Early Football Previews and Predictions: Game Twelve at Bowling Green

[exit322]

4 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

They're not firing JoMo.  The days of paying multiple head coaches at the same time are over.  Hell, they won't fund the training table.  They're certainly not funding 2 head coaches.

 

Yes, he has to leave on his own.  It's just...kinda feels like he's going to do that.

[exit322]

3 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I have no clue what Goodrich will do regarding football. Maybe he spends a year crafting a new logo, quits his job and moves on to the next rung on his AD ladder? Maybe he’s empowered, independent of thought, and implements a plan to elevate Zips football to respectability? That would be awesome.

 

Historically new AD’s "check their box" and hire “their guy” to run either the football or basketball program. On paper, Joe is on the hot seat. It it were me, I would fix the budget BS, show Joe a little love, and see what transpires in 2026. Joe took over a 1-11 Fordham team and went 38-13 during his tenure, winning 11 and 12 games in successive seasons. The guy can win big at the FCS/G5 level. It’s proven. But not when he’s hamstrung and unsupported. No one can.

 

I don't know what Goodrich's plans are with football, but it doesn't feel that this would be.

 

New logo wouldn't be awful, though, the A is incredibly uninspiring.  Maybe Goodrich could also work on getting some Akron gear that's available for purchase anywhere that people might want to buy, too...

 

The marketing and crowd they did get for the Wagon Wheel game last week gives me hope that they are finally starting to get serious about the program...and if they are going to at least even get a little closer on the budget BS...maybe you just ride it with everyone and see what happens.  Guess I shouldn't be angry at that; it does make sense.

[GP1]

18 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

 

The University has never once publicly mentioned any of the crippling limits placed on the football program in the name of budget cuts. They’ve hung Joe out to dry with a historic lack of support, whistling through the graveyard, and by their silence painting Zips football as having the same resources as every other MAC program. It isn’t fair to Joe, and I expect that grates on him. And it should. 

 

Bobby Knight once famously said - "If you're getting raped, you might as well lay back and enjoy it."  Joe has bit his tongue 95% of the time, but who can blame him if, when pressed, he vents on his lack of recruiting budget, training tables, staff, and on and on? UA isn’t holding any pressers stating “You gotta understand the situation we’ve placed Joe Moorhead in. I can’t believe the guy won 3 games, let alone 5.” It's Zips Football against the world. 

 

Maybe the same geniuses at UA who’ve blundered every football-related decision since Jim Dennison’s firing will identify a "unicorn" coach that only wants a $300,000/year salary, that flits about Summit and Stark counties with a wicker basket collecting NIL money from scores of donors happily willing to fill it up, while also coaching Akron to MAC Championships and bowl victories. Wish in one wicker basket and poop in the other...see which fills up first.

 

I have no clue what Goodrich will do regarding football. Maybe he spends a year crafting a new logo, quits his job and moves on to the next rung on his AD ladder? Maybe he’s empowered, independent of thought, and implements a plan to elevate Zips football to respectability? That would be awesome.

 

Historically new AD’s "check their box" and hire “their guy” to run either the football or basketball program. On paper, Joe is on the hot seat. It it were me, I would fix the budget BS, show Joe a little love, and see what transpires in 2026. Joe took over a 1-11 Fordham team and went 38-13 during his tenure, winning 11 and 12 games in successive seasons. The guy can win big at the FCS/G5 level. It’s proven. But not when he’s hamstrung and unsupported. No one can.

Great post.

 

The link below is what it looks like when an athletic department runs itself in the interest of the University and not the next rung on a ladder. That endowment probably provides approximately $200,000 per year to the coach's salary forever. It's real money and not an initiative that will lead to real money some day (logo). 

 

https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/6/26/generous-gift-from-alumni-raises-prominence-of-bgsu-football-program

 

In addition, they hire a big name coach and sell out two games. I know this will be shocking for some, but one of these games was at the exact same time as an OSU game. Apparently, getting 0.2% of the population of Ohio to show up for a football game isn't that hard if you show some competence. 

 

In 2020, BG, Akron and many other MAC schools had large budget cuts to athletics. BG got to work and tried to make a bad situation better, and it appears to be working. Their football results this year are a fluke caused by unfortunate luck with injuries. Akron, on the other hand, did what they normally do. Akron sits around wallowing in misery, self pity and failure while what appears to be planning their next misstep. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Legitimate question: what are the financial/resource differences between Akron football and Kent football?

[kreed5120]

13 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Great post.

 

The link below is what it looks like when an athletic department runs itself in the interest of the University and not the next rung on a ladder. That endowment probably provides approximately $200,000 per year to the coach's salary forever. It's real money and not an initiative that will lead to real money some day (logo). 

 

https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/6/26/generous-gift-from-alumni-raises-prominence-of-bgsu-football-program

 

 

BGSU seems to have always done a better job than Akron at keeping their alumni involved in athletics. The Stroh Center was built 15 years ago at a cost of $30 million. Half or more of that money came from alumni. The Stroh family alone gave $8 million. Several other donors gave over $1 million. They also sold bricks that way they could gather money from the everyday fan, which also made them feel invested. 

 

Some here have criticized the Stroh Center for not being elegant enough, but honestly for being a rural MAC school it fits what BGSU needed. They could have handicapped themselves financially by taking the $15-$20 million they got from alumni to build a $75 million 8k arena that would sit mostly empty. They were smart enough to not financially handicap themselves.

[GP1]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

BGSU seems to have always done a better job than Akron at keeping their alumni involved in athletics. The Stroh Center was built 15 years ago at a cost of $30 million. Half or more of that money came from alumni. The Stroh family alone gave $8 million. Several other donors gave over $1 million. They also sold bricks that way they could gather money from the everyday fan, which also made them feel invested. 

 

Some here have criticized the Stroh Center for not being elegant enough, but honestly for being a rural MAC school it fits what BGSU needed. They could have handicapped themselves financially by taking the $15-$20 million they got from alumni to build a $75 million 8k arena that would sit mostly empty. They were smart enough to not financially handicap themselves.

One of the smartest things UofA has done in relation to a new basketball arena is NOT partner with the City of Akron to build it. 

[GP1]

2 hours ago, Reslife4Life said:

I can't imagine what the response would be if we fired Moorhead after having the most wins in 8 years. If he takes another job so be it, but firing a coach because we didn't go .500 hasn't fared too well in the history of Infocision Stadium. 

I totally understand the thought of we can find a new coach that fires up the team and we go to the top of the MAC out of nowhere, but I think that is pretty risky to go all in on considering we have made progress the last 2 seasons. We lost almost all our skill players last year, and this year we developed a great group of them. I have a hard time believing we just stumbled on to players like Williams, Gant, Polk (2 year track) because no one wanted them. Most of them will leave again this year even if we don't fire the coach. But I trust this current regime to develop players, which is very important with the current state of college football. You are only living a year at a time so you need someone to be quick to mold a team together. I am sure other coaches can do that, but is there going to be someone like that available this offseason and are they going to want to come to Akron?

I wouldn't call The University of Akron athletic department a big risk taker. If that was the case then I would imagine we would have a different soccer coach after not living up to UA standards from 2019-2021

 

Good post. By the end of next week, the final MAC standings will be available. Akron probably will finish in the middle of the pack in conference wins and overall wins. That's what 5 wins gets you in the MAC. We are out of the basement and with all things considered, it's a pretty good finish. 

 

Some believe shaking up the coaching staff and bringing in a no name who only has youth and energy on his side. Like all bad ideas, this will result in failure. 

 

With that said, Joe should leave and should have after last season. The leadership of the University isn't capable of developing a winning program. His time here will become pointless if it hasn't already. He should leave the leadership to their ultimate failure. It is inevitable. 

[Hilltopper]

1 hour ago, GP1 said:

Great post.

 

The link below is what it looks like when an athletic department runs itself in the interest of the University and not the next rung on a ladder. That endowment probably provides approximately $200,000 per year to the coach's salary forever. It's real money and not an initiative that will lead to real money some day (logo). 

 

https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/6/26/generous-gift-from-alumni-raises-prominence-of-bgsu-football-program

 

In addition, they hire a big name coach and sell out two games. I know this will be shocking for some, but one of these games was at the exact same time as an OSU game. Apparently, getting 0.2% of the population of Ohio to show up for a football game isn't that hard if you show some competence. 

 

In 2020, BG, Akron and many other MAC schools had large budget cuts to athletics. BG got to work and tried to make a bad situation better, and it appears to be working. Their football results this year are a fluke caused by unfortunate luck with injuries. Akron, on the other hand, did what they normally do. Akron sits around wallowing in misery, self pity and failure while what appears to be planning their next misstep. 

We have donors who have contributed that much to Akron Athletics to create endowments. Just not for football. BTW, if you could share with me where I can get a guaranteed 10% return on my $2 million please send me a DM.

[GP1]

3 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

We have donors who have contributed that much to Akron Athletics to create endowments. Just not for football. 

Parade someone like Eddie George through their door and see what happens. 

[Hilltopper]

No other MAC school has a $5 million note payment every year for a facilitie that sits empty for 90% of the year. Multiple administration's have tried everything you could think of to create interest. A nice 15,000 seat stadium would have been perfect. Mack Rhoades and others were sure if we built it, they would come. They didn't come. JoMo knew what he was getting into when he agreed to be the man. There is plenty of blame to go around. Hopefully Goodrich can find a different type of unicorn. A rich donor who is willing to give millions to support football. Odds are that guy is going to want some input on who is running  the program. People with that type of money expect a return on their investment.

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

No other MAC school has a $5 million note payment every year for a facilitie that sits empty for 90% of the year. Multiple administration's have tried everything you could think of to create interest. A nice 15,000 seat stadium would have been perfect. Mack Rhoades and others were sure if we built it, they would come. They didn't come. JoMo knew what he was getting into when he agreed to be the man. There is plenty of blame to go around. Hopefully Goodrich can find a different type of unicorn. A rich donor who is willing to give millions to support football. Odds are that guy is going to want some input on who is running  the program. People with that type of money expect a return on their investment.

 

Why is there not more done with the stadium in the offseason? Concerts, events, etc. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

2 hours ago, Hilltopper said:

Multiple administration's have tried everything you could think of to create interest. A nice 15,000 seat stadium would have been perfect. 

Quote

JoMo knew what he was getting into when he agreed to be the man.

I'll disagree on these points.

 

Multiple administrations have said "I wouldn't have built that stadium" and subsequently been let off the hook. Their lack of Athletics Marketing acumen is as boarder line criminal as their ability to run a D1 Athletics program. 

 

If Joe would have been told he'd have the smallest staff in D1, lowest budget, can't travel to recruit, no player meal plan, 25% fewer practices than the competition, and in 4 years other programs will be buying his best players and he'll need to completely rebuild annually...I don't think he'd have agreed to be the man. 

[kreed5120]

39 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

No other MAC school has a $5 million note payment every year for a facilitie that sits empty for 90% of the year. Multiple administration's have tried everything you could think of to create interest. A nice 15,000 seat stadium would have been perfect. Mack Rhoades and others were sure if we built it, they would come. They didn't come. JoMo knew what he was getting into when he agreed to be the man. There is plenty of blame to go around. Hopefully Goodrich can find a different type of unicorn. A rich donor who is willing to give millions to support football. Odds are that guy is going to want some input on who is running  the program. People with that type of money expect a return on their investment.

 

Really fantastic post. I'll just add even on many games days it sits mostly empty. 

[Hilltopper]

9 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I'll disagree on these points.

 

Multiple administrations have said "I wouldn't have built that stadium" and subsequently been let off the hook. Their lack of Athletics Marketing acumen is boarder line is a criminal as their ability to run a D1 Athletics program. 

 

If Joe would have been told he'd have the smallest staff in D1, lowest budget, can't travel to recruit, no player meal plan, 25% fewer practices than the competition, and in 4 years other programs will be buying his best players and he'll need to completely rebuild annually...I don't think he'd have agreed to be the man. 

You can have the greatest marketing plan ever made but if there is no demand for your product it won't make any difference. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

10 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

You can have the greatest marketing plan ever made but if there is no demand for your product it won't make any difference. 

I'd like to see a Marketing plan that even approaches mediocre and see what happens. 

 

Obviously you need to win. Lather, rinse and repeat. And to do that, you need to invest. You can't save your way to #1. 

 

If you want to fill a stadium, play Kent the first game of the year. Only morons schedule the Kent game in November. You'll get 20k+. Boom - The stadium is filled for 1 game every other season. That's 10% of the home games at capacity every 2 seasons.

 

I have more. But that's all I give without a stipend. 

[ZippyDoo]

I was at the game last night. The Akron Stadium is much much nicer than Bowling Green Stadium. It was their last home game of the year obviously it was their senior night and it was far from a sellout crowd, even though they had a retired NFL player head coach.

 

in my opinion, Joe is not going anywhere. He will be back next year and this form will be just as entertaining with all the haters on it next year I do personally hope he does better and I hope the team does better.

 

I really want to see the zips succeed and I like the direction they are going. I hope the athletic director could find a way to support the program and hopefully the real fans start to come out and support it as well.

[Let'sGoZips94]

16 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I'd like to see a Marketing plan that even approaches mediocre and see what happens. 

 

Obviously you need to win. Lather, rinse and repeat. And to do that, you need to invest. You can't save your way to #1. 

 

If you want to fill a stadium, play Kent the first game of the year. Only morons schedule the Kent game in November. You'll get 20k+. Boom - The stadium is filled for 1 game every other season. That's 10% of the home games at capacity every 2 seasons.

 

I have more. But that's all I give without a stipend. 

 

How much more is Kent investing this year to win back the Wagon Wheel and potentially go bowling? 

 

Multiple things can be true. 

 

1) The program needs better financial support. The University needs to quit half-assing football and commit to building a program worth supporting. 

 

2) JoeMo isn't the right guy for the job. From X's & O's to an ego too large to win over donors - he's just not it. 

[Hilltopper]

26 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

 

 

If you want to fill a stadium, play Kent the first game of the year. Only morons schedule the Kent game in November. You'll get 20k+. Boom - The stadium is filled for 1 game every other season. That's 10% of the home games at capacity every 2 seasons.

 

 

You'll need to call the MAC commissioner for that to happen! Good luck!📞

[clarkwgriswold]

37 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

If you want to fill a stadium, play Kent the first game of the year. Only morons schedule the Kent game in November. You'll get 20k+. Boom - The stadium is filled for 1 game every other season. That's 10% of the home games at capacity every 2 seasons.

 

On a Saturday, please?

[clarkwgriswold]

19 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

The program needs better financial support. The University needs to quit half-assing football and commit to building a program worth supporting. 

 

Do it right or don't do it at all.

 

Don't expect fans to commit to the program any more than the university commits to it.

[ZippyDoo]

i thought Stroh Stadium was not nice at all. i have been to MANY high school stadiums that were nicer than it. A LOT nicer than it.  I don't see how any fan that has  actually been to it in person can say that it is a nice stadium. 

 

they don't even have restrooms...  portopotties only. and the "big screen" looks like a 75" tv that u can't see anything on. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

28 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

You'll need to call the MAC commissioner for that to happen! Good luck!📞

If an AD is good at his job, this is an easy call. 

[exit322]

2 hours ago, Hilltopper said:

 Multiple administrations have tried everything you could think of to create interest. 

 

Your point isn't wrong.  I just want to emphasize this item here.

 

I don't know what the AD and the department did differently for the Kent game.  But it worked.  And I hope dearly they do a bunch more of it going into next year, because with actual Saturday games, they could actually get a real crowd for a couple of them (provided the team is at least competent, which was definitely hit and miss this year).

[Captain Kangaroo]

41 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

How much more is Kent investing this year to win back the Wagon Wheel and potentially go bowling? 

More than the Zips. 

 

Kent Coaches and Support staff

 

22 coaches. including 4 grad assistants

12 support staff

 

Akron Coaches and Support Staff

 

12 coaches, zero grad assistants

6 support staff

 

Beyond that, Kent practiced 25% more than Akron was allowed, and most of that is on Arth. 

 

And...I'm note re-re-re-typing all the other stuff. 

 

Kent beat Akron in OT because they have a really good QB. They probably even have some NIL money to keep him. 

 

[GP1]

47 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

You'll need to call the MAC commissioner for that to happen! Good luck!📞

The MAC commissioner works for us. If the membership isn't demanding a parole from weeknight games, we have bigger problems than I think.