Game #3 Zips @ UAB - 8:30 pm September 13th: Catdaddyp July Preview → Official Game Thread

[GP1]

1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I thought is would be interesting to compare the coaching staffs and budget between UAB and Akron. From what I can tell, UAB's football budget is roughly 11 million dollars...about double that of the Zips

 

UAB has 24 football coaches and 18 support staff.

Akron has 12 coaches and 6 support staff.

 

And we only lost by 3 to them, on the road.

 

 

The first D1 team at Akron had 10 coaches. The only thing they have more today of is an extra DB coach and special teams coordinator. This is year 38 of complete mismanagement. 

[UAZipster0305]

1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I thought is would be interesting to compare the coaching staffs and budget between UAB and Akron. From what I can tell, UAB's football budget is roughly 11 million dollars...about double that of the Zips

 

UAB has 24 football coaches and 18 support staff.

Akron has 12 coaches and 6 support staff.

 

And we only lost by 3 to them, on the road.

 

 

I appreciate the analysis, CK, but I never want to support a program that is satisfied with a close, competitive loss on the road because we are outspent off the field. On the field, that was a winnable game, and we beat ourselves with a lack of discipline, which has little to nothing to do with off the field spending.

[infofan]

I heard Dave on the radio call say Newell was back after a two game suspension for violating team rules.  Also that Alex Adams was back, but No targets for the former all american??whats up with that? 

[MangoZip]

1 hour ago, infofan said:

I heard Dave on the radio call say Newell was back after a two game suspension for violating team rules.  Also that Alex Adams was back, but No targets for the former all american??whats up with that? 

Heard Adams was a disciplinary scratch last week, maybe he was still in the doghouse?  

[LZIp]

3 hours ago, MangoZip said:

Heard Adams was a disciplinary scratch last week, maybe he was still in the doghouse?  

He’s been a waste of a scholarship the past 3 years.

[ZipsBurgh]

12 hours ago, MangoZip said:

Heard Adams was a disciplinary scratch last week, maybe he was still in the doghouse?  

We were at the game sitting right behind the bench and kept commenting on Adams. He was fully dressed, but basically stayed away from the offense when they were off the field. He spent most of the time sitting on equipment trunks and exercise bikes. In the first half he actually had his gloves on looking like he was ready to go in. In the second half he never even put them on.  He definitely seemed upset which makes me think it’s disciplinary.

[ZippyDoo]

IF Newell and Adams were disciplinary scratches then I am fine with that and that shows JoeMo is trying to discipline the players and hold them accountable just like a lot on here are complaining about.  Adams was also scratched from Nebraska so I am believing that the assumption is correct.

 

Cheatom also has been scratched for two games.  He traveled to both games and was in uniform but has not sniffed the field other than warm ups.  He was the most productive or one of the most productive against Wyoming and yet can't get on the field now, again I guess he is in the doghouse also.

 

I am new to this forum and I love all the input and especially all the work that Cat and others put into analyzing.  It's awesome.  But it also seems like there are a lot that come on to basically say fire JoeMo, end the football program it's not worth it, spend the money elsewhere... etc etc.  

 

To those people I think there is only two solutions, bitch until the program ends or fire JoeMoe. But what happens when the next coach comes in and has to start all over again, the losses continue, there is no NIL money to pay any player to come here, no players want to come here because of the continuous losses, and the losing seasons continue, those same people will be on here screaming the same thing end the program, get rid of this coach, he sucks, we should have never hired him.  

 

Until things change as whole throughout the college format teams are always going to struggle.  Akron is very far behind the eight ball and people will say Bowling Green changed it or Buffalo changed it... Buffalo was losing until there was a little over a minute left in the game...

 

Akron can change it around, I do believe JoeMo can change it.  I'm not a fan of a lot of the decisions player wise but he has to work with what he has.  I'm sure he did not go into the season expecting Finley to look like a first year qb for the first two games.  The younger players need to get experience.  I think Bozz will be good he can learn a lot from Coop.  The freshman that are here look extremely talented if you go in and look at their highlights.  We have a freshman D lineman that is 6'4 317 lbs.  He is young but look at his highlights he is a force.  We have a defensive end that is 6'5 265 lbs.  Look at his highlights this kid dominated both sides of the ball (even was the team QB and won all section QB and D end) there are a lot of highlights of him dunking and dominating basketball games, and was a star pitcher.  We have a safety that is a freak of nature that is extremely fast and athletic, and we have two linebackers one from VA and one from FL that again if you watch their highlights they dominate.  And we cannot forget McManus who is a true freshman as well and is holding his own.  Maybe we should to get these other guys on the field and see what they can do now before they lose interest.  The D line certainly needs help and the secondary is getting shredded.

 

The team lost half of last years roster, I'm sure they will lose more after this season.  Something has to entice these players to stay here and want to be here.  That is the only way JoeMo or the next coach can build a winning program. It starts at the core and they want to stay.  

[zippy5]

Everyone loses half their roster. Figure it out and win some games 

[kreed5120]

FCS budget and FCS talent trying to compete in FBS. We have a few good players, like Patrick, but they will almost certainly be transferring elsewhere after this season since we can't afford their NIL.

 

We can't fix the talent issue until we fix the money issue. If we don't have financial backers stepping up to carry this program what makes anyone think our situation will change? New coach, same problems.

Edited yesterday at 06:20 PM by kreed5120

[ZippyDoo]

That's what I am saying Kreed.  I don't believe you throw in the towel and start all over with another coach and blow it all up.  I can't remember who said it, but someone pointed out that the buyout for JoeMo is close to a mill for two years.  Why not put that towards NIL encourage the good players to stay and maybe some other talent to come?

 

Kids are going to Akron for one of three reasons:

a.) they have no other Division 1 offers

b.) they believe that the program is so bad that they can come here get playing time early, get film and bounce in no more than two years to get paid

c.) somehow Akron has the financial backing to entice them with money.

 

I also remember someone posting that the AD or JoeMoe mentioned they wanted to try and raise 1 mill for NIL.  That target is probably way high and not achievable certainly not if it is meant just for football.  But maybe it's the "shoot for the stars land on the moon" and get half of that to encourage borderline players to stay and others to come in.

 

College football is all about who is going to pay the most for the athletes.  If you can't or won't pay, your level of athlete is going to drop down several Tiers.  Texas allegedly spent $280,000.00 just on Archie's Official Visit alone.  What do athlete's coming here get for an official visit? Hotel, dinner, tour of the campus and probably a promise to get the chance to play right away.

[kreed5120]

18 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

 

I also remember someone posting that the AD or JoeMoe mentioned they wanted to try and raise 1 mill for NIL.  That target is probably way high and not achievable certainly not if it is meant just for football.  But maybe it's the "shoot for the stars land on the moon" and get half of that to encourage borderline players to stay and others to come in.

 

 

If we can't raise $1 million in NIL then we shouldn't be in the FBS. I agree that's a lot of money, but that's probably the minimum amount of money needed to compete in the MAC now. 

 

I've said in the past Akron should be playing 2, preferably 3 P4 schools each year. The first game should go towards helping fund the program. Games 2 and 3 we should set aside $250k-$500k each game to help fund NIL since schools are now allowed to pay players directly.

 

Many on here then complain that the schedule would become too challenging. My thought process is well at least we could afford a team. Besides, counting the 1 FCS OOC win we would still only need to go 5-3 in MAC play to make a bowl. Considering how bad the MAC is that should be achievable. 

Edited 23 hours ago by kreed5120

[ZippyDoo]

Central Michigan played Pitt and Michigan both I am sure they got a nice payday.  And I am sure the players that went to Central Michigan, saw the schedule and saw "I can get exposure by playing these big schools and showing what I can do." I would rather have the money now over the next two - three years from playing 2-3 Power4 schools and build the pot, then saying look if we play this easy schedule MAYBE we can get a winning record...

 

 

[GP1]

2 hours ago, ZippyDoo said:

Kids are going to Akron for one of three reasons:

a.) they have no other Division 1 offers

b.) they believe that the program is so bad that they can come here get playing time early, get film and bounce in no more than two years to get paid

c.) somehow Akron has the financial backing to entice them with money.

Maybe there is another option. Maybe we could hire a coach with so much credibility with kids that they would be lining up to play for the Zips. 

 

https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/7/8/bowling-green-football-lands-no-1-transfer-class-in-the-mac-per-247sports

[clarkwgriswold]

2 hours ago, GP1 said:

Maybe there is another option. Maybe we could hire a coach with so much credibility with kids that they would be lining up to play for the Zips. 

 

https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/7/8/bowling-green-football-lands-no-1-transfer-class-in-the-mac-per-247sports

 

I'd be curious to see how Eddie George relates to the kids and gets the credibility.  I suspect the awards and rings are the key as they'd have no idea who he was coming through the door as he played before most of them were born.

 

As for donors and NIL, I suspect JoMo is not the guy to work a room to whip up support from wealthy donors.  I've overused the comparison but we have a basketball coach who is that guy.

[GP1]

2 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I'd be curious to see how Eddie George relates to the kids and gets the credibility.  I suspect the awards and rings are the key as they'd have no idea who he was coming through the door as he played before most of them were born.

 

As for donors and NIL, I suspect JoMo is not the guy to work a room to whip up support from wealthy donors.  I've overused the comparison but we have a basketball coach who is that guy.

I bet the coaches and players of the kids going to BG remember him. Heisman Trophy winners are hard to forget. He's Dieon Sanders without the flash and gold jacket (yet). Imagine the recruiting credibility he'll have if he gets a Hall of Fame induction in the next couple of years. Imagine if he is coaching at BG if it happens and the entire team is sitting in front of the stage while he gives his induction speech. It's not outside of the world of reality. 

 

Kids want to win. Tennessee State won their conference for the first time since 1999 last year. He actually built a solid team over 4 years and BG was on solid footing when he took over. He has a win against Liberty already, which could prove to be hollow at seasons end, but a big name win already. 

 

I'm guessing a lot of the moms and grandmas of the recruits are more than impressed with him. The fathers want to be him. The mother's want to jump in the sack with him. Good grief, he's married to a pop music star. 

 

Is education important to you?  It is to him. He has a degree in Landscape Architecture from OSU and an MBA from Northwestern. 

 

George's credibility is immediate and lasting. If Day ever leaves OSU, George is immediately one of the finalists for the job. 

 

What else could he do that could make him more credible to kids? 

Edited 16 hours ago by GP1

[ZippyDoo]

I guess by this logic UAB should be winning their conference every year right??? Trent Dilfer SUPERBOWL CHAMPION ?????

 

Your logic MIGHT bring in a very small handful of players based off of a coach being a retired NFL player.  MIGHT...

 

You are not thinking like the modern day college athlete.  College football players are now basically mercernaries.  They are going to go with who is paying them the most unless they are an elite player and have major Power4 offers then maybe they will choose based off of the actual team and even though you see players transfer every single year from major Power4 universities to chase the dollar.  

 

I googled Bowling Green freshman three star football players signed this year... two jarin mock and deshon jenkins...  they had older players transfer but only two freshman... 

 

According to ON3 for Akron every scholarship freshman is a three star: Vann Kavals, Ty Watkins, Gavin James, Tairan Davis, John Gould, Devin Reeves, Jaiden Brown-Demery, Luke Sivon, Kenneth McManus, and Cibastion Broughton...  TEN... every single scholarship freshman...

 

Your thoughts may prove right but there also a lot of variables ....  But those freshman all knew about Eddie George and they got TWO three stars 

[kreed5120]

Trent Dilfer was a journeyman QB in the NFL. Eddie George I'm not certain is a Hall of Famer, but his career was certainly good enough that he's worthy of bare minimum being in the hall of very very good. He would probably already be in the HOF had the Titans beat the Rams in the Superbowl. He's that much on the fence IMO. He's also a hero in the state of Ohio. Trent Dilfer to my knowledge doesn't have any connection to UAB or the state of Alabama that would generate any excitement.

 

I wouldn't even know of a candidate, like Eddie George, who would both generate buzz and who would actually want to coach at Akron. You have to remember BG and Colorado weren't Eddie's and Deion's first jobs. I guess a good place to look would be to see who is coaching at the FCS level that would generate the buzz you're looking for if that's the route you would want to go. I would also think you would need an experienced staff to make up for an inexperienced head coach. Guys like Deion or Eddie might know football, but they are new to navigating the GM side of college football. Experienced coaches are likely expensive. Once again any route you take you will need a serious upfront financial commitment to at least get the plan off the ground.

Edited 3 hours ago by kreed5120

[egregiousbob]

Not likely to be a popular suggestion, but Jerry Kill has won everywhere he has coached.  Get him to Akron for a 2-3 year stint (he has severe health issues) to build a foundation.

[ZippyDoo]

Financially speaking only:

 

UMASS just hired Joe Harasymiak in December 2024.  His contract details are:

 

Term: Five years. 

Salary: Approximately $1.3 million to $1.4 million annually. 

NIL/Revenue Share: Guaranteed funds of $2 million for 2025 and $3 million for 2026. 

Staff Pool: Over $2.7 million, which is projected to be the highest in the MAC. 

 

Coaching Experience:

2025 – Present: Head Coach, University of Massachusetts

2022 – 2024: Defensive Coordinator, Rutgers University

2018 – 2021: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach, University of Minnesota

2016 – 2018: Head Coach, University of Maine

2014 – 2015: Linebackers Coach, University of Maine

2011 – 2013: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Maine

 

If he gets that kind of money how could Akron EVER afford to bring in a Coach that is going to bring in all of this talent because of their names or what they have done.  Most kids on these college football teams were only one or two years old when Eddie George retired from the NFL and would only know who he is from a parent UNLESS the school did a fantastic job of marketing and selling their name. 

 

Seeing this NIL/Revenue Share Guaranteed funds, makes me wonder if Akron football gets anything like that? 

 

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, ZippyDoo said:

Financially speaking only:

 

UMASS just hired Joe Harasymiak in December 2024.  His contract details are:

 

Term: Five years. 

Salary: Approximately $1.3 million to $1.4 million annually. 

NIL/Revenue Share: Guaranteed funds of $2 million for 2025 and $3 million for 2026. 

Staff Pool: Over $2.7 million, which is projected to be the highest in the MAC. 

 

Coaching Experience:

2025 – Present: Head Coach, University of Massachusetts

2022 – 2024: Defensive Coordinator, Rutgers University

2018 – 2021: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach, University of Minnesota

2016 – 2018: Head Coach, University of Maine

2014 – 2015: Linebackers Coach, University of Maine

2011 – 2013: Defensive Backs Coach, University of Maine

 

If he gets that kind of money how could Akron EVER afford to bring in a Coach that is going to bring in all of this talent because of their names or what they have done.  Most kids on these college football teams were only one or two years old when Eddie George retired from the NFL and would only know who he is from a parent UNLESS the school did a fantastic job of marketing and selling their name. 

 

Seeing this NIL/Revenue Share Guaranteed funds, makes me wonder if Akron football gets anything like that? 

 

The simple answer is we can't, at least not with the current level of alumni and local community support. That's why I've long advocated for spending on basketball instead. Dollars go further because fewer schools prioritize it. It's also why I contribute to the basketball collective, but not football.

[egregiousbob]

Those are East Coast dollars. The cost of living in suburban Boston is outrageous.

[Captain Kangaroo]

41 minutes ago, egregiousbob said:

Those are East Coast dollars. The cost of living in suburban Boston is outrageous.

Amherst is 2 hours west of Boston

[GP1]

2 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I wouldn't even know of a candidate, like Eddie George, who would both generate buzz and who would actually want to coach at Akron.

I imagine a lot of Tennessee State fans said things like this over the years. At some point, someone decided to ignore the sad sacks and do something truly different. Why can't we get someone like that "someone" to work for us. What is our most recent marketing genius AD going to do that the last 10 didn't? He might be really bright and energetic, but I've already seen Band Day, etc.

 

If Eddie George is too old and irrelevant for kids to remember and be drawn to, why are so many good transfers from respectable schools drawn to him?  The nightlife at Bowling Green?

Edited 31 minutes ago by GP1

[Captain Kangaroo]

1 hour ago, ZippyDoo said:

Financially speaking only:

 

UMASS just hired Joe Harasymiak in December 2024.  His contract details are:

 

Term: Five years. 

Salary: Approximately $1.3 million to $1.4 million annually. 

NIL/Revenue Share: Guaranteed funds of $2 million for 2025 and $3 million for 2026. 

Staff Pool: Over $2.7 million, which is projected to be the highest in the MAC. 

We have Joe for $650,000? And he's HC, OC and QB coach. 

 

We have $0 in NIL.

 

Our staff pool is the lowest in D1.

 

I can imagine, if Joe leaves or is fired at year's end, how bad a coach we will get for the sack of beans, buttons and bus tokens we offer.

 

I work in Industrial Automation. It's impossible to beat your competition when you have half their distribution network, half their direct sales force, 1/4 their overall budget, 1/10 the Marketing budget, limit your outside sales force to generating business by phone and Linkedin messaging vs. getting on the road and meeting customers face-to-face, etc. etc.

 

On one hand you don't want the University to go public with the shackles and anchors they've strapped on Joe. It would kill whatever miniscule recruiting sell-points we have left. On the other hand, staying quiet hangs Joe out to dry. 99% of the general public thinks we're funded just like anyone else. They only see wins and losses.

 

On TV MacGyver can beat the bad guys with paper clips, duct tape and a AAA battery. In real life, that doesn't play out so well.

 

I hope Joe has a good MAC season and sticks around another year or two. He's been dealt the mother of all losing hands and been asked to beat Phil Ivey.