Quote:Akron has finished with a winning record only once in the past 16 seasons.

I'm surprised by that factoid. I really thought they have had more winning seasons than that.

https://theathletic.com/2935661/2021/11/...andidates/

Quote:There figures to be a solid pool of candidates who at least some interest in the job.

Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, a former Zips standout who led them to a MAC title, was in the final three to get the head coaching job last time.  Would he be willing to leave the NFL now to return to his alma mater? He might be more inclined to keep rising up the NFL coaching ranks where he’s probably not far from getting offensive coordinator looks.

Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach Charlie Frye, another former Akron quarterback, also could be an option if he wants to come back to college. We think he’d have a hard time saying no to his alma mater. The 40-year-old Ohio native, a former third-round pick who started for the Cleveland Browns, has worked as a high school coach in Florida; at the Elite 11 QB program; in player personnel for Florida; and as an offensive coordinator in the MAC at Central Michigan. He’s certainly got the resume if he wants to leave the NFL.

Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Manning, a 38-year-old Youngstown native, has been on Akron’s radar for some time. He’s a former MAC O-line coach at Toledo and was a teammate of his boss Matt Campbell at Mount Union. Manning has helped develop a bunch of standout players at each of his stops, including All-Americans Breece Hall and Charlie Kolar, since he’s been the position coach for both at ISU. Manning is expected to be a candidate this time around.

Notre Dame associate head coach/special teams Brian Polian, a product of Ohio Division III powerhouse John Carroll, has been a key staffer for the Irish and has head coaching experience from his time at Nevada, where he went 23-27 and led the program to two bowl games. Polian’s 2020 book, “Coaching and Teaching Generation Z”, has resonated well with college administrators and has upped his stock in the industry.

Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford has long been regarded as one of the top position coaches in the country. He grew up in Akron, coached at Mount Union and in the MAC at Kent State and is likely to get a head coaching job sooner or later. He was pretty close to landing the head coaching job at Colorado State, his alma mater, before CSU ended up hiring Steve Addazio. Alford probably realizes it’s likely only another year or so before that job comes open and he might be inclined to wait for that one.

Toledo defensive coordinator Vince Kehres has a sterling record as a head coach, going 95-6 at Mount Union and winning two Division III national titles. Like Getsy, Kehres had strong consideration for the vacancy at Akron last time. He is expected to be a candidate again.

Pitt wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, a Pittsburgh native, grew up about two hours from Akron’s campus. He’s a young, very energetic coach who coordinated some prolific offenses in the FCS at Howard and William & Mary utilizing his “Go-Go Offense.” The 35-year-old has helped the Panthers go from No. 79 in the nation in offense to No. 5 this year with his work with the program’s wideouts.

Tim Tyrrell, the head coach at nearby Archbishop Hoban High, a powerhouse that has won five state championships in the past six years, also could get in the mix, according to colleague Zac Jackson, who has deep ties around Akron. Tyrrell, a former player for Jim Tressel at Youngstown State in the 1990s, almost got the job at his alma mater a year ago.

Bowden did a solid job at Akron (keep in mind his record is depressed from his 1-11 first season when he was cleaning up from the previous regime) but I get why he was let go. His entire model was dependent on transfers and whoever followed him was destined to crash and burn the first year after, but Arth was not the guy to bring in. They needed a hotshot who could recruit and develop fast, not a DIII local guy who was in over his head.