Overview
- The guest stint took place Sept. 12 when season‑ticket holder Marty Whims II served as Akron’s honorary offensive coordinator for the opening drive and scripted a four‑play, 23‑yard series that ended in a fumble recovered by Robert Morris.
- Whims met with head coach Joe Moorhead before the game to choose plays from Moorhead’s playbook, and Moorhead retained final authority over play calling throughout the promotion.
- Nick Saban appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay and offered on‑air advice to Whims, including telling him to run the ball and quipping “throw the damn flea flicker” if he wanted to get creative.
- Despite the turnover, Akron scored on its next possession, led after the first quarter, and pulled away to win as the promotion produced broad visibility and new purchasers of season tickets and suites.
- The campaign generated more than 23 million social views and sold out suites, demonstrating a successful revenue and engagement strategy that other programs may notice as a model for fan promotions.