Credit to Spanos

[CONN78SEJ]

Yeah it's my understanding that we needed to get rid of Diaco, and to do so the buyout had to be paid out ASAP. So DB went to the donor(s) and said look guys what do we need to do to get that done. One of the conditions was essentially hire Randy.

If the choice was Diaco v Randy then DB made the right choice, even if it didn't work out. From his perspective I'm sure he thought it couldn't get worse, Randy had a good eye for talent, runs a clean program, and could get us to build back a foundation. All while doing it on the cheap which allowed us to free up money elsewhere (which I'm sure also helped get us out of the AAC). Randy's experience running the program as an Independent in the past probably also helped make that decision easier.

It didn't work out but it made sense at the time. I don't know if all of this is true but these are things I've been told.

I essentially heard the same thing, that DB had to hire Randy even if he didn’t want to. Several people in the athletic department and others associated with the football team, did not want to rehire the guy that left on a different plane after the Fiesta Bowl and flew straight to Maryland.

 

[Spsone07]

I want to see how the kids continue to rally around Spanos in the coming weeks. Sign me up if they keep on punching up and fight for the full 60 minutes against Clemson, UCF, and Houston.

 

[Skiblets]

I'm not defending or agreeing with the premise that RE2.0 was forced on AD David Benedict, but I wanted to note that everything you're saying AD David Benedict did is what he would/should do regardless if he wanted the hire or not. Had he not done so, the conspiracy theory crowd would have had a field day.
Keep in mind AD David Benedict gave RE2.0 an extension 1 year before firing him. Why? Because it was the right thing to do for the program in terms of confirming to recruits that our coach was staying. I think it's safe to say that a year ago when he got the extension that AD David Benedict wasn't sure it was working out. But, he smiled, said the right things, and gave RE2.0 an extension.

Pretty easy to give an extension with no remaining buyout to pay.

AD DB has put his imprint on MBB with Hurley, on facilities with Werth, the new rink and the beautiful BB, SB and soccer complex all while navigating through three Presidents. Now he gets to do the same with football.

I'd say he's got good tailwinds and will have a ton of support from the Board, administration and donors.

 

[CTMike]

Spanos seems like a nice enough guy but can we set our sights a little higher than a first time HC who is helping us lose by less? If new guy wants to keep him as DC, that’s great.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Pretty easy to give an extension with no remaining buyout to pay.

Completely agree. Could have gave him a lifetime contract for all I care, as long as the buyout wasn't extended.

 

[JMick]

I essentially heard the same thing, that DB had to hire Randy even if he didn’t want to. Several people in the athletic department and others associated with the football team, did not want to rehire the guy that left on a different plane after the Fiesta Bowl and flew straight to Maryland.

It would certainly explain why no one local has ever really given Dave crap over the hire.

 

[Waquoit]

By not embracing transfers as a path to semi-competence he was destined to fail at even his modest goals.

That was the canary in the coal mine. Never mind not embracing them, he all but called them losers. What a washed-up hack.

 

[Exit 4]

That was the canary in the coal mine. Never mind not embracing them, he all but called them losers. What a washed-up hack.

I viewed Edsall's pursuit of Dunn and Dunn's desperation to run away to the Jets as the canary for me. Dunn was handed the OC title and named heir apparently and he runs? Only one good reason to run and I think we know that reason now. And then Edsall searches high and low and all he can come up with is to elevate his nice guy OL lifer?

 

[ASweet3781]

If Coach Spanos gets some wins, he should get a serious look as permanent head coach for at least another season. Maybe we have the answer right in front of us.

Oh Good lord.

 

[freescooter]

My standard would be pretty high. Win the next 4 and 1 of the last 3. Spanos is a knowlegeable coach, but these types of feel good hires usually don’t work out.

 

[LBird33]

He dismissed a recruiting opportunity that every other coach used - it made no sense. All 1200 - 1500 players in the portal couldn’t all be bad !

 

[uconnyankee]

In less than a month the team has gone from aimlessly existing on a playing surface to a team with an identity. Much of that credit should go to Spanos for reorganizing his staff and that flowing down to the depth chart and on field performance.

Still don't think Spanos gets job as HC but he has done well showing what he would look like as a long term solution for someone.

We’re so eager for success, the slightest glimmer and that person is a saint. I’m rooting for Spanos. He’s clearly had an impact, or maybe it is just the departure of RE.
In either case, like the trajectory, and will root for Spanos to have success. I’ll also hope Benedict does his thing and brings in the coach he thinks will get UConn into a Top 50 program. If it’s Spanos after that process ok. But it’s the coach and his staff that matters.

 

[giddyup]

We’re so eager for success, the slightest glimmer and that person is a saint. I’m rooting for Spanos. He’s clearly had an impact, or maybe it is just the departure of RE.
In either case, like the trajectory, and will root for Spanos to have success. I’ll also hope Benedict does his thing and brings in the coach he thinks will get UConn into a Top 50 program. If it’s Spanos after that process ok. But it’s the coach and his staff that matters.

I think this controlled experiment confirms that coaching matters a lot more than many realize. Players play the game, but getting the right players on the field with the right mental preparation and attitude is so important. Coach Edsall’s mantra was “just to your job”. Coach Spano’s mantra is go out there have fun, make plays and play for each other. It’s about backing your teammates versus doing your assigned job as scripted. Kids are flying around for the first time in a long time trying to make it happen.