Wahhhh grow up mike wahhhh. I don't agree with what you say so you are wrong WAHHHH. I'm a 50 something year old loser who has nothing better to do than pick on college journalists WAHHH. My family has multiple degrees from Akron, thats why you should grow up WAHHHH.

I now challenge YOU to an extreme rules match. Nothing says "grow up" like having a folding chair wrapped around your face. Phil Steele has passed up on this, now its your turn to "Feel the BANG"

For the second time: You are missing my main point.

I am not an advocate for J.D. Brookhart's financial situation. I really don't care how much money he has in his pocket.

Here is my point, stated as clearly as I can.

J.D. Brookhart (and the other coaches) wins football games. He is a good recruiter.

Those traits typically make mid-major coaches a target for bigger institutions.

Bigger institutions lure away the Brookharts with more money and prestige.

Akron needs to pay him more so an offer at, say, Indiana doesn't look so good.

Therefore, it would improve Akron's chances at keeping a good coach. It would allow Akron to keep improving its football program. Theoretically, it would help them win games.

You can give me this "Grow up, Mike" stuff all day. The truth is, you are an educated adult picking a fight about something incredibly elementary.

Where did I say that money is not an important part of sports?

Clearly it is and I share your thought that it has gotten to be the most important part.

For you to put words in my mouth is further demonstration that you need to mature as a journalist.

My real point, which you sidestep by resorting to insult based on an unfounded assumption (thereby providing me with another "grow up Mike" opportunity for me), is that as a reader I do not find it appealing for newspaper people to become advocates for those they report on. This is a role for others (they hire) and those individuals themselves.

If the powers to be at the university cannot figure out what you and I agree on as a reality is sports but not only in sports, then the university programs will not make it to the next level.

My family and I have a number of degrees from Akron. I have two, my wife has two and two of our daughters have one each. This is to say that as alums we want to see Akron do well in academics as well as athletics.

Notwithstanding my connection to the university and my desire that it be recognized as a quality institution, I would not pick out individuals (e.g. the president, the dean of the law school, the football coach, et cetera) and advocate, in specific, for any one of them to get more lucrative contracts.

Repeating my point, these folks can and do get the resources to advocate for themselves, and, of course, as you point out, the university, in its own interest, needs to compete.

If you want to advocate, a more appropriate generalized way would be to argue for the replacement of university officials who cannot or will not read the tea leaves.

You are delusional if you think money isn't one of the most important parts of sports.

Akron has some good coaches. Another school could offer them more money to leave. Therefore, it follows that we should pay them enough to stay, which the university is not doing at this point.

I don't care if J.D. Brookhart has money to buy a new pickup truck. I just care that his plates are registered in Ohio.

These folks have ample resources at their disposal to take care of themselves.

Apparently Rasor and his ilk aspire to be sports agents. If this is a line of work they covet, then, by all means let them prepare themselves for a new career. But as a journalists they look silly and foolish, that is, if they want to be top notch, professionally polished journalists.

Rasor is a young journalist. Maybe there is still time for him unlearn this silliness/foolishness and focus on reporting and editorializing on performance.

Leave the advocacy/negotiating to the professional sports agents hired for that purpose!