Faust Reportedly Will Be Named as Akron’s Football Coach Today

Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach, will be named coach at the University of Akron (Ohio) today, the Akron Beacon-Journal reported in today’s editions. The report was confirmed by radio station WAKR.

The reports said that Jim Dennison, who has an 80-62-2 record in 13 years as the Zips’ coach and who led the team to the Division I-AA playoffs this season, has been asked to become associate athletic director.

A University of Akron spokesman would not confirm the report. “There’s no comment,” said Chris Bame, the university’s assistant sports information director. “We have a press conference in Jar Arena at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon, and that’s all we’re saying.”

Asked if it would involve the football program, Bame said: “It’s a major news announcement . . . concerning athletics, obviously.”

Meanwhile, a television station in Cleveland reported that members of Dennison’s coaching staff have been told they will not be back next year. The station said at least one assistant coach was told that Faust would be hired to replace Dennison. The station also reported during its late newscast that it had confirmed Faust was in Akron on Tuesday.