Actually, we may not have liked the Diaco bend, but don't break style of defense, but, statistically, the defense was OK.
2016: Total defense 65th, Scoring defense 65th, Red Zone Scoring Defense 7th, Big plays > 20 yards 20th.
2015: Total defense 33rd, Scoring defense 15th, Red Zone Scoring Defense 7th, Big Plays > 20 yards 23rd.
2014: Total defense 50th, Scoring defense 86th, Red Zone Scoring Defense 84th, Big Plays > 20 yards 19th.
Where Diaco's defense really failed him was in takeaways. Look at these stats:
2016: 120th in takeaways
2015: 24th in takeaways
2014: 110th in takeaways.
At Notre Dame and Cincinnati, it was similar problem with takeaways:
2013: 103rd
2012: 48th
2011: 112th
2010: 36th
2009: 79th (Cincinnati)
Here are the UConn takeaway stats before Diaco:
2013: 40th
2012: 118th
2011: 10th
2010: 11th
2009: 32nd
2008: 42nd
Look at UConn's sack trend over time:
2016: 111th (Diaco)
2015: 94th (Diaco)
2014: 121st (Diaco)
2013: 109th (PP/TW)
2012: 29th (PP)
2011: 18th (PP)
2010: 49th (Edsall)
2009: 26th (Edsall)
2008: 38th (Edsall)
Bottom line is that the UConn defense became a passive, bend, but don't break defense under Diaco and it was somewhat effective, except the defense did not create turnovers which was costly. And, the defense was very boring to watch with few big plays. I hope Edsall brings back a more aggressive style of D.