Diaco Has Taken Over the Husky Sled
Three months into the hire of former Notre Dame defensive coordinator and 2012 Broyles Award winner, Bob Diaco, the dark clouds above the UConn football have been completely lifted. His energy and enthusiasm has rubbed off on everyone close to the program. We should be glad that “dark era” lasted only 2 seasons, plus 4 games into a third. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, ex-coaches Paul Pasqualoni and George Deleone are already employed in the NFL once again. Credit for the beginning of the dissipation of the clouds does go to the (probably by choice) still-unemployed TJ Weist, who taught the team and fans that we can win with the players we have. And win by large margins. Even record-setting performances by a QB and WR, as happened in the last game of the season against Memphis. None of us ever imagined this would happen when we were down 21-0 against Temple at halftime. Weist has earned his spot in UConn football lore. Weist wanted to continue at UConn. But so did Bob Diaco.
Now Bob Diaco has been chosen to carry the torch. He was announced as the team’s 30th head coach, paying full homage to our past. He has picked up even more recruits, adding more three-star recruits, already having many of us anxious to see what he can do given a full year. The whole coaching staff was reassembled with the lone exception being a fan favorite, offensive line coach Mike Foley. Another fan favorite, long-time strength and conditioning coach Jerry Martin, a Syracuse player who spent 24 years at UConn, was replaced by Matt Balis, brought in from Mississippi State. Diaco brought in his willing friends, top-notch recruiters and coaches, possibly seeking new starts.
He was an assistant coach for 2 undefeated regular season squads, the 2009 Cincinnati Bearcats and the 2012 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, so it is obvious that he understands the value of every game played. Cannot lose a single game.
Since Coach Diaco seems to be a history buff and wants to be a part of history, someone might want to inform him of the connection between Notre Dame’s first championship squad of 1924 and the 1924 UConn squad. Both squads had players on the 1925-1926 Waterbury/Hartford Blues. But chances are that someone amongst his own acquaintances will inform him or already has after going over our history.
Former athletic director Jeff Hathaway and former head coach Paul Pasqualoni, as despised as they may be, did bridge at least the Connecticut high school football community to UConn. Now coaches around the state think of UConn very highly as a destination for their players. We have one of the best Connecticut high school players ever joining, Arkeel Newsome.
According to a high ranking source, bowl money for the next 5 years is very badly needed if we are going to continue to progress in the world of collegiate athletics. With Coach Diaco doing the motivating, us being successful as a member of the AAC is widely considered attainable. We all know it requires great recruiting, great coaching and great play-calling. As some may say, the stars may be lining up for UConn football.
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