Schembechler: Akron President Should Be Fired

Michigan football Coach Bo Schembechler criticized University of Akron President William Muse Thursday for replacing Coach Jim Dennison with Gerry Faust, the former Notre Dame coach.

Dennison, 47, Akron’s winningest football coach, led the Zips to an 8-3 regular-season record this year and into the Division I-AA playoffs. Wednesday, he was appointed assistant athletic director by Muse to make way for Faust.

“The biggest problem with college athletics is presidents like that,” Schembechler said. “If anybody should be fired, it’s that guy.

“You know what? He’ll be there two or three years and leave the place in a shambles and go somewhere else,” Schembechler said, referring to Muse.

Asked to comment on Schembechler’s remarks, Muse said he would prefer not to respond because he had not heard them in detail.

“There are different opinions about the decision,” the president said. “We felt it was in the best interest of the university and the football program. It’s an opportunity for the university and for Dennison to move into athletic administration.”

Dennison was 80-62-2 in 13 seasons at the Ohio Valley Conference school. Faust, 50, who resigned Nov. 26, four days before the final game of the season, had a 30-26-1 record at Notre Dame. The Irish were routed, 58-7, by Miami in Faust’s last game.

“Believe me, this guy (Dennison) is a widely respected coach,” Schembechler said. “You know, it’s the type of situation where they should be fighting to hold on to him, that he doesn’t get a better job.

“But what’s the guy (Muse) say? ‘We want instant respectability.’ I’ve got to laugh at that. That guy shouldn’t be president of a junior college.”

Schembechler was speaking to reporters who were on hand to interview the Wolverine coach and players before they start practice for their game New Year’s Day against Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl at Tempe, Ariz.