Coach Candle Introductory Press Conference 12/8/25 @1230. Streamed live on UConn+

[CL82]

what do they want him to say?

That's something that I'm confident Dave Benedict is working on. My job is to win football games and that's where I will spend 100% of my attention.

 

[Slick]

I didn't hear any mention about retaining any members of the current staff, but I did miss a portion of it. Any word on that or the contract details?

A new broom sweeps clean. Not sure anyone here remembers this saying.

 

[Slick]

I am not sure but I don’t think we are eligible unless we are in a conference

 

[Slick]

Curt is in the Big Ten. I think each school in the big ten gets 50 or 60 million dollars from their tv conference. Unfortunately big east tv contract is around 10% of that

 

[NEforceUConn]

Glad to hear it was well attended.

Can't believe DB has been here for 10 years.

Impressed with everyone associated with UConn, Nutmeg Pride.

Bleed Blue.

 

[huskymedic]

I am not sure but I don’t think we are eligible unless we are in a conference

We are absolutely eligible for the CFP but it’s a much easier path if you win a conference championship. Without a conference, UConn needs to be a highly ranked at large selection.

 

[huskymedic]

A bit more time w/ the media post formal program from Storrs Central:

 

[Kowalski]

I am not sure but I don’t think we are eligible unless we are in a conference

We’re technically eligible but probably have to be ranked in the top 10, which is never going to happen with UConn’s independent schedule. Heck, they just left out 11th ranked independent Notre Dame.

If we were in a G5 conference, we’d have a legitimate shot by winning the conference, like Tulane & JMU just did.

 

[noeynox]

We’re technically eligible but probably have to be ranked in the top 10, which is never going to happen with UConn’s independent schedule. Heck, they just left out 11th ranked independent Notre Dame.

If we were in a G5 conference, we’d have a legitimate shot by winning the conference, like Tulane & JMU just did.

Be a nice problem to have. Bang out a couple of 11-1 seasons and let's test it out.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I believe that I can safely say we will never see this man parading around in cranberry colored pants.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Viet Vet]

There may be SOME untapped talent in CT high school football, but New England is not fertile recruiting ground. With his Ohio roots, I’m hoping he makes inroads into Ohio, Pennsylvania and perhaps New Jersey.

 

[UC1995]

If you guys are not familiar with Mount Union football and that coaching pedigree he was part of take a few minutes to see how stack that staff and those teams were. They did things the right way and rolled.

He has won everywhere he has gone. I expect he will keep things moving here.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

We all looked at each other....descent? I think you mean "ascent." At least I hope so.

 

[Stinger92860]

I think he answered competently and maturely, but they were softballs.

Nobody asked about Sammis or other coaches.

Nobody asked if he plans on bringing Toledo players/recruits with.

And shockingly, nobody asked if he'd had pizza yet.

New Haven mention in Ohio

 

[Slick]

We are absolutely eligible for the CFP but it’s a much easier path if you win a conference championship. Without a conference, UConn needs to be a highly ranked at large selection.

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[huskymedic]

-> “I hope you don’t find out very often, but I am a miserable loser,” Candle said to open Monday’s press conference. “I think you want to be very good at what you do. You put a lot of time and energy into each and every day. You are going to put time and energy into stacking good days together. Days turn into good weeks and weeks into months and all of a sudden months turn into seasons, and from there you have a great foundation for your program.” <-

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Viet Vet]

Penders Cavanaugh under appreciated

Penders and Cavanaugh deserve our undying kudos for overcoming the geographic barriers to recruiting in Storrs:

Penders - frigid, snowcovered winters in a warm-weather sport.

Cavanaugh - being well outside the metropolitan Boston hockey-mad high schools within the sway of BC, BU, Northeastern, Providence, Lowell, etc.

 

[UConnJim]

We’re technically eligible but probably have to be ranked in the top 10, which is never going to happen with UConn’s independent schedule. Heck, they just left out 11th ranked independent Notre Dame.

If we were in a G5 conference, we’d have a legitimate shot by winning the conference, like Tulane & JMU just did.

Technically, for this year anyway but I'm sure the playoff is going to change, UConn could get into the playoff ranked 7 to 12 depending on where the top 5 conference champions finished. Notre Dame didn't get in this year at #11 because only 3 conference champions ranked in the top 12.

 

[HuskyFan16]

A bit more time w/ the media post formal program from Storrs Central:

Wonder if he can generate a series with Penn State

 

[Jimdish255]

Would be nice to Coach with a few football players tomorrow night. The Basketball game is gonna be lit. 🔥

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Wonder if he can generate a series with Penn State

I don't know about a series but my first thought was we may have a game in Happy Valley before long.

 

[noeynox]

There may be SOME untapped talent in CT high school football, but New England is not fertile recruiting ground. With his Ohio roots, I’m hoping he makes inroads into Ohio, Pennsylvania and perhaps New Jersey.

Prep schools here have a lot of talent.

 

[HCCForever]

I was able to attend today. As Candle has been a successful HC for years now I didn't expect to hear any out of the ordinary statements at the conference. He definitely was all business as noted above. Also, I thought there was a good turnout today considering how quickly this all went down.

Were there any players in attendance?