Any word on a new HC @ UConn yet?

[superjohn]

If they posted openings for assistant coaches, it would be to replace guys who informed the school they're leaving, most likely to join Mora in Ft Collins.

The timing is somewhat curious as logically the new head coach should be heavily involved in hiring his assistants. Unless the theory is to allow the new head coach, once he is hired to be able to immediately add assistants, there really is little reason to post these positions now.

I imagine that rumors will leak before long that we hired our next head coach and early next week the job opening will be posted.

It already happened, Jason Candle is our next head coach.

 

[Kolumbo]

I'm liking Candle. 46 yo and been with Toledo for 17 years or so, HC for 10. Maybe time to move on. Very well spoken. No P4 experience but never a losing season.

 

[Coach J]

If true, I hope he brings his DC with him!

2025 Football Coaches - University of Toledo Athletics 2025 Football Coaches - University of Toledo Athletics

Their offense is Top 50 in the country, run heavy - but the Defense was 4th in the country in points allowed and 2nd in the country in yards per play! Hell yeah I hope he takes his DC with him and we keep Sammis to be the OC!

 

[Kolumbo]

 

[businesslawyer]

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.

Don’t disagree that it can be difficult. But we need to do better than we have.

 

[HuskyAlum012]

I imagine that rumors will leak before long that we hired our next head coach and early next week the job opening will be posted.

This... uh... has already happened.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

There's an awful lot of talent in Ohio. I love the idea of someone who can expand our recruiting into that state.

I also imagine that there are quite a few MAC players (that has at least had some advance scouting on) who may become portal options between semesters.

This coaching could end up being a benefit to the program.

 

[superjohn]

I'm liking Candle. 46 yo and been with Toledo for 17 years or so, HC for 10. Maybe time to move on. Very well spoken. No P4 experience but never a losing season.

Yep, he checks the boxes. Head coach for a long time, great recruiter from a football hot bed, he's put a lot of guys in the NFL, never had a losing season, he's young, he's well spoken.

 

[CTBasketball]

There's an awful lot of talent in Ohio. I love the idea of someone who can expand our recruiting into that state.

I also imagine that there are quite a few MAC players (that has at least had some advance scouting on) who may become portal options between semesters.

This coaching could end up being a benefit to the program.

I’m excited to see how we do. I was fearing a retread.

 

[firstnline]

His record is around 81-44 overall
That's about an 8-4 record every year
I'll sign up for that.

 

[CCSUblue]

This is my bias, but is Candle really a celebratory hire for us? The guy has consistently won in the MAC...in the MAC, we're happy we got a coach from the MAC. I want to be happy we might possibly have a coach, I'm just not mentally there.

That sounds like a you problem. He's an excellent coach. Will have better resources here.

 

[Kolumbo]

His record is around 81-44 overall
That's about an 8-4 record every year
I'll sign up for that.

Looks like they always played 1 or 2 P4 teams too. so this is the dealio?!!

 

[Coult]

If it is indeed Candle like it seems, here is a bit about him:

46, coached under Matt Campbell who is about to land the PSU job. Has been coaching for 23 years first at D3 Mount Union, then 16 years at Toledo coaching offensive position groups and OC then 10 years as HC. 81-44 with bowls in each of the last 5 years including this year. Winningest coach in Toledo history.

As far as looking at the 2025 Toledo roster for possible transfers:
SR QB Tucker Gleason (Grad Year?): 2,515 passing yards, 21 TDs, 9 Ints
SR RB Chip Trayanum (Grad Year, again? Did play in 2020, so older than Gleason): 166 Carries, 950 yards, 11 TDs | 19 Receptions, 207 yards, 2 TDs
JR RB Kenji Christian: 99 Carries, 501 yards, 4 TDs | 15 Receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD
SR WR Junior Vandeross III (Only has real stats in 3 years should definitely have eligibility): 75 Receptions, 947 yards, 11 TDs
SR WR Trayvon Rudolph (Same story as Trayanum): 38 Receptions, 423 yards, 2 TDs

Hopefully this post is not doomed

 

[BlueWolf25]

This is my bias, but is Candle really a celebratory hire for us? The guy has consistently won in the MAC...in the MAC, we're happy we got a coach from the MAC. I want to be happy we might possibly have a coach, I'm just not mentally there.

I think it’s a great hire. Yes it’s MAC, but not someone like Lembo or Moorhead. Toledo has been the class of the MAC under Candle, his record speaks for itself. He beat Mississippi State and Pitt last year alone

 

[gwhuskyfan]

This is my bias, but is Candle really a celebratory hire for us? The guy has consistently won in the MAC...in the MAC, we're happy we got a coach from the MAC. I want to be happy we might possibly have a coach, I'm just not mentally there.

To be honest I didn't think we'd be able to pick off a current FBS head coach, yet alone one with the resume that Candle has.

 

[Coach J]

Also Portal worries answered - he signed 13 P4 players from the portal last year!

 

[Kolumbo]

I feel like it's not legit until HuskyMedic posts something

 

[superjohn]

This is my bias, but is Candle really a celebratory hire for us? The guy has consistently won in the MAC...in the MAC, we're happy we got a coach from the MAC. I want to be happy we might possibly have a coach, I'm just not mentally there.

Toledo is ranked higher than UConn in the SP+ rankings. The MAC plays consistently good football.

 

[Husky15]

Looks like he was making $1.1 million so I assume we gave him a nice bump. Hopefully losing Mora ends up pushing donors/the university to supply more NIL money for him

 

[Coult]

If it is indeed Candle like it seems, here is a bit about him:

46, coached under Matt Campbell who is about to land the PSU job. Has been coaching for 23 years first at D3 Mount Union, then 16 years at Toledo coaching offensive position groups and OC then 10 years as HC. 81-44 with bowls in each of the last 5 years including this year. Winningest coach in Toledo history.

As far as looking at the 2025 Toledo roster for possible transfers:
SR QB Tucker Gleason (Grad Year?): 2,515 passing yards, 21 TDs, 9 Ints
SR RB Chip Trayanum (Grad Year, again? Did play in 2020, so older than Gleason): 166 Carries, 950 yards, 11 TDs | 19 Receptions, 207 yards, 2 TDs
JR RB Kenji Christian: 99 Carries, 501 yards, 4 TDs | 15 Receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD
SR WR Junior Vandeross III (Only has real stats in 3 years should definitely have eligibility): 75 Receptions, 947 yards, 11 TDs
SR WR Trayvon Rudolph (Same story as Trayanum): 38 Receptions, 423 yards, 2 TDs

Hopefully this post is not doomed

Also just had the top MAC recruiting class that ranked 70th nationally
Toledo Signs Historic Recruiting Class, Tops MAC Rankings Once Again - University of Toledo Athletics

 

[CTBasketball]

If it is indeed Candle like it seems, here is a bit about him:

46, coached under Matt Campbell who is about to land the PSU job. Has been coaching for 23 years first at D3 Mount Union, then 16 years at Toledo coaching offensive position groups and OC then 10 years as HC. 81-44 with bowls in each of the last 5 years including this year. Winningest coach in Toledo history.

As far as looking at the 2025 Toledo roster for possible transfers:
SR QB Tucker Gleason (Grad Year?): 2,515 passing yards, 21 TDs, 9 Ints
SR RB Chip Trayanum (Grad Year, again? Did play in 2020, so older than Gleason): 166 Carries, 950 yards, 11 TDs | 19 Receptions, 207 yards, 2 TDs
JR RB Kenji Christian: 99 Carries, 501 yards, 4 TDs | 15 Receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD
SR WR Junior Vandeross III (Only has real stats in 3 years should definitely have eligibility): 75 Receptions, 947 yards, 11 TDs
SR WR Trayvon Rudolph (Same story as Trayanum): 38 Receptions, 423 yards, 2 TDs

Hopefully this post is not doomed

A couple studs on defense too. MLB with 85 tackles and a few solid secondary players.

 

[superjohn]

Toledo should've beat #5 Notre Dame in 2021-2022. I remember the game well, Toledo outplayed them.

 

[Windham4th]

If he shows up in red pants, I am becoming a BC fan

 

[ZooCougar]

If this happens then this is an undeniably good hire from the outset.

 

[giddyup]

Being ranked 41, is not having the 41st best program

So, there is no external reference and it’s just whatever the best programs you feel like they should be. Rankings aren’t perfect by any means but they do reflect some general assessment.