Rob Ianello, the man Jack Swarbrick put in charge of the football program after Charlie Weis was fired, has accepted the head coaching job at Akron. He replaces J.D. Brookhart, who was fired after the season. There will be a noon press conference on Thursday to make the announcement.
Here’s more information from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Ianello, the assistant head coach/wide receiver coach/recruiting coordinator for Notre Dame was part of the mixed-bag tenure of Charlie Weis, who was fired following the Irish’s recently completed 6-6 season. Weis was 35-27 overall at Notre Dame, but just 16-21 the final three years with Ianello’s heralded recruiting classes in place.
Ianello will become the second Notre Dame football coach to be head man for the Zips, following in the footsteps of Gerry Faust (43-53-3, 1986-1994). Ianello will be the second former Irish assistant coach currently in the Mid-American Conference, joining Michael Haywood who just completed his first season with the Miami RedHawks.
Notre Dame assistants have a history in the Mid-American Conference. In 1991 Pete Cordelli, a wide receiver coach/quarterback coach was hired off of Lou Holtz’ staff to take over Kent State. In 2001, Bowling Green hired Irish assistant wide receiver coach Urban Meyer.
Ianello inherit a situation that in Wistrcill’s view is not much different that the one Ianello and Weiss initially found at Notre Dame. Akron will have seven offensive starters, and nine defensive starters from a team picked to contend for an East Division title, but ultimately finished 3-9.
“We have the pieces in place to be successful immediately,” the AD said after he fired Brookhart. “This is not a rebuilding job. The cupboard is full.”