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Benedict and Mora

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Dave’s vision for his hiring of Jim Mora was realized in yesterdays win. Go back to the article that described the interview process between the two. Dave went out and spent time with Mora in Idaho. It wasn’t necessarily an X’s and O’s interview, although I’m sure that was prominent. After the coach hiring debacles post realignment, it was clear that this one had to be right. With all the FB limitations, this Coach had to be a special person. That person was Mora. Honest, high character, FB family, athlete centric, “last coaching hurrah”. One thing after another lined up. Basically the perfect man for the job. Thanks to Dave for offering it, and Thanks to Jim for taking it. Together they have led us from a dark place. Where we go from here who knows? One thing is for sure, there is no looking back! Go Huskies.
 
I am starting to hear rumblings from other schools alumni as to whether they should be interested in Mora. He will have options after this year for far more money and, maybe more importantly to him, a spot where he can get into the playoffs.

It will be interesting. But if he gets a more tempting offer, he will have earned it.
 
I have said this before, but Mora has never left a coaching job for a “better” coaching job. He has had opportunities and each time he was loyal to his school/team.

But…who knows if that’s still true at his age. The whole “one more shot” thing could be compelling. I still say he stays loyal to UConn and Benedict.
 
ShakyTheMohel said:
I have said this before, but Mora has never left a coaching job for a “better” coaching job. He has had opportunities and each time he was loyal to his school/team.

But…who knows if that’s still true at his age. The whole “one more shot” thing could be compelling. I still say he stays loyal to UConn and Benedict.
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My concern is that given the good job Benedict has done at UConn, especially turning around football, someone will try to hire him away.
 
I'm not sure the money is a thing with Mora...wasn't he perfectly happy fly fishing in Idaho prior to this? Somehow he has successfully navigated the dynamic NIL waters in an independent world when you don't have a Notre Dame TV and merch contract...he has to have a pretty good smile on his face these days.
 
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Mora is one of the highest paid coaches in the G5 (likely with another raise and more bonuses coming), so I don't really see him bolting for another one, especially when UConn has the best chance of landing in the P4. He's also one of the oldest coaches in CFB, which is something you don't really want from a new coach.

I don't see him leaving, but who knows
 
For all the criticism Mora's received here, he was smart enough to understand how to get talent here - play an NFL-style offense and defense and get playing time you might not get at a P4. He's identified stars and allowed them to shine. Bell understood that. So have some others in the past three years. Mora is building a program where a program shouldn't be expected to exist. Until UConn is accepted into a P4, this is the best, and maybe only, way to attract talent and be competitive.

One thing about Cignetti that's never mentioned is that not only is he succeeding wildly at Indiana, but JMU didn't fall apart after he left. If Mora does leave, let's hope what he's left here continues to develop. I'd hate for us to go away from a pro-style game under a "college" coach.
 
storrsroars said:
For all the criticism Mora's received here, he was smart enough to understand how to get talent here - play an NFL-style offense and defense and get playing time you might not get at a P4. He's identified stars and allowed them to shine. Bell understood that. So have some others in the past three years. Mora is building a program where a program shouldn't be expected to exist. Until UConn is accepted into a P4, this is the best, and maybe only, way to attract talent and be competitive.

One thing about Cignetti that's never mentioned is that not only is he succeeding wildly at Indiana, but JMU didn't fall apart after he left. If Mora does leave, let's hope what he's left here continues to develop. I'd hate for us to go away from a pro-style game under a "college" coach.
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If anything, Jim provided us a roadmap or blueprint to get it done. He shook the trees and got himself more resources. The next coach will benefit.

Benedict needs to find more money and really ramp this up. We need $6-$10M a year for Rev Share and coaches to really solidify things. When people think of the best teams in the G6 we want UConn to be the first school they think of.
 
cellocgg said:
Mora is one of the highest paid coaches in the G5 (likely with another raise and more bonuses coming), so I don't really see him bolting for another one, especially when UConn has the best chance of landing in the P4. He's also one of the oldest coaches in CFB, which is something you don't really want from a new coach.

I don't see him leaving, but who knows
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Tell that to the Indiana coach. Same age as Mora. I believe he will not go unless it is to a P4 school where he believes he has a decent chance to make CFP.
 
I don't know if we can pay Mora or Benedict the most money in a competitive environment. But I'll say this: both have a chance to go down as real legends here in the state of Connecticut, if they haven't already...
 
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storrsroars said:
One thing about Cignetti that's never mentioned is that not only is he succeeding wildly at Indiana, but JMU didn't fall apart after he left. If Mora does leave, let's hope what he's left here continues to develop. I'd hate for us to go away from a pro-style game under a "college" coach.
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JMU hired Bob Chesney, one of the most overlooked successful college coaches who has won at every stop. I think Chesney gets hired by a P4 school this cycle.
 
jostar1 said:
Here is the thread from when he was hired if you want to go down memory lane and see what everyone thought at the time:

gwhuskyfan

Thread 'Jim Mora Expected to be Named HC'

  • Like
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I remember this and being excited because I liked his interviews with Mark Packer talking about enjoying the outdoors in Idaho. Thought he was brutally honest as a commentator and had the opportunity to see how all the programs ran things. Really are fortunate as he turned out to be the best at adjusting to the changes to college football. His NFL and managerial experience really helped.
 
Mora actually said that UConn would be his likely home till retirement. Of course, things change, but if his goal is to get UConn into a P4; I think that he’ll likely stay till it’s accomplished. And although every coach wants a CFP spot; consider that he’s a now a beloved coach at a cozy program with fans across the northeast corridor—his staff likes him, his players like him, and the university likes him.
 
HuskyDevil said:
I'm not sure the money is a thing with Mora...wasn't he perfectly happy fly fishing in Idaho prior to this? Somehow he has successfully navigated the dynamic NIL waters in an independent world when you don't have a Notre Dame TV and merch contract...he has to have a pretty good smile on his face these days.
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Regardless, Mora deserves a solid raise from UConn. We should take care of him. Let’s hope we finally catch a P4 break too.
 
An interesting thing about the UConn job. Mora uses it to bring in young coaches and then coaches the coaches. At most P4 schools, he would be heavily criticized for doing that. At UConn, he runs the program with virtually no interference. I think he appreciates the situation he has and would not give it up easily.
 
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JwittersPAC said:
Tell that to the Indiana coach. Same age as Mora. I believe he will not go unless it is to a P4 school where he believes he has a decent chance to make CFP.
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Cignetti turned a nothing program into a favorite to win the CFP. His situation in terms of interest from other programs isn't comparable in the slightest to Mora
 
There is plenty of stupid money in college football and if someone comes calling with some of it Mora should listen.

That said, Mora is 63, likes to ski in Idaho, and looks like he takes good care of himself. UCONN is a demanding job, but expectations are nothing like they are in the various crazyvilles of college football like LSU, etc. Pure speculation on my part, but I’m wondering if Mora sees more to life than a larger paycheck and bigger program.
 
Palatine said:
An interesting thing about the UConn job. Mora uses it to bring in young coaches and then coaches the coaches. At most P4 schools, he would be heavily criticized for doing that. At UConn, he runs the program with virtually no interference. I think he appreciates the situation he has and would not give it up easily.
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I seem to remember reading that it’s how he believes he can give back to the game that has been good to him. I’m sure that not many head coaches share their house w/ former players/assistants and analysts on staff.
 
BBC by
cellocgg said:
Cignetti turned a nothing program into a favorite to win the CFP. His situation in terms of interest from other programs isn't comparable in the slightest to Mora
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when Cignetti was at James Madison. It would be the same as Mora at UConn. Mora has turned a program that was a laughing stock into a legitimate G5 team.
 
uconndogs said:
There is plenty of stupid money in college football and if someone comes calling with some of it Mora should listen.

That said, Mora is 63, likes to ski in Idaho, and looks like he takes good care of himself. UCONN is a demanding job, but expectations are nothing like they are in the various crazyvilles of college football like LSU, etc. Pure speculation on my part, but I’m wondering if Mora sees more to life than a larger paycheck and bigger program.
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I think he might want another crack at the big stage.

I look at this way, if someone told me a guy would come in an rejuvenate the program and then leave after four years I would probably say this seems about right.
 
There are plenty of programs who can out bid UConn for Mora's services.

UConn just has to pay enough for him, his staff, and NIL to keep Him content.

If Mora's main motivation is maximum money, UConn isn't keeping him (Personally, I don't believe he is looking for max money).
 
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jostar1 said:
Here is the thread from when he was hired if you want to go down memory lane and see what everyone thought at the time:

gwhuskyfan

Thread 'Jim Mora Expected to be Named HC'

  • Like
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Here's what one wag said, "This is an absolute home run of a hire. It gives UConn instant national credibility. Shows that the AD and coaching staff will have a plan. I'm stunned. I can't imagine doing better."
 
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