Coaching Search

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

What are Dustin's fundraising credentials?

 

 

He has the support of Wentz. Next.

[NWAkron]

6 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

What are Dustin's fundraising credentials?

 

did Groce fundraise?

[NWAkron]

6 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

If your main donor, former players, probably current players, etc., are all calling for Ford to be hired, why in the world would you risk losing Ford?

yes. national search with a search firm is something the president and board would love to spend $ on

[kreed5120]

8 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

What are Dustin's fundraising credentials?

 

He has the support of our current benefactors. The only legitimate criticism is his lack of head coaching experience. I just don't see a Groce external candidate out there. The closest one would be Hurley, but his blunt personality would likely rub people the wrong way pushing away both donors and STH.

[AkronAlumnus]

9 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

If your main donor, former players, probably current players, etc., are all calling for Ford to be hired, why in the world would you risk losing Ford?

The Michigan football team (and myself) said the same thing about long-time assistant Sherrone Moore.  One of my degrees is from U-M, so I follow Michigan FB as closely as Akron hoops, everyone wanted Moore. Turns out not only was Moore a POS, he also just wasn't a good football coach.  

 

Ford very well could be the guy but I think having an open mind could benefit in the long run. Andrew Goodrich has to get this right.  To me, Ford is the easy choice, idk about the best - time will tell on that IG

[Let'sGoZips94]

8 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

The Michigan football team (and myself) said the same thing about long-time assistant Sherrone Moore.  One of my degrees is from U-M, so I follow Michigan FB as closely as Akron hoops, everyone wanted Moore. Turns out not only was Moore a POS, he also just wasn't a good football coach.  

 

Ford very well could be the guy but I think having an open mind could benefit in the long run. Andrew Goodrich has to get this right.  To me, Ford is the easy choice, idk about the best - time will tell on that IG

 

If it wasn't for the impending sanctions for the Stallions stuff, Michigan never would've gone with Sherrone Moore as their replacement for Harbaugh. Sherrone did Michigan a favor by being a POS human

 

Wentz, former players, etc., are telling the world Ford is the guy. Those closest to the program know what the program needs. I trust them. 

[AkronAlumnus]

11 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Sherrone did Michigan a favor by being a POS human

 

Wentz, former players, etc., are telling the world Ford is the guy. Those closest to the program know what the program needs. I trust them. 

100% agree about your first point. 

 

Anyway, support from former players and people around the program matters a lot, but it’s often based on relationships and familiarity—not an objective evaluation of who the best head coach is going forward.

 

The hire should be about proven ability to lead a program, make tough decisions, and elevate Akron moving forward.  I'm not hating on Ford whatsoever, I'm just trying to be open-minded. 

Edited 2 hours ago by AkronAlumnus

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, AkronAlumnus said:

100% agree about your first point. 

 

Anyway, support from former players and people around the program matters a lot, but it’s often based on relationships and familiarity—not an objective evaluation of who the best head coach is going forward.

 

The hire should be about proven ability to lead a program, make tough decisions, and elevate Akron moving forward.  I'm not hating on Ford whatsoever, I'm just trying to be open-minded. 

 

It could be. Or, it could be guys who know the inner workings and how important Ford has been to the X's/O's and player development. 

 

Definitely not saying you're hating, just don't think this is a situation that needs much open-mindedness given the response around the program. This is by far the worst "coaching search" thread in the world considering the program response haha. 

[kreed5120]

The larger picture is there is no guarantee that a national coaching search leads to greater success. Especially if it leads to alienating your largest financial backers.

 

The portal opens in a week. Unless you want a year 0 by running out players like Mark Kostelec a decision needs made soon.

[ZipForNow]

I think what we are rooting for here is the continuation of the Akron ecosystem. 

1. Bud leads the FearTheRoo Collective.

2. Ford develops players. Zips nearly ALL become paid pros, mostly overseas. They make decent money and invest it with....

3. Bud.

4. Rinse and repeat.

5. At regular gatherings, alumni talk to current Zips, who talk to recruits and recruits' parents about the way things work at UA...

6. Rinse and repeat.

7. A vote for Ford (though I was a Carter supporter) is a vote for continuing a winning ecosystem at UA. 

[AkronAlumnus]

9 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

The larger picture is there is no guarantee that a national coaching search leads to greater success. Especially if it leads to alienating your largest financial backers.

 

The portal opens in a week. Unless you want a year 0 by running out players like Mark Kostelec a decision needs made soon.

We don’t need a full national search to do this right—just quickly talk to a few strong candidates and see what’s out there. Akron is a top mid-major job, and there’s likely already interest behind the scenes. 

[Zippy87]

 

[Zippy87]

Just received this email:

 

 

Dear Zips Nation,

 

Today, I write to share some bittersweet news about our friend, John Groce as well as lay out the plan for the future leadership of our beloved Men’s Basketball program.

 

You may have heard that John made the decision to accept another coaching position. It’s true that we will miss his smile and positive attitude which helped us have so much success on and off the court. We are incredibly grateful for everything that he and his family have done here at The University of Akron. We understand that seasons pass, times have changed, and we wish him and his family the absolute best as he continues his basketball coaching journey.

 

As we look forward, I believe the future for Akron men's basketball is as bright as ever. Built upon the success of the Dambrot era, and now the Groce era, we look forward to the next era of championship level basketball.

 

We acknowledge and understand that rules regarding transfer portals and revenue share budgets have changed the game of college basketball, but principles like work ethic, preparation, and the drive to play for others and something bigger than ourselves remain the bedrock for championship programs.

 

As we seek our next trusted leader, we will place a priority on finding someone who loves Akron, who has a demonstrated history of winning championships, who loves working with young people, who listens as well as he leads, who continues to help us raise our standards, all the while maintaining an unyielding belief that anything is possible at the University of Akron when we all work together.

 

Luckily for us, we found that person right here in Dustin Ford. Dustin’s impact on our men’s basketball program is immense. Our Associate Head Coach for the past nine years, Dustin helped craft our championship winning strategies, assisted our young men develop leadership skills on and off the court, and has proven to be a great teacher of the game of basketball. Dustin along with his wife Marcie, have developed a great network of friends in Northeast Ohio and have robust recruiting ties throughout the State of Ohio.

 

While Dustin is the perfect person to take us to the next level, he will not be able to do it alone. As our peers in the MAC aim to end our championship streak, their fans are investing more and more in season tickets and gifts to their revenue share and operational budgets. We implore you to join us and “MAKE THE CLIMB” as we aim to not only continue to win MAC Championships, but to earn NCAA Tournament victories as we continue to dream big championship dreams.

 

A formal press conference to introduce Dustin will be scheduled at some point in the near future so that he can focus his time, efforts, and energy and developing a roster, hiring a staff, and mapping our fundraising strategies with our friends at Fear the Roo, and internally with the Akron Competitive Excellence (ACE) Fund.

 

Best wishes and Go Zips!

 

Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich

Director of Athletics at The University of Akron

[Captain Kangaroo]

Fastest. Hire. Ever.

[AkronAlumnus]

 

Just now, Zippy87 said:

 

Looks like Coach Ford will continue the UA Hoops dynasty, as the HC.  I'm happy for him and his family. 

Edited 1 hour ago by AkronAlumnus

[zippy5]

9 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Fastest. Hire. Ever.

Makes you wonder if this was in the works a bit longer than we knew 

[Valpo Zip]

I like the quick decision to beat the portal opening date. 

I like to believe that the "Akron culture" is a thing. 

Also, great message from the AD 👏

[kreed5120]

Just now, zippy5 said:

Makes you wonder if this was in the works a bit longer than we knew 

 

CoC job wasn't vacant that long. Groce I'm sure was in communication that he was exploring his options and they likely already had this contingency plan in place. It might have been in place even last year when reports were Groce had some interest in leaving.

[kreed5120]

I'm going to go make a contribution to FTR to show my support for this move. I encourage others as well.

[ZippyRulz]

Nothing wrong with status quo if your status quo is good. Elevating would be a pleasant surprise if it happens.

[Let'sGoZips94]

9 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Makes you wonder if this was in the works a bit longer than we knew 

 

That's correct.

[zippy5]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

CoC job wasn't vacant that long. Groce I'm sure was in communication that he was exploring his options and they likely already had this contingency plan in place. It might have been in place even last year when reports were Groce had some interest in leaving.

Well obviously not CoC specifically. But if the rumors were true and he was a finalist at Butler and USF, maybe this was the one last ride all along.

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Well obviously not CoC specifically. But if the rumors were true and he was a finalist at Butler and USF, maybe this was the one last ride all along.

Wouldn't surprise me given how emotional people said he was at the selection show when talking about Bud.

[72 Roo]

2 hours ago, NWAkron said:

Men's basketball is the most successful program at Akron.  The new A.D. will be making a decision that will follow his career.  A bad hire away from being pretty much every other MAC school.

Those who follow soccer at UA might have a different opinion. Soccer consistently wins its conference, makes the NCAA playoffs, goes to the elite eight, makes the final four and has a national championship and two runners-up. I'd say there is an argument there.

[ZipForNow]

4 minutes ago, 72 Roo said:

Those who follow soccer at UA might have a different opinion. Soccer consistently wins its conference, makes the NCAA playoffs, goes to the elite eight, makes the final four and has a national championship and two runners-up. I'd say there is an argument there.

Let’s not forget Track and Field, Rifle, Swimming and Diving…