Akron’s fan-turned-offensive-coordinator had one wish: Don’t go three-and-out

Marty Whims II says he has never seen so many LinkedIn requests in his life. He’s not accustomed to national attention.

The Ohio native and University of Akron alumnus has two entries under his work history. No contact info. His last post came four months ago, promoting a job opening. He doesn’t even have a profile picture. In fact, his name is simply “Marty W.” with no last name listed.

From April 2003 to January 2023, Whims worked as a controller for Stark Enterprises (he assures there’s no relation to that Stark Industries) before becoming chief financial officer for the Cleveland-based real-estate management and development company.

Now, if he chooses, he can add one more temporary position to his resume — one that has taken the humble 2002 Zips graduate from his desk in Cleveland to a live TV conversation with Nick Saban on ESPN’s “College GameDay” — as Honorary Offensive Coordinator of the Game for the Akron Zips football team.

“People don’t ask to interview me,” Whims said. “I’m not used to being in the spotlight. It’s certainly not my comfort zone.”

On a March flight home from Akron’s loss in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in Tampa, Fla., athletic director Andrew Goodrich was brainstorming ways to drive engagement with the school’s football program. An idea emerged to give one season-ticket holder the chance to serve as offensive coordinator for the opening drive of Akron’s home opener against Robert Morris in Week 2.

The winner would be selected by raffle. They would attend a coaches meeting and help head coach Joe Moorhead construct the opening script, which Moorhead would call on the field.

The announcement went viral, with 23.2 million social media views to date. Celebrities took note. Barstool podcaster Dan “Big Cat” Katz bought eight season tickets, hoping to boost his odds of winning.

Meanwhile, Whims’ entry was steeped in local pride and his love for football. He was a freshman and junior varsity (varsity for about four plays, he says), left tackle at Allen High School in Akron. He’s a Cleveland Browns season-ticket holder. And he’s been Akron season-ticket holder since at least 2009, when InfoCision Stadium opened.

But he had only one raffle ticket.

The accounting major knew the math wasn’t in his favor, so he didn’t think much of it. Then, on Aug. 19, Whims’ 46th birthday, Goodrich called to tell him he was in the top 10. Six days later, he won.

“I was just pumped,” Whims said. “For any kid that’s played video games and attended football games, to be a coach, to be able to call plays, that’s in a way a dream of any person like me.”

Moorhead was happy the raffle produced a winner with an authentic appreciation for the program.

“It was great to see an alum, a season-ticket holder, a local guy from just up the road,” Moorhead said. “Someone who had had both a financial and emotional investment in the university be selected for such a unique experience.”

Whims hadn’t played Madden since “Madden NFL ’94,” and he couldn’t remember many of his old high school plays. So his internal call sheet entering the meeting with Moorhead wasn’t exactly robust.

Instead, ideas came from everywhere else.

He received emails and Facebook messages pitching trick plays. Friends, family, colleagues, and strangers alike tried to live vicariously through Whims.

When Whims attended Thursday’s practice before Saturday’s matchup, he had his first chance to meet Moorhead and preview the next day’s game-planning session.

Moorhead entered the experience willing to mold Whims’ suggestions into something realistic and executable within his offense. He was genuinely curious to see what a fan would bring to the table.

“I asked him, ‘Hey, do you have some good play ideas or anything that you’re excited to discuss tomorrow?’” Moorhead recalled. “He said, ‘No, not really.’ It was just a guy who was incredibly appreciative to have the experience and wasn’t particularly fired up to come in and provide a ton of ideas on what plays to run.”

Come Friday’s planning session, Whims was more interested in learning how Moorhead game-planned and scripted than suggesting plays himself.

“Could I have drawn up some crazy play and would he have considered it? Without a doubt,” Whims said. “But from my perspective, I don’t think that’s the right way to do it. You have to work with those that know best. I really relied on working with him to understand what was going to help us be the most successful.”

He was in awe at the speed and level at which Moorhead, who has spent 29 years as a coach and 19 as a play caller, could extrapolate points of weakness and identify ways to exploit them while watching defensive film.

“I have a whole new appreciation for what goes into it and how it works,” Whims said. “Some of it was a little over my head; I’ll be the first to admit it. It’s not like I’m an idiot, but it was a whole new appreciation.

“ … It was impressive. I’m gonna be honest with you, highly impressive.”

At Thursday’s practice, Whims didn’t ask to insert a trick play to earn internet notoriety. He didn’t even ask for assurance the Zips would score. His goal was much simpler.

“I was like, ‘Don’t make my Wikipedia page be the guy that went three-and-out in his only offensive coordinator opportunity ever,’” he said. “They didn’t let me down there.”

After a restless night, Whims finally met with Moorhead on game day. He had already spoken live on air that morning with Saban, whose suggestions included “establish the run.” A camera crew followed him, pushing him further from his comfort zone.

After leading the team out of the tunnel, deferring and watching the Zips defense force Robert Morris into a three-and-out, Whims’ dream finally arrived.

There he stood on the sideline, just a few paces from the head coach, headset on, two of his sons flanking him, cameras behind him.

On first down, senior running back Jordan Gant scampered for 12 yards, fulfilling Whims’ wish to avoid a three-and-out. Then came a 2-yard completion, a 7-yard Gant run, a false start and, finally, a 7-yard pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Marcel Williams, who promptly fumbled.

Just like that, it was over.

Four plays. Twenty-three yards. One minute, 35 seconds. Weeks of anticipation reduced to a fleeting sliver of football.

But that was enough.

“That’s what happens in football,” Whims said. “Turnovers are a part of it. Can’t blame anybody for it. In theory, the ultimate (goal) would have been to score a touchdown. But I’m happy with how it went.”

Moorhead said he would have loved for Whims to stay on the sideline and experience more of the game from up close. But by the time the defense trotted on to the field following the fumble, the real estate CFO was already gone.

A few more interviews. Then a thank-you visit to the nearly 40 friends and family members who had come to see him, split between the stands and a suite the school gave him for the game.

For most of the rest of Akron’s 45-10 victory, Whims returned to where he had always been. Sitting in his season-ticket seats in the club level, alongside his buddies.

Away from the cameras. Back in his element.

Moorhead, though, had one final gift for him. He brought Whims into the locker room after the game and handed him the game ball.

“He’s just a great dude,” the coach said. “Just a really down-to-earth, humble, appreciative guy. Had it been the alternative, if the guy had been a pain in the ass, maybe you don’t give him the game ball.

“But he was the type of guy that you wanted to reward for his loyalty to the program.”

Encircled by the players he had played a small part in helping beat Robert Morris, Whims got one last taste of the spotlight.

“They were even chanting my name, and nobody has ever chanted my name before,” he said. “It’s just cool to see them surround me and support me and welcome me. I really appreciate just the team’s willingness to be a part of this and make me feel welcome.”