“I couldn’t want it more than anything in my life besides my family".

[SubbaBub]

So Lembo beat Central Michigan (6-6) and Miami (OH) (0-12) and got killed by NI in his last 3 games. And he is the second coming of Christ?

Find out where I said that TJW should be handed this job. I said that the last 3 games earned the right for him to be considered. And you are shaking your head. And then you say he should be interviewed. Not sure how we aren't saying the same thing, other than that you THINK that had any of these guys taken over at 0-4 they would have done better than TJW. But you will never know. And I'm pretty sure that most people think that PP/GDL would have lost these three games, so TJW should get some credit. My point was that WM has probably already had a lot of these conversations with TJW - meaning why it didn't get fixed earlier, how we came back at Temple, etc. You don't think WM talks to TJW after every game? So something in the process of the team coming together had to impress WM to get an interview, otherwise he would have taken your approach - that any village idiot could have coached the team to 3 meaningless wins so let's pretend they didn't happen.

I freely admit that I have no idea if any of these MAC coaches are any good or not. I'm certain that 80% of the people that are touting these guys couldn't name the school colors of the teams they coach and haven't seen more than 2 MAC games on TV in their lives if UCONN wasn't involved. People like to read what other people write and then repeat it to look smart. Could be that the only difference between Lembo and TJW is opportunity and circumstances. At this stage, the only thing I can criticize TJW for in retrospect is that Cochran should have been playing from the outset, and maybe if he had been we would have been 5-3 at least 4-4. I never expected him to beat the top 3 teams in the conference. He should have beat USF (and would have if the receivers didn't choke). SMU was mostly on Hughes IMO.

Again - I'm not saying he should get the job, but for every Brian Kelly there are guys that jump up and aren't Brian Kelly. People love shiny new objects, and for people to say emphatically that TJW couldn't be better than Lembo or his equivalent, great - but it is just an opinion. Narduzzi might be great also, but he might be only as good as Don Brown and could end up being a terrible HC (or like Edsall and hamstring an offense). I trust WM to make the right decision. Most of the bluster I hear here is just that...bluster.

I was shaking my head on your belief that the last 3 games (2-1/2 actually) are significant in the decision making process. I am not sold on anyone, because I'm not the one performing the due diligence. I do like Narduzzi's resume above the others floated, but the guy could be a bad fit or have the personality of junkyard dog. I put the unknown field on par with Clawson and Lembo, so my opinion on who should be hired is worth less than the results of he RU game. But, I know bad judgement and poor assumptions when I see them. Assuming TJ is a top candidate because he was OC for four games and HC for 8. If he's considered, it will be because of the man and leader he his and not how many games he won as interim head coach.

But, to your credit, Notre Dame would have probably offered TJ a 10-yr extension. (Bwahahahahaha)

 

[J187Money]

I was shaking my head on your belief that the last 3 games (2-1/2 actually) are significant in the decision making process. I am not sold on anyone, because I'm not the one performing the due diligence. I do like Narduzzi's resume above the others floated, but the guy could be a bad fit or have the personality of junkyard dog. I put the unknown field on par with Clawson and Lembo, so my opinion on who should be hired is worth less than the results of he RU game. But, I know bad judgement and poor assumptions when I see them. Assuming TJ is a top candidate because he was OC for four games and HC for 8. If he's considered, it will be because of the man and leader he his and not how many games he won as interim head coach.

But, to your credit, Notre Dame would have probably offered TJ a 10-yr extension. (Bwahahahahaha)

They were significant only because he lost the other 5. Just like the job all of the sudden probably looks a lot better because of what happened yesterday (regardless of the opponent) - there is a real offense here. Had he gone 4-4 and won every other game and laid a turd down yesterday that would have been worse. He went from a nice guy that was trying really hard to someone who should be strongly considered, because of the last 3 games.

 

[J187Money]

I'm bullish on TJW, a buyer.

This sums it up for me. Now TJW might be worth $10 and Narduzzi (or Lembo or Clawson) worth $15 or whatever, but 3 weeks ago TJW was a penny stock.

 

[stephen Henry]

I am supporting TJW also. There maybe better options available, but I really don't want a coach who sees UConn as a place to may a quick but important update to their resume. TJW alone has proven he can win here and if successful, I think he would be here for awhile.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Rutgers is our arch rival. That was a big win even though you are trying to crap on it, and Temple was playing better after they switched to their freshman QB, they were incredibly close to beating UCF.

and we didn't just win today, it was a win with all kinds of records being broken.

But thanks for your opinion Debbie Downer.

Rutgers is our arch rival?? When is the next time we will be playing them??

 

[ktuck911]

If TJW ends up being our guy, he'll need to make some changes with his assistant coaches. Don't think Hughes is the right guy at DC for one.

 

[Colt house75]

I like USC and the job Ed O did as well. Like you say, there's a huge talent gap between us and the Trojans, but the point is well taken. Orgeron did a great job. That being said, USC had a very weak schedule going forward after Kiff was fired. They lost to their two biggest rivals, ND and UCLA. Except for Stanford, which was a huge upset win, the rest of the teams they beat all had sub .500 conference records and are teams that USC is absolutely expected to beat, no matter what: AZ 4-5; UT 2-7; OSU 4-5; CAL 0-9, CO 1-8. I mean, this was a very easy schedule for a program like USC. TJW had a much more difficult task in UCF, LV, and CINN. I think comparable performances by both coaches (although it got Orgeron canned).

Gars, Agree with you on Schedule but Orgeron was offered any position he wanted EXCEPT H.C...he was not canned.. He was at USC for 7 years. ...not half season like TJ
Of note here: Luke Fickell at Ohio Sate when Urban Meyer took over. He went back to D.C./Linebackers /Recruiting and is still at OSU building up resume.

 

[Colt house75]

I sure do. If PGDL were coaching those games you can put 3 more Ws in the loss column. Because the team quit on them. Walked out. The OLine was hopelessly confused. Do people remember what our Oline was like? Last year? The year before? Against Towson? Against everyone? The ball would get hiked and the D would just come crashing through? Did this team look anything like that under TJW? I'm bullish on TJW, a buyer.

Keep TJ in any post he wants if someone else is HC///

 

[Sean]

Here's a question, for you all.

If Warde had not fired Paul Pasqualoni, and the season had gone EXACTLY THE SAME...would you want to bring Coach P back?

I mean, in the end, maybe you'd say (we know srqhusky and mets would) "He just had to find a good QB, Cochran". Or you'd say "It took awhile, but now PP has UConn firing on all cylinders!"

No - You wouldn't (other than srq). It would be completely, utterly ridiculous.

So why won't you hold Weist to a similar standard? He's completely unproven as a HC, and we're apparently willing to overlook that because he went 3-0 against 3 bottom 20 programs. That's great, if we move to the Sun Belt conference...maybe good enough to make a bowl once in awhile.

 

[J187Money]

I think that's a strange way to look at it. I'm sure many of us have taken over jobs from incompetent people. You can't fix most things overnight.

As I've said before - most of the BY has stated that the program was irreversibly destroyed. But also apparently fixable in two weeks.

 

[stephen Henry]

Here's a question, for you all.

If Warde had not fired Paul Pasqualoni, and the season had gone EXACTLY THE SAME...would you want to bring Coach P back?

I mean, in the end, maybe you'd say (we know srqhusky and mets would) "He just had to find a good QB, Cochran". Or you'd say "It took awhile, but now PP has UConn firing on all cylinders!"

No - You wouldn't (other than srq). It would be completely, utterly ridiculous.

So why won't you hold Weist to a similar standard? He's completely unproven as a HC, and we're apparently willing to overlook that because he went 3-0 against 3 bottom 20 programs. That's great, if we move to the Sun Belt conference...maybe good enough to make a bowl once in awhile.

A interesting point but maybe an irrelevant argument since under PP the season would never have gone the same, afterall Paul Pasqualoni was Paul Pasqualoni. Having said that, nobody (except reporters) would want PP back because he owned the failure of the previous 2.5 seasons. TJW does not. He is 3-5, but most importantly he won 3 games with a PP/GDL constructed team.

TJW allowed CC the opportunity to play - probably something that PP would not have done
TJW made 2nd half adjustments - something that PP would never have done
TJW made Foley the offensive line coach - something that PP would never consider with BFF GDL around
TJW won - something that PP could only talk about.

 

[businesslawyer]

and the other 5 games were barn burners? You can consider Weist, I like the emotion he brought, but he is 3-5. I'm happy that he and the kids didn't give up and kudos to them, but it's time for a change. Lets not forget his first 5 games.

it will never cease to amaze me how many people don't see the difference between taking over a football team in a video game and taking over a football team in real life.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

it will never cease to amaze me how many people don't see the difference between taking over a football team in a video game and taking over a football team in real life.

Agreed to an extent.

TJW gets credit for finishing strong and improving this team.

Not wanting him to get the head coaching gig isn't an indictment to the job he did. We can absolutely not afford to miss on this hire and while no coach is a sure thing, it seems like Narduzzi and co. are more proven commodities.

 

[minidarren]

Here's a question, for you all.

If Warde had not fired Paul Pasqualoni, and the season had gone EXACTLY THE SAME...would you want to bring Coach P back?

I mean, in the end, maybe you'd say (we know srqhusky and mets would) "He just had to find a good QB, Cochran". Or you'd say "It took awhile, but now PP has UConn firing on all cylinders!"

No - You wouldn't (other than srq). It would be completely, utterly ridiculous.

So why won't you hold Weist to a similar standard? He's completely unproven as a HC, and we're apparently willing to overlook that because he went 3-0 against 3 bottom 20 programs. That's great, if we move to the Sun Belt conference...maybe good enough to make a bowl once in awhile.

Ya, he's completely unproven as a HC. But we should suck off Narduzzi, who is well, also unproven as a head coach. Good thinking.

 

[SubbaBub]

Ya, he's completely unproven as a HC. But we should suck off Narduzzi, who is well, also unproven as a head coach. Good thinking.

I can't believe you guys overvalue these 3 wins. Comparing resumes of a guy who ran a top level defense for B1G champion vs. a guy who ran a bottom 20 offense for 3-9 team and picking the offensive guy because he's local and spent 8 games as interim HC, how homer can it get?

It's like signing a September call-up to a long term deal because he hit .350 for a team that's been out of the race since July.

TJ is getting to take his shot, what more is there to fairly ask?

Whatever TJ's case for the job may be, I assure you it isn't the last 3 games.

 

[businesslawyer]

Agreed to an extent.

TJW gets credit for finishing strong and improving this team.

Not wanting him to get the head coaching gig isn't an indictment to the job he did. We can absolutely not afford to miss on this hire and while no coach is a sure thing, it seems like Narduzzi and co. are more proven commodities.

I did not say TJW would or should be hired. There are candidates who have more experience going for them. That statement, however, is a long way from acting like 3-5 is meaningful and that he inherited a situation where he had a chance to win right away. He didn't. Real life is not like a video game.

 

[minidarren]

I'm not signing up anyone. But all I keep seeing is you guys talking about head coaching experience and then immediately removing Narduzzis ________ from your _________ so you can proclaim his greatness because he ran an excellent defense with the best players in the country.

The guy doesn't need to coach up 2 and 3* players when they are getting the best that college football has to offer. UCONN is not going to be pulling in MSU caliber players even if the best coach in the world is here. Until we get out of this mess of a conference we need someone who can coach up talent. The same qualities that got UCONN to the Fiesta Bowl.

Wardes going to hire his guy and he will have to live with that decision. He made the right move with Ollie, I'm thinking he will make the right move here since he is also very familiar with the sport.

 

[uconndogs]

I think TJ is down the list and that is not to say that he didn't do a terrific job of keeping the team together and salvaging something from this season. That said, I don't think he is so far down the list that he doesn't have a shot if WM's top 2,3,4 candidates don't pan out.

I will say this, his best decision may have been giving Casey a long hard look. That kid has played some fantastic football. Yesterday, he had the whole thing going in slow motion. I haven't seen a UCONN QB see the field the way he does in a long-long time. If you had told me at the beginning of the season that CC might be one of the key cogs to getting UCONN back on a winning track I would have said you were nuts.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

[:quote="businesslawyer, post: 779728, member: 55"]I did not say TJW would or should be hired. There are candidates who have more experience going for them. That statement, however, is a long way from acting like 3-5 is meaningful and that he inherited a situation where he had a chance to win right away. He didn't. Real life is not like a video game.[/quote]

After I made my post, I kind of realized my comments were more generalized than actually in response to your post.

I'm in full agreement that it's not plug and play with regards to coaching.

 

[Jimdish255]

The guy doesn't need to coach up 2 and 3* players when they are getting the best that college football has to offer. UCONN is not going to be pulling in MSU caliber players even if the best coach in the world is here. Until we get out of this mess of a conference we need someone who can coach up talent. The same qualities that got UCONN to the Fiesta Bowl.

In fairness you may want to consider that while Narduzzi's recruiting classes outshine ours, so did the recruiting classes of the undefeated team he just helped dethrone. In fact, MSU ranks consistently outside the top 25, and generally sits anywhere between 3rd and 7th in their own league while OSU has consistently been in the top 5 nationally.

Seems like he's done a pretty good job "coaching up" his players.

 

[uconnfan68]

This is the bar the other candidates need to clear:

“I couldn’t want it more than anything in my life besides my family" - TJ Weist.

A record setting offensive performance doesn't hurt either.

I hope TJ gets the job.

I could live with him. The last few games showed me a lot, regardless of the competition level. They could have mailed those games in, and they didn't.

 

[J187Money]

Last year we had a top 10 defense and no offense. And we went 5-7. I'd love to understand Narduzzi's offensive philosophy before I hand him the keys.

 

[UConnDan97]

Last year we had a top 10 defense and no offense. And we went 5-7. I'd love to understand Narduzzi's offensive philosophy before I hand him the keys.

So long as it isn't "Run the wildcat on first down and run the 170 lb. RB up the middle on 3rd and 8," I think we're safe against repeating history...

 

[J187Money]

So long as it isn't "Run the wildcat on first down and run the 170 lb. RB up the middle on 3rd and 8," I think we're safe against repeating history...

Agreed. But nobody here has any idea what Narduzzi would do for an OC. What if he says he wants to hire a guy to reinstall zone blocking?

 

[UConnDan97]

Agreed. But nobody here has any idea what Narduzzi would do for an OC. What if he says he wants to hire a guy to reinstall zone blocking?

True, but nobody here knows what Clawson or Weist will do about their defensive strategies either! The idea is that these guys will present their entire package of ideology during the interview process (I hope). Then, it's up to Warde to assess if it is an ideology that has a reasonable expectation of success at UConn...

 

[J187Money]

True, but nobody here knows what Clawson or Weist will do about their defensive strategies either! The idea is that these guys will present their entire package of ideology during the interview process (I hope). Then, it's up to Warde to assess if it is an ideology that has a reasonable expectation of success at UConn...

Right. Clawson has built a staff, however. An active head coach has a track record. TJ inherited parts. He might be great or he might break it when he has time to install his own stuff. Kills me that people talk with such certainty.

 

[metsfan2323]

Here's a question, for you all.

If Warde had not fired Paul Pasqualoni, and the season had gone EXACTLY THE SAME...would you want to bring Coach P back?

P was not fired just because of this year's performance, and based on history P would have never given the reigns to Cochran or really opened up the passing attack, or returned Foley to line coach, or given Max more carries, or fired up the troops at halftime vs Temple.

I'll turn it around on you, if P were more like Weist he would still have the job next year.

 

[gars44]

I can't believe you guys overvalue these 3 wins. Comparing resumes of a guy who ran a top level defense for B1G champion vs. a guy who ran a bottom 20 offense for 3-9 team and picking the offensive guy because he's local and spent 8 games as interim HC, how homer can it get?

It's like signing a September call-up to a long term deal because he hit .350 for a team that's been out of the race since July.

TJ is getting to take his shot, what more is there to fairly ask?

Whatever TJ's case for the job may be, I assure you it isn't the last 3 games.

Don't assure me. Those last 3 games said a lot. Look with your eyes.

 

[Sean]

I think that's a strange way to look at it. I'm sure many of us have taken over jobs from incompetent people. You can't fix most things overnight.

As I've said before - most of the BY has stated that the program was irreversibly destroyed. But also apparently fixable in two weeks.

While I don't think the program was irreversibly destroyed, I also don't think that the program has been fixed. It still is very low on talent, outside of WR, and doesn't have a great recruiting class likely to come in given the flux. We just set our record for lowest home attendance. Not blaming Weist for the above in any way, but also not putting on my husky blue glasses.

If Weist coaches here next year, we go 4-8 and you all want him fired. If narduzzi coaches here next year, we go 4-8 and you all want him fired.

The question is how we look in 2016.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

P was not fired just because of this year's performance, and based on history P would have never given the reigns to Cochran or really opened up the passing attack, or returned Foley to line coach, or given Max more carries, or fired up the troops at halftime vs Temple.

I'll turn it around on you, if P were more like Weist he would still have the job next year.

You just went full ret@rd.

You never go full ret@rd.