Assistant Football Coach/Offensive Coordinator. (Specialist IIA)

[DoctorWho85]

I'm excited about getting a new OC, but this is probably the most important hire of BD's HC career so far. With the offensive HC's coming in this conference, UCONN is going to need to be able to go into to a shootout with guns blazing, not bringing a knife to a gun fight like we have been. I'm encouraged that BD demoted Cummings after one year of offensive ineptitude and I believe he will bring in the right guy for the job.

 

[ktuck911]

There are so many viable options out there, but here's links to bios of the three names as a follow up to an earlier post I made.
Joe Conlin Yale OC profile - came up under Chip Kelly at UNH, in a year has turned Yale's offense into a top 10 FCS unit, has NE ties
Brian Scott ODU OC profile - all they do is score TD's and crank out yards, has NE ties (Maine grad)
Ryan Carty UNH OC profile - NE ties, track record of coordinating productive offenses, recruits N. NJ and parts of MA.
Also, Jagodzinski is now the Offensive Coordinator at Georgia State, transitioning them from start up to FBS. That guy could coordinate an offense.

I know many want the s e xy hire, a name guy form a name FBS/BCS/P5 program, etc, etc.... Me, I'll take a proven record of leading offenses that can move the ball and score points. What's more impressive is more often than not the three teams above are doing it with talent deficits compared to their opponants (from a speed/skill/rating pov), and still cranking yards and points.

I like your post but from what I've seen of HCBD so far, unfortunately, I can't see him looking past guys he already know... I hope there's a bigger crop of guys other than Molnar and Quinn that he tossed out a net for... Success breeds success... We need to bring in a guy that breeds that. But my gut tells me it's gonna be somebody Diaco already knows...

 

[Bonehead]

Exactly what I had thought and supposedly Cummings wouldn't move from OC to OL... Lol

I'm glad he moves to OL and now let's hope we can bring in a really good OC

did he take a pay cut?

 

[Go_Huskies]

How are you so confident Diaco independently made the call?

Your right. I assuming he made the call but it could be Manuel. Although I think it would be a little premature for Manual to intervene after a coach's first season on the job. Especially with a coach he hired.

 

[Jimdish255]

It's the right call, but we are in for another year of offensive transition... Which terrifies me.

It's OK because we can't fall any further. All we want is signs of a coherent scheme boiled down to things we can become proficient at and some improvement over the course of the season. An upswing in productivity will suffice until we can build consistency. Let's look like we're a threat to do something positive that other teams have to adjust for.

Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree; minimum of six years of full-time experience as an offensive football coach at the collegiate FBS, FCS or NFL within the past 10 years

And if you already had your guy I would assume you would maximize this number. Isn't 6 rather odd? Wouldn't be surprised if it it is exactly 6 years of last 10.

I too am concerned if HCBD limits himself to guys in that comfort zone of past associations. Need to break out of that bubble.

 

[HobokenHusky]

It's OK because we can't fall any further. All we want is signs of a coherent scheme boiled down to things we can become proficient at and some improvement over the course of the season. An upswing in productivity will suffice until we can build consistency. Let's look like we're a threat to do something positive that other teams have to adjust for.



And if you already had your guy I would assume you would maximize this number. Isn't 6 rather odd? Wouldn't be surprised if it it is exactly 6 years of last 10.

Now that you pointed to that . . . I am thinking it's probably Matt LaFleur, no? Has been active as coach for about 10 years, has NFL experience also (would not need to throw that in for Quinn or Molnar), has the Diaco ties. . . . I think theuconnblog.com may have found the guy.

 

[Jimdish255]

Matt LaFleur
Career history as coach:

• Saginaw Valley State (2003)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Central Michigan (2004-2005)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Northern Michigan (2006)
  (Quarterbacks and receivers)
• Ashland University (2007) (Offensive Coordinator)
• Houston Texans (2008–2009)
  (Offensive quality control coach)
• Washington Redskins (2010–2013)
  (Quarterbacks coach)
• University of Notre Dame (2014-present)
  (Quarterbacks coach)

Well not sure if the math works out. Needed to look twice. Doesn't he basically have 10+ years experience FCS/FBS/NFL minus Ashland and Northern Mich?

 

[DoctorWho85]

Matt LaFleur
Career history as coach:

• Saginaw Valley State (2003)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Central Michigan (2004-2005)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Northern Michigan (2006)
  (Quarterbacks and receivers)
• Ashland University (2007) (Offensive Coordinator)
• Houston Texans (2008–2009)
  (Offensive quality control coach)
• Washington Redskins (2010–2013)
  (Quarterbacks coach)
• University of Notre Dame (2014-present)
  (Quarterbacks coach)

Well not sure if the math works out. Needed to look twice. Doesn't he basically have 10+ years experience FCS/FBS/NFL?

I have to ask, what does an "Offensive quality control coach" actually do?

 

[HobokenHusky]

Matt LaFleur
Career history as coach:

• Saginaw Valley State (2003)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Central Michigan (2004-2005)
  (Offensive assistant)
• Northern Michigan (2006)
  (Quarterbacks and receivers)
• Ashland University (2007) (Offensive Coordinator)
• Houston Texans (2008–2009)
  (Offensive quality control coach)
• Washington Redskins (2010–2013)
  (Quarterbacks coach)
• University of Notre Dame (2014-present)
  (Quarterbacks coach)

Well not sure if the math works out. Needed to look twice. Doesn't he basically have 10+ years experience FCS/FBS/NFL?

If you take out the "assistant" and "quality control coach" years, it's about 6 right?

Also, this is the guy that flipped Brandon Wimbush , the #1 NJ Prospect and #3 dual threat QB in the country, from Penn State to Notre Dame, so if this is the guy he can recruit.

 

[Jimdish255]

I have to ask, what does an "Offensive quality control coach" actually do?

Maybe he keeps the footballs underinflated.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Maybe he keeps the footballs underinflated.

Damn I was hoping he kept the offense from being too offensive....to the eyes.

 

[SonsOfNutmeg]

A source - I cannot believe that someone in the AD office couldnt just confirm this and put their name to it - everything is so secretive around this Football program. When my kids are this secretive something 'not right' is ocurring or there is a surprise party being planned for me - and I dont do parties.

Is this for competitive advantage as well??

I was just going to say that- why is everything related to this program now like top secret under Diaco?? I like the guy, but The Burton is like Fort Knox now. lol

 

[Bonehead]

Maybe he keeps the footballs underinflated.

Maybe that was our problem - our balls were OVERINFLATED - made it harder to throw and catch them...

 

[Jimdish255]

If you take out the "assistant" and "quality control coach" years, it's about 6 right?

Counting backwards you have 6 pro years and 1 at ND in last 10.

 

[Dooley]

Lafeur seems like a good candidate.

 

[Bonehead]

Exactly what I had thought and supposedly Cummings wouldn't move from OC to OL... Lol

I'm glad he moves to OL and now let's hope we can bring in a really good OC

You also told us how good Boyle was going to be - you are 50% - You are NO Palantine.

 

[Husky25]

Lafeur seems like a good candidate.

Lafeur's resume seems to fit (along with a number of other coaches), but what makes him a good candidate for Offensive Coordinator? He has one year of experience eight years ago where he was Offensive Coordinator at a division II school. How does being an offensive Q.C. specialist or Quarterbacks coach for the last 7 years qualify him to call plays at a FBS school in 2015? I don't think it does, especially in light of the growing segment of UConn's fan base who believe their current head coach did not have enough prior experience in his current position.

 

[cttxus]

LaFluer meets all the Preferred Qualifications as well: Master’s degree; experience as an offensive coordinator or co-coordinator at the collegiate or professional level; playing experience at the collegiate and/or professional level.

• LaFleur earned a bachelor's degree in physical and health education from Saginaw Valley State in 2003. He achieved a master's degree in science in administration from Central Michigan in 2011.
• Prior to joining the Texans, LaFleur worked at Ashland University as the offensive coordinator, coaching the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
• LaFleur played quarterback for three years at Saginaw Valley State (2000-02). He guided the Cardinals to a 29-8 (9-3, 11-2, 9-3) record over his three seasons and led Saginaw Valley to three straight NCAA Division II playoff appearances. The program has not bettered the 9-3 marks either before or since.

 

[UConnRock]

LaFleur had one year of calling plays and that was 7 years ago at a Division II school. That well below the level of experience that Diaco needs to bring in at this point. I have no interest in somebody who is under Brian Kelly on the offensive side. Kelly runs his offense and few others have input. This is a make or break hire for Diaco as another Cummings hire will put a permanent cloud over Diaco as a head coach. It has to be somebody with a vision for the offense, not someone who has never ran an offense in the FBS or FCS.

 

[husky10]

This might be a little out there, but Mike Groh has coached with Diaco at Virginia, he did go to graduate school, but I have yet to find anything stating he received a master's degree. With the coaching change in Chicago maybe he is looking for work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Groh

 

[ktuck911]

LaFleur had one year of calling plays and that was 7 years ago at a Division II school. That well below the level of experience that Diaco needs to bring in at this point. I have no interest in somebody who is under Brian Kelly on the offensive side. Kelly runs his offense and few others have input. This is a make or break hire for Diaco as another Cummings hire will put a permanent cloud over Diaco as a head coach. It has to be somebody with a vision for the offense, not someone who has never ran an offense in the FBS or FCS.

Good point... didn't realize that... I still like this guy though... maybe not for OC but he's definitely got a future stepping up in the coaching ranks...

 

[Dogged]

Good point... didn't realize that... I still like this guy though... maybe not for OC but he's definitely got a future stepping up in the coaching ranks...

I checked out Lafleur. He doesn't have perfect hair but does have a good resume.

 

[ktuck911]

This might be a little out there, but Mike Groh has coached with Diaco at Virginia, he did go to graduate school, but I have yet to find anything stating he received a master's degree. With the coaching change in Chicago maybe he is looking for work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Groh

Interesting. Mike Groh fits according to the requirements for the gig, no?:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; minimum of six years of full-time experience as an offensive football coach at the collegiate FBS, FCS or NFL within the past 10 years; working knowledge of the correct application of NCAA regulations; strong commitment to the academic goals of the University; and excellent organizational, teaching, communication and public relations skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree; experience as an offensive coordinator or co-coordinator at the collegiate or professional level; playing experience at the collegiate and/or professional level.
Salary is commensurate with experience.

preferred qualifications don't necesarrily mean required...

with Mike Groh you gotta guy that's been around football his entire adult life at the NFL level and P5 conference level... He was recruiter of the year one year at Alabama... recruiter of the year... I like the sound of that... Maybe he's ready... just sayin... I know we want an experienced OC, but if we end up with an old foagie that don't attract the attention of the players we covet most then I don't think we're giving it our all to bringing this program back to being considered a contender for a P5 invite.. just a thought...

 

[Sprague03]

LaFleur had one year of calling plays and that was 7 years ago at a Division II school. That well below the level of experience that Diaco needs to bring in at this point. I have no interest in somebody who is under Brian Kelly on the offensive side. Kelly runs his offense and few others have input. This is a make or break hire for Diaco as another Cummings hire will put a permanent cloud over Diaco as a head coach. It has to be somebody with a vision for the offense, not someone who has never ran an offense in the FBS or FCS.

Exactly-Quinn makes too much sense to me. I originally left him out of my post yesterday about Molnar because I totally forgot he was fired from Buffalo this year. Just take a look at the points he orchestrated while the OC at Cinci. He's my #1 for sure. Look at the bold highlights below:



"Quinn was named one of five finalists for the 2009 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach. Unranked in preseason polls, Cincinnati’s undefeated regular season catapulted the Bearcats to No. 3 in the BCS standings and earned them an invitation to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the school’s second consecutive BCS game. UC set numerous school records in 2009, including those for wins (12), road wins (6), consecutive regular season wins (18), points (495), passing yards (3,844), fewest fumbles (10) and fewest turnovers (10)."

http://www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu/football/news/ftb12-22-2009-quinn.shtml

They'll announce the hire right before UConn season tickets go on sale mid-February.

 

[HobokenHusky]

Interesting. Mike Groh fits according to the requirements for the gig, no?:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; minimum of six years of full-time experience as an offensive football coach at the collegiate FBS, FCS or NFL within the past 10 years; working knowledge of the correct application of NCAA regulations; strong commitment to the academic goals of the University; and excellent organizational, teaching, communication and public relations skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree; experience as an offensive coordinator or co-coordinator at the collegiate or professional level; playing experience at the collegiate and/or professional level.
Salary is commensurate with experience.

preferred qualifications don't necesarrily mean required...

with Mike Groh you gotta guy that's been around football his entire adult life at the NFL level and P5 conference level... He was recruiter of the year one year at Alabama... recruiter of the year... I like the sound of that... Maybe he's ready... just sayin... I know we want an experienced OC, but if we end up with an old foagie that don't attract the attention of the players we covet most then I don't think we're giving it our all to bringing this program back to being considered a contender for a P5 invite.. just a thought...

I think the timing fits for him too. . . needed to wait until Trestman got canned and Groh was not retained to offer? This also makes more sense as I don't know that Diaco would poach a coach from ND so close to signing day. I would take either one honestly, yes Groh has coordinator experience but does anyone know what those offenses were like? it says he was "relieved of OC duties" after 3 years in 2008.