Any word on a new HC @ UConn yet?

[HuskyAlum012]

An extra $26M would be great.

You know what else would be great?

$5-10M and fans like you not talking like this.

The truth hurts sometimes. As much as we all want to win a natty in football, where we currently sit in the landscape, we are not set up to do that. It's simply a fact

 

[Nameless]

Of course it would be a success. You guys are unbelievable. Not a single G6 program plays 5 P4 games but us. Same with playing 4 or even 3. Maybe somebody plays 3. And only Tulane had 2 P4 wins. We didn’t dumb down the schedule. We are playing a.schedule that is appropriate for what we are. There are some folks like shizzle and rstuthill who want us to only play teams from the Top 25. Then they’ll complain that we are 0-12. Every G team plays mostly other teams from the same level. That’s what we do too. With a preference for those that are regional when possible.

If losing to every formidable team on the schedule, and having your only home win come against FBS bottom feeder UMass is a successful season to you, then so be it. But I have a totally different standard for success in regards to this team. This isn't a program that struggles to win games anymore, we've shown we can beat the FBS bottom feeders. So while a season where we didn't lose to any of them wouldn't be a failure, not beating any of the good teams on our schedule would be a disappointment. I also think if we struggled to win at home our attendance would take a hit, which I would view as a step back for the program. This scenario would be a middling season at best, not the homerun success you're making it out to be.

Also, I don't understand how anything you wrote has anything to do with the post I made. What does playing 5 marquee games have to do with anything I said? I never said we had a weak schedule next year, yet you spent 3 sentences talking about how much harder our schedule will be than most of the "G" teams next year. Nobody said anything about dumbing down the schedule in either my post or the one I was responding to. In fact, we were actually talking about it being a solid schedule in terms of opponent strength. Tulane winning 2 P4 games this year has nothing to do with us potentially winning 0 next year. I'm not shizzle or rstuthill and have never advocated for only playing strong teams.

It sounds like you're conflating my post with other posts you've read in this thread that bother you. If not, can you tell me what exactly you would find successful about a 7-5 season with one home win over a terrible team?

 

[giddyup]

Unfortunately RE 1 has absolutely no applicability in an NIL world. What worked even 5 years ago is not applicable.
Things really changed here only when Mora was blunt about NIL and we somehow clearly stepped that up. The earlier commenter was spot on when he mentioned that the days of hiring a new coach from a good school automatically meant a few good players would come with him are over. They will come if they like the coach AND there is NIL to be had.

If what worked in the past has no applicability and this year we are ranked at 41, and another poster said it would impossible to be a top 40 program, we arrive at the same place … there is no factual basis for the contention, quite the opposite. If you want to argue it costs too much money, at least you have some articulable basis to object to the program, but few do because it’s a very slippery slope.

 

[CTBasketball]

If losing to every formidable team on the schedule, and having your only home win come against FBS bottom feeder UMass is a successful season to you, then so be it. But I have a totally different standard for success in regards to this team. This isn't a program that struggles to win games anymore, we've shown we can beat the FBS bottom feeders. So while a season where we didn't lose to any of them wouldn't be a failure, not beating any of the good teams on our schedule would be a disappointment. I also think if we struggled to win at home our attendance would take a hit, which I would view as a step back for the program. This scenario would be a middling season at best, not the homerun success you're making it out to be.

Also, I don't understand how anything you wrote has anything to do with the post I made. What does playing 5 marquee games have to do with anything I said? I never said we had a weak schedule next year, yet you spent 3 sentences talking about how much harder our schedule will be than most of the "G" teams next year. Nobody said anything about dumbing down the schedule in either my post or the one I was responding to. In fact, we were actually talking about it being a solid schedule in terms of opponent strength. Tulane winning 2 P4 games this year has nothing to do with us potentially winning 0 next year. I'm not shizzle or rstuthill and have never advocated for only playing strong teams.

It sounds like you're conflating my post with other posts you've read in this thread that bother you. If not, can you tell me what exactly you would find successful about a 7-5 season with one home win over a terrible team?

The goal is to remain attractive for the next conference alignment shuffle.

We do that by going 8-4 or better each year and beating P4 teams in bowls. We do that by drawing 30k+ to the Rent and investing in football. We catch lightning in a bottle like we potentially might have had this year with our offense then we’re allowed to dream about 12-0 and playoffs. But the goal remains the same as stated above.

 

[superjohn]

The basketball fans are paranoid about going anywhere but the Big East no matter how it effects the football program. So I think his point was they would see the football program die before they would leave the Big East again. Even though the Big East isn't what it used to be. They would wine about team travel(in the Big 12) even though they have to travel to Nebraska and Wisconsin now. And that will make any football coach either pass on UConn or always have their antenna searching for a new gig.

Probably 98% of diehard UConn basketball fans (not talking about basketball only fans from around the country who jumped on the bandwagon because UConn basketball is a national brand) are UConn fans. They root for UConn in everything and they desperately want them in a P4. People like having 10 times more money.

 

[businesslawyer]

Of course it would be a success. You guys are unbelievable. Not a single G6 program plays 5 P4 games but us. Same with playing 4 or even 3. Maybe somebody plays 3. And only Tulane had 2 P4 wins. We didn’t dumb down the schedule. We are playing a.schedule that is appropriate for what we are. There are some folks like shizzle and rstuthill who want us to only play teams from the Top 25. Then they’ll complain that we are 0-12. Every G team plays mostly other teams from the same level. That’s what we do too. With a preference for those that are regional when possible.

I think the argument on the other side is more complicated than you’re pretending. Many — certainly I — think our level of P-4 opponents — teams that are usually in the bottom half of their conferences — is totally appropriate. Where many want the schedule upgraded is starting to play at least some G-5 teams that are spread through the Top 100, as opposed to the truly dog poop we’ve played the last two years. That’s not knocking what has been done to date — we were digging ourselves out of a UMass sized hole. But going forward, if we want to truly be one of the more powerful G-5 teams, we have to play and beat the more powerful G-5 teams

 

[Bongo Fury]

If you are somewhat good like the last 2 years, you can sometimes out energize and out effort teams. I’ve noticed that about UConn since RE 1.0. Underdog chip on your shoulder mentality

 

[PPKChamp]

I think the argument on the other side is more complicated than you’re pretending. Many — certainly I — think our level of P-4 opponents — teams that are usually in the bottom half of their conferences — is totally appropriate. Where many want the schedule upgraded is starting to play at least some G-5 teams that are spread through the Top 100, as opposed to the truly dog poop we’ve played the last two years. That’s not knocking what has been done to date — we were digging ourselves out of a UMass sized hole. But going forward, if we want to truly be one of the more powerful G-5 teams, we have to play and beat the more powerful G-5 teams

I have been thinking about the schedule we play for a while and I give AD David Benedict a TON of credit... We are playing the LOOK how MANY games we won, and we beat 2 P4 teams... but don't look too closely to the teams we actually played.. This year, besides playing Duke I don't think there was another team with a better than 500 record. Have a winning record and you get some press.. "look at the turn around at UConn" We need as much good press as possible to drive more attention, more seats in the stands, more conferences saying maybe UConn can add value. If we continue to get good press and better players and drive more revenue then I think AD David Benedict starts to schedule better teams and can tell a better story to the other conferences.. but at this phase of our rebuild we need good press and not show up in that ridiculous ESPN bottom 10.. Slow and steady growth gets us to the finish line...

 

[Samoo]

The basketball fans are paranoid about going anywhere but the Big East no matter how it effects the football program. So I think his point was they would see the football program die before they would leave the Big East again. Even though the Big East isn't what it used to be. They would wine about team travel(in the Big 12) even though they have to travel to Nebraska and Wisconsin now. And that will make any football coach either pass on UConn or always have their antenna searching for a new gig.

I think you just made that up. Number one complaint on the basketball page is the weakness of the Big East and how UConn is carrying it. I think a poll there would be at least 80% in favor of either moving to the Big 12 or ACC, probably above 95% if the B1G was added as an option.

 

[Marbles90]

I think both of you are correct. More knowledge hoops only fans know that the Big East is slowly circling the drain and we need to get out of there and to one of the power conferences to stay competitive. I do not think all of them thought that 5 years ago, but they can see that now.

On the other side, there are still many many more "casual" fans who think Syracuse and Pitt are still in the Big East (I am looking at you, Senator Murphy) and believe UConn's place is in the Big East forever.

 

[FightOnCT]

I have been thinking about the schedule we play for a while and I give AD David Benedict a TON of credit... We are playing the LOOK how MANY games we won, and we beat 2 P4 teams... but don't look too closely to the teams we actually played.. This year, besides playing Duke I don't think there was another team with a better than 500 record. Have a winning record and you get some press.. "look at the turn around at UConn" We need as much good press as possible to drive more attention, more seats in the stands, more conferences saying maybe UConn can add value. If we continue to get good press and better players and drive more revenue then I think AD David Benedict starts to schedule better teams and can tell a better story to the other conferences.. but at this phase of our rebuild we need good press and not show up in that ridiculous ESPN bottom 10.. Slow and steady growth gets us to the finish line...

FIU was also 7-5. Duke would be the team you want to beat with a winning record for credibility anyways.

The schedule should definitely improve as we get better as a program but there isn’t much to complain about this year win-wise.

 

[tiger paw]

Some basketball fans would be happy with no football here. I have heard it for myself at events. So it is a real thing.

So their vision is to be like Providence or Seton Hall ?

 

[ZooCougar]

I think you just made that up. Number one complaint on the basketball page is the weakness of the Big East and how UConn is carrying it. I think a poll there would be at least 80% in favor of either moving to the Big 12 or ACC, probably above 95% if the B1G was added as an option.

That’s a new development based on the weakness of the Big East this season and last.

These people literally wanted to shutter the football program and were telling us that the Big East would be part of the final reckoning with the other 5 Power Conferences.

 

[nycscooby]

So their vision is to be like Providence or Seton Hall ?

Yes, it seems like some would prefer to be like the other BE teams with no football but I think the vast majority of UConn basketball fans (and I mean >80-90%) would welcome an invite from the B10 or the B12 or the ACC (so long as Dook and UNC remain there). But, the barrier to those invites that we have been told (most recently by the B12) is the lack of football tradition combined with the weakness of the football program since that Fiesta Bowl game (and, I guess for the B10, also not having AAU membership). I mean are we ever going to find a P4 conference commissioner as bullish about us as Brett Yormark? And even that was not enough. Would that change coming off the last two seasons of FB success? Personally, I don't think so.

So we are faced with four unenviable options: (1) continue to try and go along as an independent for FB and try to combat the above feelings about our FB program which seems to be an impossible task (unless we get a splashy hire and show deep pockets to support the program and even then we are on the outside looking in); or (2) hang on as an independent, stay on this upswing and see how the next wave of conference realignment shakes out? Or, (3) look to join a G5 conference for football only or possibly all sports? Or, (4) abandon FBS football (say in favor of FCS football), and stay in the Big East.

 

[Magic32]

I think that even the most diehard UConn/Big East hoop fans now realize that the conference is on a downward slide and that basketball needs a power conference and football is the ticket to get there.

 

[Muddler]

South Florida getting a highly respected coach so quick is not a great sign for UConn for lots of reasons.

 

[CCSUblue]

South Florida getting a highly respected coach so quick is not a great sign for UConn for lots of reasons.

It means literally nothing. Especially when that coach wasn't a target for UConn.

 

[Jimdish255]

I think that even the most diehard UConn/Big East hoop fans now realize that the conference is on a downward slide and that basketball needs a power conference and football is the ticket to get there.

And there's no reason to believe we couldn't still schedule games with former Big East teams which we certainly would given our proximity. It's almost as as if some fans are willing to sacrifice the future of both sports for a combination of nostalgia and exclusivity. We are doing great in basketball but the path is narrowing and the conference games becoming less interesting. The league as a whole seems to be on a slow slide and that should be a wakeup call for those stuck in the past. The past is a great place to visit but you can't live there without a diagnosis.

 

[huskymedic]

South Florida getting a highly respected coach so quick is not a great sign for UConn for lots of reasons.

How about listing a few of the reasons…

 

[freescooter]

I think the argument on the other side is more complicated than you’re pretending. Many — certainly I — think our level of P-4 opponents — teams that are usually in the bottom half of their conferences — is totally appropriate. Where many want the schedule upgraded is starting to play at least some G-5 teams that are spread through the Top 100, as opposed to the truly dog poop we’ve played the last two years. That’s not knocking what has been done to date — we were digging ourselves out of a UMass sized hole. But going forward, if we want to truly be one of the more powerful G-5 teams, we have to play and beat the more powerful G-5 teams

I agree but also you need to consider that sometimes these things are a bit unpredictable. Take Old Dominion on next season’s schedule. Last 4 years they were 3-9, 6-7, 5-7, 9-3. Or Air Force. They had 9 consecutive winning seasons prior to 2024. Now 2 losing ones. Which ODU or Air Force teams do we play? In the portal era it’s tougher to predict performance in future years. Or as they say, past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

 

[Scrutineer]

I’ve said since the outset that I want a guy with NFL experience that he can sell to kids as leverage to get to the League.

Sammis has put linemen into the NFL every year he’s been here. I would say I would consider him an exception in my eyes.

Still don’t think he’s my top choice, but I wouldn’t be opposed. I definitely have questions about him as a “CEO,” and only Dave can measure that, but we could certainly do worse.

Sammis' appearance gives me Parcells vibes.
If only.......
Don't think I've ever heard him talk except the brief video someone posted about the dinner the other night. The players seemed interested and engaged so that may be a sign he has their respect.
He's also succeeded in progressively more challenging jobs.
Running a program is a big jump though so my guess is DB needs to be convinced GS can make the next jump. Hiring the right people is the biggest challenge any manager has today........but it's crucial DB gets it right as the long term implications for UConn hang in the balance.

 

[tiger paw]

I think that even the most diehard UConn/Big East hoop fans now realize that the conference is on a downward slide and that basketball needs a power conference and football is the ticket to get there.

Not to mention how pathetic Big East WBB teams are. Brutal Bad !

 

[tiger8mush]

Actually as of late on X Matt Campbell is followed by many Penn St accounts

good call

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Likely a calculated leak by Smith's agent to leverage someone (probably Penn State). Obvious concerns are (1) Memphis is perceived as a better job and (2) he's a PA lifer, so if he has any success doubt he stays in CT.

I am assuming as long as we are a non-P4 school, we'll either lose good coaches who are upwardly mobile or be stuck with bad ones. Until we join a P4, that's our coaching reality for football.

 

[Fatroony5]

With Campbell to Penn State, seems like Smith could actually happen. I think there’s reason for optimism with that, mainly in that players will come here. Portal has changed everything in CFB, rosters flip & talent is available, need a guy who can manage it & get players here. Mora helped UConn a ton: he set the foundation for spending, operations etc & he really started winning once he got talent in the door. He didn’t all the sudden become a better coach: he had Skyler Bell & Joey F to win him games now. UConn’s goal should be to be the more talented team against its schedule outside of the P4 teams. Coaching obviously matters but I want a guy who can pull talent.