Dom Amore: Jason Candle’s whirlwind rebuild yields a whole new UConn football team

[huskymedic]

-> There’s no way of knowing this frigid February how all these players and coaches will work out, but to get this much done in this short a time certainly shows high-level energy, high-level organization, unfathomable relentlessness. Where would one find a template for such a task?

“Roster construction is more an art than a science,” Candle said. “(Just because) something works at one particular place does not necessarily mean it’s going to work for another. There are some clear examples in college football of how people have done it the last two years, but there is another element to this in that these are uncharted waters. There is only one portal window, one crack at this. There is no going back, this is our team, there is no going back, so you have to be super-intentional in the month of January, keep your eyes focused on what you need to be focused on.” <-

-> There are some things I have a high level of respect for that I’ve come across,” Candle said. “Inside out on this campus, there are a bunch of highly intelligent people who are very passionate about their place, really want to be successful. You go through our athletic department, there are coaches who expect greatness out of their individual sport. That’s encouraging to be around. You want to surround yourself with winners, be around a place where nobody wants to be the weakest link. We have that kind of mentality. It’s reassuring that everybody’s moving in the right direction here.” <-

 

[Skiblets]

He acquitted himself so well throughout that presser

 

[huskymedic]

The Hearst version:

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It's extremely early, but from all appearances to date I believe we've struck gold.

 

[Jimdish255]

Nothing flashy. Kinda like a worksite pouring the foundation and getting ready to frame up.

 

[Woof 101]

I like what you say, but so many bought into Diaco... Coach Candle seams to not talk about fantasies like fish cakes. Warde stubbed his toe on that one. Dave had a list and did not hesitate to use it. I'm all in with seasons tickets, this with a completely new team and very challenging schedule. Go Huskies light up The Candle Challenge!

 

[CCSUblue]

He said he joked it's the first and last time he's going to have to build a roster this way. Here's hoping his culture translates to Connecticut.

 

[HCCForever]

Great start so far. I’m pumped for the upcoming season. Hopefully the work of Candle and the staff translates to success on the field.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

This might be the hardest season we have ever had to figure out how good the team will be. By everything I have seen, the roster looks great.

I think he is smart in letting the fans get familiar with the team in the spring game.

 

[nycscooby]

You can see the man has a plan! Love it! !

 

[huskymedic]

Assisted <<

 

[uconndogs]

I like what you say, but so many bought into Diaco... Coach Candle seams to not talk about fantasies like fish cakes. Warde stubbed his toe on that one. Dave had a list and did not hesitate to use it. I'm all in with seasons tickets, this with a completely new team and very challenging schedule. Go Huskies light up The Candle Challenge!

Yeah, it's hard to say where this season will go with the roster makeover, but this guy is not Diaco. Ward didn't stub his toe on that hire, he cut his foot off. Diaco's recruiting was beyond wierd. At one point we may have been among the slowest teams in the nation across both the BCS and FCS.

 

[CL82]

Yeah, it's hard to say where this season will go with the roster makeover, but this guy is not Diaco. Ward didn't stub his toe on that hire, he cut his foot off. Diaco's recruiting was beyond wierd. At one point we may have been among the slowest teams in the nation across both the BCS and FCS.

Diaco was a brutally bad hire, but he was a Broyles award winner and was young and energetic. Coming off the Pasqualone years I understand how that seemed attractive. Still, that didn't offset hiring someone who was certifiably insane.

 

[uconndogs]

Diaco was a brutally bad hire, but he was a Broyles award winner and was young and energetic. Coming off the Pasqualone years I understand how that seemed attractive. Still, that didn't offset hiring someone who was certifiably insane.

I don't know how the process works to hire these coaches. I know agencies are use and I suspect over used. But, when I was making critical hires in business I spent a lot of time with candidates and especially the leading candidate. A lot of time..... You only truly get to know someone if you put in that effort. I don't know how Diaco could have hidden his limitations if a solid vetting process had been performed. I wasn't even remotely ready to be a head coach. Frankly, it was unfair to him.

 

[CL82]

I don't know how the process works to hire these coaches. I know agencies are use and I suspect over used. But, when I was making critical hires in business I spent a lot of time with candidates and especially the leading candidate. A lot of time..... You only truly get to know someone if you put in that effort. I don't know how Diaco could have hidden his limitations if a solid vetting process had been performed. I wasn't even remotely ready to be a head coach. Frankly, it was unfair to him.

You're right, of course. Still, I could see how the Broyles Award and Diaco's manic energy could be mistaken for competence and drive. In the end, though, the Pasqualone and Diaco hires were near fatal for our program. Ultimately, those hires were Manuel's responsibility.

 

[The Viking]

He was a used car salesman who was an Edsal in human life form. After getting spurned by Narduzzi and slamming a few vodkas back, Manuel decided to play some roulette and lost badly.
Candle seems the exact opposite of Diaco. There is an adult in the room with many years of head coaching success.
Be wary of the guys who interview at many places and dont get a job. If i recall BC passed on Diaco and you would think he would have been a perfect hire for them - from the outside looking in. They knew what they were doing.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Warde wanted Narduzzi who was not interested. Diaco was unproven as a HC but brought needed energy and excitement at the time. Year 2 was good and year 3 promising but fell apart. He was a defensive coach only and offense was bad.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Palatine]

You're right, of course. Still, I could see how the Broyles Award and Diaco's manic energy could be mistaken for competence and drive. In the end, though, the Pasqualone and Diaco hires were near fatal for our program. Ultimately, those hires were Manuel's responsibility.

I think P was a Hathaway hire.

Regardless, this is Candle's honeymoon period so irrational exuberance is to be expected.

 

[AllHusky]

I don't know how the process works to hire these coaches. I know agencies are use and I suspect over used. But, when I was making critical hires in business I spent a lot of time with candidates and especially the leading candidate. A lot of time..... You only truly get to know someone if you put in that effort. I don't know how Diaco could have hidden his limitations if a solid vetting process had been performed. I wasn't even remotely ready to be a head coach. Frankly, it was unfair to him.

If you are concerned about that with Dave, don't be. Reference his process with Mora. Above and beyond. I would imagine Daves approach to our latest opening went above and beyond that. This hire and subsequent results are going to cement Daves legacy at UConn, I believe.

 

[CCSUblue]

Is this the first time this year the fired HCs have been rehashed? What's the over under on how many times this conversation is had this calendar year?

 

[uconndogs]

You're right, of course. Still, I could see how the Broyles Award and Diaco's manic energy could be mistaken for competence and drive. In the end, though, the Pasqualone and Diaco hires were near fatal for our program. Ultimately, those hires were Manuel's responsibility.

Interestingly, Ward made another hiring mistake at Michigan with a guy who appears to have some real personal issues. My guess is he's very much a hands off administrator.

 

[HuskyV]

Issues not addressed:
1) Does HCJC believe in the "Block C" helmets?
2) Will "alternate color RED" be added to uniform palate?
3) Will the, "front facing - angry huskies eyes" once again be promently displayed on the Helmet? I believe that I am one of the few true believers that this awesome helmet design was destroyed by poor football performance, rather than poor design.

Vital decisions such as these should not be rushed, but I feel that they should be addressed before the September to save the limited Summer sanity of of they 'Yard.

 

[weyuo]

Issues not addressed:
1) Does HCJC believe in the "Block C" helmets?
2) Will "alternate color RED" be added to uniform palate?
3) Will the, "front facing - angry huskies eyes" once again be promently displayed on the Helmet? I believe that I am one of the few true believers that this awesome helmet design was destroyed by poor football performance, rather than poor design.

Vital decisions such as these should not be rushed, but I feel that they should be addressed before the September to save the limited Summer sanity of of they 'Yard.

What are the school colors? I always thought they were blue and white. Why not variations of those colors. Block C? Booooriiinnnggg! I still liked that old white husky logo someone came up with a few years ago. How about a matt national flag colored helmet with a blue chrome husky logo. Why are we even talking about this in Feb?

 

[Skiblets]

Issues not addressed:
1) Does HCJC believe in the "Block C" helmets?
2) Will "alternate color RED" be added to uniform palate?
3) Will the, "front facing - angry huskies eyes" once again be promently displayed on the Helmet? I believe that I am one of the few true believers that this awesome helmet design was destroyed by poor football performance, rather than poor design.

Vital decisions such as these should not be rushed, but I feel that they should be addressed before the September to save the limited Summer sanity of of they 'Yard.

Re. Item 3 Some scars never heal 😀