Akron Zips football

Akron Zips football
2017 Akron Zips football team
First season	1891
Athletic director	Larry Williams
Head coach	Terry Bowden 6th season, 24–37 (.393)
Stadium	InfoCision Stadium (capacity: 27,000)
Year built	2009
Field surface	ProGrass
Location	Akron, Ohio
NCAA division	Division I FBS
Division	East
Past conferences	Ohio Athletic Conference (1915–36, 1946–65) Mid-Continent Conference (1978–79) Ohio Valley Conference (1980–87)
All-time record	507–524–36 (.492)
Bowl record	1–1 (.500)
Conference titles	1
Division titles	2
Rivalries	Kent State Golden Flashes
Consensus All-Americans	1
Colors	Blue and gold
Fight song	Akron Blue and Gold
Mascot	Zippy
Marching band	Ohio's Pride
Outfitter	Adidas
Website	GoZips.com

The Akron Zips football team is a college football program representing the University of Akron in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Terry Bowden is currently the team's head coach. Akron plays its home games on InfoCision Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The Zips compete in the Mid-American Conference as a member of the East Division.

The team was established in 1891 when the school was known as Buchtel College and became the University of Akron in 1913. In 1926, the athletic teams were named the Zippers, after rubber boots manufactured by the B.F. Goodrich Company, which was headquartered in Akron at the time. The name was shortened to "Zips" in 1950. Akron was originally classified as a Small College school in the 1937 season until 1972. Akron received Division II classification in 1973, before becoming a Division I-AA program in 1980 and a Division I-A (now FBS) program in 1987. The Zips were the first team to move from Division I-AA to Division I-A. In 2005, the Zips won the Mid-American Conference championship for the first time in the program's history. Through the 2015 season, the Zips have an overall record of 507–524–36.

History

Early history (1891–1953)

John Heisman

The University of Akron football team was established in 1891. In their first game, the team, then called Buchtel College, defeated Western Reserve Academy by a score of 22–6 in Hudson, Ohio. Buchtel went on to finish its first season with a 1–3 record. The following year, Buchtel hired Frank Cook as the school's first ever head coach. Cook led Buchtel to a 3–4 record during his only season has head coach.

In 1893, the college hired John Heisman to become the football and baseball coach. Heisman lead Buchtel to their first winning season with a 5–2 record in 1893, and then led them to their first undefeated season, albeit a single game season in which they defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes. While at Buchtel, Heisman also helped invent the snap, which is still used in modern-day football. The early years for Buchtel saw many coaching changes, as the program went through nine different coaches in the 22-year span. Buchtel College changed its name to the University of Akron in 1913.

Akron's 1922 football team against Miami (OH)

Coach Fred Sefton served as the head football coach of the Zippers for nine seasons, from 1915 to 1923, compiling a record of 33–34–4. Sefton's teams posted winning records in five of Sefton's nine seasons, including four of his final five. Sefton resigned as head coach after the 1923 season. James W. Coleman was hired as Akron's head football coach after Sefton's resignation. His final record in two seasons with the Zippers is 6–10.

George Babcock took over as head coach after Coleman's departure and led the Zips to a 5–2–2 record before departing to accept the head football coach position at Cincinnati. Red Blair was hired as the team's next head coach after Babcock's departure. In nine seasons at the helm of the Zips, Blair's teams compiled a record of 43–30–5. Blair's 1929 Akron team compiled a record of 9–1. His 1930 team went 7–1 and his 1935 team posted a 6–3 record for the best three years of Blair's tenure. Blair resigned as head coach of the Zips after the 1935 season. Jim Aiken was hired as the Zippers' head coach after Blair's resignation. Aiken's three seasons were all winning, as his teams compiled yearly records of 6–2–1, 7–2 and 6–3 for a grand total of 19–7–1. Aiken departed the Zips after the 1938 season to accept the head football coach position at Nevada.

Thomas Dowler was hired to lead the Zippers football program after Aiken's departure. In two seasons as head coach, Dowler's teams compiled a record of 7–9–2. Otis Douglas took over the reins of the Akron football program after Dowler and his teams struggled. In two seasons, the Zippers posted a record of 5–10–3 that included a winless 0–7–2 mark in what turned out to be Douglas' final season. Akron did not field a football team from 1943–1945 due to the events surrounding World War II.

Paul Baldacci was hired as Akron's head coach after the three season hiatus was over. Baldacci served as head coach for two seasons, compiling a record of 7–10 that included yearly records of 5–4 and 2–6. Akron's on-the-field struggles continued during the tenure of Baldacci's successor, William Houghton, whose tenure produced a 7–27–1 record with no winning seasons or more than two wins in a single season. Under head coach Kenneth Cochrane, the Zippers broke out of their slump, posting yearly records of 2–6–1 and 6–3 before Cochrane stepped down to focus on his duties as athletics director at Akron. Cochrane shorted the school's athletic nickname from "Zippers" to "Zips".

Joe McMullen era (1954–1960)

Joe McMullen came to Akron from Washington & Jefferson and achieved moderate success as the Zips head coach. While his teams did compile an overall winning record during McMullen's seven-season tenure (30–28–3), declining records of 4–5 and 1–8 led to his firing after the 1960 season.

Gordon Larson era (1961–1972)

In 1961, the Zips hired Gordon Larson, who had been an assistant coach under Woody Hayes at Ohio State. Larson helped the Zips finish 2nd in the Ohio Athletic Conference 3 times in his first five seasons, going 26–8 in conference play during those five season. In 1966, the Zips left the Ohio Athletic Conference, and became an Independent football program. During its Independence era, the Zips put together the best run in school history, winning 38 games from 1968 to 1971, also going to the 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl. In 12 seasons, Larson had a record of 74–33–5. At the time of his retirement from coach, Larson was the all-time wins leader among head coaches in Akron football history. Larson remained at the university as the athletics director.

Jim Dennison era (1973–1985)

In 1973, the Zips promoted long-time assistant, Jim Dennison to replace the retired Larson. Under Dennison's tutelage, the Zips transitioned from NCAA Division II to Division I-AA and posted an 80–62–2 record that included nine winning seasons in Dennison's thirteen. Despite these successes, Dennison was fired as head coach after the 1985 season.

Gerry Faust era (1986–1994)

In 1985 Akron president William Muse replaced Dennison with former Notre Dame head coach Gerry Faust. Muse wanted the program to have "instant credibility" during its transition into a 1-A school in 1987. Adams and Muse felt that Faust was more prepared to lead the Zips as they transitioned into a 1-A institution. Faust struggled to get acclimated to the small budget school, struggling to a 25–23–2 start after his first 4 seasons with the Zips. Faust's Zips teams never won more than seven games in one season. Following a 1–10 finish in 1994, he was relieved of his coaching duties and became a fundraiser for the university. Faust's 43 wins placed him 3rd in Akron career wins leaders.

The Zips became the first ever program to transition from 1-AA to 1-A when they made the move in 1987.

Akron joined the Mid-American Conference in 1992.

Lee Owens era (1995–2003)

Lee Owens, a highly successful high school head football coach, was hired by the Zips as head football coach after Faust's firing. Owens' teams were mediocre at best, with two seven-win seasons (1999 and 2003) and a six-win season (2000), but his overall record was 40–61, which led to his firing by athletics director Mike Thomas after nine seasons.

J. D. Brookhart era (2004–2009)

J. D. Brookhart, previously offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, became the 25th head coach of Akron on December 15, 2003, the program's third head coach since gaining Division I-A status in 1987. In his second season, he led the Zips to their first Mid-American Conference championship and their first bowl game in school history, the 2005 Motor City Bowl, which they lost, 38–31, to the Memphis. He was fired after the 2009 season, when the Zips went 3–9. Brookhart's final record at Akron is 30–42.

Rob Ianello era (2010–2011)

In December 2009, Akron hired Rob Ianello, previously wide receivers coach at Notre Dame, as the Zips head football coach. He lost his first eleven games as a head coach before getting the victory over Buffalo in the final game of the 2010 season. His only other win as Akron's head football coach was a 36–13 defeat of VMI (a Football Championship Subdivision team) in 2011. Ianello was fired as Akron's head coach after just two seasons and a dismal 2–22 record.

Terry Bowden era (2012–present)

On December 22, 2011, it was announced North Alabama head coach Terry Bowden, son of legendary coach Bobby Bowden, would be hired as the 27th head football coach of the Akron Zips, and he was formally introduced on December 28, 2011. An Akron assistant coach in 1986 under head coach Gerry Faust, Terry Bowden had achieved fame in the 1990s with a successful six-year stint as the head football coach at Auburn, compiling a record of 47–17–1 that included a twenty-game winning streak. In his first year, Bowden duplicated Ianello's 1–11 record from 2011 in what was dubbed as a rebuilding year.

On September 14, 2013, Bowden lead Akron against the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and came within a few yards of defeating the Wolverines, losing 28–24 after an incomplete pass from the Wolverines' 3-yard line on the final play of the game went out of the back of the end zone. Akron lead at various points during the game: 10–7 in the third quarter after a 28-yard passing touchdown from Kyle Pohl to Zach D'Orazio; and 24–21 in the fourth quarter after a one-yard pass from Pohl to Tyrell Goodman. Bowden's 2013 team showed improvement, compiling a 5–7 record on the season that included snapping the nation's longest road losing streak (28) with a 24–17 victory at Miami (OH). Akron would finish 5–7 on the season. For the signs of improvement shown by the Zips, Akron extended Bowden's contract by two years through 2017.

In 2014, Bowden led the Zips to another 5–7 mark with a 3–5 record in MAC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the MAC East Division. The Zips began the season with a 41–0 shutout of Howard. Akron then lost to Penn State by a score of 21–3. The third game of the season saw the Akron Zips lose to Marshall by a score of 48–17. The Zips would then reel off three straight wins, upsetting Pittsburgh, defeating Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH). Akron would then lose its next four, beginning with Ohio, then Bowling Green and Buffalo. Akron defeated UMass in its next-to-last game to set up an opportunity to attain bowl eligibility in its last regular season game, but the Zips lost to archrival Kent State by a score of 27–24.

In 2015, the Zips finished the season at 8–5 with a 5–3 record in MAC play to finish in a tie for second place in the MAC East Division. To kick off the season, Bowden led the Zips into Norman, Oklahoma for a showdown against one of the country's all-time college football powers, #10 Oklahoma. The Zips would lose by a score of 41–3. Akron would then lose to Pittsburgh the following week to start the season at 0–2. Akron would pick up its first win of the 2015 campaign the following week against Savannah State. Akron beat Louisiana-Lafayette in game four by a score of 35–14. The following week, the Zips lost to Ohio, before defeating Eastern Michigan by a score of 47–21. The Zips then lost to Bowling Green and Central Michigan before finishing the season on a five-game winning streak, defeating UMass, Miami (OH), Buffalo to attain bowl eligibility, Kent State in the regular season finale, and Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Bowden led the Zips to a 5–7, 3–5 record in MAC play to finish in a tie for third place in the MAC East Division in 2016. The season began with a victory over VMI. The next week, Akron went to Madison, Wisconsin for a showdown against #10 Wisconsin. The Zips lost the game by a score of 54–10. Next, the Zips defeated Marshall by a score of 65–38, the most points Marshall had allowed in a football game in 25 years. The next week, Akron lost to Appalachian State before defeating Kent State and Miami (OH). After getting blanked 41–0 by #24 Western Michigan, the Akron Zips beat Ball State by a score of 35–25. The Zips would then lose its lat four games of the season, beginning with Buffalo, then Toledo, Bowling Green and Ohio.

Facilities

Rubber Bowl (1940–2008)

Main article: Rubber Bowl

An on-field ceremony at the Rubber Bowl after the stadium's 324th and final football game on November 13, 2008.

The Akron Zips football team played their first game in the stadium on October 5, 1940 against Western Reserve (now known as Case Western Reserve University), before getting their first win in the facility November 9 of that year against rival Kent State. Prior to playing at the Rubber Bowl, the Zips football teams played at Buchtel Field, a 7,000-seat facility that opened in 1923. The Zips recorded their first sellout in the Rubber Bowl on September 30, 1961. In 1971, the university purchased the stadium for $1 from the city. An artificial surface was installed in 1983, which was replaced with AstroPlay in 2003. The Zips played 324 games at the stadium, which included their first-ever appearance on ESPN in 1986. Other notable games include the highest-scoring game in the stadium's history, a 65–62 victory over Eastern Michigan in 2001, as well as a 65–7 Akron victory over Howard University in 2003. In 2005, the Zips clinched their first Mid-American Conference East Division title and spot in the 2005 MAC Championship Game with a 35–3 win over arch-rival Kent State in that year's Wagon Wheel game. Akron would go on to win the 2005 MAC Championship with a last-second 31–30 win over Northern Illinois at Ford Field in Detroit.

In 2003, the university began exploring the feasibility of building an on-campus stadium to replace the Rubber Bowl, which was in disrepair and several miles away from campus. In 2007, plans were announced for a new stadium, later known as InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field, with work beginning in January 2008 and opening in September 2009. The final Akron Zips football game at the Rubber Bowl took place on November 13, 2008 against the Buffalo Bulls. The game was nationally televised on ESPN and featured the two teams tied for first place in the Mid-American Conference's East Division with identical 5–4 (3–2) records entering the game. Buffalo defeated the Zips 43–40 in four overtimes in front of a crowd of 18,516. For the Zips, it was both the first four-overtime game and the first overtime loss in school history. After the game, a special ceremony with current and former players and coaches was held to honor the 68-year history of the stadium.

InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field (2009–present)

Main article: InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field

A parachuter descends with American flag in tow onto the surface of Summa Field as part of the opening day festivities.

InfoCision Stadium was constructed as part of a building initiative undergone by the University of Akron called the "New Landscape for Learning." The $300 million construction program included the construction and renovations of numerous buildings on campus, including the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences building, an honors complex, a student recreation center, and a student union. The Rubber Bowl, the former home of the Zips football team, was located 6 miles (9.7 km) away of the Akron campus. Due to the high maintenance costs for the facility, the decision was made to construct an on-campus stadium.

To build the new stadium, several dormitories had to be demolished and the properties of local tenants were acquired using eminent domain. In order to house the displaced students, the University spent $22.6 million to purchase Quaker Square, a former Quaker Oats Company oat silo that was converted into a hotel.

The home opener of the 2009 football season marked the first game held in InfoCision Stadium. In it, the Zips defeated Morgan State 41–0. To mark the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to inaugurate the new stadium. Amongst those who cut the ribbon were Don Plusquellic (Mayor of Akron), Betty Sutton (member of the United States House of Representatives), and Luis Proenza (President of the University of Akron).

Stile Athletics Field House

An indoor training facility used primarily for the football team. It includes a full practice football field, extensive weight room, indoor track and offices for the football program.

Logos and uniforms

In 2002, the University instituted a new athletics logo featuring the kangaroo as well as a custom font for "Akron Zips." The logo replaced the former Akron logo which featured a flying "A". The football program adapted the alternate logo for their helmets which featured an "A" and a profile view of a kangaroo. The first year of the logo change, the football helmets had the alternate logo with a navy colored oval around it. The following year, the navy oval was dropped. Additional changes that also came with the re-branding included the uniforms altered to change the yellow to gold.

Rivalries

Kent State

Akron's biggest rival is Kent State University, located 10 miles (16 km) from the Akron campus. The two schools first met in 1923 and have played 56 times through the 2013 meeting. Akron went 11–0–1 in the first 12 meetings in the series between 1923 and 1941, with no games played from 1924–27 and 1937–39. Kent State started a 10-game winning streak in 1942 through 1954, though no games were played during the World War II years of 1943–45 when neither school fielded teams. After the 1954 meeting, the rivalry was scrapped due to a lack of competition. It was reinstated in 1972 and has been an annual contest since 1983. In 1992, Akron joined the MAC and the rivalry became a conference game.

Since 1946, the two teams have played for the Wagon Wheel. The story goes that John R. Buchtel was searching for a site to start a new college in 1870 near what is now Kent State University when his wagon became stuck in the mud. The horses pulled the wagon apart and one of the wheels ended up being buried. Buchtel would eventually settle on a site in Akron for Buchtel College. In 1902, while digging for a pipeline in Kent, the wheel was discovered and eventually came into the possession of Kent State dean of men Dr. Raymond Manchester. It was he who suggested in 1945 that the wheel be used as a trophy for the winner of the Kent State-Akron football game.

Youngstown State

The Zips have played the Youngstown State University Penguins 35 times in football. They played for the Steel Tire, named for the products that both cities were known for. In 1995, the series was discontinued with Youngstown State holding a 19–14–2 edge.

Top 10 FBS rivals

Below are Akron's record against its top ten most-played opponents in the Football Bowl Subdivision, Division I-A, or Division I, whatever the top division in college football was at the time.

Opponents	Games	Wins	Losses	Ties	Last meeting
Kent State	29	18	11	0	Oct 1, 2016 (W 31–27)
Ohio	25	9	16	0	Nov 22, 2016 (L 3–9)
Miami (OH)	22	8	14	0	Oct 8, 2016 (W 35–13)
Central Michigan	21	6	14	1	Oct 31, 2015 (L 6–14)
Bowling Green State	21	6	15	0	Nov 9, 2016 (L 28–38)
Eastern Michigan	17	10	7	0	Oct 10, 2015 (W 47–21)
Buffalo	16	10	6	0	Oct 27, 2016 (L 20–41)
Western Michigan	16	3	13	0	Oct 15, 2016 (L 0–41)
Temple	14	6	8	0	Sep 10, 2011 (L 3–41)
Ball State	14	5	9	0	Oct 22, 2016 (W 35–25)

Results

Year	Coach	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs	Coaches#	AP°
Butchel College (1891–1913)
1891	No coach	1–3
1892	Frank Cook	3–4
1893	John Heisman	5–2
1894	John Heisman	1–0
1895	No coach	3–2
1896	Harry Wilson	0–1
1897	No team
1898	No team
1899	Archie Eves	2–1
1900	No coach	2–3–1
1901	No team
1902	Forest Firestone	2–5
1903	Rev. Alfred Place	0–2
1904	No team
1905	No team
1906	No team
1907	No team
1908	Dr. Dwight Bradley	3–4
1909	Clarence Weed	4–4
1910	Frank Haggerty	7–2
1911	Frank Haggerty	3–4–1
1912	Frank Haggerty	5–2–1
1913	Frank Haggerty	3–4
Akron Zips (1914–present)
1914	Frank Haggerty	4–4–1
Ohio Athletic Conference (1915–1935)
1915	Fred Sefton	1–7–1	1–6
1916	Fred Sefton	2–7	2–4
1917	Fred Sefton	5–3	3–1
1918	Fred Sefton	2–2–1	1–2–1
1919	Fred Sefton	6–1–1	5–1–1
1920	Fred Sefton	4–4	2–4
1921	Fred Sefton	5–3	4–3
1922	Fred Sefton	5–3	5–3
1923	Fred Sefton	4–3–1	2–3–1
1924	James Coleman	5–3	3–2
1925	James Coleman	1–7	1–6
1926	George Babcock	5–2–2	4–2–2
1927	Red Blair	5–3	4–3
1928	Red Blair	5–3	3–4
1929	Red Blair	9–1	7–1
1930	Red Blair	7–1	5–1
1931	Red Blair	1–7	0–7
1932	Red Blair	2–4–3	1–4–2
1933	Red Blair	5–3–1	5–2–1
1934	Red Blair	3–4–1	3–4
1935	Red Blair	6–3	6–3
Independent (1936–1947)
1936	James Aiken	6–2–1
1937	James Aiken	7–2
1938	James Aiken	6–3
1939	Thomas Dowler	5–4
1940	Thomas Dowler	2–5–2
1941	Otis Douglas	5–3–1
1942	Otis Douglas	0–7–2
1943	No team
1944	No team
1945	No team
1946	Paul Baldacci	5–4
1947	Paul Baldacci	2–7
Ohio Athletic Conference (1948–1965)
1948	William Houghton	2–6	1–4
1949	William Houghton	2–6–1	0–3–1
1950	William Houghton	2–7	1–3
1951	William Houghton	1–8	1–3
1952	Red Cochrane	2–6–1	2–2–1
1953	Red Cochrane	6–3	4–2
1954	Joe McMullen	3–5	3–4
1955	Joe McMullen	6–2	6–2
1956	Joe McMullen	3–5–1	3–5–1
1957	Joe McMullen	7–1–1	6–1–1
1958	Joe McMullen	6–2–1	6–2
1959	Joe McMullen	4–5	4–3
1960	Joe McMullen	1–8	1–6
1961	Gordon Larson	6–2	6–1
1962	Gordon Larson	7–2	7–1
1963	Gordon Larson	6–3	5–2
1964	Gordon Larson	6–3	4–3
1965	Gordon Larson	5–3–1	4–1
Independent (1966–1973)
1966	Gordon Larson	6–3
1967	Gordon Larson	4–4–1
1968	Gordon Larson	7–3–1			L 33-13 Grantland Rice Bowl
1969	Gordon Larson	9–1
1970	Gordon Larson	7–3
1971	Gordon Larson	8–2
1972	Gordon Larson	3–4–2
1973	Jim Dennison	6–5
Division II (1974–1980)
1974	Jim Dennison	5–5
1975	Jim Dennison	7–4
1976	Jim Dennison	10–3
1977	Jim Dennison	6–4–1
Mid-Continent Conference (1978–1979)
1978	Jim Dennison	6–5	4–1
1979	Jim Dennison	6–5	3–2
Division I-AA (Ohio Valley Conference) (1980–1986)
1980	Jim Dennison	3–7–1	2–4–1	5th
1981	Jim Dennison	5–5	4–4	T-4th
1982	Jim Dennison	6–2	5–2	2nd
1983	Jim Dennison	8–3	5–2	T-2nd
1984	Jim Dennison	4–7	2–5	6th
1985	Jim Dennison	8–4	5–2	T-2nd	L I-AA First Round
1986	Gerry Faust	7–6	4–3	T-3rd
Division I-A Independent (1987–1991)
1987	Gerry Faust	4–7
1988	Gerry Faust	5–6
1989	Gerry Faust	5–6
1990	Gerry Faust	3–7–1
1991	Gerry Faust	5–6
Mid-American Conference (1992–present)
1992	Gerry Faust	7–3–1	5–3	T-3rd
1993	Gerry Faust	5–6	4–4	5th
1994	Gerry Faust	1–10	1–8	9th
1995	Lee Owens	2–9	2–6	T-7th
1996	Lee Owens	4–7	3–5	T-7th
1997	Lee Owens	2–9	2–6	6th (East)
1998	Lee Owens	4–7	2–6	5th (East)
1999	Lee Owens	7–4	5–3	T-3rd (East)
2000	Lee Owens	6–5	5–3	T-1st (East)
2001	Lee Owens	4–7	4–4	T-4th (East)
2002	Lee Owens	4–8	3–5	5th (East)
2003	Lee Owens	7–5	5–3	3rd (East)
2004	J. D. Brookhart	6–5	6–2	2nd (East)
2005	J. D. Brookhart	7–6	5–3	T-1st (East)	L 38–31 Motor City Bowl
2006	J. D. Brookhart	5–7	3–5	T-3rd (East)
2007	J. D. Brookhart	4–8	3–5	6th (East)
2008	J. D. Brookhart	5–7	3–5	T-4th (East)
2009	J. D. Brookhart	3–9	2–6	5th (East)
2010	Rob Ianello	1–11	1–7	6th (East)
2011	Rob Ianello	1–11	0–8	7th (East)
2012	Terry Bowden	1–11	0–8	7th (East)
2013	Terry Bowden	5–7	4–4	4th (East)
2014	Terry Bowden	5–7	3–5	T-4th (East)
2015	Terry Bowden	8–5	5–3	T-2nd (East)	W 23–21 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2016	Terry Bowden	5–7	3–5	T-3rd (East)
Total:		507–530–36
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
†Indicates Bowl Coalition, Bowl Alliance, BCS, or CFP / New Years' Six bowl. #Rankings from final Coaches Poll.

Coaches

Current coaching staff

• Head Coach

Terry Bowden

• Offensive Coaches

Jeff Bowden – Wide Receivers

Trent Boykin – Tight Ends/H-Backs

Brett Ekkens – Offensive Line

A.J. Milwee – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Eric Hickson – Running Backs

• Defensive Coaches

Chuck Amato – Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

Otis Mounds – Cornerbacks/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator

Todd Stroud – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator

Mike Woodford – Safeties

vacant – Linebackers

• Special Teams Coaches

Jeff Bowden – Special Teams Coordinator

Head coaches

The Akron Zips have had 27 head coaches throughout the program's history. With 80 victories, Jim Dennison is first overall in the program's history, followed by Gordon K. Larson (74 wins) and Gerry Faust (43).

University of Akron Zips Head Coaches
Name Seasons Record Frank Cook 1892 3–4 John Heisman 1893–94 6–2 Harry Wilson 1896 0–1 Archie Eves 1899 2–1 Forest Firestone 1902 2–5 Alfred W. Place 1903 4–0–2 Dwight Bradley 1908 3–4 Clarence Weed 1909 4–4 Frank Haggerty 1910–14 22–16–3	Name Seasons Record Fred Sefton 1915–23 34–33–4 James W. Coleman 1924–25 6–10 George Babcock 1926 5–2–2 Red Blair 1927–35 42–30–5 Jim Aiken 1936–38 19–7–1 Thomas Dowler 1939–40 7–9–2 Otis Douglas 1941–42 5–10–3 Paul Baldacci 1946–47 7–10 William Houghton 1948–51 7–27–1	Name Seasons Record Kenneth Cochrane 1952–53 8–9–1 Joe McMullen 1954–60 30–28–3 Gordon K. Larson 1961–72 74–33–5 Jim Dennison 1973–85 80–62–2 Gerry Faust 1986–94 43–53–3 Lee Owens 1995–2003 40–61 J. D. Brookhart 2004–09 30–42 Rob Ianello 2010–11 2–22 Terry Bowden 2012–present 19–30

Notable former assistant coaches

Jim Tressel, former Akron graduate assistant.

The Zips football program has had several assistant coaches who went on to make notable achievements, from longevity in their tenure as collegiate coaches to becoming head coaches at the NCAA FBS level.

• Paul Bixler
  Assistant Coach (1936–39)
• Terry Bowden
  Assistant Coach (1986)
• Jim Dennison
  Assistant Coach (1965–72)
• Otis Douglas
  Line Coach (1939–40)
• Luke Fickell
  Defensive Line Coach (2000–01)
• Hal Hunter
  Offensive Line Coach (1987–90)
• Jack Lengyel
  Assistant Coach (1959)
• Tom Reed
  Defensive Line Coach (1969–72)
• Jim Tressel
  Graduate Assistant (1975–78)

Team accomplishments

Conference championships

Akron has won one conference championship, winning the 2005 MAC East Division title followed by their 31–30 victory in the 2005 MAC Championship Game.

Year	Conference	Coach	Overall record	Conference record
2005	Mid-American Conference	J. D. Brookhart	7–6	5–3

Bowl games

Akron has participated in two bowl games in its history, compiling a 1–1 record. Prior to 1987, however, the Zips were not a part of the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I–A. J. D. Brookhart arrived in 2004 and led the Zips to one bowl game in his six seasons as head coach, an automatic berth in the 2005 Motor City Bowl.

Year	Date	Bow	Opponent	Result
2005	December 26, 2005	Motor City Bowl	Memphis	L 38–31
2015	December 22, 2015	Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	Utah State	W 23–21
Total		2 bowl games	1–1

I-AA Playoffs

Akron has participated in the Division I-AA playoffs once in its history, compiling a 0–1 record.

Akron Bowl Game Appearances
Season Opponent Score Result 1985 Rhode Island 27–35 Loss

Individual accolades

All-Americans

A total of 51 Zips have been recognized as All-Americans by various media selectors. Among those selections, one has achieved Consensus All-American status.

Akron All-Americans
Season Name Pos. 1940 Mike Fernella OT 1940 Bennie Flossie QB 1954 John Verdon End 1968 Ken Delaney OT 1968 Tony Pallija DB 1968 Don Ruff SE 1968 Don Zeisler QB 1969 John Travis OG 1969 Jack Beidleman RB 1969 Dave Holian DT 1969 Tony Pallija DB 1969 Dan Ruff SE 1970 Jack Beidleman HB 1970 Fred DeHart LB 1970 Tom DeMarco OT 1971 Mike Hatch DB	Season Name Pos. 1975 Steve Cockerham LB 1975 Glenn Evans SE 1976 Steve Cockerham LB 1976 Mark Van Horn OG 1976 Glenn Evans SE 1976 Al Hodakievic DT 1977 Steve Cockerham LB 1977 Jeff Jesko OT 1978 Mike Andy OT 1978 Herb Kohler OG 1979 Jim Valencheck DB 1979 Brad Reese LB 1979 Don Schutz OT 1979 Paul Winters RB 1980 Brad Reese LB 1981 Brad Reese LB	Season Name Pos. 1982 James Black RB 1982 Ed Grimsley LB 1982 Dennis Heckman PK 1982 Joe Myers DT 1982 Tony Philpott LB 1983 James Black RB 1983 Brian Clark C 1983 Clarence Kelly DB 1983 Jeff Lake LB 1984 Mike Clark RB 1984 Willie Davis WR 1984 Wayne Grant NG 1984 Jeff Lake LB 1985 Wayne Grant DL 1985 Mike Clark RB 1985 Ed Grimsley LB	Season Name Pos. 1985 Bill Hadden LB 1985 Russ Klaus PK 1985 Mike Teifke C 1986 Mike Clark RB 1986 Chris Kelly TE 1986 Brian Moran DB 1986 Ron Pasquale OT 1987 Robert Lyons DB 1988 Bill Rudison P 1991 Phil Dunn LB 1992 Daron Alcorn P/PK 2000 Dwight Smith* S 2007 Jabari Arthur WR
* – denotes Consensus All-Americans
# – denotes Unanimous All-Americans

Conference award winners

During Akron's 20-season tenure with the Mid-American Conference, a total of 4 Zips have been recognized with superlative conference honors.

Akron Conference Award Winners
Season Name Pos. Award 1999 Brandon Payne RB MAC Freshman Player of the Year 2000 Dwight Smith S MAC Defensive Player of the Year	Season Name Pos. Award 2004 Charlie Frye QB Vern Smith Leadership Award 2004 J. D. Brookhart Head Coach MAC Coach of the Year

Hall of Fame inductees

John Heisman, Akron Head Coach (1893–94)

College Football Hall of Fame

One Zip has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

• John Heisman – Head Coach (1893–94)

Inducted 1954.

University of Akron Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame

The following individuals have been inducted into the University of Akron Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame for their contributions to the Zips football program:

• Dave Adolph
• Jim Aiken
• Isavelt Amison
• David Arango
• Floyd Azar
• Art Bailey
• Robert Bauer
• Jack Beidleman
• Scotty Bierce
• Earl Boedicker
• Thomas Boggs
• Jim Braccio
• Dennis Brumfield
• Tony Butowicz
• Richard Chase
• Michael Clark
• Kenneth Cochrane
• Steve Cockerham
• Charles Costigan
• Park Crisp
• Carl Daum
• Ken Delaney
• Tom DeMarco
• Jim Dennison
• George Deo
• Robert Dombroski
• Ollie Dreisbach
• Glenn Evans
• Mike Fernella
• Frank Fisher
• Ignatius Frolin
• Ben Flossie
• Harold Frye
• Andy Graham
• Wayne Grant
• Ray Greene
• Art Hailey
• Mike Hatch
• Robert Hatherill
• Dennis Heckman
• John Heisman
• Earl Hensal
• Al Hodakievic
• Dave Holian
• Russell Holmes
• Lee R. Jackson
• Hayes Jenkins
• Verlin Jenkins
• Lillburn Johnson
• Christopher Kelley
• Clarence Kelly
• Alan Kerkian
• Russ Klaus
• Edwin Kregenow
• Mike Krino
• John Lahoski
• Gordon K. Larson
• Frank Lomax
• Edward Lopeman
• Robert Lyons
• Andrew Maluke
• Joe Mazzaferro
• Dick Miller
• Tony Pallija
• Clarence Palmer
• Joseph Papp
• Charles Parnell
• Bradley Reese
• Frank Rockwell
• Virgil Rogers
• Marion Rossi
• Dan Ruff
• Willard Russell
• Mario Russo
• Eric Schoch
• Donald Schultz
• Roderick Scott
• Gene Scruggs
• Darrington Seals
• James Semester
• Wilson Sparkhawk
• Carl Spessard
• Bill Sturgeon
• Clarence Swigart
• Ed Toth
• John Travis
• Carl Tsaloff
• Ronald Ulrich
• Mark Van Horn
• John Verdon
• Frank Wahl
• Ralph Waldsmith
• Frank Wargo
• Paul Winters
• Frank Witwer
• Frank Zazula
• Joseph Zemla
• Guy Zimmerman
• Don Zwisler

Zips in professional football

Chase Blackburn, formerly of the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers

Akron has produced a total of 10 NFL draft selections. The following "Active" and "All-Star" lists account for past and present University of Akron football players that have participated in the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, and the Arena Football League.

Active

As of December 2016, there are a total of 7 Zips listed on team rosters in the NFL, CFL, and AFL.

• Jatavis Brown – LB – San Diego Chargers
• Nordly Capi – LB – Arizona Cardinals
• Rodney Coe – DT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Shawn Lemon – DL – Toronto Argonauts
• Justin March-Lillard – LB – Kansas City Chiefs
• Jarrod Pughsley – OL – Baltimore Ravens
• Almondo Sewell – DT – Edmonton Eskimos

All-Stars

Among the numerous Zips that have participated in the NFL, CFL, and AFL, a total of 3 have received all-star recognition by their respective leagues.

• Daron Alcorn – K

  AFL All-Arena (1997 & 1999)

• Andre Jones – DB

  AFL All-Arena (2011)

• Jason Taylor – DE

  NFL Pro Bowl (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

  NFL All-Pro (2000, 2002, 2006)

NFL draft selections

Akron has had 10 players selected in the NFL Draft. Daron Alcorn became the final pick of the 1993 NFL Draft, a pick that has been dubbed as Mr. Irrelevant.

• Chris Kelley

  1987 – 178th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers

• Daron Alcorn

  1993 – 224th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Jason Taylor

  1997 – 73rd overall by the Miami Dolphins

• Dwight Smith

  2001 – 84th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Jake Schifino

  2002 – 151st overall by the Tennessee Titans

• Charlie Frye

  2005 – 67th overall by the Cleveland Browns

• Domenik Hixon

  2006 – 130th overall by the Denver Broncos

• Andy Alleman

  2007 – 88th overall by the New Orleans Saints

• Reggie Corner

  2008 – 114th overall by the Buffalo Bills

• Jatavis Brown

  2016 – 175th overall by the San Diego Chargers

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of April 16, 2015

2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
at Penn State Sep. 2nd	at Nebraska Sep. 1st	at Illinois Aug. 31st	at UAB Sep. 12th		at Appalachian State Sep. 24th
vs Arkansas–Pine Bluff Sep. 9th	at Northwestern Sep. 15th	vs UAB Sep. 7th	at Clemson Sep. 19th
vs Iowa State Sep. 16th	at Iowa State Sep. 22nd	vs Troy Sep. 21st
at Troy Sep. 23rd

Records

Team records

• Consecutive victories

11 (1929–30 & 1969–70)

• Margin of Victory

62 vs. Western Reserve Acad. (1893)

• Total Offensive Yards

In a Season: 5,643 (2003)

In a Game: 692 vs. Howard (2003)

• Points Scored

In a Season: 435 (2003)

In a Regular Season Game: 65 vs. Howard (2003) & vs. Eastern Michigan (2001)

In a Bowl Game: 31 vs. Memphis (Motor City Bowl, 2005)

Individual records

• Total Offense

Career: Charlie Frye – 11,478 yards

Season: Charlie Frye – 3,837 yards (2003)

Game: Charlie Frye vs. Central Michigan – 460 yards (2003)

• Total Touchdowns Scored

Career: Brandon Payne – 43

Season: Dennis Kennedy (2008) – 18

Game: Terry Cameron (1978) & Bobby Hendry (2001) – 5

• Total Touchdowns Responsible For

Career: Charlie Frye – 83

Season: Charlie Frye (2003) – 29

Game: Terry Cameron (1978), Bobby Hendry (2001) & Luke Getsy (2005) – 5

• Total Points Scored (Position Players)

Career: Brandon Payne – 260

Season: Dennis Kennedy – 110 (2008)

Game: Art Bailey (1958), Terry Cameron (1978) & Bobby Hendry (2001) – 30

• All-Purpose Yards

Career: Jack Beidleman – 5,377 yards

Season: Domenik Hixon – 2,139 yards (2005)

Game: Jack Beidleman vs. Youngstown State – 362 yards (1969)

Passing

Charlie Frye, Akron's career total offense leader

• Passing Yards

Career: Charlie Frye – 11,049

Season: Charlie Frye – 3,549 (2003)

Game: Luke Getsy – 455 vs. Memphis (2005)

• Pass Completions

Career: Charlie Frye – 913

Season: Luke Getsy – 278 (2005)

Game: Charlie Frye – 36 vs. Kent State (2003)

• Pass Attempts

Career: Charlie Frye – 1,436

Season: Luke Getsy (2005) – 525

Game: Luke Getsy – 59 vs. Memphis (2005)

• Completion Percentage

Career: Charlie Frye – 63.6%

Season (minimum 150 attempts): Charlie Frye – 65.8% (2002)

Game (minimum 10 completions): Charlie Frye – 80.5% vs. Penn State (2004)

• Touchdown Passes

Career: Charlie Frye – 64

Season: Luke Getsy – 23 (2005)

Game: Luke Getsy vs. Northern Illinois – 5

Rushing

• Rushing Yards

Career: Mike Clark – 4,257

Season: Mike Clark – 1,786 (1986)

Game: James Black – 295 vs. Austin Peay (1983)

• Rushing Attempts

Career: Mike Clark – 804

Season: James Black – 351 (1983)

Game: James Black (1976) vs. Austin Peay – 52

• Rushing Touchdowns

Career: Brandon Payne – 39

Season: Dennis Kennedy (2008) – 17

Game: Terry Camerson (1978) & Bobby Hendry (2001) – 5

• 100-Yard Rushing Games

Career: Mike Clark – 24

Season: Mike Clark (1986) – 9

Receiving

• Receiving Yards

Career: Jabari Arthur – 2,653

Season: Domenik Hixon – 1,210 (2005)

Game: Jabari Arthur – 223 vs. Western Michigan (2007)

• Receptions:

Career: Jabari Arthur – 184

Season: Jabari Arthur (2007) – 86

Game: Jabari Arthur – 15 vs. Westen Michigan (2007)

• Touchdown Receptions

Career: Dan Ruff – 27

Season: Dan Ruff – 11 (1968)

Game: Dan Ruff – 4 vs. Ball State (1969)

• Receiving Average Gain Per Reception

Career (minimum 75 receptions): Dan Ruff – 19.9

Season (minimum 30 receptions): Dan Ruff (1969) – 22.9

Game (minimum 75 receptions): Dan Ruff vs. Ball State – 39.0

Defensive

• Tackles

Career: Steve Cockerham – 715

Season: Brad Reese – 221 (1980)

Game: Brad Reese – 35 vs. Western Kentucky (1980)

• Tackles For Loss

Career: Jason Taylor – 41.0

Season: Bill Hadden – 19 (1985)

• Sacks

Career: Jason Taylor – 21.0

Season: Jason Taylor (1996) & Ken Williams (1993) – 10.0

• Interceptions

Career: Gary Tyler – 18

Season: Dick Miller (1937) – 13

Game: Dick Miller vs. Baldwin Wallace (1937) – 6

Kicking

• Scoring

Career: Robert Stein – 268

Season: Igor Iveljic (2008) – 92

Game: Daron Alcorn (1992), Zac Derr (2001) & Jason Swiger (2003) – 17

• Field Goals Made

Career: Bob Dombroski – 51

Season: Russ Klaus – 19 (1985)

Game: Andy Graham (1979), Russ Klaus (1985) & Daron Alcorn (1992) – 5

Longest Made: Daron Alcorn – 56 yards vs. Toledo- Holder: Jamie Harsh (1992)

• Field Goals Attempted

Career: Daron Alcorn – 76

Season: Russ Klaus – 29 (1985)

Game: Daron Alcorn vs. Temple (1992) – 6 – Holder: Jamie Harsh

• Field Goal Percentage

Career (15 min. attempts): Bob Dombroski – .739

Season (1 min. attempt): Bob Dombroski – .917 (1989)

Game (4 min. attempts): Ryan Klaus – 1.000 vs. Bowling Green (1985)

Punting

• Punts

Career: Andy Grahm – 274

Season: Zach Campbell – 81 (2010)

Game: John Stec – 14 vs. Ohio State (2007)

• Total Punting Yardage

Career: Andry Graham – 10,693

Season: Zach Campbell – 3,061 (2010)

Game: Bill Rudison – 613 vs. Virginia Tech (1989)

• Average Punting Yardage

Career: Mike Hayes – 42.2

Season: Ray Dodge – 44.9 (1948)

Game: Daron Alcorn – 51.8 vs. Cincinnati (1992)

Kick Returns

• Kick Return Yards

Career: Matt Carter – 1,366

Season: Matt Carter – 867 (2002)

Game: Matt Carter – 180 vs. Marshall (2001)

• Kick Return Yard Average

Career: Jim Braccio – 26.2

Season: Bryan Williams – 31.9 (2007)

Game (2 min. attempts): David Harvey – 78.5 vs. North Texas (2006)

• Kick Returns for Touchdowns

Career: Frank Zazula, Jim Braccio & Dan Ruff – 2

Season: Dan Ruff – 2 (1967)

Punt Returns

• Punt Return Yards

Career: Pat Snow – 535

Season: Matt Cherry – 305 (2003)

Game: Jeff Sweitzer – 133 vs. Northern Arizona (1989)

• Punt Return Yard Average

Career: Matt Cherry – 13.3

Season: Domenik Hixon – 17.2 (2004)

Game (3 min. attempts): Domenik Hixon – 39.0 vs. Ball State (2004)

• Punt Returns for Touchdowns

Career: Jeff Sweitzer & Matt Cherry – 3

Season: Jeff Sweitzer (1989) & Matt Cherry (2003) – 2

Game: Jeff Sweitzer – 2 vs. Northern Arizona (1989)

References

The Akron Zips and Bowling Green Falcons compete at the Rubber Bowl on October 11, 2008.

The Akron Zips as they play during their 2009 home opener at InfoCision Stadium, a 41–0 victory over Morgan State.

External links

• Official website