Coaching staff

[zipinnc]

It's been discussed before, but let's look at the coaching staff that our candidates could/would bring.

Johnson - Well traveled and connected, could bring both NFL and college.

Stoops (either one) - obviously well connected in the NCAA.

Narduzzi - Could produce a decent staff with his relationships.

Winters - D2 coaches get a job that launches them to the next level.

We've agreed that we want a coach that that is a KD (Akron lifer); but football, more than any other sport, relies on the assistants to make the program. Who can deliver long-term returns?

My choices for HC are listed in order above, but we need to look at the pipeline and determine what is the best for the Zips.

[Zipgrad01]

It's been discussed before, but let's look at the coaching staff that our candidates could/would bring.

Johnson - Well traveled and connected, could bring both NFL and college.

Stoops (either one) - obviously well connected in the NCAA.

Narduzzi - Could produce a decent staff with his relationships.

Winters - D2 coaches get a job that launches them to the next level.

We've agreed that we want a coach that that is a KD (Akron lifer); but football, more than any other sport, relies on the assistants to make the program. Who can deliver long-term returns?

My choices for HC are listed in order above, but we need to look at the pipeline and determine what is the best for the Zips.

Who says that we have agreed that we want a coach that is a Akron lifer? I would not be opposed to a Beckman type guy that comes in, turns the program around and leaves for a bigger job. The guy hopefully hires fantastic assistants that can step in and keep the train chugging.

[Zipsrifle]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

[GJGood]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

[Zipgrad01]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

I doubt the whole staff would leave. More than likely one would stay to take over the program. i am sure Winters would try to bring some and not others and those coaches would more than likely decide to stay with the new WSU coach or leave with Winters. It is basically the exact scenario that is going on at Toledo right now.

[hiroad1]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

This is a hugely important issue that nobody seems to want to think about.

New head coaches hire people they have worked with in the past. People often accept assistant coaching jobs based on the relationship with that head coach more than the draw of the particular university.

Who does Narduzzi know, who does Johnson know, who does Stoops know, who does Winters know? Who would each get to come with them?

The head coach is important, but D1 FBS experience in the staff would be a real plus too.

Maybe only one of the guys above is even willing to take the job, and that would make this a mute point. But if we are still interviewing people, the make-up of their staff is a question that the search committee should be factoring in to the decision.

[akronad]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

This is a hugely important issue that nobody seems to want to think about.

New head coaches hire people they have worked with in the past. People often accept assistant coaching jobs based on the relationship with that head coach more than the draw of the particular university.

Who does Narduzzi know, who does Johnson know, who does Stoops know, who does Winters know? Who would each get to come with them?

The head coach is important, but D1 FBS experience in the staff would be a real plus too.

Maybe only one of the guys above is even willing to take the job, and that would make this a mute point. But if we are still interviewing people, the make-up of their staff is a question that the search committee should be factoring in to the decision.

Experience on the staff didn't seem to help us the last 2 years.

[hiroad1]

Though I'm pulling for PW, this has to be a weak spot for him. I don't want LO's staff here again and some of those D2 coaches might not cut it here. But, what do I know...

This leads to another question... if Winters was hired to be the guy at UA, does his whole staff come with him or do one or more of his assistants stay at Wayne State to lead that program? If the latter is the case, then new coaches possibly with FBS experience and regional recruiting ties could also be on the new staff.

This is a hugely important issue that nobody seems to want to think about.

New head coaches hire people they have worked with in the past. People often accept assistant coaching jobs based on the relationship with that head coach more than the draw of the particular university.

Who does Narduzzi know, who does Johnson know, who does Stoops know, who does Winters know? Who would each get to come with them?

The head coach is important, but D1 FBS experience in the staff would be a real plus too.

Maybe only one of the guys above is even willing to take the job, and that would make this a mute point. But if we are still interviewing people, the make-up of their staff is a question that the search committee should be factoring in to the decision.

Experience on the staff didn't seem to help us the last 2 years.

Ianello was so inept as a head coach that it is really difficult to measure the assistants under him. It might even be that both the assistants and players, consciously or unconsciously, may have suffered a crisis of confidence or had motivational lapses as they witnessed Ianello's shortcomings.

I really don't think the performace of the previous regime would be an argument to dispute that it would be valuable to have assistant coaches with experience coachng against other D1 FBS coaches.

Some people, myself included, wonder how Winters will do moving up two levels as a head coach. Wouldn't the same logic apply for assistants?

All things being equal, I'd weight the D1 experience as differentiator.

I have to believe that any coach making a jump two levels will have to make some adjustments. I'm not saying I don't think Winters can do it. I'm only pointing out that we might have an entire staff making that transition.

BTW, I am beginning to wonder if Paul is the only guy willing to take the job. It may not matter who I want to compare him or his assistants to. If that is the case, then I am satisfied that a proper coaching search has been conducted, and that it proved Paul Winters is the best man for the job. I say that with no cynicism either. He's successful enough to be legitimately qualified for the job. If no better candidates could be found, he clearly deserves the job. I know of many people who have been hired for jobs when they were not the clear first choice, and have then they delivered some remarkable performances.