(12-24-2020 10:35 AM)JSinLR Wrote: I think Bowden will be good for ULM...congrats warhawks.
Thought I would share this an Akron fan shared on our board:
Greetings, Warhawks fans. One of my family members was a player under Bowden at Akron.
Akron was a complete disaster when Bowden arrived. Ranked worst in the nation. Year one, came too late for any recruiting but he was able to start bring in graduate transfers and by year two, although the wins were still sparse but the losses were closer and a signature upset at the end of the season let fans know things were changing.
Under Bowden, the Zips made and won their first bowl appearance, had their best record as a 1A team, won a division title, and won their rivalry game (Wagon Wheel) every year he coached, after the first season.
A number of Zips players under Bowden went on to NFL stints, including Jatavis Brown (retured, Chargers), Justin March (Dallas Cowboys), Ulysses Gilbert III (Steelers), Jojo Natson, and (Clevleand.)
Bowden was very effective at bringing in graduate transfers and other transfers. He also brought in other transfer students who had issues at their former programs with little to known problems while at Akron.
You will find his press conferences to be more interesting than many coaches as he gives a lot more detail than most coaches and treats the media very well.
Overall, Bowden was liked at Akron. Like any program, a coach will have a few who don't care for them and think they are a terrible hire, and disgruntled parents who think their kid should play more, but he was well liked by players, families, and coaches.
Bowden had a good relationship with both the academics and the marching band while at Akron and helped to raise money for the band to travel to the bowl game in Boise.
You will find Bowden to be of high character and treat the players respectfully. He doesn't scream and yell at the kids and tries to build a culture of care and respect.
I wish him and you all the best with your program rebuild.