The recent trajectory of Akron Zips football has been a bit of a roller-coaster since Akron hired former North Alabama coach Terry Bowden in 2013. After struggling to build a program for his first few seasons, Bowden’s tenure with the Zips hit its zenith in 2015 when he led Akron to an 8-5 record with a 23-21 victory over the Utah State Aggies in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Bowden had some setbacks in 2016, leading to a 5-7 record that season, but he eventually rebounded in 2017 with a 7-7 record along with appearances in the MAC Championship and Boca Raton Bowl, which resulted in losses to Toledo and Florida Atlantic respectively.