Diamond Head Classic - South Carolina

[johnnyzip84]

Keith Dambrot

So for every person here who said the Zips quit in the second half, said the Zips are lacking character, that the Zips are not mentally tough...give yourself an extra glass of egg nog. You saw the same thing as our Coach.

The improved chemistry KD (and others, including me) thought he was observing sure disappeared in a hurry. Of the three biggest problems I see with this team (no real point guard, FT shooting and fragile character), there seems to be only one (FT shooting) that KD can even TRY to address (and I wouldn't expect big strides there, either). The other two issues are simply the realities of the current roster. Couple this with a generally improved MAC and 2014 is shaping up to be the Zips' most difficult MAC season in years. I'm sure I'll be reminded of how UA has turned around similarly mediocre seasons in recent years, and that is a valid point. But this season feels different to me. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[GP1]

If anyone is going to Akron vs. USC V2.0 and would like some food and drink recommendations, just say so and I'll make it happen.

[tomzip]

Ok, I enjoyed reading this thread from post 1 till now of how optimistic things were (getting 2 wins vs. SC blah blah blah). I thought we would have a drop off from not having Zeke and the crutch he gave us for 4 years of having such a dominant player in the middle (at least defensively), but this is not shaping up to be our year to repeat at the Q Arena. Something just doesn't seem right and I will lite up the board with this comment. I think KD has taken us as far he can. It has been a major transformation for sure from the Hipsher/Crawford years, but as I sat back and looked at the coaching staff there seems to be something lacking. I think of how poor we are fundamentally (turnovers, horrible passing, free throws). I see absolutely no offensive sets on this team, bunch of guys standing around chucking three's or blowing lay ups. 0-26 vs. ranked teams is what someone posted here, c'mon, even the blind squirrel finds an acorn sometime as the saying goes.

I hate the fact that in our staff's mind it comes down to 3 days in Cleveland every year, well maybe if we knock out some of these games vs. ranked opponents, especially on a neutral floor, maybe we get a look at an at large bid. I am not as into this season as I once was, and I think it will allow me to sit back and see if its not a coaching staff thing that's the problem. We absolutley need some help at the guard level, with KD, it has been a sore spot for a while, a legitimate wing player that can score (yes I know its every teams wish, KD has done a decent job at recruiting at the 4,5 spots, but never the 2,3 IMO)

Time to get everyone to chime in, and trust me I love what KD has done for the program, but I was posed a question at work the other day..."what if KD had went to VCU and Shaka had stayed here as an example, would this team be in better shape today?" Just made my wheels turn a little bit after I was asked the question....now your turn.

[Derrt]

If anyone is going to Akron vs. USC V2.0 and would like some food and drink recommendations, just say so and I'll make it happen.

I will be at the game.

[LZIp]

Ok, I enjoyed reading this thread from post 1 till now of how optimistic things were (getting 2 wins vs. SC blah blah blah). I thought we would have a drop off from not having Zeke and the crutch he gave us for 4 years of having such a dominant player in the middle (at least defensively), but this is not shaping up to be our year to repeat at the Q Arena. Something just doesn't seem right and I will lite up the board with this comment. I think KD has taken us as far he can. It has been a major transformation for sure from the Hipsher/Crawford years, but as I sat back and looked at the coaching staff there seems to be something lacking. I think of how poor we are fundamentally (turnovers, horrible passing, free throws). I see absolutely no offensive sets on this team, bunch of guys standing around chucking three's or blowing lay ups. 0-26 vs. ranked teams is what someone posted here, c'mon, even the blind squirrel finds an acorn sometime as the saying goes.

I hate the fact that in our staff's mind it comes down to 3 days in Cleveland every year, well maybe if we knock out some of these games vs. ranked opponents, especially on a neutral floor, maybe we get a look at an at large bid. I am not as into this season as I once was, and I think it will allow me to sit back and see if its not a coaching staff thing that's the problem. We absolutley need some help at the guard level, with KD, it has been a sore spot for a while, a legitimate wing player that can score (yes I know its every teams wish, KD has done a decent job at recruiting at the 4,5 spots, but never the 2,3 IMO)

Time to get everyone to chime in, and trust me I love what KD has done for the program, but I was posed a question at work the other day..."what if KD had went to VCU and Shaka had stayed here as an example, would this team be in better shape today?" Just made my wheels turn a little bit after I was asked the question....now your turn.

I'm sure you will ruffle the feathers of a few posters, but these are some of the same questions I've asked myself (even maybe posed on here) for the past few years. The program still seems to be in the same spot. I think your whole post brings up very good points and poses some questions that should be pondered.

[Buckzip]

My guarantee to all of you considering getting rid of KD.

If we did get rid of him, we would be talking about the "good old days of actually playing for the MAC championship"

KD may not be the best coach in the world, but he is best for Akron.

If we did get rid of him, we would probably get a second rate coach. If we did get a coach better than KD, he would leave the first chance he got to move forward.

Akron is not a destination for most coaches. KD may be the only one. At least with him we are perennially in the MAC championship picture.

I get that we want to get even better and compete into the NCAA tourney.

However, we have a small arena and can't even fill that up regularly.

You don't know what you've got til its' gone.

[UAZipster0305]

Ok, I enjoyed reading this thread from post 1 till now of how optimistic things were (getting 2 wins vs. SC blah blah blah). I thought we would have a drop off from not having Zeke and the crutch he gave us for 4 years of having such a dominant player in the middle (at least defensively), but this is not shaping up to be our year to repeat at the Q Arena. Something just doesn't seem right and I will lite up the board with this comment. I think KD has taken us as far he can. It has been a major transformation for sure from the Hipsher/Crawford years, but as I sat back and looked at the coaching staff there seems to be something lacking. I think of how poor we are fundamentally (turnovers, horrible passing, free throws). I see absolutely no offensive sets on this team, bunch of guys standing around chucking three's or blowing lay ups. 0-26 vs. ranked teams is what someone posted here, c'mon, even the blind squirrel finds an acorn sometime as the saying goes.

I hate the fact that in our staff's mind it comes down to 3 days in Cleveland every year, well maybe if we knock out some of these games vs. ranked opponents, especially on a neutral floor, maybe we get a look at an at large bid. I am not as into this season as I once was, and I think it will allow me to sit back and see if its not a coaching staff thing that's the problem. We absolutley need some help at the guard level, with KD, it has been a sore spot for a while, a legitimate wing player that can score (yes I know its every teams wish, KD has done a decent job at recruiting at the 4,5 spots, but never the 2,3 IMO)

Time to get everyone to chime in, and trust me I love what KD has done for the program, but I was posed a question at work the other day..."what if KD had went to VCU and Shaka had stayed here as an example, would this team be in better shape today?" Just made my wheels turn a little bit after I was asked the question....now your turn.

I agree with a lot of what you've said, and I am frustrated too. However, I wouldn't hang the 0-26 versus ranked opponents around KD's neck. This is an all-time record, and only a few have occurred during KD's tenure. Nonetheless, there have definitely been a fair number of opportunities to take it to the next level with some marquee wins but most have been missed.

[GP1]

You don't know what you've got til its' gone.

There is a school near my place called Winthrop University and they had a ton of success with Gregg Marshall at the helm. Zero since him. Could happen to Akron.

[LZIp]

What are people's thoughts on Dru Joyce?

[GJGood]

My guarantee to all of you considering getting rid of KD.

If we did get rid of him, we would be talking about the "good old days of actually playing for the MAC championship"

KD may not be the best coach in the world, but he is best for Akron.

If we did get rid of him, we would probably get a second rate coach. If we did get a coach better than KD, he would leave the first chance he got to move forward.

Akron is not a destination for most coaches. KD may be the only one. At least with him we are perennially in the MAC championship picture.

I get that we want to get even better and compete into the NCAA tourney.

However, we have a small arena and can't even fill that up regularly.

You don't know what you've got til its' gone.

I agree with this above, but what about the assistant coaches on the staff? How would you rate the job they are doing? Also, how much of a factor has the moving on of coaches like Shaka and Boals actually inhibited the progression of the Zips program? Just a wonderment of mine, I certainly can't claim to know much about the answer.

[Dave in Green]

For a little historical perspective on the conversation in this thread, everyone should go back and read this Detroit game thread from a year ago. The loss to Detroit left the Zips 4-4, and the conversation about the team's performance sounded remarkably like this one. What followed was the 19-game winning streak that no one predicted or expected.

Re-reading last year's Detroit thread saves me from repeating everything I've already said about the wisdom of UA holding on to Coach Dambrot. He's the best proven head basketball coach who would come to Akron in the first place and stay at UA after building a winning program with the resources UA is willing to invest. I will start paying attention to the dump Dambrot posts the minute someone posts anything resembling a feasible plan for UA to replace the most consistently successful basketball coach in Zips history with one who could be reasonably expected to produce better results over the long run.

[Buckzip]

I agree with this above, but what about the assistant coaches on the staff? How would you rate the job they are doing? Also, how much of a factor has the moving on of coaches like Shaka and Boals actually inhibited the progression of the Zips program? Just a wonderment of mine, I certainly can't claim to know much about the answer.

To be honest, I have no clue about the assistants. If they can get better then they should.

That is KD's call.

My only point is concerning KD. I don't think Akron can do better at this point.

[Gcc]

If anyone is going to Akron vs. USC V2.0 and would like some food and drink recommendations, just say so and I'll make it happen.

Yes that would be great....mostly drink!!! See you in Columbia!

[GP1]

What are people's thoughts on Dru Joyce?

I never do.

[taxpayer]

Some things I think I think:

This years' Zips team is soft in all aspects: mentally, emotionally and physically

KD put Carmelo into the doghouse way too early. we really need CB to be the pg. NOW

Our guards can't guard. Last year we had tremendous defensive pressure and significant rebounding from the 2, not the case now

I DO NOT see a competitive fighting spirit in this group. Player leadership is non-existent

KD needs to bring in an assistant to design an offensive game plan for him. He's an excellent defensive coach, offense......not so much

Tree needs to learn how to handle adversity and stop pouting

Harney needs to learn how to handle adversity and actually play defense and rebound

Nyles is a two not a pg. Nyles can't defend very well or isn't interested

Pat needs to find a chip and put it on his shoulder....now

Reggie and Jake have to defend and rebound better....now

Q needs to call a players only meeting and run tapes of the past two games second halves and then show this years team tapes of last years team play cant and ou at cleveland. It's called WILL TO WIN, GUTS AND SACRIFICE. which we currently have NONE of.

To those of you who state this years team is better than last years.........based upon what?

[tomzip]

I agree with this above, but what about the assistant coaches on the staff? How would you rate the job they are doing? Also, how much of a factor has the moving on of coaches like Shaka and Boals actually inhibited the progression of the Zips program? Just a wonderment of mine, I certainly can't claim to know much about the answer.

And mind you, I am not calling for him to be let go, I do seem to look at our ass't coaches and wonder the same, if we had Shaka and Jeff still here with the talent we now have...just random thoughts after watching that garbage this week in Hawaii. My thoughts on not filling up the small arena we have...I hate sitting on the bleachers in that glorified high school gym. I would bet we 'd see an increase in attendance just with a better place to sit/restrooms,eating..etc

[Hilltopper]

What are people's thoughts on Dru Joyce?

He's a good AAU coach. He excels at STVM because he can recruit when most of the competition can't. He has the LBJ connection that comes with being at STVM. The only way he would be able to win at UA would be if the LBJ connection followed him. LBJ is loyal to STVM, not UA.

[johnnyzip84]

While the hoops team has some big challenges ahead of them, it's ridiculous, in my opinion, to even bring KD's job into the discussion. Let's not forget that a key member of the staff is not able to contribute at this point due to an infinitely more important matter. That's something you can't anticipate.

[Valpo Zip]

KD is not on a hot seat and he shouldn't be. He has a 10 year contract and I think (not sure there) that he is the highest paid MAC bball coach.

KD is Akron's man, not because he is a great coach but because of all the other things he brings to the table. He is an alum, he has people's skills, he brings in quality people and most importantly: He has a certain "Quality" that helps him bring in quality recruits.

If you bring another coach, we may (or may not) get a great x & o coach with amazing in game adjustments and no more free throw issues. The only problem is that he will be teaching kids that no other D1 program wanted. Pick your poison.

The solution, if you ask me: KD is the face of this program. He is the head coach and the boss and the defensive coordinator but he brings in and offensive mind to teach the team play sets. Another assistant coach for big guys, and for God's sake do something about free throws.

Who said that every assistant he has must be one of his own players? where did that mentality come from? What was wrong with Shaka Smart? Jeff Boals, Lamont Paris?

[jhl385]

Dru Joyce????? Are you f===ing kidding me??? I certainly hope there's not a chance in the world.

[Dr Z]

What are people's thoughts on Dru Joyce?

Think bigger.

[GP1]

I'm not sure how this conversation got turned into whether or not KD should continue. He should. Winthrop is a school near me and you can look at their program history with and without Gregg Marshall in this link. It's a common story and could easily happen to Akron.

Akron can go to another level with KD, but some things have to change or the program will stagnate in its current form. My wife works for a brilliant guy who always says, "Nothing good happens from people being completely comfortable." I think the program has gotten too comfortable for those who run it. I think it has gotten too comfortable for those playing it as well and the lax effort we are seeing may be part of it. KD has a ten year contract and probably feels a high level of comfort. His assistants seem to have a permanent place on the bench along with him and I don't think this is good for them or KD. KD is the leader of an organization and should challenge himself to improve that organization in a way that may not make him comfortable. Changing out some assistants (something I recommended a couple of years ago) would initiate that change for them and for KD. A couple of them have been around entirely too long for a school like Akron. This change would not make KD a different person, it would get his thought process rolling in a different way that I'm sure he is comfortable with right now. He's more than able to handle it, he just has to allow himself to do it.

What would be wrong if at the end of the season, he sat down with a couple of assistants and said, "Why in the heck are you still here? You're not doing yourself any favors." At that point, the assistants start to look for another job. If nobody wants them, why would we want them and shouldn't we get rid of them at that point? If someone wants them, good for them and good for us...a change would be good for everyone all the way down to the player level.

I think the players just need to hear some different voices deliver instruction and freshen things up a little. Same head coach with his message being delivered a little differently would be a good thing.

[Dave in Green]

There's already an assistant coaching position set to change at the end of this season when Dan Peters retires. Since there are only 4 assistants on the coaching staff, that represents a 25% change. Should Steve McNees, who is currently filling in for Peters, permanently take over the position, the assistant lineup (along with their years of seniority at UA) would look like this: Terry Weigand (10), Rick McFadden (9), Charles Thomas (4) and McNees (2). That's a reasonable balance of seniority for program stability and new blood for fresh thinking. Replacing Peters with McNees would also drop the average age of the assistant coaches by nearly 10 years.

If Coach Dambrot is as good a head coach as many of us think he is, he does annual performance reviews of his assistants and understands exactly what each one of them brings to the program and what it would take to replace them with someone of equal or greater value. For example, McFadden is in his 5th season as recruiting coordinator. Judging by comments on this forum, most seem to think that the last few recruiting classes have been among the best in Zips history in terms of player talent. So you don't want to chase McFadden away just because he's been here 9 years unless you're sure you can replace him with someone of equal or better recruiting ability.

[GP1]

There's already an assistant coaching position set to change at the end of this season when Dan Peters retires. Since there are only 4 assistants on the coaching staff, that represents a 25% change. Should Steve McNees, who is currently filling in for Peters, permanently take over the position, the assistant lineup (along with their years of seniority at UA) would look like this: Terry Weigand (10), Rick McFadden (9), Charles Thomas (4) and McNees (2). That's a reasonable balance of seniority for program stability and new blood for fresh thinking. Replacing Peters with McNees would also drop the average age of the assistant coaches by nearly 10 years.

If Coach Dambrot is as good a head coach as many of us think he is, he does annual performance reviews of his assistants and understands exactly what each one of them brings to the program and what it would take to replace them with someone of equal or greater value. For example, McFadden is in his 5th season as recruiting coordinator. Judging by comments on this forum, most seem to think that the last few recruiting classes have been among the best in Zips history in terms of player talent. So you don't want to chase McFadden away just because he's been here 9 years unless you're sure you can replace him with someone of equal or better recruiting ability.

A bizarre use of numbers to say the least. Weigand, McFadden, Thomas and McNees are on court coaches and spend their time directly impacting game day decisions. Coach Peters retirement will not impact game decisions in the least or the coaching of the players. His retirement will represent a zero percent change in on court coaches.

Our long term assistants have zero years experience coaching D1 basketball other than at Akron. McNees is too young and has never played or worked for anyone other than Dambrot. Thomas has the most time at a higher level of basketball.

It's hard for me to imagine that after 9+ years each, Weigand and McFadden offer a fresh perspective on anything. McNees is too young and has no experience with anyone to provide a fresh perspective. Thomas is an unknown to me, but he would probably provide the freshest experience.

I find it impossible to believe that a mastermind of a coach like KD couldn't use of all of his vast experience and know-how to replace a couple of assistance that may have been around too long.

At some point, KD can't continue to challenge the character of his own players every time things don't go well. At some point, he has to look elsewhere.

[Valpo Zip]

In academia, Doctoral schools (Akron included) do not hire their own alums as professors upon their graduation. This is known as academic incest. Substantial research shows that academic incest hurts school because new hires will always be under the wings of their old advisors and professors and cost the university the new perspective and connections that hiring a "stranger" would bring in.

Some top schools (MIT, Stanford, Harvard, etc...) believe that no one is as good as their alums so they, at least, require them to go elsewhere and get a substantial experience before they come back and interview for a job.

Every assistant coach/grad assistant KD had on the bench in Hawaii is his own "alum". Thomas has worked elsewhere (maybe not substantially) but no one else did. I love McFadden, Futch, Walsh, Dials, McNeese, and I enjoyed having them in Zips uniforms. I don't know much about Weigand and Thomas but I appreciate their effort and all what they did for our program. This is not personal, it is pure professional and for the sake of our program we need new perspectives and more help from the assistant coaches.

Akron is not the MIT/Stanford of basketball and KD is not the best basketball mind in the country. We cannot afford hiring all his proteges and help them become coaches. It is very nice of him to give them a helping hand and help them kick start their coaching careers but this is not a charitable organization. We have an opportunity to grow this program now. We have an influx of great talent with the team. This is the time to grow this program... we don't know how much of a time window we have. If we don't become a relevant team at the national level and grow our fan base to build a new arena in the next 10 years, we will fall back to be the average MAC team for God knows how long.