Conf USA in Talks with UConn, Liberty, NMSU

[coachcap]

Wasn't Army in C-USA for football only before they resumed independence? This rumor makes no sense except to ease scheduling. What a downgrade.

 

[TheDoggPound]

This was all spun in a way to basically mock us and generate clicks for 'TheAthletic'

"They also have had no plans to drop to FCS, as the program has resources to pay well for a new coach and the team recently renovated the locker room."

^^^ I mean, does that not sound like a sentence purely designed to elicit negative comments and jokes??

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Hell no.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

You all are a tough crowd. AD David Benedict's statement was a respectful way of saying no. Consider:

• This was an unsolicited phone call from the CUSA to UConn
• AD David Benedict only acknowledged that the phone call occurred
• AD David Benedict disagreed with the characterization that there were any "negotiations"
• CUSA approaching UConn is not them approaching a B1G AD who would laugh them off the phone and have the authorization from their school to give a unilateral no over the phone
• CUSA is desperate for any positive press

Here's what almost surely happened:

1. CUSA commissioner cold-called, AD David Benedict took the phone call.
2. There were some theoretical and peripheral discussions about UConn's potential interest joining as football only.
3. AD David Benedict, not being in a position to unilaterally turn down an advance from the CUSA over the phone on a cold call, agreed to think about it and talk to some folks. Perhaps there was an acknowledgement of speaking again soon.
4. After the phone call, AD David Benedict does not consider it a realistic option and tables it for now. CUSA runs to The Athletic and claims they're in "negotiations" with us in an attempt to get a positive headline.
5. AD David Benedict contacts Mike Anthony and, again not in a position to unilaterally turn down an invite and to maintain a positive public image, tells CUSA "thanks but no thanks" in a respectful manner. This is likely the reason for the "exploratory" language and the line about "if we were going to think about this, we'd want to know a lot more." His statement is not posturing for future negotiations. He was clearly distancing the school from this article, this story, and this conference.

He clearly and convincingly said this ain't a thing.

 

[JMick]

You all are a tough crowd. AD David Benedict's statement was a respectful way of saying no. Consider:

• This was an unsolicited phone call from the CUSA to UConn
• AD David Benedict only acknowledged that the phone call occurred
• AD David Benedict disagreed with the characterization that there were any "negotiations"
• CUSA approaching UConn is not them approaching a B1G AD who would laugh them off the phone and have the authorization from their school to give a unilateral no over the phone
• CUSA is desperate for any positive press

Here's what almost surely happened:

1. CUSA commissioner cold-called, AD David Benedict took the phone call.
2. There were some theoretical and peripheral discussions about UConn's potential interest joining as football only.
3. AD David Benedict, not being in a position to unilaterally turn down an advance from the CUSA over the phone on a cold call, agreed to think about it and talk to some folks. Perhaps there was an acknowledgement of speaking again soon.
4. After the phone call, AD David Benedict does not consider it a realistic option and tables it for now. CUSA runs to The Athletic and claims they're in "negotiations" with us in an attempt to get a positive headline.
5. AD David Benedict contacts Mike Anthony and, again not in a position to unilaterally turn down an invite and to maintain a positive public image, tells CUSA "thanks but no thanks" in a respectful manner. This is likely the reason for the "exploratory" language and the line about "if we were going to think about this, we'd want to know a lot more." His statement is not posturing for future negotiations. He was clearly distancing the school from this article, this story, and this conference.

He clearly and convincingly said this ain't a thing.

We've played this game of conference shuffle too often to leave things open ended. It's a disservice to fans to say anything other than no if it's genuinely not an option.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Sorry but your conclusion is #5 is pretty tone-deaf. His statement (at least as relayed) does not have us coming out with a positive public image and he didn’t effectively distance the school. Who does he need to talk to to shut down CUSA talk…the interim President?

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

We've played this game of conference shuffle too often to leave things open ended. It's a disservice to fans to say anything other than no if it's genuinely not an option.

nope

 

[CTMike]

CUSA, bleeding out: “Hey AD Dave, please join, tis just a flesh wound”

AD Dave: “uh… good luck, I hope you don’t die”

Athletic: “UCONN JOINING STINKIEST CONFERENCE EVERRRRR HURRRR THEY STINK WE HAVENT MENTIONED THAT YET THIS WEEK”

 

[AZHuskiePop]

And we left the AAC for travel.

Travel for all sports
football you only have 6 road games
Not exactly a big deal look at our costs as an Indy minimal savings .
So Travel is a moot point , If true it’s a huge mistake however allegedly we tried to stay in the AAC for football but they didn’t want us.
They are seriously intent on killing football.
Fans wouldn’t turnout for Navy, Houston , UCF,Memphis, SMU
Temple , are they’re going to be ecstatic about this version of CUSA

 

[uconnbill]

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

No way this is true.

Maybe we’d be interested in a scheduling alliance (4 games per season, 2H/2A) to help our independent scheduling challenges and we also get access to their bowl games.

But anything beyond that has to be a complete non-starter.

 

[Nextmanup]

I would not hate this move

First we complain cause we are not in a conference.. then we complain when we are maybe in a conference. This is the first of many realignments. At least we are in something with p5 games we can schedule too. And some wins .. this group can’t make up their minds. Can’t please anybody

 

[phillionaire]

First we complain cause we are not in a conference.. then we complain when we are maybe in a conference. This is the first of many realignments. At least we are in something with p5 games we can schedule too. And some wins .. this group can’t make up their minds. Can’t please anybody

If you thought the fan base was ambivalent (at best) at the prospect of playing Houston SMU and Tulane imagine how excited they’ll be to play LA Tech and WKU

 

[CallMeBruce]

Negotiating for what? 90% of the revenue and all of the primetime games? Nothing else makes it worth it.

You guys need to learn to read. He specifically said they are not negotiating. Stop freaking out. We aren't joining CUSA. I promise you.

 

[UCFanInSC]

The MAC makes more sense than this.

 

[Milo65]

They are talking, not accepting. Get off the ledge. The fact that UConn gets a look for it’s football program only speaks to the brand.

 

[Hoophound]

They are talking, not accepting. Get off the ledge. The fact that UConn gets a look for it’s football program only speaks to the brand.

I wouldn’t go that far. CUSA would take anyone at this point.

It doesn’t make sense for us to join though. Dave aspires to be more like BYU has been, but with better basketball helping compensate for a smaller national fan base. This would in no way accomplish that.

In regard to CBS, I am sure they are pushing for us to hire a good coach and create some value. It is too early for them to kill our deal. They got cheap programming out of it, and frankly, we’d probably take less to keep the deal. In order to get more money, we need compelling TV. They got a taster of what could be with Tyler at QB. If we do this correctly, the future is bright for us at CBS.

 

[RSTuthill]

The ultimate triumph of round all over football. Yup, the Guv is all in on football alright. Better to step back to FCS and restart the Yankee conference than this.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Hey it’s publicity. They actually do play football at UConn

 

[Skiblets]

First we complain cause we are not in a conference.. then we complain when we are maybe in a conference. This is the first of many realignments. At least we are in something with p5 games we can schedule too. And some wins .. this group can’t make up their minds. Can’t please anybody

CUSA is no longer a conference. It’s a few scattered schools looking for any life raft led by an incompetent commissioner that was outmaneuvered by the Sun Belt. The Sun Belt. This is not happening folks

 

[Viet Vet]

End of Mission. Out.

 

[Urcea]

I wouldn’t go that far. CUSA would take anyone at this point.

Except UMass it seems haha

 

[coachcap]

Flying out to New Mexico every other year just sounds depressing.

I have news for you. To play NMSU, you fly into El Paso, then drive @ 30 miles north to Las Cruces, the last 2 miles through a seemingly never ending dairy farm ranch. By the time you get there, the interior of your vehicle is saturated with the smell of manure.

 

[JMick]

You guys need to learn to read. He specifically said they are not negotiating. Stop freaking out. We aren't joining CUSA. I promise you.

You need to learn how to read. I was replying to someone who claimed Dave was using it for negotiating power.

 

[Storrs South]