Akron Zips Let 1 Fan Call Opening Drive as $75 Season Tickets Fuel Promotion

Q: How much real control will the lucky Akron fan actually have over Coach Moorhead's opening drive script?

Very little in absolute terms, though likely more than a pure publicity stunt. Akron’s own wording says the fan will “help script” and “collaborate” with Joe Moorhead, not independently run the offense. One report also notes the fine print: “with the head coach, of course. This hasn’t been done before but we’re not crazy.” In practice, that means the fan will almost certainly choose from a controlled menu of plays and concepts already approved by Moorhead and the staff. College teams script opening drives in advance around personnel, opponent tendencies, down-and-distance plans and contingency calls. Moorhead, a longtime playcaller, is unlikely to surrender authority over protections, substitutions, tempo, audibles or anything that could create competitive or player-safety problems. The fan’s influence should be real but narrow. He or she may have input on sequencing, preferences among several prepared calls, and perhaps which preplanned play gets used in a given moment on that first possession. But the staff will almost certainly retain veto power and operational control through the headset, especially if the situation changes because of a penalty, sack, turnover risk or unexpected defensive look. So the most realistic reading is this: the winner will participate meaningfully in the opening-drive script, but within boundaries designed by Moorhead. It is a behind-the-scenes access experience with some genuine say, not a full handoff of the offensive coordinator’s job.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 5

Sept. 12 will bring an unusual first series for Akron: one randomly selected season-ticket holder will call the plays in the home opener against Robert Morris.
Akron framed the "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" promotion as a fan-engagement push, with athletic director Andrew Goodrich saying it gives a loyal supporter a seat alongside the coaching staff.
$75 to $181 season tickets qualify fans automatically, and each ticket counts as an entry; referrals that bring in new season-ticket holders add more chances to win.
The stunt hands a Division I FBS fan direct control of one offensive possession, turning a routine opener into a marketing play aimed at boosting attendance and involvement.