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Ole K.D.


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1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

We won 3 out of 9 under Dambrot. We never really sniffed a W in the Big Dance in the 3 appearances we made (Notre Dame wasn't good).

 

The 7 straight Finals appearances were a blast, but coming up short twice as often grew old. 

 

Not making it to the championship game at all is worse, no?

 

Programs are built over time and mid-majors in particular take longer to build up. Prior to KD's arrival, Akron was 1-6 in the MAC Tournament. He elevated a program that was mostly mediocre to one that competed at the top of its conference every year for over a decade. No, we didn't get that elusive tournament win, but that doesn't mean everything else was for nothing. The program being elevated to a consistent league power made it an attractive spot for a talented coach like Groce, who is now trying to take us to that next level as a program. 

 

I don't know why we have to try to diminish KD's accomplishments here though. He was a big part of where this program is now and, from everything I've seen/heard, still has roots in our city and very much cheers for our success. I'm thrilled he was our coach during such a transformative period for our program and I'm equally thrilled Groce is our coach now to lead us to those next steps.

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On 5/4/2023 at 12:46 PM, Zippy87 said:

 

Not making it to the championship game at all is worse, no?

 

Programs are built over time and mid-majors in particular take longer to build up. Prior to KD's arrival, Akron was 1-6 in the MAC Tournament. He elevated a program that was mostly mediocre to one that competed at the top of its conference every year for over a decade. No, we didn't get that elusive tournament win, but that doesn't mean everything else was for nothing. The program being elevated to a consistent league power made it an attractive spot for a talented coach like Groce, who is now trying to take us to that next level as a program. 

 

I don't know why we have to try to diminish KD's accomplishments here though. He was a big part of where this program is now and, from everything I've seen/heard, still has roots in our city and very much cheers for our success. I'm thrilled he was our coach during such a transformative period for our program and I'm equally thrilled Groce is our coach now to lead us to those next steps.

 

Dambrot is a victim of his own success. If you could teleport back to 2004 and tell any Akron fan at the time of his hiring that he'd lead Akron to 3 NCAA tournaments and 9 MAC title games in a 13 year span, every single person would say sign them up. That's a level of consistent success that I doubt I'll ever see at Akron again during my lifetime.

 

This whole if you're not first, you're last mentality that people try to argue in sports these days is just absurd. It's better to go to the MAC championship game and lose then lose in the semi or quarter finals.

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On 5/5/2023 at 2:15 PM, kreed5120 said:

 

 

This whole if you're not first, you're last mentality that people try to argue in sports these days is just absurd. It's better to go to the MAC championship game and lose then lose in the semi or quarter finals.

It's because fans want to apply professional sports to college. They don't understand the mission and consume too much of the idiocy ESPN pumps through TV and radio. 

 

Let's review. College athletics should benefit the athletes, students, alumni, fans and greater communities around their school. During KD's time at Akron he checked all five boxes. I'd provide evidence, but I don't think any intellectually honest person needs it. 

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