Hire Paul Winters Now.

[InTheZone]

It's a crapshoot with assistants, but obviously all head coaches were assistants at some point. We're at a point in this program though where we can't afford to have a guy come in and learn on the job. We need a guy who knows how to take a terrible team and turn them into a powerhouse, a guy who's done that. In Paul Winters, we have that guy, and a guy who loves Akron football, loves this community, and would not use this school as a stepping stone. We also have a guy who has actually been here, knows how to recruit in the MAC, and has taken MAC athletes and turned them into one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. You find me somebody else like that.

It should also be pointed out that coaches in the GLIAC recruit all the same guys that MAC schools are recruiting. They keep contact with the same guys through their junion and senior years, and then take the ones that don't get MAC offers (and some that do!) That being the case, Winters already has relationships with many of the kids that are being recruited in our conference and we will be competing for. That's a MAJOR plus given the short amount of time our new coach is going to have to put a class together.

[InTheZone]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20111129/SP...--not-Akron-job

Last Updated: November 29. 2011 1:00AM.

Wayne State coach Paul Winters is focused on next game, not Akron job

Detroit— Paul Winters was busy at work Monday, getting Wayne State prepared for its biggest game in school history.

And, people are taking notice of Winters' work. His name was mentioned in the Cleveland Plain Dealer for the Akron head coaching job, which opened up after Rob Ianello was fired after a two-year run resulting in consecutive 1-11 records.

Akron athletic director Tom Wistrcill was disgusted with Akron's performance Friday in a 68-19 loss to Western Michigan. The Zips were embarrassed by Can't State on their beautiful, new $61.6 million, 30,000-seat InfoCision Stadium earlier this month.

Winters — in his eighth season at Wayne State — has turned the Warriors into a Division II national power. They are 33-13 the last four years. They set a school record with nine wins and were ranked No. 12 last season. They earned a D-II playoff spot for the first time in school history this season, and took advantage of the situation with wins at St. Cloud State and Nebraska-Kearney to improve to 10-3. Now, they will play in a national quarterfinal game Saturday at defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth.

When asked if he had interest in the Akron job, Winters was quick to the point, saying: "The only interest I have is in winning the national championship. We're playing the defending national champions. I think for our young men, it's a great opportunity to go up against the very best and I know to a man they are looking forward to it."

Winters' name has been thrown into the mix at Akron for good reason. After all, he was a standout running back for Akron in the late '70s, earning the school's Athlete of the Year award in 1980. After a stint at running backs coach at Wisconsin in the early '90s, he moved on to become offensive coordinator at Akron under Lee Owens (1994-2003) before his arrival in Detroit.

In 2003, Winters helped Akron become the nation's 11th-best scoring offense (36.2) and No. 7 passing attack.

Just two years after Owens' departure in 2003, J.D. Brookhart guided Akron to the MAC championship with a last-second touchdown pass for a 31-30 win over Northern Illinois in the 2005 MAC title game at Ford Field.

Brookhart didn't come close to duplicating the championship season and was fired after the 2009 season.

But, Winters is duplicating success over and over again at Wayne State. And, he's focused on nothing but Saturday's regional championship game for a spot in the Final Four.

"We were ready to play and got some early turnovers," Winters said of Wayne State's 38-26 win over Nebraska-Kearney, where they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, including a 47-yard interception return by safety Jeremy Jones, one of his three picks on the day. "(Minnesota-Duluth) has quite a few seniors back from last year. They have a power-oriented offense. They like to run the ball."

Yes, Winters has only one thing on his mind ... how to stop Duluth's running game. The Akron job is off the radar.

[skip-zip]

Nothing has changed in my opinion about Winters and his qualifications to run Akron's D-1A program, or my reaction to all of the "emotion" that seems to be getting his name mentioned so often.

And my question is the same as well.

Please, someone provide me with a list of schools, even at the lower I-AA level, that are beating down the door for Winters' services?

[InTheZone]

Nothing has changed in my opinion about Winters and his qualifications to run Akron's D-1A program, or my reaction to all of the "emotion" that seems to be getting his name mentioned so often.

And my question is the same as well.

Please, someone provide me with a list of schools, even at the lower I-AA level, that are beating down the door for Winters' services?

Once other schools are beating down his door, it's too late for us buddy. Every coach has to get his first shot in the big leagues from somebody. Brian Kelly's came from Central Michigan. They took a winner at a lower level nobody was "beating down the door" for. I don't think they regretted their decision.

This is a guy who knows how to turn a program around and win. Instead of focusing on everybody else, focus on the Zips needs, and you'll see he's exactly what we need.

[hiroad1]

Nothing has changed in my opinion about Winters and his qualifications to run Akron's D-1A program, or my reaction to all of the "emotion" that seems to be getting his name mentioned so often.

And my question is the same as well.

Please, someone provide me with a list of schools, even at the lower I-AA level, that are beating down the door for Winters' services?

Once other schools are beating down his door, it's too late for us buddy. Every coach has to get his first shot in the big leagues from somebody. Brian Kelly's came from Central Michigan. They took a winner at a lower level nobody was "beating down the door" for. I don't think they regretted their decision.

This is a guy who knows how to turn a program around and win. Instead of focusing on everybody else, focus on the Zips needs, and you'll see he's exactly what we need.

InTheZone, are you family, or agent for Paul? Ha ha.

[InTheZone]

InTheZone, are you family, or agent for Paul? Ha ha.

Lol no I'm a former player of his, so I'm pretty close with him. I've never tried to hide that fact or my bias when it comes to Coach Winters, but that doesn't make my points any less valid, ya know?

[Blue & Gold]

Nothing has changed in my opinion about Winters and his qualifications to run Akron's D-1A program, or my reaction to all of the "emotion" that seems to be getting his name mentioned so often.

And my question is the same as well.

Please, someone provide me with a list of schools, even at the lower I-AA level, that are beating down the door for Winters' services?

Once other schools are beating down his door, it's too late for us buddy. Every coach has to get his first shot in the big leagues from somebody. Brian Kelly's came from Central Michigan. They took a winner at a lower level nobody was "beating down the door" for. I don't think they regretted their decision.

This is a guy who knows how to turn a program around and win. Instead of focusing on everybody else, focus on the Zips needs, and you'll see he's exactly what we need.

Good point about Kelly. He was HC @ Grand Valley State, a school in the same conference as Paul Winters' Wayne State.

[Roo2]

InTheZone, are you family, or agent for Paul? Ha ha.

Lol no I'm a former player of his, so I'm pretty close with him. I've never tried to hide that fact or my bias when it comes to Coach Winters, but that doesn't make my points any less valid, ya know?

Do you still keep in contact with Winters? I am just wondering if coaching at Akron is something he still really wants to do. He's been away for some time now, so it might not hold as much meaning for him as it did in the past. I don't know who I really want just yet, but Winters does seem to be a really good fit. It will be interesting to see what guys actually end up being interviewed.

[skip-zip]

Nothing has changed in my opinion about Winters and his qualifications to run Akron's D-1A program, or my reaction to all of the "emotion" that seems to be getting his name mentioned so often.

And my question is the same as well.

Please, someone provide me with a list of schools, even at the lower I-AA level, that are beating down the door for Winters' services?

Once other schools are beating down his door, it's too late for us buddy. Every coach has to get his first shot in the big leagues from somebody. Brian Kelly's came from Central Michigan. They took a winner at a lower level nobody was "beating down the door" for. I don't think they regretted their decision.

This is a guy who knows how to turn a program around and win. Instead of focusing on everybody else, focus on the Zips needs, and you'll see he's exactly what we need.

I'll respect your opinion based on the fact that you know him, and like him. That's why I say that many support Winters for emotional reasons.

I hope you are not comparing this situation to Brian Kelly. He was enormously successful in D-II, had an incredible record, and won two national titles. So, if you believe that Kelly fit the definition of "taking a chance", then you must understand why people would think that the Winters situation is an incredible risk, right?

And again, why hasn't someone at even the lower I-AA level "taken a chance" on him? But, some believe that we should move the guy up two levels? I don't get it.

[InTheZone]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

[g-mann17]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

So in just 7 short years we will be competitive in the playoffs, that don't exist at the level we compete.

[Jalapeño Zippy]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

So in just 7 short years we will be competitive in the playoffs, that don't exist at the level we compete.

Every season is a playoff for the Mid-American Conference Championship. Winters has success at bringing a program from the bottom up.

[g-mann17]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

So in just 7 short years we will be competitive in the playoffs, that don't exist at the level we compete.

Every season is a playoff for the Mid-American Conference Championship. Winters has success at bringing a program from the bottom up.

And fans here are going to give him the 3 year warm up he needs? Look at how long it took, and he still hasn't got his team ranked #1 in the GLIAC, just made the playoffs.

ITZ is attached because he played under Winters. I'm hard pressed to say that I am interested in Winters as our next coach.

[johnnyzip84]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

Concepts like "degree of difficulty" and "statistical trends" apparently don't hold much weight with skip.

@skip: how do you KNOW Paul hasn't had FCS opportunities in the last year or so? It took him a while to get Wayne St going in the right direction, and this fact obviously affects both his chances for other opportunities and his overall record as a head coach (the two things you can't see past).

I don't know Paul personally at all. I saw him play and I saw him coach at UA. That's it.

[Captain Kangaroo]

And fans here are going to give him the 3 year warm up he needs? Look at how long it took, and he still hasn't got his team ranked #1 in the GLIAC, just made the playoffs.

We could hire a staff of Knute Rockne, Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi and Eddie Robinson and we won't be competitive until Year #3.

We were down 68-5 to WMU in the 3rd quarter...lost 51-10 to a 3-9 Buffalo team...lost 35-3 to Can't...down 49-0 at the half to Cincinnati...there's no 2-year plan to turn this Program around.

[ZipRoo]

And fans here are going to give him the 3 year warm up he needs? Look at how long it took, and he still hasn't got his team ranked #1 in the GLIAC, just made the playoffs.

We could hire a staff of Knute Rockne, Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi and Eddie Robinson and we won't be competitive until Year #3.

We were down 68-5 to WMU in the 3rd quarter...lost 51-10 to a 3-9 Buffalo team...lost 35-3 to Can't...down 49-0 at the half to Cincinnati...there's no 2-year plan to turn this Program around.

Well it only took Tom Wistrcill's #1 choice two years to take the program from bad to abysmal. Never say never.

[InTheZone]

InTheZone, are you family, or agent for Paul? Ha ha.

Lol no I'm a former player of his, so I'm pretty close with him. I've never tried to hide that fact or my bias when it comes to Coach Winters, but that doesn't make my points any less valid, ya know?

Do you still keep in contact with Winters? I am just wondering if coaching at Akron is something he still really wants to do. He's been away for some time now, so it might not hold as much meaning for him as it did in the past. I don't know who I really want just yet, but Winters does seem to be a really good fit. It will be interesting to see what guys actually end up being interviewed.

Coach Winters is the kind of guy who is going to be completely focused and dedicated to the situation he's in, and he's not going to talk about anything other than that. When I was playing and he was being nominated for top assistant awards, a lot of BCS schools were contacting him wanting him to come interview for assistant positions. He never talked about it to us, and if he was asked about it he would quickly shift the conversation back to the matters at hand (all while actually turning down those offers because he believed in what he was doing here). That being said, I did talk to him not too long ago, before Ianello was fired about the possibility. He wasn't hearing it, and said only that he was focusing on continuing to build the program he was in and investing in the lives of the guys he was coaching.

I do know however, that last go around, he wanted the job, and wanted it bad. It was a major disappointment to see it go to a guy like Ianello, whom I'm sure Paul had an idea was not the right fit for this job. Does that disappointment carry over to bitterness in that he's not going to be interested this time around? Knowing him, I don't think so at all. He loves Akron and wants to see this program rise to greatness, which was part of what made the last rejection sting so much. If he were given an opportunity to take over here I think he would take it in a heart beat, despite of what he's saying now when such an offer doesn't exist. He's also in a much better position this time around coming off a 9 win and still going 10 win season competing for a national title, and he knows that.

The man still has a love and loyalty for the program he sweat and bled for, and poured countless hours of work into during the 90's and 00's. If we come calling, he'll be here, and for the long haul.

[johnnyzip84]

Here are some additional thoughts on Winters:

The thing that might concern me the most (besides everyone blaming me if things don’t turn out so good ) is how much upside there is with him. I am very confident that he would have the team competitive in the MAC within a couple years (at the latest). I’m not nearly as confident that he’s the guy who can eventually dominate the conference. I guess you could say I see the hire as a sure single or double, but perhaps not a home run. Coming off a major league whiff however, do we really want to try to hit a home run with this hire?

If the answer is yes, of the names I’ve heard lately, Campbell might be the riskiest with the highest upside. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Matt succeed wildly once he gets the chance. But is our current situation simply too much for him?

Also, I assume that potential transfers from D-2 have to sit out a season just like transfers from D-1? Can anyone confirm? I ask because there might be some talent on Wayne St that Paul could bring along with him. If anyone is skeptical that any D-2 players are talented enough to help us, I suggest asking Byron Leftwich what he remembers about a linebacker by the name of Ryan Myers!

[bobbyake]

Paul Winters coached Jason Taylor & Dwight Smith correct?? Wouldn't those connections be great to utilize??

[Jalapeño Zippy]

Paul Winters coached Jason Taylor & Dwight Smith correct?? Wouldn't those connections be great to utilize??

And was on staff when Charlie Frye was here early in his career. Too me, this shows the guy has been around and can recognize D1 talent.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Paul Winters coached Jason Taylor & Dwight Smith correct?? Wouldn't those connections be great to utilize??

Jason Taylor was recruited by Faust. Both Taylor and Smith were defensive guys. Winters was Offensive Coordinator.

[g-mann17]

Paul Winters coached Jason Taylor & Dwight Smith correct?? Wouldn't those connections be great to utilize??

Jason Taylor was recruited by Faust. Both Taylor and Smith were defensive guys. Winters was Offensive Coordinator.

But it was practicing against his high powered offense that made them so good on defense.

[skip-zip]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

Knowing that you are not impressed with Kelly's 118-35 record tells me how much you support Winters. And that's fine. I can see what an emotional choice this is for some people who have a history with him. And I'm sure his mediocre record would be defended by someone who played for him. I'd probably try to do the same thing.

To the poster who implied that I KNOW that he's never even gotten 1-AA interest, that's not true. I don't know that. But, if someone could tell me the schools that have shown interest in his services, since his accomplishments are more impressive than Kelly's, I'd like to know.

I'm guessing that there has to be a some reason why Kelly has spent the last couple of decades moving from GVSU to CMU to Cincinnati to Notre Dame. And during that same general time frame, Winters has been an OC at his alma mater, and has been at a D-II school in urban Detroit ever since.

[Doug Snyder]

Brian Kelly inherited a much better situation at GVSU, and still did not win a playoff game for over a decade there. Winters inherited one of the worst college football programs in the country, and in seven years is competing for a national championship. I'm more impressed with the latter.

Knowing that you are not impressed with Kelly's 118-35 record tells me how much you support Winters. And that's fine. I can see what an emotional choice this is for some people who have a history with him. And I'm sure his mediocre record would be defended by someone who played for him. I'd probably try to do the same thing.

To the poster who implied that I KNOW that he's never even gotten 1-AA interest, that's not true. I don't know that. But, if someone could tell me the schools that have shown interest in his services, since his accomplishments are more impressive than Kelly's, I'd like to know.

I'm guessing that there has to be a some reason why Kelly has spent the last couple of decades moving from GVSU to CMU to Cincinnati to Notre Dame. And during that same general time frame, Winters has been an OC at his alma mater, and has been at a D-II school in urban Detroit ever since.

Some have different ambitions. During that same time Larry Kehres has been the coach at Mount Union. He has been approached any times but decided he likes it where he is. I think ITZ and JZ84 and others like myself want someone who will be like Kehres or Winters at Wayne State or Dambrot. How long was Kelly at one school?? I think it would be far better to have a successful coach here for 8-10 years. I was hoping JT would bring that as this would have been his last job. But I will take my chances with Winters....and UofA Alum, raised in Akron and loves the area. He is one of our own...that should count for something. We are taking a chance with any coach coming here...time to give one of own a chance.

[zippy5]

If someone does good enough to move to ND in 3 years, I'm all for it.