson (by Akron standards) to sign him, as he will get more to stay in the Capitol.

Any other names? (never mind, I'll read the rest of the board!)

you have a lot to read...

Also Fickell is not staying in Columbus, at least not as a head coach.

[zip403]

Lets all JUST BE CAREFULL who we look at. If a Coach is FIRED from one school what makes you think he will be great at AKRON. I dont think RI wil be getting to many offers. A FIRED COACH is a FIRED COACH. Perhaps a sucessful Coach at the 1AA level might be worth looking into,,Just a thought. Find a Coach on his was UP,,not one who just got his PINK SLIP like RI did

[Buckzip]

Fick is staying at OSU to work under Meyer.

[akronad]

To add to Blue & Gold's list:

Tressel is also a NE Ohio guy. His roots run deep here.

Local high school coaches love Tressel. His inroads into local recruiting are already there.

Tressel would also be following in the footsteps of his mentor and lifelong friend, Jim Dennison. (Yes, I know there were bad feelings when Dennison was replaced, but that administration is long gone. The current heirarchy can't be held responsible for that blunder.)

Yes, Dennison and Tressell are good friends. In fact, after Tressell left OSU, Dennison & Tressell met. Dennison tried to to get Tressell on his staff immediatley, but Tressell turned him down. Dennison alluded that he planned to step down in a year or two as head coach and would like to hand the whistle over to Tressell. Tressell has been thinking about it since then.

And Frank Solich after he was canned at Nebraska took a year off and then started with OU. Solich was fired because he couldn't get it done at Nebraska with a new AD in place.

I would prefer Tressell, however, whoever we get needs to have HC experience and be familiar with the MAC.

[Z.I.P.]

To add to Blue & Gold's list:

Tressel is also a NE Ohio guy. His roots run deep here.

Local high school coaches love Tressel. His inroads into local recruiting are already there.

Tressel would also be following in the footsteps of his mentor and lifelong friend, Jim Dennison. (Yes, I know there were bad feelings when Dennison was replaced, but that administration is long gone. The current heirarchy can't be held responsible for that blunder.)

Yes, Dennison and Tressell are good friends. In fact, after Tressell left OSU, Dennison & Tressell met. Dennison tried to to get Tressell on his staff immediatley, but Tressell turned him down. Dennison alluded that he planned to step down in a year or two as head coach and would like to hand the whistle over to Tressell. Tressell has been thinking about it since then.

And Frank Solich after he was canned at Nebraska took a year off and then started with OU. Solich was fired because he couldn't get it done at Nebraska with a new AD in place.

I would prefer Tressell, however, whoever we get needs to have HC experience and be familiar with the MAC.

Someone explain to me what Dennison's name even has to do with this conversation (Akron's next football coach). Jim Dennison is an historical footnote in the university's history. Nobody on the Hill cares about him any longer.

Also, this morning on Honolulu sports radio (FWIW) a writer from the Columbus paper was interviewed and I called in and asked about the Tressel to Akron rumors. He said yes, it's a BIG RUMOR. He also said that Tressel would be/was being considered for the Arizona State job, so why would he even be interested in Akron?.

[g-mann17]

Someone explain to me what Dennison's name even has to do with this conversation (Akron's next football coach). Jim Dennison is an historical footnote in the university's history. Nobody on the Hill cares about him any longer.

Also, this morning on Honolulu sports radio (FWIW) a writer from the Columbus paper was interviewed and I called in and asked about the Tressel to Akron rumors. He said yes, it's a BIG RUMOR. He also said that Tressel would be/was being considered for the Arizona State job, so why would he even be interested in Akron?.

Dennison is important to UA because he is one of the winningest coaches in its history. He also was involved with the program for 20 years (including 7 as the AD).

And why would Tressel be interested in Akron? Its home.

[Big Zip]

You forgot Dennison was who Tressel worked for at Akron.

[Zipmeister]

To add to Blue & Gold's list:

Tressel is also a NE Ohio guy. His roots run deep here.

Local high school coaches love Tressel. His inroads into local recruiting are already there.

Tressel would also be following in the footsteps of his mentor and lifelong friend, Jim Dennison. (Yes, I know there were bad feelings when Dennison was replaced, but that administration is long gone. The current heirarchy can't be held responsible for that blunder.)

Yes, Dennison and Tressell are good friends. In fact, after Tressell left OSU, Dennison & Tressell met. Dennison tried to to get Tressell on his staff immediatley, but Tressell turned him down. Dennison alluded that he planned to step down in a year or two as head coach and would like to hand the whistle over to Tressell. Tressell has been thinking about it since then.

And Frank Solich after he was canned at Nebraska took a year off and then started with OU. Solich was fired because he couldn't get it done at Nebraska with a new AD in place.

I would prefer Tressell, however, whoever we get needs to have HC experience and be familiar with the MAC.

Frank had 9 wins the year he got canned. A major problem was he was scoring too frequently off the field.

[Z.I.P.]

You forgot Dennison was who Tressel worked for at Akron.

And are we to believe that works for or against Tressel?

[Lee Adams]

Someone explain to me what Dennison's name even has to do with this conversation (Akron's next football coach). Jim Dennison is an historical footnote in the university's history. Nobody on the Hill cares about him any longer.

Also, this morning on Honolulu sports radio (FWIW) a writer from the Columbus paper was interviewed and I called in and asked about the Tressel to Akron rumors. He said yes, it's a BIG RUMOR. He also said that Tressel would be/was being considered for the Arizona State job, so why would he even be interested in Akron?.

Dennison is important to UA because he is one of the winningest coaches in its history. He also was involved with the program for 20 years (including 7 as the AD).

And why would Tressel be interested in Akron? Its home.

[Z.I.P.]

Someone explain to me what Dennison's name even has to do with this conversation (Akron's next football coach). Jim Dennison is an historical footnote in the university's history. Nobody on the Hill cares about him any longer.

Also, this morning on Honolulu sports radio (FWIW) a writer from the Columbus paper was interviewed and I called in and asked about the Tressel to Akron rumors. He said yes, it's a BIG RUMOR. He also said that Tressel would be/was being considered for the Arizona State job, so why would he even be interested in Akron?.

Dennison is important to UA because he is one of the winningest coaches in its history. He also was involved with the program for 20 years (including 7 as the AD).

And why would Tressel be interested in Akron? Its home.

You're absolutely right guys, that's exactly what The University of Akron needs -- more employees who put loyalty ahead of ethics! to the nth.