Article: McDonald grad a key part of Akron basketball staff

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/625770/McDonald-grad-a-key-part-of-Akron-basketball-staff.html?nav=5024

We don't usually see articles about the rest of the basketball staff outside of Dambrot or the assistant coaches, so I though I would share.

[Hilltopper]

Eric is a good guy.

[Staton14]

Eric is a good guy.

In my limited encounters with him, I would agree.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Need to meet my fellow alum one day.

Thanks for posting...wish I could read the article.

[Dave in Green]

Need to meet my fellow alum one day.

Thanks for posting...wish I could read the article.

All you have to do to register is give them your e-mail address ... and then deal with the spam e-mail ads that will start showing up in your inbox.

[ZachTheZip]

All you have to do to register is give them your e-mail address ... and then deal with the spam e-mail ads that will start showing up in your inbox.

When I found the article it wasn't hiding behind anything. Wonder why it is now.

[Valpo Zip]

That's why you create another email account that you never check.

[GoZips]

Eric is the leader of the managers. He is following his plans to one day be a college coach. It is a

tough road; but, he has the capabilities to become a college coach. Personally, I think he will succeed.

College basketball teams have a number of positions and responsibilities that the general public is

barely aware of. It all starts with a head coach (Keith Dambrot for Akron); followed by four paid

assistant coaches. Then most teams employ a small number of "paid" graduate assistants. I say this

tongue-in-cheek as a grad assistant gets a small monthly stipend that covers some of their expenses

and paid tuition. The typical grad assistant needs an outside source of income to help.

The next level is the unpaid team managers. These are the "go-for"s that do the many tasks a team

requires. At Akron some walk-on players begin as managers. Although, most walk-ons at Akron

are invited by the coaching staff to join the team. Currently, all three of the walk-ons are invited

players. Managers are students.

There is a thread here on ZipsNation that suggests coach D learn how to coach (sic). I have not

bothered to read any of thread because Coach works his butt off coaching; as do his assistants

and grad assistants. Come to a practice and learn first hand what coaching is all about.

Being around the program and seeing it first hand gives one a much better perspective than merely

barking up in the stands on game day.

Akron as a program is a notch below the high majors (essesntially the Power Five conferences).

Most true mid-majors get beat when ever they play a high major. Usually for a couple of reasons.

One, high majors do not play at mid-majors venues. Remember when Kentucky had to play a

first round NCAA tournament game at mid-major Robert Morris? Kentucky lost. High majors are

loaded with three and four star caliber talent. Most mid-majors rarely sign one or two players

with these credentials. Thus, beating two Power Five teams in one season is a huge victory for the

Zips.

Give credit to the Zips coaching staff for the excellent talent they have recruited and continue to

recruit. Josh Williams and Peter Agba will give you, the fan, a lot of joy in the coming seasons.