Football

Akron’s “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” Promotion Captures National Attention

ESPN: How Akron's offensive coordinator promotion came to life — and went viral
Front Office Sports: Viral Akron Football Promo Attracts Celebrity Season-Ticket Buyers 
Yahoo Sports: Akron football to let fan call plays as part of bonkers 'Offensive Coordinator of the Game' promotion
Akron Athletics: Akron Football Announces Offensive Coordinator of the Game

CLEVELAND, Ohio – What started as a unique idea to bring fans closer to the Akron football program has quickly turned into a national story.

The University of Akron’s newly announced “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” promotion has generated millions of social media impressions, driven season-ticket sales and attracted attention from national media outlets and prominent sports personalities across the country.

The promotion, announced Tuesday, gives one Akron football season-ticket holder the opportunity to work directly with Zips head coach Joe Moorhead to help script the opening offensive drive of Akron’s 2026 home opener against Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12.

All current season-ticket holders are automatically entered into the random drawing, with each season ticket counting as an entry. Season-ticket holders can also earn additional entries by referring new season-ticket buyers. The winner will be selected Aug. 19.

What happened after the announcement, however, exceeded even Akron’s expectations.

According to ESPN, Akron’s original social media post announcing the promotion surpassed 22 million views on X by Thursday evening. Akron officials told ESPN that the department originally believed one million impressions would represent a successful response to the campaign.

The attention has translated beyond social media.

Front Office Sports reported that Akron sold out its football suite inventory for the first time in program history following the announcement and surged past its annual ticket-sales goals with several weeks remaining before the start of the season. The increased attention has also resulted in growth in sponsorship and philanthropic interest surrounding the program.

The promotion has even attracted some familiar names from across the sports world.

Barstool Sports personality Dan “Big Cat” Katz purchased eight Akron season tickets, while nationally syndicated radio personality Bobby Bones and college basketball analyst Dan Dakich have also purchased season tickets, according to Front Office Sports.

The idea originated months earlier with Akron Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich and Senior Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer Matt Pottorff while the two were traveling home following Akron’s appearance in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

After considering ways to generate excitement around the upcoming football season, the concept of allowing a fan to participate in the offensive game-planning process emerged. The idea eventually earned the support of university leadership and Moorhead, who will personally work with the selected winner ahead of the home opener.

The winning fan will receive a true behind-the-scenes look at the preparation that goes into an opening offensive script, working alongside Moorhead to discuss plays and formulate a plan for the Zips’ first possession.

The experience will extend to game day, when the winner is expected to participate in a press conference, receive a headset and play sheet and watch the opening drive from the coaches’ box before enjoying the remainder of the game with guests.

The national response has also landed Moorhead and Akron across national sports media, including an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, along with coverage from ESPN and Front Office Sports.

For Akron, an idea designed to create a memorable experience for one season-ticket holder has quickly become something much larger - generating national exposure for the Zips and providing an innovative example of fan engagement in college athletics.