HOW PATHETIC!

[Lee Adams]

just got back from the BOWL...SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL BROOKHART ITS OVER HERE( how stupid to go go for 2 on the last TD)(and once again no CJ7 when it was ONCE AGAIN obvious Jacquemqin had no clue)...SOMEBODY PLEASE GET JACQUEMAIN OUT OF HIS SCHOLARSHIP(he is truly clueless most of the time)...next year is going to be ugly AGAIN with this crew around...oh ya...thankfully Davanzo Tate is gone too...see ya next year!!!

[ZachTheZip]

The offensive playcalling killed us again. It's a typical "square peg in a round hole" scenario with Jacquemain. Either change the offense, or change the QB. If you're stuck with a certain QB, then CHANGE THE OFFENSE.

[ZipAlumn]

just got back from the BOWL...SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL BROOKHART ITS OVER HERE( how stupid to go go for 2 on the last TD)(and once again no CJ7 when it was ONCE AGAIN obvious Jacquemqin had no clue)...

I don't see a problem with going for two on the last TD. It made no difference if we had made the two or missed it (as we did) in the final score. I have questioned Brookhart's reasoning at times, but I am not at the point where everything he does is wrong. The quarterback situation is a problem, neither CJ11 or CJ17 is the answer at this time. This loss, as with last week's loss to Miami, is representative of our entire season.

[ZipAnalyst]

How pathetic, indeed! The ineptitude comes right from the top. Remember all the touting of the "great" recruiting classes JD was having. Then, this past week, we see on GoZips and the ABJ how JD is making excuses. Which is it? Bad coaching or bad recruiting? Obviously, these are rhetorical questions. Pick your mix of the two ingredients. But the on-balance failure falls back a la "the buck stops here" as being the responsibility of the head coach. It would not shock me if JD comes back next year. This process of exiting JD will most likely replicate the Owens saga. How many times did we hear a plea for more time. "Success is just around corner." Meanwhile, the program erodes and erodes and erodes. Is this a program that justifies building a $50 million plus stadium for? Will it not remain just as empty as the Rubber Bowl if Brookhart continues on?Undoubtedly we will hear from JD supporters that "he wears a 2005 MAC championship ring" as if this chant is the ultimate shut up. The championship was a serendipity dunked in extremely good fortune. We were all pleased with the surprise but the more astute Zip football followers knew that "luck" was the prime foundation of the 2005 season; not good coaching, and, only so-so play. It was a classic back into success operation. Yes, how pathetic, indeed!

[GP1]

Undoubtedly we will hear from JD supporters that "he wears a 2005 MAC championship ring" as if this chant is the ultimate shut up. The championship was a serendipity dunked in extremely good fortune. We were all pleased with the surprise but the more astute Zip football followers knew that "luck" was the prime foundation of the 2005 season; not good coaching, and, only so-so play.

I'd like to hear more. What luck? What so-so play calling brough us back from 20 points down in the fourth quarter? Please expand.

[RACER]

i am usually on jd.i think we give him next year.i am not ready to run him out of town yet.if we have three losing season in a row then the au admin has a big decision to make.hopefully jd can make some changes in the offense either player wise,orscheme the mac this year as a conference was terrible.there is no reason this team could not have finished 6-6.there is no way we can have a coach go into a new stadium with three losing seasons.

[InTheZone]

Undoubtedly we will hear from JD supporters that "he wears a 2005 MAC championship ring" as if this chant is the ultimate shut up. The championship was a serendipity dunked in extremely good fortune. We were all pleased with the surprise but the more astute Zip football followers knew that "luck" was the prime foundation of the 2005 season; not good coaching, and, only so-so play.

I'd like to hear more. What luck? What so-so play calling brough us back from 20 points down in the fourth quarter? Please expand.

I would challenge you to find any other season in the history of the MAC (prior to these stupid divisional games rules) when a team went 5-3 in the conference and won the championship. Heck JD's predecessor got fired for going 5-3 in the MAC. We had a three way tie at the top of the East and because of some third tier tie breaker got in. We depended on the failures of other teams and a few back of the books rules. In a court of law, if the Zips were charged with Championship by luck in 2005, it'd be pretty hard to acquit. JD's regime has some very scary parallels to the Faust era. Some early success with the previous coaches recruits, he goes out and recruits a bunch of thugs who can't find their way to the classroom, our graduation rate plummets, and the program sinks further than it was before. JD is actually pretty good friends with Faust and consults with him often. How ironic .

[ZachTheZip]

Good teams and good players create their own luck. They put themselves in positions to get calls called their way, or to make a fast break for 30 yards. They go out and put every fiber of their being into the game being played. They don't just show up, they show up to win. With Jabari and Mackey leaving, we will no longer have any players like that. They went out there and played with everything they had, which helped them overcome other deficiancies like injuries or relative lack of talent. They wanted it badly. JD doesn't recruit competitors, instead opting for the type of players who show up, do their thing, and leave at the end of the day with their minds on something else. They might have talent, but if they do then they lack the will to use it. Or maybe they are not put in the right position to utilize their talents to the fullest. This playcalling has got to go. If JD decides to keep his coordinators, then he needs to scrap the playbook and start again from scratch while consulting the players and coaches to come up with something that fits the talent we have on the field. Or he could opt to replace Moorhead and Fleming, which would buy him some time with a "but they're new guys" excuse if the pressure gets turned on. Another year like this one, and JD has to go. We've made too many mistakes in the past by keeping coaches around for longer than they should've been. With the best facilities in the country, we should have a great oppurtunity to attract a good coach if the need arises (it already is starting to arise). Let's not waste oppurtunity by waiting for some promises in the distant future that will never come to fruition.

[RACER]

does anybody know how many years jd has left in his contract? i think most people are in agreement that if we have three llosing season in a row the a.d. and au admin have a difficult decsion.you have to still pay jd for the remainder of the contract.where is that money going to come from?

[Lee Adams]

Good teams and good players create their own luck. They put themselves in positions to get calls called their way, or to make a fast break for 30 yards. They go out and put every fiber of their being into the game being played. They don't just show up, they show up to win. With Jabari and Mackey leaving, we will no longer have any players like that. They went out there and played with everything they had, which helped them overcome other deficiancies like injuries or relative lack of talent. They wanted it badly. JD doesn't recruit competitors, instead opting for the type of players who show up, do their thing, and leave at the end of the day with their minds on something else. They might have talent, but if they do then they lack the will to use it. Or maybe they are not put in the right position to utilize their talents to the fullest. This playcalling has got to go. If JD decides to keep his coordinators, then he needs to scrap the playbook and start again from scratch while consulting the players and coaches to come up with something that fits the talent we have on the field. Or he could opt to replace Moorhead and Fleming, which would buy him some time with a "but they're new guys" excuse if the pressure gets turned on. Another year like this one, and JD has to go. We've made too many mistakes in the past by keeping coaches around for longer than they should've been. With the best facilities in the country, we should have a great oppurtunity to attract a good coach if the need arises (it already is starting to arise). Let's not waste oppurtunity by waiting for some promises in the distant future that will never come to fruition.

uakronkid, good observation...i remeber watching the Faust era come to an ignominious close also..Faust was an overly hyped high school grade coach...Brookhart is an overly hyped, pseudo assistant..if he is seeking out faust WE are in trouble next year...USE THE NEW STADIUM TO RECRUIT A COACH WHO HAS A GRIP...

[Lee Adams]

just got back from the BOWL...SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL BROOKHART ITS OVER HERE( how stupid to go go for 2 on the last TD)(and once again no CJ7 when it was ONCE AGAIN obvious Jacquemqin had no clue)...

I don't see a problem with going for two on the last TD. It made no difference if we had made the two or missed it (as we did) in the final score. I have questioned Brookhart's reasoning at times, but I am not at the point where everything he does is wrong. The quarterback situation is a problem, neither CJ11 or CJ17 is the answer at this time. This loss, as with last week's loss to Miami, is representative of our entire season.

only saying that 1 point was obviously not going to make ANY differernce...CM was moving the ball at will...the Zips HAD to score more...

[InTheZone]

does anybody know how many years jd has left in his contract? i think most people are in agreement that if we have three llosing season in a row the a.d. and au admin have a difficult decsion.you have to still pay jd for the remainder of the contract.where is that money going to come from?

The school would not have to pay the remainder of the contract if jd got another job, which I think he would. He wouldn't just sit around on his butt for two years and collect from the university, especially considering he wouldn't be getting any benefits and he has three children who would need medical coverage. People are making a huge deal out of paying off his contract, but I don't think we'd even have to.

[ZachTheZip]

JD has two years remaining. I don't know how much of his contract is performance incentives, but it's safe to say he didn't meet any of them this year. His base salary is not as much as people make it out to be, and the reported salary includes lots of things that depend on meeting objectives like beating a BCS school or winning the MAC or something along those lines. If next year is anything like this year, UA will only have one year of his contract to buy out. The real question is whether UA is willing to pay enough to attract a coach that could get the program to reach its potential. MAC coaches are underpaid, which is why they bolt as soon as the oppurtunity presents itself. JD could make more money as a coordinator at a BCS school than he he would make if he fulfilled all his incentives in his current contract. You get what you pay for in MAC coaching. Al Golden is the highest paid MAC coach, and he has already dragged Temple out of the depths and set them up to be a conference powerhouse in the next few years. Is the AD willing to make an investment in the teams future by paying for a good coach, or will their cheapness kill them once again?

[InTheZone]

I actually think Mack may fire him this year. Say what you will about his leadership style, but from my encounters with him he seems like he's got some balls. I don't think he and JD have ever been on bad terms, but they certainly aren't as cozy as JD and the previous AD. If Mack wants to move on in the sports world, he's got to do something bold and make an impact. As long as JD is still here, even if he wins, the previous AD is still going to get the credit for hiring him. If Mack can get the okay from Proenza (big if), I think he cans JD in the coming weeks.

[RACER]

in the zone you make some excellent points.i have no idea the realtionship with jd ,and mack so this is only speculation.the only way i can relate to this is in the business world.for exampleif the company you work for gets new vp.most of the time i have seen after awhile the new v.p. would bring in his own people.mack is not jd pick for a coach ;so there is no loyalty to jd.if jd had a great year his job would be safe regardless.since we are having two losing season if gives mack a perfect reason ,and chance to bring in his own guy.i am not saying it would happen but it gives mack a reason it get rid of him.i think most people on this board would jd next year.if things dont change then he has to go.

[K-Roo]

omg!! I'm sorry... when did Akron become Notre Dame??? A couple of diappointing seasons and we can the coach and start over -- again??? We are a perennial 4-7 to 7-4 team depending more on luck than good play-- it has always been so...1) 2005 was fortunate but, you have to take advantage of the breaks when you get them and JD and the Zips did just that -- that's why you play the games.2) For the record, Owens was fired for getting BLOWN OUT by average MAC teams on a regular basis... he was also fired after a 7-5 season in which two of those wins were vs Howard and Cal Poly (both 1AA).... Faust's best season was our last 1AA. He went 7-4 but could never beat Tressel at YSU. His last season was he went 1-10 and he was "promoted" to another dept.3) Mack recently extended JD's contract and UA does not have deep pockets. Firing JD puts the program back another 5 years and we will open the new stadium with a thud.4) I am disappointed this year but -- unlike Owens or Faust eras, we were in every game (Including OSU) -- even with the personnel issues. Bottom line, Toledo and NIU have had a couple of bad seasons recently -- we finished better than the Huskies and Rockets. And were competitive all season.. the frustration is that we could have/ should have 3-4 more wins.. Temple, CMU, Miami were all there for the taking... we could have been 8-4 but finished 4-8. Frustrating.5) I would suggest that we all had elevated expectations based on 2005 and were hungry for a repeat -- I'll admit I am.... JD is trying to build a program and the success early may actually have been a detriment....

[Zip_ME87]

Undoubtedly we will hear from JD supporters that "he wears a 2005 MAC championship ring" as if this chant is the ultimate shut up. The championship was a serendipity dunked in extremely good fortune. We were all pleased with the surprise but the more astute Zip football followers knew that "luck" was the prime foundation of the 2005 season; not good coaching, and, only so-so play.

I'd like to hear more. What luck? What so-so play calling brough us back from 20 points down in the fourth quarter? Please expand.

I would challenge you to find any other season in the history of the MAC (prior to these stupid divisional games rules) when a team went 5-3 in the conference and won the championship. Heck JD's predecessor got fired for going 5-3 in the MAC. We had a three way tie at the top of the East and because of some third tier tie breaker got in. We depended on the failures of other teams and a few back of the books rules. In a court of law, if the Zips were charged with Championship by luck in 2005, it'd be pretty hard to acquit. JD's regime has some very scary parallels to the Faust era. Some early success with the previous coaches recruits, he goes out and recruits a bunch of thugs who can't find their way to the classroom, our graduation rate plummets, and the program sinks further than it was before. JD is actually pretty good friends with Faust and consults with him often. How ironic .

I agree. Maybe that is the problem...JD relies on Faust too much. I also think it's pathetic that we are so use to losing at UA that going 5-3 in the MAC (6-5 overall) and winning the MACC is looked upon as greatness. Yes, I understand that UA never won any titles in football in 100+ years prior. But, why are schools like Miami, Ohio, Toledo able to find a way to win 8+ games from time to time, and Akron never can? Why can a school like YSU find an OHIO coach who wins them several national championships and then, when he moves on, remembers them with sizable monetary contributions? I think we need to set our standards and expectations a little higher.

[zen]

I didn't come into this thread to start taking on everyone and all the points they have been making. That would get exhausting, particularly after rebuttals.I am just going to state the same opinion I had before this season and still have today:Brookhart is a very good coach. If he doesn't stay here, I believe this fact will be bore out somewhere years down the road.I am going to state something I have been saying since the Army game beginning this season:Our offensive play calling is horrid.If we need a personel change in the staff, it is to get a genuine offensive mind that will scheme game plans, not just based on our player talents, and not just based on opponent weaknesses, but that would work on breaking down defenses regardless who playing and training our players in a system that will exploit the other 11 players on the field.It's not hard to defend against the zips offense this year. Focus on the run (and dump offs) and double team Arthur or zone for Arthur's routes.

[gozips19]

if Akron had a qb that was serviceable we wouldn't be having this thread. i agree that coach moorehead had a bad season but how do you change your offense for a qb that sucks? if Rodgers steps up next year, Akron is back in the thick of it.that being said; i was starting to question JD myself until reading his press conference quotes coming into the CMU game. it was the first time he really addressed the personal issues. in his decision to dismiss 7 players coming into the season it took away any depth they had. just about every game this year we saw the team fade down the stretch and that is a direct result of the dismissals. again, take a look at the participation report for each game and Akron's opponents routinly played 8-12 more players. Factor in the type of talent that was let go and it's no surprise Akron is 4-8. both Mac and JD knew heading into the season that it was going to be an uphill battle and next year would be JD's the rise up of take the fall season. his freshmen class was above average this year and the retention rate was his best since coming to Akron. did this season suck? yep. but, all is not lost and are poised to compete for the MAC East if they fix the qb spot and make on cord. adjustments. with the transfers of Bain, Bruce, and Pinky a majority of the player holes will be filled.

[Big Zip]

We witnessed CJ11 throw for a ton of yards one week and then lead a team that got shut out the next. I'm not putting this on the players as much as the offensive coordinator. It was mentioned earlier that this team was simple to defend. If this team was willing to run the QB (one that could pass) this team would have been that much more difficult to defend. A hand-off to the running back, a pass or the quarterback running would have been great. I've seen CJ11 play in HS and he ran for over 700 yards. I'm not saying HS is college -- I'm saying the kid can run. I think the coaches told him he would be benched if he ran and never ran an intentional run with him. Look at the last play of yesterday's game as my case in point for what the coaches did to this kid -- he had 10 yards easy and the sideline, but he he threw into quadruple coverage. He is scared to death of running. And those of you still telling me they should have put in CJ7 yesterday - he is a terrible QB, but a pretty elusive runner. Look around college football and see how other coaches find ways to get their playmakers the ball and on the field -- CJ7 only played when he was QB. Darren McFadden a Heisman candidate took half the snaps at QB yesterday. Good coaches find ways to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers and these guys didn't. IF JD stays (I think he will) Moorehead has to go he was horrible. The defensive coordinator needs to follow him on the door too. If having Jim Fleming on your staff can't land his son -- then there is absolutely no point of having him on your team. He surely can't coach defense.

[Zip_ME87]

if Akron had a qb that was serviceable we wouldn't be having this thread. i agree that coach moorehead had a bad season but how do you change your offense for a qb that sucks? if Rodgers steps up next year, Akron is back in the thick of it.that being said; i was starting to question JD myself until reading his press conference quotes coming into the CMU game. it was the first time he really addressed the personal issues. in his decision to dismiss 7 players coming into the season it took away any depth they had. just about every game this year we saw the team fade down the stretch and that is a direct result of the dismissals. again, take a look at the participation report for each game and Akron's opponents routinly played 8-12 more players. Factor in the type of talent that was let go and it's no surprise Akron is 4-8. both Mac and JD knew heading into the season that it was going to be an uphill battle and next year would be JD's the rise up of take the fall season. his freshmen class was above average this year and the retention rate was his best since coming to Akron. did this season suck? yep. but, all is not lost and are poised to compete for the MAC East if they fix the qb spot and make on cord. adjustments. with the transfers of Bain, Bruce, and Pinky a majority of the player holes will be filled.

Whose 7 players did he dismiss? Who recruited them? Part of being a good football coach is good recruiting.I'm not saying JD should be fired. But, he certainly deserves scrutiny.

[Lee Adams]

JD has two years remaining. I don't know how much of his contract is performance incentives, but it's safe to say he didn't meet any of them this year. His base salary is not as much as people make it out to be, and the reported salary includes lots of things that depend on meeting objectives like beating a BCS school or winning the MAC or something along those lines. If next year is anything like this year, UA will only have one year of his contract to buy out. The real question is whether UA is willing to pay enough to attract a coach that could get the program to reach its potential. MAC coaches are underpaid, which is why they bolt as soon as the oppurtunity presents itself. JD could make more money as a coordinator at a BCS school than he he would make if he fulfilled all his incentives in his current contract. You get what you pay for in MAC coaching. Al Golden is the highest paid MAC coach, and he has already dragged Temple out of the depths and set them up to be a conference powerhouse in the next few years. Is the AD willing to make an investment in the teams future by paying for a good coach, or will their cheapness kill them once again?

right now Scout.com has Temple's recruiting class has best in the MAC...Brookhart's current recruits are way down the list...

[gozips19]

ME87 i agree with you that he should take the blame and i think the press conference showed that coach agrees. there was a problem and it looks like it has been fixed. now the problems are different and lets hope that JD takes the necessary steps to fix them in the off season. there is more good than bad in this situation.

[uafan]

5) I would suggest that we all had elevated expectations based on 2005 and were hungry for a repeat -- I'll admit I am.... JD is trying to build a program and the success early may actually have been a detriment....What a damn shame to have elevated expectations! Are we supposed to expect lousy teams because we are Akron? Why. Why not expect, and demand, excellence? OMG, we had a good team. I can hardly wait until next year when we suck again!How pathetic that anyone would even say that "expectations are too high!"

[Zip_ME87]

3rd worst team in the MAC...looks like the program is headed in the right direction...NOTSorry, but my expectations are definitely higher than this.