Diaco Focused on Recipe for Success in 2nd Half of Season

@MattSchonvisky

It is six games through his first season as a head coach, at any level, for Bob Diaco. The record may be 1-5, but it does not signify the growth and maturity that has taken place over those same six games for the UConn football program. The coaches know it and after speaking with several players during media availability this afternoon in preparation for Thursday night’s game at East Carolina, they realize it as well.

I asked Diaco what he needs to focus on, as he continues to grow as a head coach, halfway through his first season.

“Focusing on what our process is,” Diaco responded. “What our recipe is for turning this program into a champion, which we will. Not to get enamored, chase the flavor of the day, the story line of the day or get distracted by noise outside of these walls, these rooms and this locker room.”

With message boards, columnists and fans’ patience running thin following three uncharacteristically bad seasons for a program that expects to at least make a bowl game at the start of each year, skeptics have become abundant. However, it is far too early to judge in a results oriented business like college football.

Take Art Briles for example, who has turned Baylor around from a bottom feeder in the Big XII, to making their first and only BCS bowl appearance last season. The Bears were ranked No. 4 this past week, before falling to West Virginia on Saturday. It took Briles two 4-8 seasons before finishing with a winning record in year three, a 7-5 regular season.

The point? Patience is needed as habits are changed, talent is recruited and development ensues. In the meantime, the players on the current roster will be a main point of emphasis, as always.

“Having discipline to stay focused on the players, what they need and that barometer,” Diaco said. “That benchmark will keep us moving in the right direction, which we are, in virtuously every single category of our program.”

Diaco understands that the season thus far, in terms of results, is not what many expected, but there’s a plan.

“It’s not showing on the scoreboard yet, which it needs to, don’t get me wrong,” Diaco added. “I’m not new in the game, I’m not some naive person standing up here. I’ve been doing this for twenty years. I know it needs to and it will, but I need to be sure that I stay focused and drilled down on our recipe.”

Thursday night will be a prime opportunity to start changing the perception that has taken hold. If they do, there’s some opportunities the rest of the way, to make some noise.

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