Dambrot signed for next decade

[Dave in Green]

I think the dictionary definition of survivor fits just fine:

A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

[daphrank]

Interesting take on Dambrot's extension and the team concept he employs.

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/7/24/3...ranks#storyjump

[Sergeant Zip]

MidMajorMadness on Dambrot contract and Zips "team." "Getting that talent to work together in that manner is a skill that not every coach has. Dambrot appears to be able to do it, along with some of the best coaches in college basketball."

[Big Zip]

Zac Jackson from Foxsports Ohio was on 92.3 just the other day talking about this contract extension. He then went on to suggest a new stadium with money from LBJ is in the future and perhaps a LBJ statue in the arena. He inferred that he learned it from talking with Keith.

Take it for what it is, but it was interesting to hear Zac talk about it on the radio.

[Zipmeister]

I have no information to back this up, but I think you are reading way too much into this. In fact, I believe this deal was more about KD believing there will be a new arena than anything else. If not, he could've taken the Duquesne job and made a lot more short-term (and likely more long-term) money than what he will get at Akron. And even if he was fired or non-renewed at Duquesne (which some seem to think was likely), it's not like KD couldn't have found work for the next 6-7 years. He has been successful and has built up a list of contacts (including, though some may hate to hear it, the best basketball player in the world). He will find work. I imagine, if needed, even if he took the Duquesne job and was fired, KD could find work as an assistant at a major program and still make more money than what Akron will pay him over the life of this new deal.

Let's not automatically think the sky is falling because we've re-signed the greatest coach we've had in the MAC era to a long-term deal. Dambrot is not just a survivor, he's a winner (the fact that he has changed is entire philosophy due to those MAC title game and first-round NCAA losses proves that). He has taken this program further than just about anybody could've considering what he is working with. I don't think he would re-sign for that amount of time if he didn't think that bigger and better things for The University of Akron are coming. He would've had plenty of other options.

This deal has me all the more confident that a new arena is not just a pipedream, but something that will be built, and as soon as possible.

You have a heck of an imagination. For a clue check out:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-da...-163313263.html

[akzipper]

Zac Jackson from Foxsports Ohio was on 92.3 just the other day talking about this contract extension. He then went on to suggest a new stadium with money from LBJ is in the future and perhaps a LBJ statue in the arena. He inferred that he learned it from talking with Keith.

Take it for what it is, but it was interesting to hear Zac talk about it on the radio.

I believe I read an article he wrote about the extension too (unfortunately no link). But he did indirectly reference LBJ and how the connection could help get the arena built. Mentioned plenty of "swooshes" and it having the best of everything. But what I feel like is that it's more of speculation, since we haven't heard these kind of rumors from anyone else.

For one I don't think Lebron cares all that much about UA as Zips fans like to think. Especially not enough to shell out millions of dollars for an arena. Over the past few years he's shown much more support for schools like UK and the Suckeyes.

[Tom Hagen]

For one I don't think Lebron cares all that much about UA as Zips fans like to think. Especially not enough to shell out millions of dollars for an arena. Over the past few years he's shown much more support for schools like UK and the Suckeyes.

Try to look at it a different way - which of the following situations would you rather have:

(A) Current: LBJ is an acquaintance of the program, runs some camps in the facility, spends some time in the summers playing with the Zips, and periodically is accessible in the off-season to the Zips. It's probably safe to say that every Zips player over the past 5-7 years has run some ball w/ LBJ. This most likely helps with recruiting and raises the level of play of the current players.

or

(B ) Potential: LBJ is convinced that it's time to back KD and the Zips financially with a big donation to UA in support of improving the basketball facilities.

I think the Zips have to pick between these two options, because once (B ) were to happen, I think we might find out that (A) would be an NCAA rules violation.

It's not as simple as many here think?

[Valpo Zip]

I am not a recruiting expert nor do I have any insights on how things are done in Akron. However, my understanding is that boosters (Lebron in this case) are not allowed to contact recruits. As in HS kids before they become zips. I don't know if the NCAA states that you cannot bring motivation speakers or 1 day coaches or training partners to work with the team.

With that understanding, I don't see any reason why we have to pick between scenarios A and B because Lebron does not talk to recruits anyways. They (recruits) simply are attracted to Akron because of the prospects that if/when they come here they MAY run into him in the gym every now and then.

[wadszip]

You have a heck of an imagination. For a clue check out:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-da...-163313263.html

Really, quite the imagination?

You just posted an article that leads with SMU paying an assistant $700,000 a year. Of course, as the article points out, that is a rare case, and I agree KD would never get that at his age as a coach-in-waiting. However, the article also points out that at least one other top assistant made $420,000 (though it didn't say how many others are in that same ball park). I'm not even going to put KD in that group. Because he won't get that, either.

At the same time, it says top assistants seldom make $250,000 and often less than that (doesn't say how much less). But, I'm pretty sure if KD wanted to be an assistant at a major program, he would be in that $250,000 tier. If not, lets not forget that he could easily pull a Jim Christian and end back up at a MAC school as a head coach. Miami just hired John Cooper at $250,000 per year and Central Michigan hired Keno Davis at $300,000 per year.

So, if KD took the Duquesne job at $700,000 per season, even if fired after three years (and I don't see any way he would be fired before then), he would have made $2.1 million. Then let's just say he either takes an assistant job at a major or a head job at another MAC school at $250,000 per year. He is obviously planning on coaching at least another 10, so that means he would sign up for at least seven years of that. At even $250,000, he would make another 1.75 million.

Overall: Worst case, if KD would've taken the Duquesne job, was fired after three years, then spent 7 years at $250,000 (either as a major assistant or a MAC-level head coach). In that 10-year period, he would've made $3.85 million.

The 10-year deal he just signed at Akron is reportedly worth a total of $4 million.

That's hardly a difference when we are talking about that amount of money. Plus, that's not to mention that he could have actually succeeded at Duquesne and coached there for 10-years, which could've netted him at least $7 million, if not more.

My point is simple. If KD didn't like the direction of UA, he could've taken the Duquesne job and potentially made at least 43% more money in a 10-year period. Worst case, he takes the Duquesne job, is fired, lands somewhere else and only loses 3.75% of his money (though it's not out of the realm of possibility that he would've still come out ahead).

If he didn't believe that UA was committed to upgrading its program (IE, arena), no way he turns down the deal that Duquesne offered.

[wadszip]

I'd argue he is both a survivor and a winner as well. I would probably use wins to explain why he is a winner. I would look at who he has designed the program to win against a lot, (and who he hasn't beaten) to complete the survivor part.

So, you still don't think that he has designed the program to compete at a higher level?

Despite the fact, in the past three years, he has now taken on four transfers (Brian Walsh, Xavier; Chauncey Gilliam, UMBC; Quincy Diggs, New Orleans; and Pat Forsythe, West Virginia); he has taken two talented academic chances (Demetrius Treadwell, Nick Harney); and has gone outside the 50 states to get two talented PGs (Alex Abreu, Carmelo Betancourt).

KD has drastically changed his recruiting philosophy (for the better, IMO). The only thing he hasn't done is dipped into the JUCO ranks. Even at that, I wouldn't be against that if it means adding another impact player ... even for only two years. It actually wouldn't surprise me if KD eventually goes that route.

Personally, I think KD has done about whatever he can, considering the circumstances, in building a program that can compete beyond that MAC. Even the title game losses, outside of one, have been close (banked buzzer-beater, OT, a game that went down to the wire against a team that was seconds away from the elite-8). I have no problems with what he has done recently.

[Dr Z]

Win a game in the NCAA tournament KD. It's time.

LBJ leaving Cleveland the way he did may just end up benefiting UA.

I think he realizes the way he did it was wrong and helping UA out would be a great PR move.

Odd way to look at it, yes, but I still can't help thinking it.

[Hilltopper]

One time I'd like to see the Zips get a game in the NCAA tournament that wasn't a home game for our opponent. Imagine us getting a first round game at the Q.

[Sergeant Zip]

I believe I read an article he wrote about the extension too (unfortunately no link). But he did indirectly reference LBJ and how the connection could help get the arena built. Mentioned plenty of "swooshes" and it having the best of everything. But what I feel like is that it's more of speculation, since we haven't heard these kind of rumors from anyone else.

For one I don't think Lebron cares all that much about UA as Zips fans like to think. Especially not enough to shell out millions of dollars for an arena. Over the past few years he's shown much more support for schools like UK and the Suckeyes.

LBJ / Dambort / Arena Zach Jackson article

He has a direct line to a certain multi-millionaire mentioned above who happens to like basketball, happens to like Akron and happens to be one of Nike’s most important clients. This is me saying this, not Dambrot, but when Akron does get a new arena there’s a pretty good chance it will have lots of swooshes, lots of LJ logos and the absolute finest and shiniest of everything.

[Dr Z]

One time I'd like to see the Zips get a game in the NCAA tournament that wasn't a home game for our opponent. Imagine us getting a first round game at the Q.

Ken+, OU, and VCU somehow managed to overcome this. Why can't UA? It will be nice when we don't have to make excuses some day.

[Dr Z]

LBJ / Dambort / Arena Zach Jackson article

Interesting article. Thanks.

"...He (Dambrot) let it slip out that he was closer to taking Duquesne job than most knew"

[Captain Kangaroo]

One time I'd like to see the Zips get a game in the NCAA tournament that wasn't a home game for our opponent.

INSPIRATIONAL COACHING MOMENT: Coach Dale gathers his nervous team and has them measure the height of the hoop where the state finals will be played. "Ten feet," a player answers. Coach Dale reminds them that it's exactly the same height as the hoop in their tiny home gym, and is nothing to be afraid of. The players laugh and nod, ready to take on Goliath.

[scottditzen]

Interesting take on Dambrot's extension and the team concept he employs.

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2012/7/24/3...ranks#storyjump

In the past seven years, the Zips have had at least 22 wins each season. The other schools that have managed the feat? Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Utah State.

Nice article!! Thanks for posting, and welcome to the forum.