Meet The New Guys
By Peter Schinkai
pschinkai@themacdaily.com
MAC Football Media Day is this Friday and as a primer for all of our readers, here is a look at the three new coaches heading to Ford Field.
Name: Rob Ianello
School: Akron
Situation: The Zips came into last season filled with excitement. They had a brand new stadium and the MAC East was as wide open as it has ever been. Unfortunately, the Zips were not up to the task and didn't beat an FBS team until November. The result was the end of the J.D. Brookhart era.
Expectations: Akron has put a lot of money into its football program and Brookhart was let go because he couldn't get results. Right now, the cupboards are pretty barren at UA. Ianello will probably get a pass for a rough first season, but he's known for his recruiting skills and the Zips faithful won't be patient for long.
Name: Jeff Quinn
School: Buffalo
Situation: Turner Gill did a lot to build Buffalo's reputation. It wasn't that long ago that Buffalo was considered the free win in the MAC East. Not anymore though. As a reward for his turnaround job at UB, the BCS schools came calling. It took a while, but Kansas finally plucked him away from upstate New York.
Expectations: Quinn has been a hot name in coaching circles for a while. He was Brian Kelly's protege and his name seems to have popped up for just about every vacancy the past two years. It's Buffalo that is taking a chance on the hot assistant and although UB went 5-7 last year, nobody will let him take this program backwards. I don't think that there is much need for concern though. He's got a lot of experience in winning.
Name: Dan Enos
School: Central Michigan
Situation: The Chippewas were a mid-major darling last year, behind the stellar play of Dan LeFevour and the Chippewas offense. Central Michigan went 12-2, won the MAC Championship and then won a thriller over Troy in the GMAC Bowl. The success helped Butch Jones land the head coaching job at Cincinnati.
Expectations: Central Michigan is coming off a major high right now. The Chippewas have been the MAC's best team over the past five seasons and they don't want that to stop. Still, Enos is taking over a team with major losses this past offseason and a drop off seems likely. His survival will depend on his ability to rebuild.
Upcoming MAC Football Preview Information
Sunday: MAC East Preview Podcast with Tim Riordan
Tuesday: Coaches On The Hot Seat
Thursday: SID Feature On WMU's Mat Kanan
Friday: MAC Football Media Day Recap
Saturday: MAC Expansion Feature
Aug. 1: MAC West Podcast and TMD's 2nd Annual MAC Football Preview
