Dom Amore: Jim Mora has uplifted UConn football. His players returned the favor after his 100th win

[huskymedic]

-> “I joke around and say he’s old,” said Reymello Murphy, who caught three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. “But he’s legendary. He’s been around football all his life. To be around somebody like that, a football genius, essentially, it’s once in a lifetime. You’ve got to soak it in, give him his flowers, it’s pretty cool to be around. He tells us, he embraces the hard stuff, he loves adversity, he loves going against the grain. He’s somebody that doesn’t back down from any challenge.” <-

-> “They know I have their best interests at heart,” Mora said. … And every great coach at UConn, past and present, will tell you that’s what allows you to coach players hard.

Mora’s 22 wins in 3 1/2 seasons at UConn, where so many said even this much couldn’t be done, have risen from those relationships, from gestures like the one in the waning minutes on Saturday, allowing Soren Rief to look skyward and tell his mom he made it, he’s a Husky with stats to prove it.

“‘Actions over words,’ that’s really what we’re all about here,” Rief said. “My whole life, I’ve been going to UConn games. To be able to come and play here, it means the world to me. <-

 

[huskymedic]

-> After all, the 22 wins mark one more than the previous nine seasons combined before his arrival in Storrs.

“He's meant a lot, both on the field and off,” said UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano. “I mean, obviously, a head football coach helps a ton on the field, but it's off-the-field things that are big. There’s not something he hasn’t gone through in life, or an experience he’s had that he doesn’t share with you to help you along. I’m super happy for him to get 100, it’s a pretty hard accomplishment to get. I’m just lucky enough to be a part of it.” <-

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

One of the things that always impressed me about Mora…is that he never left a school/team for a bigger job. Even though he had many opportunities to do so…including going to his alma mater. When he left a school/team…it was by their choice..not his.

That to me shows a commitment to his players and his team/school. That’s walking the talk. As opposed to other coaches who jump for their next buck…or “dream school”.

He is a great role model for his team.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[ZooCougar]

I love that someone thought to do this. It's little things like this that add up fast.

I can't believe he's already won 22 games here. I remember when it was a struggle to beat an FBS opponent.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]