Our Coaching Staff and How Valuable Consistency Is in Recruiting

[UAZip0510]

As I watch Bobby Hurley's name tossed around for positions like Tennessee, DePaul, and St. Johns and realize it's not an "if" but a "when" for him leaving, I take a closer look at our coaching staff and realize the incredible value they bring.

Since Keith Dambrot took over 11 years ago, our main conference rivals have employed the following:

Can't State: Jim Christian, Geno Ford, Rob Senderoff (Rumored candidate at Fordham)

Ohio: Tim O'Shea, John Groce, Jim Christian, Saul Phillips

Toledo: Stan Joplin, Gene Cross, Tod Kowalczyk

Buffalo: Reggie Witherspoon, Bobby Hurley

Rick McFadden (10 years) and Terry Weigand (11 years) have also been here during that same time. It's not because other programs haven't come calling - Duquesne came after him hard and he said no to multiple lucrative offers. He simply doesn't want to go anywhere else.

In a conference where players almost always stay all four years, it has to be an incredible advantage to have a head coach and a staff that they know aren't looking to jump elsewhere. It's why we picked up Zeke, Robotham, Williams, etc.

I know KD isn't perfect and this isn't to say he's above any type of criticism - no coach is - but it's nice to have the most successful coaching staff in the MAC AND not have to worry about having to replace them this summer.

[ZachTheZip]

The other decent MAC programs have hit more often than they've missed on their coaching hires. The law of averages says that eventually they'll miss, and the damage done could cause them to fall off and make it more difficult for them to attract another good coach.

[UAZip0510]

The other decent MAC programs have hit more often than they've missed on their coaching hires. The law of averages says that eventually they'll miss, and the damage done could cause them to fall off and make it more difficult for them to attract another good coach.

Look at Buffalo - once Hurley leaves, do you think they'll remain elite in the MAC? A good program, sure, but unless they are able to make a splash they'll end up with a one of two year run.

[zippyman23]

It's not a bad thing to have your coach listed for the open jobs. It means you have had success. I'd liked to get back to the point where his name comes up, even if it is just Duquesne.

[UAZip0510]

It's not a bad thing to have your coach listed for the open jobs. It means you have had success. I'd liked to get back to the point where his name comes up, even if it is just Duquesne.

I think schools know he isn't going anywhere, which is why you hear very little about him.

[Captain Kangaroo]

How difficult is it to remain "Elite in the MAC"? I'll define "MAC Elite" as finishing in the Top 4 slots 4-out-of-every-5 years.

There are so many downtrodden MAC programs that you really need to be completely inept not to do so.

The MAC's regular season champ lost in Round #1 of the NIT. Our tourney champ lost in the NCAA round #1 for the umpteenth time. MAC basketball is at the level of the MVC... if you eliminated the MVC's top 3 programs.

Buffalo's AD wants to be great. He fired a solid coach in Witherspoon to bring in Hurley. He fired his football coach in mid-season, after a bowl appearance in the previous season, because mediocre isn't good enough for him. If you look at Buffalo's sports gear, it touts "NEW YORK" in large font, and "Buffalo" in small font. Their AD isn't pandering to Syracuse by Tweeting #TeamNewYork, he's trying to BE TEAM NEW YORK. I admire that attitude.

So while you're of the opinion that Buffalo is some flash-in-the-pan, I'll say that they are a legit threat to be an "Elite MAC Program." They already beat us annually in basketball and football, so if you consider the Zips "MAC Elite," Buffalo already meets or exceeds that lofty criteria.

[skip-zip]

If you look at Buffalo's sports gear, it touts "NEW YORK" in large font, and "Buffalo" in small font. Their AD isn't pandering to Syracuse by Tweeting #TeamNewYork, he's trying to BE TEAM NEW YORK. I admire that attitude.

AMEN

[zippyman23]

I think schools know he isn't going anywhere, which is why you hear very little about him.

I don't believe that is the case at all. If another school is genuinely interested, they are going to reach out to him regardless. If Duquesne of all places can tempt him, a better school than that isn't going to shy away from him. His age might be a bigger factor in it.

[K92]

I don't believe that is the case at all. If another school is genuinely interested, they are going to reach out to him regardless. If Duquesne of all places can tempt him, a better school than that isn't going to shy away from him. His age might be a bigger factor in it.

Think anything else might be a factor?

[akzipper]

I personally think UB's branding is dumb. The University of Akron sounds much better than The University of Ohio at Akron.

If I were Keith Dambrot I would leave UA the first chance I got. It's obvious that the school is not putting the money needed into the basketball program. Other schools are moving up and building new arenas while UA is playing in a glorified HS gym and playing in one of the worst conferences.

I love the Zips. But I hate the MAC and I hate the JAR. They are both embarrassing.

[K92]

I personally think UB's branding is dumb. The University of Akron sounds much better than The University of Ohio at Akron.

If I were Keith Dambrot I would leave UA the first chance I got. It's obvious that the school is not putting the money needed into the basketball program. Other schools are moving up and building new arenas while UA is playing in a glorified HS gym and playing in one of the worst conferences.

I love the Zips. But I hate the MAC and I hate the JAR. They are both embarrassing.

There's that ray of sunshine we've all been missing.

akzipper's theme song:

[UAZip0510]

I don't believe that is the case at all. If another school is genuinely interested, they are going to reach out to him regardless. If Duquesne of all places can tempt him, a better school than that isn't going to shy away from him. His age might be a bigger factor in it.

1) Duquesne tempted him because of his family ties there.

2) Just because you don't hear him mentioned doesn't mean other programs aren't contacting him.

[UAZip0510]

How difficult is it to remain "Elite in the MAC"? I'll define "MAC Elite" as finishing in the Top 4 slots 4-out-of-every-5 years.

There are so many downtrodden MAC programs that you really need to be completely inept not to do so.

The MAC's regular season champ lost in Round #1 of the NIT. Our tourney champ lost in the NCAA round #1 for the umpteenth time. MAC basketball is at the level of the MVC... if you eliminated the MVC's top 3 programs.

Buffalo's AD wants to be great. He fired a solid coach in Witherspoon to bring in Hurley. He fired his football coach in mid-season, after a bowl appearance in the previous season, because mediocre isn't good enough for him. If you look at Buffalo's sports gear, it touts "NEW YORK" in large font, and "Buffalo" in small font. Their AD isn't pandering to Syracuse by Tweeting #TeamNewYork, he's trying to BE TEAM NEW YORK. I admire that attitude.

So while you're of the opinion that Buffalo is some flash-in-the-pan, I'll say that they are a legit threat to be an "Elite MAC Program." They already beat us annually in basketball and football, so if you consider the Zips "MAC Elite," Buffalo already meets or exceeds that lofty criteria.

If I didn't know any better I'd guess by your post that Buffalo was a program with multiple league championships. Luckily I know they have one. They'll enter as the favorites next year if Hurley stays, but we can ask Toledo if that means anything now.

Akron is a better, more successful program than Buffalo right now. It's not even close. The possibility of that changing is there if they maintain a high level of success over time. The problem is Bobby Hurley won't be around after next season (and could even still bolt this spring). Then Buffalo will be left with solid coaches to fill the vacancy and they'll fall back to a decent but not elite MAC program.

Which takes me back to my main point - by having a great coach who isn't looking to leave, we have the opportunity to maintain a great deal of success as a program. Get an AD to re-energize the Department, an actual marketing team, and keep building. Dambrot and his staff can and will take us to the next level, I truly believe that.

In closing, I'm not sure if your comments about attitude are directed at the coaching staff or not, but if they are I feel very confident they are as frustrated as you. They are as tired of the #TeamOhio mentality as you and I are, and I think that will become more and more clear this summer when we hopefully have new leadership in the department in place. It's great to "Think Bigger" but it's difficult to do so when the people above you aren't doing the same.

[zippyman23]

1) Duquesne tempted him because of his family ties there.

2) Just because you don't hear him mentioned doesn't mean other programs aren't contacting him.

1) Why he was tempted really doesn't matter. What other schools see was that he was tempted by Duquesne and a $650k/yr offer. Other's interpret that as being open to another job. I interpret it that way.

2) Right, but you said other schools knew he wasn't going anywhere? If you are suggesting that other schools have contacted him, but we just don't hear about it, that really doesn't align with the thought that other schools know he isn't going anywhere.

[UAZip0510]

1) Why he was tempted really doesn't matter. What other schools see was that he was tempted by Duquesne and a $650k/yr offer. Other's interpret that as being open to another job. I interpret it that way.

2) Right, but you said other schools knew he wasn't going anywhere? If you are suggesting that other schools have contacted him, but we just don't hear about it, that really doesn't align with the thought that other schools know he isn't going anywhere.

1) It absolutely matters. Big difference between listening to a pitch from a school you have a connection to and seeking a "promotion" at a bigger school.

2) It just means the conversation would be short. (Insert college) contacts KD, asks if he's interested, KD says thanks but I'm staying. That interaction isn't going to make it into the rumor mill, despite interest.

I do think there's less interest as he gets older, but I think many would be surprised by how many schools aside from Duquesne have checked in.

[zippyman23]

1) It absolutely matters. Big difference between listening to a pitch from a school you have a connection to and seeking a "promotion" at a bigger school.

2) It just means the conversation would be short. (Insert college) contacts KD, asks if he's interested, KD says thanks but I'm staying. That interaction isn't going to make it into the rumor mill, despite interest.

I do think there's less interest as he gets older, but I think many would be surprised by how many schools aside from Duquesne have checked in.

You really think other schools know the exact reasons why he considered them? They don’t follow his every action as we do, they just know he considered them. The reasons don't matter, because they don't know the reasons!

It's a two-way steet. I know that KD has been mentioned for a job in the past by the media, but was never actually contacted about the job, nor was he on that schools radar.

With what Akron is paying KD, I wouldn't be surprised at all at the number of schools that have checked to see if they can entice him with a little raise.

[skip-zip]

2) It just means the conversation would be short. (Insert college) contacts KD, asks if he's interested, KD says thanks but I'm staying.

I have to question you on whether these are brief interactions. I'm at the highest level of my company, it's been that way for well over a decade, and I have all of the flexibility I want, and do whatever I want. But, when I am approached about other opportunities, I NEVER say "no thanks" without exploring, even though I am incredibly happy and secure.

Whether his opportunities have made it to the public or not, I'm sure he doesn't just instantly blow them off without doing some investigating.

[clarkwgriswold]

There are any number of reasons Dambrot has not moved on, including his hometown connection, age and the CMU incident.

In any event, those have all conspired for our benefit as Zips fans. Without them, I think he'd have been gone long ago, or maybe not even ended up here.

[UAZip0510]

I have to question you on whether these are brief interactions. I'm at the highest level of my company, it's been that way for well over a decade, and I have all of the flexibility I want, and do whatever I want. But, when I am approached about other opportunities, I NEVER say "no thanks" without exploring, even though I am incredibly happy and secure.

Whether his opportunities have made it to the public or not, I'm sure he doesn't just instantly blow them off without doing some investigating.

Oh absolutely, I should clarify - I don't mean I think he just hangs up, I just don't think he's actively looking to go anywhere. I'm sure if/when an offer comes (or has come) he thinks it over for sure.

[UAZip0510]

Dambrot has been listed by a few outlets as a VCU candidate (speculation).

[ZippyRulz]

Who are we going to get to replace KD? Let's hear the names...

[zippy5]

If he were ever to leave, Jeff Boals. But hopefully we won't have to worry about that.

[Dr Z]

Who are we going to get to replace KD? Let's hear the names...

We have our best guy working on that right now. Feel free to add your own caption.

[skip-zip]

Jeff Boals.

His situation may be getting interesting.

I'd bet what he has happening now was not what he had in mind....being an assistant with a program that's steadily plummeted down to a double-digit seed over the last few years, and can claim only one tournament victory in the last couple of years, which ironically was an overtime win over another former Akron assistant. And now they lose 5 Seniors (3 starters) and one Freshman starter who's certainly going to jump ship to the NBA.

Riding the coattails of a successful, rising head coach in a bigger conference hasn't materialized. If he becomes even more imbedded in Matta's downward spiral, he may just be looking for any D-1 assistant job.

[LZIp]

His situation may be getting interesting.

I'd bet what he has happening now was not what he had in mind....being an assistant with a program that's steadily plummeted down to a double-digit seed over the last few years, and can claim only one tournament victory in the last couple of years, which ironically was an overtime win over another former Akron assistant. And now they lose 5 Seniors (3 starters) and one Freshman starter who's certainly going to jump ship to the NBA.

Riding the coattails of a successful, rising head coach in a bigger conference hasn't materialized. If he becomes even more imbedded in Matta's downward spiral, he may just be looking for any D-1 assistant job.

OSU was a 6 seed in 2014 and was ranked nearly all season this year. Had the 11 ranked recruiting class in 2014 and currently have the 6th ranked recruiting class in 2015. Not sure of this downward spiral you speak of.