Article about teams poaching Mora

[Hoophound]

The rain forecast for last Saturday killed attendance. I’m sure he’s aware of that. Plus, it was Liberty. #19 or not, it was still Liberty. That’s one of the challenges of UConn being screwed in realignment. Casual fans want to see bigger names and more familiar names. You can’t blame the fans for this situation. He’s here to win the fans back and maybe propel us to a good conference. A 5-5 team isn’t filling the Rent after 12 years of losing. Next season the stands will be substantially fuller.

 

[Huskydog45]

The forecast three days earlier said weather would clear by 9am and be close to 70 and sunny…….top 20 team and chance to go to a bowl…and last home game of the year. If you hadn’t been to a game all year, that was the game you should have attended….

The fans need to do better………didn’t expect the Rent to be filled but certainly should have been a much better crowd than what showed up unfortunately.

 

[businesslawyer]

Yes, money will decide whether we can keep him here or not. It won't be solely what we pay him however (and likely won't need to be what other schools would be willing to offer).

He said he didn't come here to win six games. If the school can demonstrate the commitment to rise as high as he wants to take us, he'll be here until he no longer wants to coach.

Although one question is whether he wants to compete for championships somewhere. Because without a conference, he can’t do that here.

 

[giddyup]

A few million bucks to increase Mora to $3M and pay his staff more isn’t breaking the bank.

 

[NowInStorrs]

Mora is such a class act. Seeing him in these interviews and out olat the different sporting events before football started... the dude's a fantastic face of the football program.

 

[ZooCougar]

He should be disappointed for sure in the poor attendance last game given how big that game was for the program… he has do be thinking “what do I need to do to get the fans back?”

It on the fans to get their butts in the seats….they will show Mora that Connecticut appreciates what he has done and increasing attendance significantly I’m sure is what Mora wants to see as does Benedict as we need the additional revenue to pay Mora more going forward that will keep him here.

Still think this is his destination job based on his age and based on his comments about the challenge of wanting to rebuilding a program that is down and climbing a mountain to get there…he also wants to stay to get us into a better conference increasing our revenue and more money for Mora!

The biggest attended home games were against regional rivals. Liberty is Liberty and they don’t move the needle much.

Plus the weather forecast days prior called for heavy rain at game time. Everyone made other plans but of course you know New England weather.

 

[Austin316]

Good bosses have open dialogue about future aspirations. If Mora wants to continue to stay in Connecticut because he likes it here, awesome. If not what is it going to take to keep him here long term so he can let other teams know his interest is to remain at UConn long term.

If he wants a national championship… well that’s quite a feat. I feel like he and DB understand how huge this is for the university and the challenge that’s in front of everyone. Keep winning and it might lead to the ACC or B10… which is even more money. That’s on DB but he needs football to consistently produce.

He seems to be enjoying himself and there’s love from the staff, team, fans, and students. During the field storm the students were chanting his name. So much appreciation for the guy!

He’s turning a lot of heads and the fans WILL come back if he keeps up the great work.

I’ve never bought season tickets but if he hangs on I would consider it.

 

[Nostical]

I've said this before. Mora is not like Leopold at Kansas, another amazing miracle worker--but a relative unknown to the nation. Mora's a well known guy to the media and a great interview, especially now with his "incredulous, improbable, turnaround of UConn's moribund football program". Every interviewer expects him to be on the radar screen of bigger programs--right now.
We better be prepared to step up and do some heavy "bag" lifting to keep him. He's a Pac12 guy. Attended Washington. Coached at UCLA. Why wouldn't Colorado have him locked on their radar? He's a perfect fit for the desperate Buffs and CU has an enormous checkbook. Mora loves a hard challenge--and climbing rugged mountains. His new wife has no ties to the Northeast. Mora's son is in the same fraternity at CU with my grandson who told me that Mora's on the radar out there. The guys in the fraternity watched the Revolution videos, especially the recent video recap of the Liberty game and were yelling "bring Mora here!" Doesn't mean it will happen-- but it's a cautionary tale.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Coaches say it's not about the money; oftentimes they are FOS. But sometimes is more than being about the money from both the coach's perspective and the school's perspective.

There is no doubt Notre Dame could have paid Brian Kelley the same amount as what LSU is paying and ND could have paid more. The pocket was plenty deep.

So, as cliche as it sounds, you gotta pay the coach enough money to make being where he is a green enough pasture to make what's on the other side of the fence not look green enough.

 

[J187Money]

Tucker at MSU got a big bump because LSU was swirling before they landed Kelly. But the extra money came from boosters, not the school.

Do we have boosters that are willing to step up? Probably not in the way it would matter. So to me this is all about what Mora wants to do.

 

[NHRich]

If we do well tomorrow, something will happen fast.

 

[uconnric]

The biggest attended home games were against regional rivals. Liberty is Liberty and they don’t move the needle much.

Plus the weather forecast days prior called for heavy rain at game time. Everyone made other plans but of course you know New England weather.

Plus the fact that out season ticket base is down from the past few years. Casual fans don't know much about Liberty (except the connection with the Falwell's if that) and isn't going to generate much interest for a November game.

I'd hoped for a better turnout, but we wouldn't have had 10,000 there if the team hadn't improved this year.

 

[fleaflicker]

It is without a doubt that Coach Mora, his staff, the athletes and DB have done an incredible job turning the program from failure to success. His name coming up for COTY may not happen, but he should be in the hunt. Turning to the fan base however, is a different story in MOP. After years of watching the program become the laughing stock of FB, I believe will take longer to fill the stadium. Allot like turning an aircraft carrier, rather than a row boat. I believe they will come. If Coach Mora stays another year or two, I firmly believe the Rent will rock again with a full house. I think positive comments on this site, as well as those who Bleed Blue turning out, {some perhaps for Army}, will have UConn a program we can all be proud. Keep those positive comments coming. I sent Coach Mora a Thank You card today for all he has done. Stay safe. Go Huskies!

 

[Waquoit]

His new wife has no ties to the Northeast.

That's twice you brought up the wife. I just don't see it. He's building something special here and she wants him to be happy.

 

[CL82]

Love the timing of the SportsCenter piece on top of the Mike Anthony article today:

I can’t help but feel there is a DB/JM sheet of music in play. Could be 100% wrong but…

Jim Mora has incredible message discipline. I actually think he had a slight oops in publicly crapping on the CBS Sportsnet contract.

I think Mora has a moment of opportunity with this season’s success and he is taking advantage of it in a very savvy manner. Win today, and again in a bowl game, and he’s got some negotiating leverage.

 

[UCFBfan]

I just keep coming back to his comments about what has happened the last times he ended a season with 6 wins at other jobs. Like others have said, he isn't a coach looking to move up the ranks at the first P5 that comes calling. Yes he wants reassurances from the university and wants his assistants paid and kept around. I'm don't blame him and we need that as a team to succeed. However, I don't know why a coach who has been at many different leveled jobs would want to jump back into the pressure cooker of reclamation jobs where turning around a program in less than 2 years is unacceptable. By turning a program around, I don't mean winning 6-7 games.

He has something going here and the pressure is small. 6 wins is not the end game for him and we love that. However, he's not getting his seat hot because he's only won 6. Instead, he's getting a golden throne built for him.

Yes money talks but you gotta think, and hope, that he's at the point of his career where he's been fired for winning more than 6 games because the expectations were outrageous. All he might want is to turn around a program that has potential to be a power and not have the pressure to do it immediately and that a 6 win season is not ok.

 

[Alum1620]

I just keep coming back to his comments about what has happened the last times he ended a season with 6 wins at other jobs. Like others have said, he isn't a coach looking to move up the ranks at the first P5 that comes calling. Yes he wants reassurances from the university and wants his assistants paid and kept around. I'm don't blame him and we need that as a team to succeed. However, I don't know why a coach who has been at many different leveled jobs would want to jump back into the pressure cooker of reclamation jobs where turning around a program in less than 2 years is unacceptable. By turning a program around, I don't mean winning 6-7 games.

He has something going here and the pressure is small. 6 wins is not the end game for him and we love that. However, he's not getting his seat hot because he's only won 6. Instead, he's getting a golden throne built for him.

Yes money talks but you gotta think, and hope, that he's at the point of his career where he's been fired for winning more than 6 games because the expectations were outrageous. All he might want is to turn around a program that has potential to be a power and not have the pressure to do it immediately and that a 6 win season is not ok.

He turned down schools like Texas who gave a huge offer to stay at UCLA because of his loyalty to that program and his family. He has spoken recently of his loyalty to DB and the players. He has even spoken about it before the season even started in an interview with Chris Long. He already was in the time in his life where he isn’t looking to just move forward when someone presents a great offer and still is in that time .

 

[superjohn]

I've said this before. Mora is not like Leopold at Kansas, another amazing miracle worker--but a relative unknown to the nation. Mora's a well known guy to the media and a great interview, especially now with his "incredulous, improbable, turnaround of UConn's moribund football program". Every interviewer expects him to be on the radar screen of bigger programs--right now.
We better be prepared to step up and do some heavy "bag" lifting to keep him. He's a Pac12 guy. Attended Washington. Coached at UCLA. Why wouldn't Colorado have him locked on their radar? He's a perfect fit for the desperate Buffs and CU has an enormous checkbook. Mora loves a hard challenge--and climbing rugged mountains. His new wife has no ties to the Northeast. Mora's son is in the same fraternity at CU with my grandson who told me that Mora's on the radar out there. The guys in the fraternity watched the Revolution videos, especially the recent video recap of the Liberty game and were yelling "bring Mora here!" Doesn't mean it will happen-- but it's a cautionary tale.

Lolz.

 

[Scrutineer]

Yes, money will decide whether we can keep him here or not. It won't be solely what we pay him however (and likely won't need to be what other schools would be willing to offer).

He said he didn't come here to win six games. If the school can demonstrate the commitment to rise as high as he wants to take us, he'll be here until he no longer wants to coach.

Great take on this.

So many thoughts come to mind. Foremost among them is JM seems almost too good to be true. No, take that back, he is too good to be true.

Who amongst us expected an experienced, successful, former P5 and NFL head coach, to aggressively pursue the UConn job?

Who amongst us expected that coach to put together such an outstanding staff of coaches and support personnel and impart to the players and staff the mindset that has lead them to six and possibly more wins this year?

Consider:
-JM said he pursued this job because of the challenge;
-He's already been at the top of his profession and doesn't need the affirmation that comes with a P5 job;
-His time out of football allowed him to reflect on what's really important for him and his family (new wife) at his stage in life;
-In his time at ESPN he was able to see the facilities schools have, observe coaching styles, assess what works best and refine his thoughts on what leads to success on the field;
-His own experience at UCLA, and his observations of the brutal expectations at P5 schools while working at ESPN, likely altered his thoughts on what makes a job desirable;
-He realizes his age may limit his opportunities, and there's only one Nick Saban, so Making UConn Great Again may be his best chance for immortality; and
-Unless he's Antoine Walker incarnate, he doesn't need money except as a measure of how much his success is valued;

As I read the comments on this thread I also recalled something Geno said years ago as he reflected on his own career. Something on the order of, "I figured we could do well here and after a few years move on to a better job, but this turned out to be the better job".

 

[HardFacts]

Great take on this.

So many thoughts come to mind. Foremost among them is JM seems almost too good to be true. No, take that back, he is too good to be true.

Who amongst us expected an experienced, successful, former P5 and NFL head coach, to aggressively pursue the UConn job?

Who amongst us expected that coach to put together such an outstanding staff of coaches and support personnel and impart to the players and staff the mindset that has lead them to six and possibly more wins this year?

Consider:
-JM said he pursued this job because of the challenge;
-He's already been at the top of his profession and doesn't need the affirmation that comes with a P5 job;
-His time out of football allowed him to reflect on what's really important for him and his family (new wife) at his stage in life;
-In his time at ESPN he was able to see the facilities schools have, observe coaching styles, assess what works best and refine his thoughts on what leads to success on the field;
-His own experience at UCLA, and his observations of the brutal expectations at P5 schools while working at ESPN, likely altered his thoughts on what makes a job desirable;
-He realizes his age may limit his opportunities, and there's only one Nick Saban, so Making UConn Great Again may be his best chance for immortality; and
-Unless he's Antoine Walker incarnate, he doesn't need money except as a measure of how much his success is valued;

As I read the comments on this thread I also recalled something Geno said years ago as he reflected on his own career. Something on the order of, "I figured we could do well here and after a few years move on to a better job, but this turned out to be the better job".

Let’s be honest it’s a great time to be a Husky! He is surrounded by a great group of head coaches and programs. I also think he understands how special the environment currently is and how to capitalize on that to take the program to another level. Actually not sure how many other schools are as well positioned.

 

[Waquoit]

We don't need this thread anymore. Nobody is poaching a guy who just got punked by Army.

 

[metsfan2323]

We don't need this thread anymore. Nobody is poaching a guy who just got punked by Army.

You can't be serious, They could have beat 100 - 0 last year, this year it could have easily went our way if not for a couple goal line stands.

 

[Waquoit]

You can't be serious, They could have beat 100 - 0 last year, this year it could have easily went our way if not for a couple goal line stands.

I am serious as a heart attack. That's why the call me Mr. Positive

 

[Nostical]

Let him keep winning and then say we need our stadium to be on campus. Heroes can accomplish what mere mortals can’t.

 

[Ajs120102]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Ajs120102]

Would be a good fit for Mora.

 

[huskymedic]

Would be a good fit for Mora.

Because it’s a Pac12 school? Again, never say never but Arizona State is a hot mess with a lot of uncertainty in front of it w/ the ongoing NCAA investigation leading to unknown NCAA punishment down the road and a shaky athletic director w/ a kiss of death vote of confidence (jeez, maybe he and Benedict go as a package ). Why jump into that quagmire at this time.

 

[Ajs120102]

Because it’s a Pac12 school? Again, never say never but Arizona State is a hot mess with a lot of uncertainty in front of it w/ the ongoing NCAA investigation leading to unknown NCAA punishment down the road and a shaky athletic director w/ a kiss of death vote of confidence (jeez, maybe he and Benedict go as a package ). Why jump into that quagmire at this time.

Well, just in general. I think Mora would do well there. However, as you said lots of penalties coming their way. Would be surprised if AZ state went a similar route as Herm Edwards again.

 

[Hoophound]

Going to ASU isn’t exciting to anyone. Gimme a break.