Critiquing Coach Bowden

[Jrship35]

Prime example of the completely inaccurate and hype of the "Star System" ............. Just sayin

Don't believe the hype !!

[Captain Kangaroo]

In addition to Dr. Z's theory, I think Chapman is probably one of the best athletes on the team. An the staff wanted the ball in the hands of our best athlete as much as possible.

You could cut Chapman a little slack in the first two games due to the level of competition and the weather. But there was no excuse for floundering against Savannah State. Kudos to the staff for pulling the plug as soon as they did. And for letting Woodson atone for the early INT.

Chapman passes the eyeball test. Woodson's pudgy. Coaches at any level always seem to gravitate towards trying to develop a "sculpted" kid over a pudgy one. Even if the pudgy one wins. Way too much credence is given to 40 yard dash times vs. production. Even in the NFL.

I'm sure Woodson's crippling 2014 INTs have surely taken also some time to fade from the staff's memory. I couldn't have imagined starting him vs. OU or Pitt, regardless of how good a summer camp he had.

If Woodson gets time to throw, he really looks deadly. With an extra second or two, our WR's can get some separation, and he can sling it on-the-money. Our air-attack has potentially ascended from the outhouse, to the penthouse.

Pohl's one hard lick away from moving on to Lot 9 for game days. And Chapman flat-out isn't ready...and may never be @ QB. Who'da thunk Woodson would be the difference between a bowl-eligible season, and 3-9? But he is.

Beat Ohio!

[Jrship35]

The power of confidence is awesome to see....... What I saw last year was Woodson with ZERO confidence. Some of it was his doing (out of shape, unprepared), equal or more inhibitors (IMO), were no help from the O-line, no help from the QB coach (my opinion) or O-Coordinator (one in the same), WR's dropping gimme catches ..... blah, blah, blah

But what I saw against Savannah State was a guy that took advantage of his opportunity and against UL, a guy that continued to build on his confidence along with help from the above inhibitors (still too many drops by WR's)

A couple of things that would really shoot the confidence meter up (IMO), would be to dramatically reduce the penalties, get Hundley the ball at least 20 times, WR's catching the balls they should and have the defense get us a couple of turnovers. Maybe get a FG or two when we have the chance (three is better than zero and a pissed off offense) and have Paul get his leg back to win the field position battle

I would continue the controlled no huddle (but keep a brisk pace) and bring blitzes from everywhere on defense if this QB is still gimpy !! ................. Is all of this too much to ask? LOL

But that's just a fat guy at lunch sitting at his computer !!!

But at the end of the day .................. Kick Ohio's A$% !!!!

[zipsoutsider]

Woodson us a much improved player. TB pointed out that had he not lost the 30l s, he probably wouldnt have had the performance he did in the LA heat and humidity. He also mentioned that where Tommy needed growth was in the way he responded to situations. Perhaps the attention being diverted to Chapman helped Tommy along in that area. I couldn't be happier for Tommy. I always loved the way he fired the ball.

I also think it's way too soon to give up on Chapman. We still need the competition and a viable back up going forward. He seemed to almost panic when in play and he might well grow in that with the spotlight off of him.

Both seem like young men growing in their craft and I think it could be exciting to watch them develop. Can you imagine if Tommy's play and continue down this path how good he could be as a senior? I hope this helps us recruit receivers, too.

[K92]

Anybody watch UCF vs. Cincinnati? I saw a post on Facebook that the commentators discussed Terry Bowden as a legitimate candidate for the HC job at Central Florida. Can anyone confirm or deny?

[Balsy]

Anybody watch UCF vs. Cincinnati? I saw a post on Facebook that the commentators discussed Terry Bowden as a legitimate candidate for the HC job at Central Florida. Can anyone confirm or deny?

There's been rumors about Bowden leaving Akron since he came here. I'd sell all stock you have on that idea ASAP. Bowden's all in on Akron.

[K92]

There's been rumors about Bowden leaving Akron since he came here. I'd sell all stock you have on that idea ASAP. Bowden's all in on Akron.

I am asking if the play by play guy and the color commentator had a conversation about Bowden. Simple question to anyone who watched the game.

[LoyalZIP]

I am asking if the play by play guy and the color commentator had a conversation about Bowden. Simple question to anyone who watched the game.

Well, I only watched part of the game but didn't hear that part.

As far as Bowden taking the job if offered (which I really don't see happening at this point), he should take it. They were giving O'Leary around $2 million this year.

[K92]

Well, I only watched part of the game but didn't hear that part.

As far as Bowden taking the job if offered (which I really don't see happening at this point), he should take it. They were giving O'Leary around $2 million this year.

Thank you for a straight answer, LZ. I just wondered if this rumor was true. I wasn't asking anyone to abandon their faith.

[Zipgrad01]

Thank you for a straight answer, LZ. I just wondered if this rumor was true. I wasn't asking anyone to abandon their faith.

To quote Leonidis "pray they are that stupid. Pray, we are that lucky".

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Bowden would arguably be a better fit at a Florida school than Akron. The family name, the culture, recruiting potential would all be more favorable for him in White-Trash-California than in the Midwest. I'm in the minority on the board that's not particularly impressed with his results to date. He put out the bonfire that was the program when he arrived. However, every other school in the MAC has flashed at least once in the last several years, except Akron. I'm not sold on him as the answer although I certainly hope he is.

Oh, and YEAH to another NE Ohio winning football weekend. UA loses and Cleveland fans are in full meltdown mode this evening. What would life be without UA coaching and NFL draft discussions in November every year?

[LZIp]

Anybody watch UCF vs. Cincinnati? I saw a post on Facebook that the commentators discussed Terry Bowden as a legitimate candidate for the HC job at Central Florida. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I would put money on Chuck being there before TB. I've heard he is still looking for another head coaching gig, loves Florida, and the job he has done on D could maybe get him some consideration.

[LoyalZIP]

I would put money on Chuck being there before TB. I've heard he is still looking for another head coaching gig, loves Florida, and the job he has done on D could maybe get him some consideration.

Interesting take, LZip. If he still wants to coach it certainly would be a nice fit for him.

[K92]

I saw ZG01 referred to Bowden as Tater Tot on another thread. I did not realize that was his southern nickname. I did a Google search on Bowden Tater Tot and found some interesting reading.*

*For entertainment purposes only

[Zipgrad01]

I saw ZG01 referred to Bowden as Tater Tot on another thread. I did not realize that was his southern nickname. I did a Google search on Bowden Tater Tot and found some interesting reading.*

*For entertainment purposes only

I find this one frightening because you can basically change the name from UNA to UA and it fits.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/sports/ncaafootball/to-build-for-the-future-north-alabama-returns-to-its-past.html?referer=&_r=0

It also seems they are doing better and making it deeper into the playoffs post Bowden.

Edited November 2, 2015 by Zipgrad01

[LZIp]

I hate to insert myself into this convo, but I don't really see how you can "see the writing on the wall" during the 8-5 bowl win season. If you were being negative during that then I don't know what to tell you. That was just 1.5 seasons ago. We also started out last season 5-2 or 5-3 I believe it was...

Edited September 18, 2017 by LZIp

[Zipgrad01]

4 minutes ago, LZIp said:

I hate to insert myself into this convo, but I don't really see how you can "see the writing on the wall" during the 8-5 bowl win season. If you were being negative during that then I don't know what to tell you. That was just 1.5 seasons ago. We also started out last season 5-2 or 5-3 I believe it was...

I think many of us saw the recruiting situation during that season and saw the downward slope of talent. 

[skip-zip]

4 minutes ago, Zipgrad01 said:

I think many of us saw the recruiting situation during that season and saw the downward slope of talent. 

 

Please tell me you didn't predict the "downward slope" of our football program from your own analysis of one particular group of high school kids.  

 

I think we all see events over time that lead us to believe that we might be on our way up, or on our way down.   I'd bet that many of them are an overreaction in both directions.   

 

 

 

[Balsy]

On 9/18/2017 at 0:59 PM, Zipgrad01 said:

How much time and money have you spent over the years supporting zips athletics? I spend thousands of dollars every year on football and over a grand a year on basketball. I have done this for almost a decade now. I travel to games near and far (BG, michican, navy, penn state, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio state). I have been through all the ups and downs, so don't you as a Johnny come lately Bowden homer come on here and rip on people that speak their mind on the direction of this football program. Anyone who is happy with the product on the field is the issue, not a few posters that have seen the writing on the wall for several years now and speak up about it. 

 

I guarantee once Bowden is out of here your name will be changed to "zipgoner". 

 

This is a little OT:

 

Not that I'm defending anything in the back and forth with anyone here, I will gladly admit I'm a Bowden homer (once calling myself the self-proclaimed leader of the Bowden-cheerleaders), but it was out of a place of hope.  I haven't been a Zips fan as long as you guys have.  Hell I didn't even know our mascot was a Kangaroo until like 1/4 through my freshman year or something ridiculous like that.  Saw the team go 10-38 over the next couple of years, and two coaches.  Every game I went to they got blown out at.  Bowden was hired, and when I watched the Zips that season, for the first time following the Zips...I went to games thinking "we've got a chance".  Went to visit my cousin in Tennessee that year, expecting to be shut out, and watching the team compete.  

I guess I've been a Bowden homer because it's been his tenure that I first felt excitement for Zips football.  I'm weary of going to an offseason unsure about what unknown coach may bring here (only no-name coach I have personal reference to is iCoach).  Even when Bowden is gone I will still be a Zips supporter.  And by my comments earlier I'd say that I'm getting more frustrated as the games wear on.  When is it our turn?  Before Bowden's tenure it was nothing but downs for my fandom (regarding football...soccer and Basketball have been great...the point being why even bother following Zips football?) 

I've contemplated cancelling my tickets in the past, wondering if it even matters being a diehard Zips fan.  What's the point?  But everytime I get that thought, I have a wonderful conversation with some other Diehard fan (either here or elsewhere) that convinces me to kick that idea to the curb.  IDK.  Rant over. 

[kreed5120]

Bowden I believe is the 2nd longest tenured coach in the MAC. Not once in his tenure has the Zips even looked like a semi contender in the MAC. His best season was a tied for 6th place MAC finish. I'm a realist and by all measures his tenure has sucked. Maybe he was away from the game too long and no longer knows how to recruit. Whatever the reason is he has failed the meet the expectations I had when we signed him.

[g-mann17]

27 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Bowden I believe is the 2nd longest tenured coach in the MAC. Not once in his tenure has the Zips even looked like a semi contender in the MAC. His best season was a tied for 6th place MAC finish. I'm a realist and by all measures his tenure has sucked. Maybe he was away from the game too long and no longer knows how to recruit. Whatever the reason is he has failed the meet the expectations I had when we signed him.

Quite the goal post move there.  Tied for 6th MAC finish?  I suppose having the 6th best MAC record isn't that great, but that also isn't how anything in the conference is determined.  You can finish tied for 5th in the MAC, 1st in the East after tiebreakers and win the MAC Championship and that is all that matters.

 

Bowden's best season, has also been Akron's best overall record, and only Bowl win, since moving to 1-A, finishing tied for 2nd in the MAC East.  But go ahead and continue with your alternative facts.  Bowden should not be immune in anyway to criticism.  There are questionable decisions, but let's not act like we've had nothing but futility.  We had years of mediocrity, before Bowden, and one of those years ended in a championship.  Bowden has taken us back to that level, and shown signs of moving us past it.  Too bad most of the "fans" would rather clamor for the "good ole days" whatever those were.

[K92]

If Bowden was fired tomorrow is there another D1 program in the country that would want him?

[LZIp]

Are there even any D-1 jobs in the country open right now?!

[kreed5120]

46 minutes ago, g-mann17 said:

Quite the goal post move there.  Tied for 6th MAC finish?  I suppose having the 6th best MAC record isn't that great, but that also isn't how anything in the conference is determined.  You can finish tied for 5th in the MAC, 1st in the East after tiebreakers and win the MAC Championship and that is all that matters.

 

Bowden's best season, has also been Akron's best overall record, and only Bowl win, since moving to 1-A, finishing tied for 2nd in the MAC East.  But go ahead and continue with your alternative facts.  Bowden should not be immune in anyway to criticism.  There are questionable decisions, but let's not act like we've had nothing but futility.  We had years of mediocrity, before Bowden, and one of those years ended in a championship.  Bowden has taken us back to that level, and shown signs of moving us past it.  Too bad most of the "fans" would rather clamor for the "good ole days" whatever those were.

Alternative facts? I stated a real fact. Alternative facts is what you're stating. Akron's best season by record is the 7-4 Lee Owens team. That's besides the point as Akron has had a long history of terrible football. Its why nobody gives a damn about Zips football besides a small niche of fans. We've had 1 winning and 1 bowl appearance in Bowden's 5 years here. That number is about to be 1/6 as I have 0 faith in this team winning 6 games. If you're content with 5-7 football good for you, I'm not.

[K92]

30 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Are there even any D-1 jobs in the country open right now?!

Ok.  No.  You are right.  Let me rephrase.

 

There are lists of coaches that pundits are professing worthy of a shot at being a D1 head coach.  Some are sitting head coaches deemed worthy to move up, some are coordinators poised for a first time HC job, some are HC guys out of the game looking to get back in.  Do you think Bowden's name will appear on any of these lists if he is terminated?  I think this question can't be skirted by technicality.  Perhaps I am wrong because maybe if Bowden was fired he will miss the publishing deadline.

 

It was a rhetorical question anyway.  If you are fired from a MAC school you are pretty much done as a HC.  Doug Martin got another D1 HC job after Kent fired him, but I can't think of another off the top of my head.  Bill Cubit went to Illinois as the OC after WMU.  I am a loss to even think what happened to most former MAC HCs after they are done.  Ianello resurfaced in D1 again, I guess.  Go figure.

 

Bowden is just the next Akron coach who will meet the same fate as all the rest of 'em.  He will be fired.  Hopefully the next coach will be good enough to do what no coach before him ever did; be poached by another university for a better paying job.

 

Here's a totally rhetorical question that doesn't require an explanation as to why it is untrue.  It is for entertainment purposes only. . .

 

Does Bowden wear a ski mask when he picks up his paycheck?