Akron Softball staff bites the dust

[Charles_in_Charge]

Heads keep rolling on Carroll Street as the softball staff is the latest to go. Guess if you lose, you cruise at the U thesedays. Nice change from the times when coaches could count on jobs and rack up losing seasons in bunches. Another thumbs up for Proenza and Thomas. Softball should be a automatic winner at Ajron U with all of the focus on the sport in North Ohio. Wish Joey Aryetta could come back and be the coach - her teams won big.

[Guest Guest_Z.I.P.]

:angry:

Well, from the lack of response to Thursday's resignations of Deanna Parks and Shelby Howell, it would appear there ISN'T much interest in Akron softball. That's unfortunate, as it has the potential to be a premier sport among the women's offerings.

So, here goes my attempt at an analysis: First this announcement is in fact given as a "resignation" rather than a firing. However, I can't bring myself to believe it was voluntary on Deanna's part.

So, that stated, I will say that I am more shocked than surprised. There is no way to compare this with the dismissals of coaches Owens or Hipsher. Both of them were pretty much admitted failures. Coach Parks on the other hand provided Akron with one of the schools most successful programs, having 7 winning seasons in nine years, an East Division crown, and a MAC runner-up just two years ago. This years' team had just two seniors -- only one senior starter I believe. They had yet another winning season (although be it by just one game), but failed to make it to the MAC tournament at home for the second straight year.

It may be a good thing that this is "only" a softball coach, and listed as a resignation. Otherwise, some people might get the impression the AD is getting overzealous in putting his own imprint on the program. Unlike the Owens/Hipsher changes -- or the dismissal of Roxanne Allen as WBB coach, I am perplexed with this move. Deanna was clearly the best D-1 coach UA softball has had. Those with any historical knowledge know that Akron's only national success in softball came in division 2 - a far cry from their current position. Parks appeared to have a clean and respected program on the field and in the classroom. I had the chance to meet coach Parks -- and then-pitcher Howell -- at a tournament in California a few years ago. It was clear that her team was very unified and spirited. I wish them both the very best of luck in their careers. They'll be missed at the university. And Akron softball fans should expect quick results from whoever steps in as replacement.

[zipper]

I am inclined to give the admin the benefit of the doubt. I would assume there is more to this "resignation" (if that's not what it really was) than we will probably ever know. Has anyone talked to any of the players?