Marty Whims II, an Akron University alumnus and longtime season-ticket holder, experienced an uncommon opportunity on Saturday when he took the role of offensive coordinator for the Zips during their football game against Robert Morris. Whims earned the temporary position through a drawing among season-ticket holders, allowing him to work with Akron Head Coach Joe Moorhead to call the team’s opening offensive drive.
The promotion, devised by Akron Athletic Director Andrew Goodrich, was inspired by a moment of reflection on a flight following the men’s basketball team’s early exit from the NCAA tournament in March. Seeking to replicate the energy of that fan interaction at football games, Goodrich collaborated with the football staff to create the initiative, which was unveiled in August. The announcement drew widespread attention, generating over 20 million views on social media and contributing to a sellout of the school’s season-ticket suite allotment alongside a record number of new season-ticket memberships.
Whims, who was officially named the contest winner on August 25, prepared for the role by working closely with Moorhead to develop a set of 20 plays to choose from during the game. Prior to the contest, Whims appeared on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” where Alabama coach Nick Saban offered three pieces of advice for his debut: submit plays early, focus on running to maintain control, and avoid overly complicated calls—though Saban added that a trick play, such as a flea flicker, could win over fans.
Despite the preparation, the Zips’ opening drive did not go as planned. Akron gained 21 yards over the first three plays but faced a false-start penalty on third down, shifting the situation to third-and-6. Quarterback Cibastian Broughton completed a short pass to receiver Marcell Williams, a second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection last season, but Williams fumbled the ball. Robert Morris recovered, ending the drive before Akron could breach deep into enemy territory.
Following the initial setback, Akron’s offense rebounded on its next series, executing an 86-yard, nine-play drive that culminated in a touchdown. The Zips went on to dominate the contest, securing a 45-10 victory over Robert Morris. Moorhead, in his fourth season as head coach, has led Akron through a challenging period, including a 5-7 record last year and an absence from bowl games since 2017.
While the fan play-calling experiment experienced a rocky start, it ultimately contributed to an engaging game atmosphere and underscored Akron’s efforts to deepen fan involvement in the football program.