PD Reports that Winters is staying at Wayne State

[Blue & Gold]

Poor InTheZone. He's got to be more depressed than anyone right now. ITZ hasn't posted a single time today.

I know I'm bumming. I thought PW was an ideal fit. Especially for our situation. I was thinking of PW as another KD.

Crap.

Looks as though we've wasted 3 precious weeks in waiting on PW.

[Big Zip]

Not sure I can root for a guy who turned us down. Why don't you root for Can't to while you are at it.

If I understand the Ben Speas situation he wasn't guaranteed anything here so he left....Porter let him leave so I guess that was mutual. In that case Porter was the bigger man. Not to mention the slight he made of Akron in the article someon shared on here.

[bobbyake]

Not sure I can root for a guy who turned us down. Why don't you root for Can't to while you are at it.

If I understand the Ben Speas situation he wasn't guaranteed anything here so he left....Porter let him leave so I guess that was mutual. In that case Porter was the bigger man. Not to mention the slight he made of Akron in the article someon shared on here.

Wouldn't it be better if us fans focused all this negative attention towards the one deserving of it, Tom Wistrcill.

There's been so much fighting between Akron fans in the football boards.

Here's where your negative energy should be focused:

[Kangaroo Craig]

The UCLA Bruins play their bowl game on Dec. 31st. If this announcement keeps dragging on towards the end of the year, it will look more and more like it will be Johnson. I saw another post where someone mentioned Mason. I have not been on the board in a few days. Is Glen Mason a serious candidate? if so, He would be better than any of the others in my opinion.

[LZIp]

The UCLA Bruins play their bowl game on Dec. 31st. If this announcement keeps dragging on towards the end of the year, it will look more and more like it will be Johnson. I saw another post where someone mentioned Mason. I have not been on the board in a few days. Is Glen Mason a serious candidate? if so, He would be better than any of the others in my opinion.

If we are trying to get Johnson we better go NOW and not wait around til he has some success (wins the bowl game) like we did with PW and he gets offered and decides to stay at UCLA.

[akronad]

The UCLA Bruins play their bowl game on Dec. 31st. If this announcement keeps dragging on towards the end of the year, it will look more and more like it will be Johnson. I saw another post where someone mentioned Mason. I have not been on the board in a few days. Is Glen Mason a serious candidate? if so, He would be better than any of the others in my opinion.

If we are trying to get Johnson we better go NOW and not wait around til he has some success (wins the bowl game) like we did with PW and he gets offered and decides to stay at UCLA.

He wpn't be staying with the Bruins. Jim Mora has made it clear that will not have MJ on his staff. However, whoever we get we need to nail him down immediately. This cannot wait any longer.

[Zipgrad01]

I'm not sure I wish PW any success if he was offered the job and turned it down....I'm not sure I care if he wins another game. If you aren't with me you are against me and it sound like PW is basically saying he's against me now.

Sorry Big Zip, this is Browns fan logic. Paul has done nothing wrong. He looked at the job and decided where he was was a better fit for him.

I disagree. Paul Winters knew Akron was courting him. It was in numerous articles in Ohio and Michigan. If Paul Winters was not interested he should have said so 3 weeks ago. We potentially lost out on a better candidate because Paul Winters didn't say no from the outset.

[johnnyzip84]

I'm not sure I wish PW any success if he was offered the job and turned it down....I'm not sure I care if he wins another game. If you aren't with me you are against me and it sound like PW is basically saying he's against me now.

Sorry Big Zip, this is Browns fan logic. Paul has done nothing wrong. He looked at the job and decided where he was was a better fit for him.

I disagree. Paul Winters knew Akron was courting him. It was in numerous articles in Ohio and Michigan. If Paul Winters was not interested he should have said so 3 weeks ago. We potentially lost out on a better candidate because Paul Winters didn't say no from the outset.

How do you know whether Paul didn't really make his mind up until last night or this morning? I'm sure he was torn either way. It's not too hard for me to believe that he needed to be squarely faced with the offer, and all the details associated with it, before he could make an educated decision.

[hiroad1]

I'm not sure I wish PW any success if he was offered the job and turned it down....I'm not sure I care if he wins another game. If you aren't with me you are against me and it sound like PW is basically saying he's against me now.

Sorry Big Zip, this is Browns fan logic. Paul has done nothing wrong. He looked at the job and decided where he was was a better fit for him.

I disagree. Paul Winters knew Akron was courting him. It was in numerous articles in Ohio and Michigan. If Paul Winters was not interested he should have said so 3 weeks ago. We potentially lost out on a better candidate because Paul Winters didn't say no from the outset.

It is possible that he really did not make up his mind until the early hours of the day today. He may have even thought he would take the job until he got caught up in the emotion of his team's run for a championship.

Unless he was deliberately misleading UA with the intent of being malicious, he did nothing wrong.

Plus, I have to believe that if UA had a clearly better candidate willing to take the job they would have hired them without waiting for Wayne to finish its season. Who did we lose out on that was willing to take the job?

I could be very wrong, but I don't think our issue should be with PW. Our issue is that, thus far, we can't seem to get an interesting coach to accept the position. That is a UA football problem, but it is not caused by Paul Winters.

[Zipgrad01]

I'm not sure I wish PW any success if he was offered the job and turned it down....I'm not sure I care if he wins another game. If you aren't with me you are against me and it sound like PW is basically saying he's against me now.

Sorry Big Zip, this is Browns fan logic. Paul has done nothing wrong. He looked at the job and decided where he was was a better fit for him.

I disagree. Paul Winters knew Akron was courting him. It was in numerous articles in Ohio and Michigan. If Paul Winters was not interested he should have said so 3 weeks ago. We potentially lost out on a better candidate because Paul Winters didn't say no from the outset.

How do you know whether Paul didn't really make his mind up until last night or this morning? I'm sure he was torn either way. It's not too hard for me to believe that he needed to be squarely faced with the offer, and all the details associated with it, before he could make an educated decision.

You could be right, however, I highly doubt he thought Akron was going to come in with a 7 figure offer. He knew the range of money they were willing to pay and he knew it wouldn't be that much higher than he would make at Wayne State with a salary negotiation. Granted, I don't know all the details, but I get the feeling that he was never seriously considering this job.

[johnnyzip84]

You could be right, however, I highly doubt he thought Akron was going to come in with a 7 figure offer. He knew the range of money they were willing to pay and he knew it wouldn't be that much higher than he would make at Wayne State with a salary negotiation. Granted, I don't know all the details, but I get the feeling that he was never seriously considering this job.

I'm inclined to agree with you, based on the various statements he's made. But you better be sure you're not interested before pulling yourself out. Plus, he was somewhat preoccupied for the last few weeks.

[Blue & Gold]

This has me so bummed I didn't even go to the YSU game tonight. I'm just slumming @ home watching the game online.

[Zipgrad01]

You could be right, however, I highly doubt he thought Akron was going to come in with a 7 figure offer. He knew the range of money they were willing to pay and he knew it wouldn't be that much higher than he would make at Wayne State with a salary negotiation. Granted, I don't know all the details, but I get the feeling that he was never seriously considering this job.

I'm inclined to agree with you, based on the various statements he's made. But you better be sure you're not interested before pulling yourself out. Plus, he was somewhat preoccupied for the last few weeks.

My feelings came from some of his statements as well.

[NanNewWin]

Where are WNN and InTheZone? I thought they said Winters would die to have the Akron job. Is their info flawed? Or did they just not take into account that Winters would have to see TW's mug in the flesh before he signed the contract.

BTW, I've gotta hand it to Winters big-time. Anyone who can tell TW to take his job and shove it after being dissed for the clown and his down-the-pants clipboard, frankly, is okay in my book. Score one for the Good Guys.

I’m stunned, for certain. I wasn’t in the room but I can’t imagine Paul getting a great offer and saying, “That’s a great offer, no thanks.” So I conclude there wasn’t an offer made that was good enough to lure him out of a comfortable situation. I’ve been thinking his options were Akron or Wayne, but who knows, in 12 months there may be another couple dozen openings better suited for him. I can see Paul feeling a certain obligation to his school, but not this athletic department. Who knows, there may be a time when Akron & Paul’s needs align. Hopefully the faithful here won’t hold this against him, he wasn’t involved in the hype & excitement of this site; he didn’t snub you. I however, did participate to feed and feed off the excitement of his possible hire. I really wanted to enjoy UA football again. But without the PW buzz, I don’t think this will be as fun. Take care all.

[Zipgrad01]

Where are WNN and InTheZone? I thought they said Winters would die to have the Akron job. Is their info flawed? Or did they just not take into account that Winters would have to see TW's mug in the flesh before he signed the contract.

BTW, I've gotta hand it to Winters big-time. Anyone who can tell TW to take his job and shove it after being dissed for the clown and his down-the-pants clipboard, frankly, is okay in my book. Score one for the Good Guys.

I’m stunned, for certain. I wasn’t in the room but I can’t imagine Paul getting a great offer and saying, “That’s a great offer, no thanks.” So I conclude there wasn’t an offer made that was good enough to lure him out of a comfortable situation. I’ve been thinking his options were Akron or Wayne, but who knows, in 12 months there may be another couple dozen openings better suited for him. I can see Paul feeling a certain obligation to his school, but not this athletic department. Who knows, there may be a time when Akron & Paul’s needs align. Hopefully the faithful here won’t hold this against him, he wasn’t involved in the hype & excitement of this site; he didn’t snub you. I however, did participate to feed and feed off the excitement of his possible hire. I really wanted to enjoy UA football again. But without the PW buzz, I don’t think this will be as fun. Take care all.

This was a one shot deal. Paul Winters will never be offered this job again. The administration can ill afford to have a D2 coach, let alone a former player and alum say thanks, but no thanks. It is an enormous black eye to the program. I have already gotten several texts from friends today talking about how pathetic our football program is because we couldnt even get a former player to come here that is coaching D2 in the slums of inner city Detroit.

[Blue & Gold]

Where are WNN and InTheZone? I thought they said Winters would die to have the Akron job. Is their info flawed? Or did they just not take into account that Winters would have to see TW's mug in the flesh before he signed the contract.

BTW, I've gotta hand it to Winters big-time. Anyone who can tell TW to take his job and shove it after being dissed for the clown and his down-the-pants clipboard, frankly, is okay in my book. Score one for the Good Guys.

I’m stunned, for certain. I wasn’t in the room but I can’t imagine Paul getting a great offer and saying, “That’s a great offer, no thanks.” So I conclude there wasn’t an offer made that was good enough to lure him out of a comfortable situation. I’ve been thinking his options were Akron or Wayne, but who knows, in 12 months there may be another couple dozen openings better suited for him. I can see Paul feeling a certain obligation to his school, but not this athletic department. Who knows, there may be a time when Akron & Paul’s needs align. Hopefully the faithful here won’t hold this against him, he wasn’t involved in the hype & excitement of this site; he didn’t snub you. I however, did participate to feed and feed off the excitement of his possible hire. I really wanted to enjoy UA football again. But without the PW buzz, I don’t think this will be as fun. Take care all.

This was a one shot deal. Paul Winters will never be offered this job again. The administration can ill afford to have a D2 coach, let alone a former player and alum say thanks, but no thanks. It is an enormous black eye to the program. I have already gotten several texts from friends today talking about how pathetic our football program is because we couldnt even get a former player to come here that is coaching D2 in the slums of inner city Detroit.

It is truly pathetic.

PW is

a native Akronite.

A St.V/M alum.

A former Zip RB.

A UA alum.

A D-II coach.

Located in inner-city Detroit.

And said, "Naw."

[Lee Adams]

Unless I hear that ua decided to pass this is devastating news for the football program. A former alum and player turns his supposed dream job down to stay at a d2 school.

I wonder how low they are going to have to go on their list to get ANYONE to take this job?

Simple. Get rid of TW!!

IF,this is true,I hope this puts to rest the idea than some had that just because Akron has 'nice facilities' that coaches would fall all over themselves to get here. Now because of the history and the people who are currently running the show,the program has to take what appears to be the leftovers. Whether or not this signals Wistrcill's exit,we'll see. Wouldn't be surprised. HOPEFULLY,and hope is all we have,whoever is hired can get this turned around in a couple of years. Otherwise, this program is going to continue to freefall to who knows where!

[johnnyzip84]

The PD has a little more on some of PW's thoughts that may have significantly impacted his decision.

Winters' dream was to lead the Zips onto the field with his mother in the stands. With her passing a year ago, and his father shortly afterward, even a full InfoCision Stadium would now be empty to him.

"That's something I really wanted," Winters said quietly Monday afternoon.

On the practical side, while the Great Lakes Conference is indeed, Division II, it is the "Big Ten" of its ranks, a league from which two teams are often selected for the playoffs.

By any measure, MAC football is at the bottom rung of Division I. And while terms of his five-year deal -- originally offered at the end of the regular season -- were not disclosed, Winters recently said, "Put it this way, it's not the normal Division II salary."

On top of that, Wayne State athletics operates with a Division I mentality.

When the Wayne State basketball team lost its strength and conditioning coach, Fournier replaced him with the former head strength coach from Division I DePaul. When football lost its strength coach, he was replaced by the former head strength coach from Notre Dame.

When Fournier needed a new academic adviser, he went to Miami (Ohio) for the hire. When he needed a basketball coach, he hired David Greer off the University of Detroit staff. When he wanted a football coach, he was glad to hire Winters, who was on the Lee Owens staff that was fired at Akron after a 7-5 season.

The Warriors have a cable TV contract that airs 10 games a season. Thursday basketball games are on TV. All football and basketball games are on radio. Winters has his program in place and is working for the AD that hired him eight years ago. At Akron, the Zips have had four ADs since 2000.

A tough decision, but considering the state of Akron football right now -- the Zips are 2-22 in the past two years -- a realistic one. Akron AD Tom Wistrcill remains quiet on his hiring plans, but Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and UCLA interim head coach Mike Johnson are now believed to be Plan B for the Zips.

[Blue & Gold]

Unless I hear that ua decided to pass this is devastating news for the football program. A former alum and player turns his supposed dream job down to stay at a d2 school.

I wonder how low they are going to have to go on their list to get ANYONE to take this job?

Simple. Get rid of TW!!

IF,this is true,I hope this puts to rest the idea than some had that just because Akron has 'nice facilities' that coaches would fall all over themselves to get here. Now because of the history and the people who are currently running the show,the program has to take what appears to be the leftovers. Whether or not this signals Wistrcill's exit,we'll see. Wouldn't be surprised. HOPEFULLY,and hope is all we have,whoever is hired can get this turned around in a couple of years. Otherwise, this program is going to continue to freefall to who knows where!

I think we're now officially in hell. It can't get any lower than hell, right? Well, perhaps we're still on the 1st ring of hell? If that's the case we can expect to follow TW down to the 9th circle.

[Zipsrifle]

Wow, I am stunned! How bad is our program that an Akron Native, former player and former coach turns us down?? I mean, Can't State seems to have gotten a decent coach and we appear to be begging people to take the job! We have amazing facilities, are 20 miles from the pro football hall of fame in a great football recruiting area and we may be left getting whoever will take the job!

I'm starting to think TW should have been canned a while ago 'cause he's screwing this search up too!

Well, we'll just have to see who the new coach is.... I'm really bummed right now.....Still hoping for the best.

[Zipgrad01]

The PD has a little more on some of PW's thoughts that may have significantly impacted his decision.

Winters' dream was to lead the Zips onto the field with his mother in the stands. With her passing a year ago, and his father shortly afterward, even a full InfoCision Stadium would now be empty to him.

"That's something I really wanted," Winters said quietly Monday afternoon.

On the practical side, while the Great Lakes Conference is indeed, Division II, it is the "Big Ten" of its ranks, a league from which two teams are often selected for the playoffs.

By any measure, MAC football is at the bottom rung of Division I. And while terms of his five-year deal -- originally offered at the end of the regular season -- were not disclosed, Winters recently said, "Put it this way, it's not the normal Division II salary."

On top of that, Wayne State athletics operates with a Division I mentality.

When the Wayne State basketball team lost its strength and conditioning coach, Fournier replaced him with the former head strength coach from Division I DePaul. When football lost its strength coach, he was replaced by the former head strength coach from Notre Dame.

When Fournier needed a new academic adviser, he went to Miami (Ohio) for the hire. When he needed a basketball coach, he hired David Greer off the University of Detroit staff. When he wanted a football coach, he was glad to hire Winters, who was on the Lee Owens staff that was fired at Akron after a 7-5 season.

The Warriors have a cable TV contract that airs 10 games a season. Thursday basketball games are on TV. All football and basketball games are on radio. Winters has his program in place and is working for the AD that hired him eight years ago. At Akron, the Zips have had four ADs since 2000.

A tough decision, but considering the state of Akron football right now -- the Zips are 2-22 in the past two years -- a realistic one. Akron AD Tom Wistrcill remains quiet on his hiring plans, but Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and UCLA interim head coach Mike Johnson are now believed to be Plan B for the Zips.

He can spin it any way he wants it. It is glorified high school ball. He is content with being the big fish in a little, little pond. That is not the type of guy we need to lead this program.

[Blue & Gold]

The PD has a little more on some of PW's thoughts that may have significantly impacted his decision.

Winters' dream was to lead the Zips onto the field with his mother in the stands. With her passing a year ago, and his father shortly afterward, even a full InfoCision Stadium would now be empty to him.

"That's something I really wanted," Winters said quietly Monday afternoon.

On the practical side, while the Great Lakes Conference is indeed, Division II, it is the "Big Ten" of its ranks, a league from which two teams are often selected for the playoffs.

By any measure, MAC football is at the bottom rung of Division I. And while terms of his five-year deal -- originally offered at the end of the regular season -- were not disclosed, Winters recently said, "Put it this way, it's not the normal Division II salary."

On top of that, Wayne State athletics operates with a Division I mentality.

When the Wayne State basketball team lost its strength and conditioning coach, Fournier replaced him with the former head strength coach from Division I DePaul. When football lost its strength coach, he was replaced by the former head strength coach from Notre Dame.

When Fournier needed a new academic adviser, he went to Miami (Ohio) for the hire. When he needed a basketball coach, he hired David Greer off the University of Detroit staff. When he wanted a football coach, he was glad to hire Winters, who was on the Lee Owens staff that was fired at Akron after a 7-5 season.

The Warriors have a cable TV contract that airs 10 games a season. Thursday basketball games are on TV. All football and basketball games are on radio. Winters has his program in place and is working for the AD that hired him eight years ago. At Akron, the Zips have had four ADs since 2000.

A tough decision, but considering the state of Akron football right now -- the Zips are 2-22 in the past two years -- a realistic one. Akron AD Tom Wistrcill remains quiet on his hiring plans, but Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and UCLA interim head coach Mike Johnson are now believed to be Plan B for the Zips.

Great to see George Thomas all over this HUGE story!

Here is Michael Beaven's contribution from the Akron Beacon Journal.

[akronad]

I discovered earlier today that GT is on vacation til 1/3. Typical BJ stuff. Beaven is doing the best he can, since he isn't even a full time reporter.

[Blue & Gold]

I discovered earlier today that GT is on vacation til 1/3. Typical BJ stuff. Beaven is doing the best he can, since he isn't even a full time reporter.

Okay, thanks for the tip. I take back my GT comment.

And to be clear, I really do appreciate Michael Beaven's work.

[akronad]

Mike does a nice job. He would really like to stay with the BJ full time. But, they keep cutting instead of adding.