A shining light.....................

[HooperScooper]

Very Wrong!

The collapse in football is due to two bad hires that Dave Benedict had nothing to do with, and the fall in basketball is completely on Ollie who Dave Benedict did not hire.

DB did the right thing in canning Diaco last year and its way too early to judge the Edsall rehire. The next big move is obvious, Ollie's time is up.

Ultimately DB will be judged by the success of Edsall and Ollie's replacement.

I didn't say the 2 programs going downhill were his fault. You assumed something I didn't say. I said under his watch (i.e. during his time here) both programs are going down the tubes. And he has to reverse that. Don't think anyone could argue with that.

 

[superjohn]

Was it really THAT high?! And what was the urgency? I don’t recall anything more than a few rumors about NBA jobs...though I believe that he may have been offered the OKC job before Donovan took it (something to do with his divorce and the financial situation that made taking that job at that time a bad $ decision). But if Kevin Ollie (and his agent I’m sure) created some threat or urgency, that’s just good “agent-ing” and maybe poor/naive administrating.

Any CEO who comes into a business knows that quickly signing up for a budget that was done by your predecessor is a VERY dangerous decision. Benedict should have (whether he “could have” I don’t know) asked for some time to make that decision as he should have known that he was going to have to live with it.

Bingo. I like Benedict but he clearly made a big mistake with this decision. He wasn't even here a month and he was already agreeing to a 10 mil. extension when Ollie wasn't going anywhere.

As you point out any CEO who does this kind of thing is majorly playing with fire.

 

[BlueDogs]

Was it really THAT high?! And what was the urgency? I don’t recall anything more than a few rumors about NBA jobs...though I believe that he may have been offered the OKC job before Donovan took it (something to do with his divorce and the financial situation that made taking that job at that time a bad $ decision). But if Kevin Ollie (and his agent I’m sure) created some threat or urgency, that’s just good “agent-ing” and maybe poor/naive administrating.

Any CEO who comes into a business knows that quickly signing up for a budget that was done by your predecessor is a VERY dangerous decision. Benedict should have (whether he “could have” I don’t know) asked for some time to make that decision as he should have known that he was going to have to live with it.

Just my recollection. The NC bought him a lot leverage, whether fully deserved or not.

 

[HuskyHawk]

HH, some of this is about making this a priority and driving a vision. She can't force P5 conferences to take us, but there needs to be real legislative support to move and join a conference with minimal economic impact to a say, the B1G. We need to invest in underwriting membership. There is just not a lot vision from a leader that has a limited appreciation for tier 1 sports from my perspective. You'd think otherwise coming from U of Georgia, but she has zero experience other than on the academic side.

h

I think she’s fully aware and appreciates the situation. She’s probably done all she can, but she’s not stupid, so isn’t going to let you know about it. Blaming her is 100% wrong.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Evidence please

There is none. And there is nothing. Nothing, that anyone could do to move UConn ahead of Louisville.

 

[huskyrob1]

Without deep pocketed donors, his "skills" are neutered until April 2019 at the earliest.

The financial damage that could be done to the athletic dept and the school in general with Ollie as coach until April 2019 dwarfs any money owed to KO. Firing him and his whole staff of puppets tomorrow is the best course.

 

[Stainmaster]

The financial damage that could be done to the athletic dept and the school in general with Ollie as coach until April 2019 dwarfs any money owed to KO. Firing him and his whole staff of puppets tomorrow is the best course.

Who’s the interim?

 

[huskyrob1]

You better be right because so far under his watch the 2 biggest revenue sports are going down the tubes. He's going to need to make very good decisions to turn this around. He has no margin for error in his decisions.

Football team will go 7-5 next year and will probably get a bowl bid. The recruits we have coming in are really good, and this is just Edsall's first class. Hardly going down the tubes.

 

[Whtdmd]

Football team will go 7-5 next year and will probably get a bowl bid. The recruits we have coming in are really good, and this is just Edsall's first class. Hardly going down the tubes.

AD David Benedict is trying. I meet him recently and was not impressed. Maybe he does good thing behind the scenes but his biggest job is to stabilize the AD's fiances and he has not done that

 

[huskyrob1]

Who’s the interim?

For the interim I think it would have to be a former player who can bond immediately with the players. Donyell, Ray, Emeka, or several others who still have homes in CT. Permanent, maybe Hurley. Supposedly he is interested.

 

[Stainmaster]

For the interim I think it would have to be a former player who can bond immediately with the players. Donyell, Ray, Emeka, or several others who still have homes in CT. Permanent, maybe Hurley. Supposedly he is interested.

You think Donyell would leave CCSU in January?

Or that Emeka or Ray have any coaching interest/that it would be a good idea to throw someone with zero coaching experience into the fire in January?

 

[huskyrob1]

AD David Benedict is trying. I meet him recently and was not impressed. Maybe he does good thing behind the scenes but his biggest job is to stabilize the AD's fiances and he has not done that

I'm not impressed with your ability to form coherent sentences. He just got engaged? Thought he was already married. Lol

 

[huskyrob1]

You think Donyell would leave CCSU in January?

Or that Emeka or Ray have any coaching interest/that it would be a good idea to throw someone with zero coaching experience into the fire in January?

Yes!!! If they love UConn I think one of them would do it for eight weeks. God damn u I can't believe your arguing this. Fire Ollie now or the program is toast.

 

[intlzncster]

Out of curiosity, how much are you donating towards the buyout? I am always intrigued when people freely discuss the spending of money that someone else has an attachment to.

In this case, it's fair though. Because everyone in CT is helping to financially support this school. So they are sacrificing money. They've a right to a voice.

Most folks don't have the cash to just throw around willy nilly. Especially if they are buying tickets or merchandise.

 

[Whtdmd]

For the interim I think it would have to be a former player who can bond immediately with the players. Donyell, Ray, Emeka, or several others who still have homes in CT. Permanent, maybe Hurley. Supposedly he is interested.

Dan hurley again, do we know his background? Maybe he won't pass a background check

 

[Whtdmd]

I'm not impressed with your ability to form coherent sentences. He just got engaged? Thought he was already married. Lol

Dude, need to take your ritalin

 

[huskyrob1]

Dude, need to take your ritalin

Wow, surprise surprise you can spell Ritalin. Oh wait, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Lol

 

[whaler11]

For the interim I think it would have to be a former player who can bond immediately with the players. Donyell, Ray, Emeka, or several others who still have homes in CT. Permanent, maybe Hurley. Supposedly he is interested.

This plan: 10/10.

I'd say Donyell for two months without the hassle of actually giving him the job on a permanent basis.

 

[Stainmaster]

Yes!!! If they love UConn I think one of them would do it for eight weeks. God damn u I can't believe your arguing this. Fire Ollie now or the program is toast.

Yeah, god damn me for thinking someone who's never coached a lick of basketball should be given the HC job shouldn't be given the job under any circumstances. Take a hike buddy.

 

[whaler11]

So, either I cancel my winter family vacation to Turks & Caicos or as I fan I don't speak my mind? Tough choice.

You can speak your mind. But if you want to pretend $10 million dollars isn't a sizable amount of money and you aren't willing to fund it - then maybe take the foot off the gas with respect to your demands.

 

[husky8273]

Dumb. She has no control over it or ability to cause it to happen. None. Zip. Nada.

University presidents determine conference realignments!

 

[huskymedic]

TV/Media Distribution Networks determine conference realignments!

FIFY

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Is he though? I thought it was drawn up by warde and just needed the signatures. It's pretty tough to go into your first week at the helm and reject that contract

To bring this whole thing back to reality:

While Warde was still here a verbal agreement was reached with Diaco in exchange for his withdrawing his pursuit of the Rutgers job. Whether he would have gotten that job or whether it ended up being a good deal for the school is irrelevant. At the time BD appeared to not only being headed in the right direction with the program, but also a head of schedule. If Benedict reneged on that agreement, he would have had a difficult time getting any future coaching candidate to trust him.

When Warde accepted the Michigan job, due to a clause in Ollie's contract, there was no longer a buyout (departure fee) to the school if Ollie left for anothsr job. At the time, under duress of the situation, giving a UConn lifer (who won a title, had demonstrated quality recruiting skills and had not yet tarnished his public or coaching image) an extension at market rate could not be viewed as an unreasonable move. In fact I do remember at the time, some posts here showing concern that we could lose him for nothing. I do not remember any threads criticizing the extension.

Putting either contract on Benedict is ridiculous.

 

[whaler11]

To bring this whole thing back to reality:

While Warde was still here a verbal agreement was reached with Diaco in exchange for his withdrawing his pursuit of the Rutgers job. Whether he would have gotten that job or whether it ended up being a good deal for the school is irrelevant. At the time BD appeared to not only being headed in the right direction with the program, but also a head of schedule. If Benedict reneged on that agreement, he would have had a difficult time getting any future coaching candidate to trust him.

When Warde accepted the Michigan job, due to a clause in Ollie's contract, there was no longer a buyout (departure fee) to the school if Ollie left for anothsr job. At the time, under duress of the situation, giving a UConn lifer (who won a title, had demonstrated quality recruiting skills and had not yet tarnished his public or coaching image) an extension at market rate could not be viewed as an unreasonable move. In fact I do remember at the time, some posts here showing concern that we could lose him for nothing. I do not remember any threads criticizing the extension.

Putting either contract on Benedict is ridiculous.

There was nothing Benedict could do - the deals were done before he got there. Blaming him for the extensions is almost as crazy as thinking someone can talk Ollie out of $10 million dollars.

 

[imno1]

This plan: 10/10.

I'd say Donyell for two months without the hassle of actually giving him the job on a permanent basis.

There was nothing Benedict could do - the deals were done before he got there. Blaming him for the extensions is almost as crazy as thinking someone can talk Ollie out of $10 million dollars.

Or almost as crazy as thinking Donyell would leave his job and players to coach 2 months at UConn

 

[ucp990411]

There is none. And there is nothing. Nothing, that anyone could do to move UConn ahead of Louisville.

Can’t say I have evidence that she did not try. I want to know wtf happened and who is accountable for our failure. Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, even West Virginia ahead of us. I am pissed to be in our position. Forgot Rutgers.

 

[huskymedic]

Can’t say I have evidence that she did not try. I want to know wtf happened and who is accountable for our failure. Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, even West Virginia ahead of us. I am pissed to be in our position. Forgot Rutgers.

IMO — Jeff Hathaway is way, way ahead of Herbst in the accountability matrix. He failed to leverage all the previous success... SH was playing catch-up from Day 1.

 

[Jaker]

Can’t say I have evidence that she did not try. I want to know wtf happened and who is accountable for our failure. Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, even West Virginia ahead of us. I am pissed to be in our position. Forgot Rutgers.

pretty sure Boehiem and Coach K had something to do with us being snubbed.

 

[intlzncster]

pretty sure Boehiem and Coach K had something to do with us being snubbed.

Pretty sure both gave their thumb up. I know Duke voted for UCONN. Dunno about Cuse.

BC and a couple of the football schools were the problem.

 

[Hoophound]

K was a big UConn supporter. Boeheim and Cuse were not, to the surprise of many in our camp. However, Cuse didn’t have a vote.