Akron 'Offensive Coordinator of Game' meets with Zips coach. Game day next
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On the eve of the University of Akron football team's home opener against Robert Morris, Marty Whims met with Zips coach Joe Moorhead for nearly an hour to review the opponent's tendencies and how UA planned to exploit them.
"Let's go score some points," Moorhead said on Friday, Sept. 11, as his rendezvous ended with Whims, a longtime Akron football season-ticket holder who graduated from Ellet High School in 1998 and UA in 2002.
Whims won Akron's viral "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" contest and thereby received an opportunity to help Moorhead script plays for the Zips' opening possession against Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12, at InfoCision Stadium. Since UA revealed Whims as the winner late last month, the Akron native has been hit with a whirlwind of interview requests from media. For example, Whims is scheduled to appear on ESPN's "College GameDay" on Sept. 12 before he stands on Akron's sideline with Moorhead later the same day.
The Beacon Journal attended the game-planning session between Whims and Moorhead in the coach's office on Akron's campus and will provide updates here about how the UA offense's opening series unfolds. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Until then, here is more about Whims and what he considers a "special" experience:
Who is Akron "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" Marty Whims?
Whims, 46, majored in accounting at Akron. He is the chief financial officer of Stark Enterprises, a Cleveland-based real estate company. He and his wife, Dawn, live in Cuyahoga Falls. They have three sons, Jacoby, 21, Zach, 18, and Ryan, 15, all of whom are planning to attend the Zips' home opener.
"They're pumped about it," Whims said of his family's reaction to his status as UA's "Offensive Coordinator of the Game."
In an effort to boost attendance during its home games, Akron devised an innovative marketing strategy and announced on Aug. 4 a football season-ticket holder would be selected through a random drawing to collaborate with Moorhead on plays for UA's first possession in Week 2.
Whims said he has been an Akron season-ticket holder since 2007 or 2008, when the Zips still played at the Rubber Bowl. He has had UA seasons tickets for the entire existence of InfoCision Stadium, which opened in 2009. He is also a Browns season-ticket holder.
As for Whims' football background, he played offensive tackle as a freshman and sophomore at Ellet, which, at the time, was led by the late coaching legend Joe Yost.
How did Akron football coach Joe Moorhead's meeting go with Zips "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" Marty Whims?
Instead of suggesting any plays, Whims deferred to Moorhead's expertise. Their meeting was essentially an X's and O's crash course taught by Moorhead, complete with a heavy dose of sophisticated football terminology.
Moorhead repeatedly quizzed Whims on some of the strategies and concepts they discussed. After Moorhead heard an answer he liked, he told Whims, "You got it. You're cooking."
Whims laughed and said, "I don't know if I'm cooking. I'm listening."
Moorhead didn't merely talk to Whims about the game plan. Moorhead also showed Whims copious amounts of Robert Morris and Akron film, including footage of the Zips practicing the plays on the opening script.
Afterward, Whims said he gained respect for the coaching profession.
"He's obviously a great offensive mind having been in Oregon and other places," Whims said of Moorhead. "So, you wonder, are all coaches, are they like that? I mean, because it's pretty impressive to me."
The man who calls Akron's offensive plays, Moorhead has embraced his chance to school Whims.
"I had a blast, and it wasn't something that I wanted to pat him on the back, hand him a T-shirt and just make it some kind of cursory, performative show," said Moorhead, who's in his fifth season at the helm of the Zips. "I prepared for this meeting like it was one of our players, and I wanted to make sure he came in here and saw, 'Hey, these are our formations. This is what they do. This is how we're trying to attack them.'"
ESPN's "College GameDay" set to interview Akron "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" Marty Whims
Moorhead said Whims has been a "great" pupil. Akron athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich joked with Whims about preparing for legendary coach Nick Saban to grill him on "College GameDay."
"Saban might put you to the test live, right?" Goodrich said. Whims replied, "I hope not."
Whims said he expected to receive some media coverage as the "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" contest winner, yet he didn't realize the promotion would blow up to the extent it has.
"I had no expectation of 'College GameDay,' which is the biggest college show out there," Whims said. "It's what everybody watches on Saturday at this point. So, yeah, that's definitely shocking and a little scary. It makes you a little nervous being in that kind of spotlight when this is not my comfort zone."
Still, Whims added he's "having fun." He's also embracing a unique platform with which he can tout his alma mater.
"The more opportunities we get to put some positive spotlight on the university and on the football program, I have to take advantage of that," Whims said.
What time does Akron play Robert Morris? Where to watch Akron Zips football game today
Kickoff for Akron (0-1) versus Robert Morris (2-0) is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at InfoCision Stadium.
The game will be televised by ESPN+.
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 'Offensive Coordinator of Game' meets with Zips coach. Game day next
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