Dom Amore: Joe Fagnano has taken his last snap for UConn football, now he’s aiming for the NFL

[UConnDan97]

Mora got us to a point where we were able to get a coach like Candle.

This is a fact.

I don't know how the Candle Era is going to turn out. But two things are clear; 1) He was so successful at Toledo that they would have kept him for the rest of his life, and 2) if Candle didn't view our situation as a noticeable upgrade, he would have never left them either...

 

[giddyup]

Mora got us to a point where we were able to get a coach like Candle.

True and Bernie Madoff was a big philanthropist. Just because you did something good doesn’t excuse you from doing something bad. He abandoned his players. End of story.

 

[huskymedic]

True and Bernie Madoff was a big philanthropist. Just because you did something good doesn’t excuse you from doing something bad. He abandoned his players. End of story.

Players seem to have a different take…

From today’s Dom Amore Sunday column:

-> Mora’s farewell

Though many in UConn’s social media universe panned the idea at the time, UConn’s football players appreciated Mora’s flying 2,000 miles back and forth on Dec. 2 to say goodbye in Connecticut the day after he was introduced at Colorado State.

“I really appreciated him looking us in the eyes and talking to us about his decision,” Hansen said. “And why it was right for him. In today’s world with the transfer portal and coaches moving around, that’s a rare thing. It’s a testament to who he is and everything he said to us during our time here at UConn to look us in the eyes on the way out was really important to us. We all appreciated that.”

Players were scattered, home for Thanksgiving, in the day Mora’s decision became public, Nov. 26.

“I haven’t had that in the past with other coaches, it definitely meant a lot,” Hoes said. “Knowing that he didn’t need to, but he wanted to. We know this is the state of college football. We can’t blame him. He’s doing what’s best for his family. We know he loves us, there’s no lost feelings there. Definitely emotional, seeing him go, but we support him and hope for the best for him.” <-

 

[AllHusky]

Hansen is quite a kid. Great Husky!

 

[Hoophound]

We seem to get a lot of really good kids that speak really well in public running through this program. Skyler Bell was great on the mic the other day. I hadn’t heard much from him all season. He came off very impressive too.

I really like when I can enjoy watching a player grow on the field and then appreciate him as a person going forward. The basketball program has been the same way. Sanogo, Clingan, Newton, Spencer, Castle and many others, just really nice kids with their heads on straight. It probably happens everywhere but I feel like our athletes have been really exceptional humans overall for the most part. When we have a kid with an issue or two he sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

[AllHusky]

It does restore some of the faith in Athletics as an activity bigger than the game, an educational experience. Coached for over 40 years at all levels, and always felt that competitive sports were the most powerful tool that educators had in the toolbox. Got the examples to show!!

Doesn't change how crazy things have become, but kids are still kids. Whether it is Art or Archery, Basketball or Bass Fiddle, you never know what activity will impact the arc of a life in a positive direction.

Pulpit closed, go Huskies!!

 

[ctchamps]

True and Bernie Madoff was a big philanthropist. Just because you did something good doesn’t excuse you from doing something bad. He abandoned his players. End of story.

I’m not excusing that act. I understand it and recognize the necessity of what Mora has to do going into his next HC job. Same with coach Candle. They have a lot to do in a short time. This is a business. Even before NIL and the new rules for transfers players understood that coaches left programs all the time. These players are young adults. Most should get over it quickly. I’m not losing any sleep over it. Nor do I plan on dumping on HC Candle for doing to Toledo what Mora did to UConn.

I’m grateful for what Mora has accomplished while he was here. Leaving before this bowl game is upsetting. But on my scale of transgressions the needle hardly moves. Certainly not to the level of dishonesty of Madoff.

My energy is directed to the team beating army. Time to move forward.

 

[bigknight3]

I'll walk my comment back if the OL plays poorly in the bowl. If the OL plays adequate, then I will not change my POV. I am not in practice, I do not know what the second string OL looks like.

My general feeling is that there are some circumstances where skipping the bowl makes sense, but it is also a slippery slope. Why play games 9, 10, 11 and 12 if you put down enough tape in the first 8 games.

Your opinion, that you've graciously offered to make after seeing the o-line performance... DOESN'T MATTER!

 

[Kowalski]

I don't know how the Candle Era is going to turn out. But two things are clear; 1) He was so successful at Toledo that they would have kept him for the rest of his life, and 2) if Candle didn't view our situation as a noticeable upgrade, he would have never left them either...

You can make the same two arguments for Mora except I’m not sure CSU is much of an upgrade - maybe just that they’re not indy. UConn didn’t feel the need to throw more money at Mora and he obviously didn’t get a P4 offer from anyone.

Mora did a a good job here. But Candle’s record indicates he’s a better recruiter, which I think is the most important factor for UConn going forward. I’m more optimistic about the future here with Candle for that reason. Time will tell.

 

[Hoophound]

You can make the same two arguments for Mora except I’m not sure CSU is much of an upgrade - maybe just that they’re not indy. UConn didn’t feel the need to throw more money at Mora and he obviously didn’t get a P4 offer from anyone.

Mora did a a good job here. But Candle’s record indicates he’s a better recruiter, which I think is the most important factor for UConn going forward. I’m more optimistic about the future here with Candle for that reason. Time will tell.

Me too. I feel very confident. After previous debacles with PP, Edsall 2.0 and Diaco, I had to slow down and think it through. I decided that a guy that consistently wins in the MAC and gets 3* and higher players is going to succeed with UConn’s brand and a pot of NIL cash to spend.

 

[UConnDan97]

You can make the same two arguments for Mora except I’m not sure CSU is much of an upgrade - maybe just that they’re not indy. UConn didn’t feel the need to throw more money at Mora and he obviously didn’t get a P4 offer from anyone.

Mora did a a good job here. But Candle’s record indicates he’s a better recruiter, which I think is the most important factor for UConn going forward. I’m more optimistic about the future here with Candle for that reason. Time will tell.

I don't believe you can make the second argument for Mora. He went west because he was always going to go west. CSU isn't an upgrade in any way, shape, or form. And while it's been argued ad nauseum on the board that he left for a chance at the College Football playoffs via a conference, I'll stick with the take that Geno Auriemma put out there the week that Mora left; that he wanted to be closer to home...

 

[ZooCougar]

I don't believe you can make the second argument for Mora. He went west because he was always going to go west. CSU isn't an upgrade in any way, shape, or form. And while it's been argued ad nauseum on the board that he left for a chance at the College Football playoffs via a conference, I'll stick with the take that Geno Auriemma put out there the week that Mora left; that he wanted to be closer to home...

Maybe true. Also he may not have had another extension as quickly as he wanted.

Truth be told, I am glad we actually have coach that is living in CT now. Mora always acted like the employee who never fully moved into his office or workspace because he didn’t intend to stay that long.

If we have another good 4 year run and Candle leaves I will be fine with that but at least he is unpacking his boxes.

 

[businesslawyer]

Maybe true. Also he may not have had another extension as quickly as he wanted.

Truth be told, I am glad we actually have coach that is living in CT now. Mora always acted like the employee who never fully moved into his office or workspace because he didn’t intend to stay that long.

If we have another good 4 year run and Candle leaves I will be fine with that but at least he is unpacking his boxes.

It wasn’t how Mora was acting. He probably never did intend to stay that long.

 

[gioff2323]

True and Bernie Madoff was a big philanthropist. Just because you did something good doesn’t excuse you from doing something bad. He abandoned his players. End of story.

Grow up. This is not about you.

 

[jostar1]

Maybe true. Also he may not have had another extension as quickly as he wanted.

Truth be told, I am glad we actually have coach that is living in CT now. Mora always acted like the employee who never fully moved into his office or workspace because he didn’t intend to stay that long.

If we have another good 4 year run and Candle leaves I will be fine with that but at least he is unpacking his boxes.

Does anyone know what part of the country his wife is from? I read that she isn't from Ohio.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Does anyone know what part of the country his wife is from? I read that she isn't from Ohio.

From this know your coach Candle bio, I found when he was hired by UConn, his wife’s a Toledo native.

 

[DRBackup]

This quote makes it seem like it wasn't entirely his decision lol

Indeed, none of it "just happened". He made a choice. A gross choice IMO

 

[Richmondhsky]

His choice, I understand it. My humble opinion, he should play. His draft stock right now says the more tape the better. Same for everyone sans Bell.

Look I get it - just my opinion.

This whole situation might be different if we didn't have a regime change. Regime change is adding a lot of noise and a lot of uncertainty.

How much more tape do you think he needs for God sakes

 

[Palatine]

He really left his teammates to be embarrassed.

 

[Price0809]

Not gonna slander any players skipping or now sitting in the bowl game when their coach left weeks prior

 

[Palatine]

Not gonna slander any players skipping or now sitting in the bowl game when their coach left weeks prior

In Joe's case. He owes his NFL shot to Uconn. He could have treated us better.

 

[scotty0330]

No slander of players but oh my god do they need to hit the portal for a QB.

 

[Price0809]

In Joe's case. He owes his NFL shot to Uconn. He could have treated us better.

Fair enough point

 

[NHUConnfan]

I think he explains how he made his in the end of the full quote,

“I’m very fortunate to have a chance at a dream of mine, so it just felt like this is what was right. That’s kind of what college football is now.”

"That's kind of what college football is now"... More fans need to realize this and either get with the program or go find another sport. It's not returning to yesteryear.

 

[amishboy]

True and Bernie Madoff was a big philanthropist. Just because you did something good doesn’t excuse you from doing something bad. He abandoned his players. End of story.

You might want to consider following D-3 football, because your philosophy was dying a lingering death, until it was finally left for dead and buried by NIL and the transfer portal.

The guys playing D-1 and D-2 football are gladiators who hope to make as much money as they can, while they can, from playing football, whether that means transferring to a bigger school for more NIL money or skipping a meaningless bowl game to protect themselves from injury in order to better prepare themselves for a potential professional career. Under the circumstances, I don't blame them a bit.