Akron football reveals 'Offensive Coordinator of Game' contest winner
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With a national spotlight shining on the University of Akron football team, Marty Whims II will serve as the Zips' "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" during UA's home opener against Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Akron revealed Whims won the university's viral contest and the right to help Zips coach Joe Moorhead script plays for the offense's opening series against Robert Morris.
A Cuyahoga Falls resident, Whims has a bachelor's degree in accounting from UA. Whims has held Zips season tickets throughout InfoCision Stadium's existence (the venue opened in 2009). He attends games with his friends Charlie and Jason. Married with three children, Whims is the chief financial officer of Stark Enterprises, a Cleveland-based real estate company.
On Aug. 4, Akron announced a football season-ticket holder would be selected through a random drawing to collaborate with Moorhead on plays for the Zips' first possession in Week 2. UA will start the 2026 season on the road Sept. 3 at Wake Forest before hosting Robert Morris nine days later.
Akron's season-ticket sales took off as a result of the promotion, the contest became a national story and UA's College of Business and George W. Daverio School of Accountancy managed the selection process.
How did Marty Whims II react when he learned he is Akron football's contest winner?
On Aug. 19, Akron announced nine finalists for the "Offensive Coordinator of Game" contest. The winner of the promotion and the finalists were determined at the same time, though UA waited until Aug. 25 to unveil the final outcome.
When Akron athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich called Whims to notify him of his status as a finalist, Whims was pleasantly surprised.
"Oh, wow. That's exciting. I only had one ticket," Whims said. "I didn't really think I was gonna [have a shot]. People are buying all these tickets, so I didn't really expect to be one of them [in the running to win]."
OC of the Game Top 9 Candidate…🥁
Martin Alan Whims II#GoZips🦘#MakeTheClimbpic.twitter.com/rTYq5gsRyB— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) August 19, 2026
On Aug. 19, UA posted several videos on social media of Goodrich speaking to candidates by phone. During their conversation, Whims told Goodrich he has an accounting degree from UA's College of Business.
"That's good karma, my friend," Goodrich said.
Goodrich called Whims again on Aug. 25 to tell him he had won the "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" contest.
"It's super cool," Whims said. "My boss shared it on LinkedIn, so business contacts are reaching out, friends, family. I mean, everybody's just super excited about it, wishing me good luck. It's been awesome."
🚨IT'S OFFICIAL…
Martin Allan Whims II is named OC of the Game presented by @Arbys Steak Nuggets‼️#GoZips 🦘 #MakeTheClimbpic.twitter.com/3VHtodEq07
— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) August 25, 2026
Here is what Akron's 'Offensive Coordinator of the Game' can expect from Zips coach Joe Moorhead
This is from the Beacon Journal's behind-the-scenes story published on Aug. 24 about Akron's "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" promotion and how Moorhead plans to handle his collaboration with Whims:
Although Moorhead conceded he doesn’t know exactly how his scripting session with the “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” will unfold, he wants to do his part to ensure the promotion is a success.
“I'm not going to shortchange [the contest winner],” Moorhead said. “I want this person, whoever it is, to kind of see how the sausage is made. So, this ain't going to be a fluff [experience], OK, whatever, pat them on the back, give them a T-shirt and send them on their way. I mean, I want it to be worthwhile.”
Prior to meeting with the contest winner a day or two before Akron's home opener, Moorhead envisions going through his normal game-planning process, which includes assembling a list of 12 to 16 plays for the opening script. Those plays called “openers” give Moorhead options for first and second down, third down, fourth down, red zone, tight red zone and goal line.
“I'm going to sit this person down, and I'm going to actually take them through the Robert Morris scouting report,” Moorhead said. “I'm going to show them their tendencies on first and second down by formation. [I'll say], 'These are the plays that we like for each formation. This is how I've constructed the openers to attack them and why. Let's see what you have and if there's anything that we're able to kind of translate into our system or terminology.'
“I'm going to have the openers scripted, and they're going to have their ideas. I don't know if it would be a reordering, or, quite frankly, they may have a freaking great idea that fits what we do offensively. And I'll say, ‘All right, well, let's substitute that play for this one.’
“I don't think this has ever been done. I kind of have a rough idea of the way I'd like it to go, but I don't know. Maybe the person they bring in here knows a ton of ball, and it can really be more of a true exchange of ideas than with someone that's maybe a little less experienced.”
A day after Akron announced the promotion, Moorhead assured his players the contest won’t interfere with the Zips’ goal to win their home opener, which is scheduled to be televised by ESPN+.
“No one calls plays here but me, and it's a creative, exciting, unique opportunity for somebody, but I will quit coaching football before I make a mockery of the game or opponent or allow [our players] to think they're going to be put in a bad [position],” Moorhead said. “I don't know that they were nervous about it, but at least there was some clarification on the direction of the promotion.”
Goodrich has taken the pulse of Zips players, too.
“I think the players think it is cool. I think they just think it's fun," he said. "I think it will become more palpable when they meet that person, because I think two things are going to happen. When this person ultimately wins and they go and meet the players, when they look in the eyes of these guys, they're going to see how hungry they are, how driven they are and they're going to see how real this has just become. They want to score.
“[The players] also know that maybe the most views that they'll ever receive in their entire career will be on this opening drive, so you want to perform. When ESPN cuts in on every single channel, like, ‘Hey, we're going to cut in live to the opening drive here because [ESPN+ is] broadcasting it,’ I think that's going to be amazing, and that's their time to shine. That's when you want to make that big play.”
Who were finalists in Akron football's 'Offensive Coordinator of the Game' contest?
Here is the complete list of "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" finalists Akron announced on Aug. 19:
- Brandon Wigen of Bellevue, Nebraska
- Dan "Big Cat" Katz of Barstool Sports
- Jack Rooney of Long Island, New York
- James Bordeaux of Kentucky (a popular YouTuber and streamer who predominantly plays sports video games, including College Football 27)
- Marty Whims II of Akron (former UA student and longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)
- Mike Beck Jr. (longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)
- Sean Struncius of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey (now based in Kansas City, Missouri)
- Steve Moyer (1989 UA graduate and longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)
- Tim Sharfman of Austin, Texas
- A 10th candidate was selected but withdrew from the contest, according to UA
Akron Zips football 2026 schedule kickoff times and TV channels
- Here is the available scheduling information for Akron's 2026 football season:
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Wake Forest, ACC Network
- 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 12, vs. Robert Morris, ESPN+
- noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at Minnesota, Big Ten Network
- TBD time Saturday, Sept. 26, vs. UNLV, TBD network
- TBD time Saturday, Oct. 3, at Central Michigan, TBD network
- 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, vs. Eastern Michigan, TBD network
- TBD time Saturday, Oct. 17, at Miami RedHawks, TBD network
- TBD time Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kent State, TBD network
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, vs. Ohio, ESPN2 or ESPNU
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, vs. Western Michigan, ESPN2, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- 7 or 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at UMass, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
- noon Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Buffalo, ESPNU or CBS Sports Network
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron football reveals 'Offensive Coordinator of Game' contest winner
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