Is Our Head Coach "Search" a Sham?

[GP1]

I know how much you love Lee Owens' old offense, but Winters is not the guy for this job and he never will be. He had his chances and came up just short, just like his offense constantly did.

I've never said I loved his old offense. They moved the ball well. They also came up short more than I would have like them to.

[Doug Snyder]

He had control over putting himself out in public to promote his offense and building his own reputation as a solid coach. If he had succeeded in these, we would have hired him instead of Brookhart. It's not just about calling plays.

We need someone who can excite the community in more ways than putting a good product on the field, because at this point nobody goes to see the product or even keeps tabs on it through what little media coverage we get. He could get us to six wins in his first year and nobody would notice or care because they've already been jilted by Akron in the past and don't want to see what we have to offer now.

So hiring a noname coach from MSU or Toledo is going to get people excited? Let's not focus on this though....

......Let's focus on the first paragraph. Normally, a paragraph as stupid as the first above is reserved for drunks posting in the early hours of the morning. Done with finals are we?

I can't believe you're arguing that Paul Winters has more name recognition than any of the other coaching candidates. He has the least name recognition of them all. Pat Narduzzi is known to a half-million MSU fans as a guy who will almost certainly be a BCS head coach by the end of the decade. Mike Johnson is known throughout Los Angeles from working at UCLA and nationally from his time coaching in the NFL. The only people who know Winters are his former players and a few thousand people in the 'hood of Detroit.

I know how much you love Lee Owens' old offense, but Winters is not the guy for this job and he never will be. He had his chances and came up just short, just like his offense constantly did.

Plea to Zip Watcher and other moderators...

If Zach starts poisoning the forum with anti-XXXXX or hate XXXXX please ban him from this site. The last thing we need is a repeat of the last hire....in any way. Granted...Ianello made mistakes coming in. But having someone going on a crusade to oust the coach from the beginning because he does not agree with the hire is wrong.

[Dave in Green]

'Big winner' at Akron is defined as what?

Within the context of my original statement 5 days ago, it was that I thought based on what I knew then that Winters could make UA competitive in the MAC, but I wasn't confident he could make UA a big winner in the MAC.

I would define "competitive in the MAC" as a team that wins half or more of its games on a regular basis.

I would define "big winner in the MAC" as a team that contends for the MAC championship on a regular basis.

After further research and consideration, I now believe there's a greater likelihood that Winters could do for UA what he's done for Wayne State -- not take UA to the national championship game, but contend for the MAC championship on a regular basis.

I also believe that all signs are now pointing toward Winters getting the job. If that's the case, I want to be part of the fan base making him feel welcome here, not part of the fan base crying about how UA could have done better.

[GP1]

I can't believe you're arguing that Paul Winters has more name recognition than any of the other coaching candidates.

I didn't say this. You should find out where Buckzip is taking the reading comprehension class I recommended and join him.

[GP1]

The only people who know Winters are his former players and a few thousand people in the 'hood of Detroit.

"only"? I know Winters and I'm neither of the two you mention.

Many people know and respect Paul. Some of the more important are the many high school coaches throughout the midwest who respect the work he does. We need kids from NE Ohio on the team...he gets them at WSU. We need kids from central Ohio...he gets them at WSU. We need kids from the "hood" as you call it from Detroit...he gets them. He brings together all of these different types of young men and makes a damn good team out of them. That's what we need at Akron.

[ZipRoo]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden the moon.

[GP1]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

I didn't say that, but of all the people on the board, I can respect where you are coming from.

My objection to any high level of Winters bashing is, I find it baseless. I understand there are going to be some concerns about any candidate, but the guy has been driving his own spaceship for a few years now and is doing well at it.

[HollywoodZip]

i have a sneaking suspicion that there may be another 'secret' candidate out there. i'm a current student and have been trying to get buzz from anyone i can that works around the athletic dept and heard there was a guy interviewing today that was NOT one of the 3 known...and definitely not stoops. could be a shocker for everyone convinced it's winters.

[Doug Snyder]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden the moon.

Trust me...GP1 and I seldom agree on anything. But I think Winters is right man for the job. And I think he will make us a winner. If GP1 also thinks that way...it is OK by me. I don't think differently than GP1 because I don't like him or think he is stupid...we just disagree. Actually...I suspect he is a bright guy...just likes being a pain in the arse so he says controversial things and looks for holes or contradictions in peoples arguments.

[Dave in Green]

Terry Bowden was hired in 2009 as the head coach at little D2 University of North Alabama for the miserly sum of $100k per year.

Every FBS school in the country has had a chance to hire him away at a bargain price over the last couple of years.

Either they're all stupid or they all know something.

[GP1]

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

Would they drive enough interest to make people go out and buy tickets? IMNHO, no.

KD was two years removed from St. V when he got the job. Basically, he had become a nobody coach like he was at CMU and Ashland. He didn't exactly draw the cream of the crop talent his first couple of years at Akron, but through good coaching and actually giving a crap about what happens at UofA, he righted the ship and did well. I believe Paul can be that type of coach.

[GP1]

Actually...I suspect he is a bright guy

I would have probably used the word brilliant, but like DaveIG might say, your data is incomplete.

[johnnyzip84]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden (North Alabama) the moon.

Exhibit "A"

I call your attention to Super Regionals 2 and 3.

North Alabama = Excellent D-II Football Tradition with THREE D-II CHAMPIONSHIPS (none with Terry Bowden as coach)

Wayne State = All-Time winning percentage of 0.427!!

Maybe you ought to consider offering Winters the World?

[GP1]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden (North Alabama) the moon.

Exhibit "A"

North Alabama = Excellent D-II Football Tradition with THREE D-II CHAMPIONSHIPS (none with Terry Bowden as coach)

Wayne State = All-Time winning percentage of 0.427!!

Maybe you ought to consider offering Winters the World?

Why in the world would a guy leave a beautiful golf community in Alabama to move to Akron, OH? We had a better shot at getting Tressel.

[ZachTheZip]

If all the candidates are equal as far as on-the-field performance (I'm not saying they are all equal there. Winters would be worse than, say, Narduzzi), wouldn't you want the guy that also brings an element of excitement to the community and can get the most people to show up and the most media coverage on top of that? Or would you rather bring in a guy that doesn't have any cache and brings along echoes of a failed period in Zips history, just because he's an "Akron guy"?

Take away any Akron connection and Winters wouldn't even be on our radar. If he was an OC at some other school before taking over Wayne State, would anybody here even consider him?

[skip-zip]

Terry Bowden was hired in 2009 as the head coach at little D2 University of North Alabama for the miserly sum of $100k per year.

Every FBS school in the country has had a chance to hire him away at a bargain price over the last couple of years.

Either they're all stupid or they all know something.

True. But can you imagine the firestorm of press coverage that would follow his return to a D-1A program?

If there's any chance of getting a big name, with big-time head coaching experience, I'd say that a guy who has already been here at some point in his career would be a logical candidate to pursue.

Bowden may be just the jumpstart we need to get our program rolling again.

I can see the "Welcome Back" marketing theme already. And maybe we can borrow the old theme from "Welcome Back Kotter" as the background music to the YouTube videos that are sure to follow.

[GP1]

Or would you rather bring in a guy that doesn't have any cache and brings along echoes of a failed period in Zips history, just because he's an "Akron guy"?

I can't speak for everyone, but you are oversimplifying the reasons many believe he would be a good coach. The reasons I believe Paul would make a good coach go beyond he is an "Akron guy".

Brings along echoes? Echoes actually have to be heard. We are in a situation where nobody is listening and regardless of who they bring in, winning is the only thing that will get them listening again.

[GP1]

True. But can you imagine the firestorm of press coverage that would follow his return to a D-1A program?

Nobody would care outside of NE Ohio....and those media outlets would only care for a couple of news cycles.

[Zipmeister]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden the moon.

If you think it would help, I can get him a star.

http://www.starregistry.com/

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

I'm torn. I agree that P. Withers has done a great job at WaynesWorld. But then I double-click, and seriously question whether this is a guy who will excite anyone in Akron besides InTheZone. Don't think too many families are gonna say, "Hey, P. Withers is at Akron. Let's get down to the Info." He's just not that kind of hire. And I really wonder if Akron needs more than what he offers...this time around.

Short of Tressel, nobody would have excited the unexcitable fan base in Akron. Now, winning is the only thing. Well, winning with an exciting offense would be even better, but you guys who think that the name Narduzzi or Campbell would excite Joe Akron have it wrong in my estimation. The excitement I want to see is the excitement of good local players and their coaches when the coach and/or his staff make recruiting visits. From what we hear, Winters has done very well in this area at a program even more moribund than UA. If he can recruit strong local kids and play an exciting brand of offensive football, and then win some games, and show the community that he genuinely cares, that's a home run for UA at this point in time. We can worry about winning the MAC and going to interesting bowl games once the program has been risen from the dead. I just want Winters to come in and make me even the slightest bit interested in Akron football again. And don't misunderstand me. I'm not going to think it's OK if UA becomes a middling but non-dominating MAC team. From what we see of Winters at Wayne State, I believe there is every reason to believe that after restoring some semblance of credibility to the program, he will be able to grow it.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Well, that cinches the argument. If GP1 is adamantly "for" the hire of PW, then I'm steadfastly against it. Obvious reasons.

When I see the names Narduzzi and Stoops in the mix, I have to believe casual fans would be more interested in Zips football with either of those two....as opposed to a little-known former running back who's been hidden away in Detroit, of all places, for a decade. Just sayin'.

I still hold out blind-hope that TW and the Tressel-inspired search committee will somehow spring a huge surprise on us...a coach that will make the city and campus immediately sit up and take note. Once again, I'd offer Terry Bowden the moon.

If Tressel is involved in the search, I would guess that he would recommend and identify with the "local guy" done good. Tressel, the little Ohio engine that could, himself never aspired to be anything but the OSU coach. Doesn't it make sense that the Paul Winters story would be much more appealing to to Tressel than some hot prospect who had no ties to the program or the area? I have to believe that he would be drawn to, and relate to, a Paul Winters, with the local ties, the loyalty to his home town, the real understanding of what it will take the make things work at UA.

Of course, if Winters cheated at Wayne State, played ineligible players but dressed nattily at all times, he would be even more appealing to Tressel. Sorry, I couldn't resist taking the shot!

[Zipgrad01]

You obviously have a better choice than a consistent top 30 coordinator. Who is it?

There is a former coordinator out there who once had his offenses in the Top 10 nationally. This former coordinator has also taken a laughing stock from one of the worst teams in their division to the brink of playing in a national championship game. This coordinator has also coached in the MAC so he understands how difficult it is to win somewhere like Akron. Rumor has it, he has close ties to Akron as well.

Not another William Riker.

1-9 and 3-7. He was a whopping 4-16 in his first 2 years. How does he follow that? He goes 6-5 in year 3 and follows that up with an impressive 3-8. I am sorry, but if our new coach is 13-29 after 4 years he is as good as fired. We would be screaming from the rooftops to get him out of here. Oh yeah...and this isnt against the SEC, it is D2 ball.

[Dave in Green]

Actually...I suspect he is a bright guy

I would have probably used the word brilliant, but like DaveIG might say, your data is incomplete.

I'd say there are brilliant ideas and dumb ideas, and they can come from anyone -- often from the same person.

Back on topic, I'm afraid the little Tressel detour may have taken some minds off getting the right coach for UA and onto the game of getting a name coach.

None of the other name coaches mentioned to date would create a fraction of the buzz that Tressel would have created in Akron and throughout Ohio.

Are we getting so desperate that we'd take a name coach that not a single FBS school in the country has any interest in?

For those who think a big college coaching name would make a difference, maybe you could convince Winters to have his name legally changed to Bowden or Stoops. Let's face it, there are so many Stoops and Bowdens associated with college football that most casual fans wouldn't realize that Paul Winters ..... I mean Paul Bowden or Paul Stoops ..... was not really part of those famous coaching families.

Here's the resume that has it all -- the name, the position, the stats, the national award nominations:

Paul Bowden (or Stoops) is a veteran college football offensive coordinator who ran an FBS offense that ranked 7th nationally in passing offense (311.3 yards per game), 9th nationally in total offense (470.2 ypg) and 11th nationally in scoring offense (36.2 ppg). He has twice been nominated for the Broyles Award, a national honor recognizing the nation’s top FBS assistant coach.

[johnnyzip84]

You obviously have a better choice than a consistent top 30 coordinator. Who is it?

There is a former coordinator out there who once had his offenses in the Top 10 nationally. This former coordinator has also taken a laughing stock from one of the worst teams in their division to the brink of playing in a national championship game. This coordinator has also coached in the MAC so he understands how difficult it is to win somewhere like Akron. Rumor has it, he has close ties to Akron as well.

Not another William Riker.

1-9 and 3-7. He was a whopping 4-16 in his first 2 years. How does he follow that? He goes 6-5 in year 3 and follows that up with an impressive 3-8. I am sorry, but if our new coach is 13-29 after 4 years he is as good as fired. We would be screaming from the rooftops to get him out of here. Oh yeah...and this isnt against the SEC, it is D2 ball.

Some would argue that the GLIAC is the equivalent of the SEC in D-II. But you bring up a good point. Any new coach gets a mulligan in 2012. But Paul can ill afford to duplicate his first four years at WSU. I believe he'll do considerably better, because there are some advantages he'll have at Akron (much better facilities, the backing of the administration, familiarity with the area, and the experience he gained as a first time HC at WSU) that he didn't when starting his HC career at WSU.

[Zipgrad01]

My problem with this whole process has nothing against Winters. My problem is that it seems to be Winters and no other people that are remotely interested in the job. It seems our search has done two things...

1. Try to find a big name guy to make the fans happy.

2. Hire Winters because he is a fan favorite.

I just really hope that we have exhausted all resources looking for extremely qualified guys that..

A. Arent huge names and

B. Have big upside and would actually be interested in the job.