It would seem that the hiring of Terry Bowden to coach the University of Akron football program is starting to yield some results with respect to recruiting.
Bowden landed his first player of the class of 2013 on Monday, when Pennsylvania defensive back Zach Guiser orally committed to play for the Zips. He had offers from Buffalo, Delaware and Temple.
“Everything just felt right,” Guiser said. “The staff is comprised of top coaches. When I was there everything just felt right.”
Though a primary consideration, it’s possible that UA has found the perfect mix of coaching staff and something it hoped for after investing heavily in athletic facilities such as InfoCision Stadium and the Stile Athletic Field House.
“The facilities are top-notch,” said Guiser, a 6-foot defensive back who intercepted 16 passes at Greensburg Central Catholic during his career. “They really don’t get any better than Akron. The campus is gorgeous.”
But Guiser said that it goes beyond that for him. Under Bowden, he senses that something is growing for the Zips.
“I want to be part of the rebuilding of the program there, help the program recover and do something special,” he said.
Something likely to endear him more to Zips fans: He had an offer from Kent State, as well.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at http://www.ohio.com/zips. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
