Edsall confident UConn football program heading in right direction (Gavin Keefe @ The Day)

[MrSheldrake]

Different results but RR still came in with a win today mindset. I want to see much more of that on the UConn sideline.

If you want to go from 3-12 to 12-3 in one season you do it with the forward pass. A conservative Edsall offense like in RE 1.0 won't cut it, and I think HCRE knows that. That's the way Rich Rod did it, and UCF did it. We were pretty good in that dept last year, and will be even better this year, this year's team will have several QB's who can really throw it. This year we need better talent on defense and Edsall very well might partially have accomplished that with the new talent coming in and last year's freshmen being a little older, wiser, and stronger. So instead of being on the losing end 55-38 like last year, hopefully this year we win some of those games.

 

[uconnphil2016]

If you want to go from 3-12 to 12-3 in one season you do it with the forward pass. A conservative Edsall offense like in RE 1.0 won't cut it, and I think HCRE knows that. That's the way Rich Rod did it, and UCF did it. We were pretty good in that dept last year, and will be even better this year, this year's team will have several QB's who can really throw it. This year we need better talent on defense and Edsall very well might partially have accomplished that with the new talent coming in and last year's freshmen being a little older, wiser, and stronger. So instead of being on the losing end 55-38 like last year, hopefully this year we win some of those games.

I don’t think we’ll ever go from 3-12 to 12-3 in a 12 game season

 

[MrSheldrake]

I don’t think we’ll ever go from 3-12 to 12-3 in a 12 game season

Yeah, realized that after my post. Thanks for pointing that out. As to the point of my post, how about commenting on that? Do you think we will be better? 7-5? 8-4?

 

[uconnphil2016]

Yeah, realized that after my post. Thanks for pointing that out. As to the point of my post, how about commenting on that? Do you think we will be better? 7-5? 8-4?

I think we’ll be marginally better, but my guess is that we only win two games. Defense will still be awful, but a bit better. Offense will be on the ground—we’ll rely on our strength at o line and running back

 

[Husky68]

Not sure what you were expecting with that roster makeup. I expect another poor season but improvement in play this year. Year 4 and 5 is when we should see wins as HCRE recruits dominate the team and have had 3-4 years experience under their belts.

Ok, I'll hope you are right. So let's see. Year 5 (if my counting is correct) is 2021.

Recruiting class of 2021, unless recruiting takes some type of crazy improvement will not have any or very many 2021 impact players. Mostly RS. Maybe some transfer help.
Recruiting class of 2020 will expect to mostly RS so little game experience. Some in 2 deep but not many unless dramatic improvement in "readiness" vs. 2018 recruits or 2021 team in serious talent trouble.
Recruiting class of 2019, will be RS sophomores or juniors and should have a solid impact on 2 deep or class has not developed as hoped.

Essentially the 2021 season will hinge on the 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes of 35 or so that should still be around in 2021.

HCRE2.0 has set the bar so low that I'm interested in knowing what you would consider being "see wins as HCRE recruits dominate the team" in years 2020 and 2021. What would be the minimum number of wins that are acceptable against FBS teams in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for you to continue to support HCRE2.0 as coach at UConn? He has 2 in 2017 and 0 in 2018.

 

[huskysupporter]

Ok, I'll hope you are right. So let's see. Year 5 (if my counting is correct) is 2021.

Recruiting class of 2021, unless recruiting takes some type of crazy improvement will not have any or very many 2021 impact players. Mostly RS. Maybe some transfer help.
Recruiting class of 2020 will expect to mostly RS so little game experience. Some in 2 deep but not many unless dramatic improvement in "readiness" vs. 2018 recruits or 2021 team in serious talent trouble.
Recruiting class of 2019, will be RS sophomores or juniors and should have a solid impact on 2 deep or class has not developed as hoped.

Essentially the 2021 season will hinge on the 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes of 35 or so that should still be around in 2021.

HCRE2.0 has set the bar so low that I'm interested in knowing what you would consider being "see wins as HCRE recruits dominate the team" in years 2020 and 2021. What would be the minimum number of wins that are acceptable against FBS teams in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for you to continue to support HCRE2.0 as coach at UConn? He has 2 in 2017 and 0 in 2018.

I think on paper this team is 3-4 wins next year. I expect to see significant improvement on defense next year, that is how I will judge the season. 2020 6-7 wins, 2021 6-7 wins.

 

[Marbles90]

HCRE2.0 has set the bar so low

It is amazing how far down the bar has been pushed. I remember posts from when Randy was re-hired where folks believed .500 and a bowl bid was possible for either Year 1 and/or Year 2. Now in Year 3 we are hoping for 2 or 3 wins. I don't mean to re-start the whole how long it takes to re-build argument and I know many believed it would take alot more time but many didn't. All I am saying is that it is interesting how low the expectations are now in Year 3 for everybody.

 

[uconndogs]

I think Randy made some blunders getting restarted here. The whole Crocker defensive scheme could not have gone any worse. The 2017 defense actually had some athletes and was awful. By the time he put all those frosh on the field last season under Crocker the disaster was of epic proportions.

That said, Diaco absolutely screwed this program with his recruiting. The lack of team speed is simply mind boggling. Digging out from that will be tough. Edsall values speed and he'll find it and develop it, but the process to get there is going to be painful.

 

[billybud]

At the same time that Edsall is improving UConn...other teams may be improving as well.

A good start on the climb back would be finishing 3rd in AAC East standings behind UCF and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati and USF are currently leading in the 2020 recruiting war among the East Division teams. The Huskies need to close the gap.

 

[gtcam]

Have you been around the program? All the coaches talk about changing the culture. Or they re-paint the facility. They talk about bringing in their kind of guys. They play lots underclassmen to season them rather than playing the best players.

What did Rich Rodriguez do when he inherited an offense that could NOT make a first down? -- He didn't re-paint the facility or change the culture or play the young guys. He invented an offense that allowed the players he had to get first downs. It was called the spread. He put on his coaching hat and figured out a way to make his players successful.

HE TRIED TO WIN. Compare and contrast that with P and D and Edsall 2.0. Capisce?

Since the 60's but I guess not as savvy as you sir
Capisce?
Thanks

 

[GridironGR8]

It is amazing how far down the bar has been pushed. I remember posts from when Randy was re-hired where folks believed .500 and a bowl bid was possible for either Year 1 and/or Year 2. Now in Year 3 we are hoping for 2 or 3 wins. I don't mean to re-start the whole how long it takes to re-build argument and I know many believed it would take alot more time but many didn't. All I am saying is that it is interesting how low the expectations are now in Year 3 for everybody.

I think some posters underestimated how good the rest of the conference was getting. It's not just that UCONN was decimated by two bad hires, it is that the AAC has been steadily improving while the Huskies were recruiting at an FCS level. That is a recipe for an extended turn-around period.

 

[HuskyAlum012]

The guy left for a better job. It happens 40 times a year in FBS. It’s not on him they hired the biggest loser in CFB history after they struck out with a dinosaur.

This might be the first time I have ever agreed with you in my life.

 

[whaler11]

This might be the first time I have ever agreed with you in my life.

yikes thoughts and prayers on your years of being incorrect

 

[ZooCougar]

This 2.0 era will be frustrating. It’s not like Randy has the Big East to sell this time around. We have less to offer than before unless something changes.

 

[hardcorehusky]

I take my info from those in the program or really close. When RE came back and saw tape, he was shocked at how low the talent level had sunk. He would not have recruited most of the kids and on defense, everyone was a level slow - db's had linebacker speed, linebackers had lineman speed.

All this stuff about how he could win year 1 is fiction. Randy's MO is to rebuild with the kids who buy in. That first year group did not totally buy in to what Randy and staff were doing. Unfortunately, the staff didn't click and he has rebuilt that. Anyone expecting a quick turnaround, especially at UConn has misplaced expectations.

Until this year, we never saw transfers in. There are many kids that we can't recruit due to grades. How many JUCO's came to UCONN in any sport? Then add in a non Power 5, northern school, etc. We aren't Memphis, Houston or UCF from an academic and recruiting area standpoint. It is important to know the whole picture and not get sucked into just the results. As fans, we want to see a winner. But knowing the whole story gives context and maybe a little more forgiving attitude toward the players and coaching staff.

That being said, improvement is necessary and I for sure want at least 4 wins this year. But knowing the path we have to travel, I can understand how and why we are where we are. Just because UConn plays the shell game financially to help the Athletic Department doesn't necessarily mean total buy in to a winning program. Hopefully, that will change with the new President.

 

[Ldandy]

I take my info from those in the program or really close. When RE came back and saw tape, he was shocked at how low the talent level had sunk. He would not have recruited most of the kids and on defense, everyone was a level slow - db's had linebacker speed, linebackers had lineman speed.

All this stuff about how he could win year 1 is fiction. Randy's MO is to rebuild with the kids who buy in. That first year group did not totally buy in to what Randy and staff were doing. Unfortunately, the staff didn't click and he has rebuilt that. Anyone expecting a quick turnaround, especially at UConn has misplaced expectations.

Until this year, we never saw transfers in. There are many kids that we can't recruit due to grades. How many JUCO's came to UCONN in any sport? Then add in a non Power 5, northern school, etc. We aren't Memphis, Houston or UCF from an academic and recruiting area standpoint. It is important to know the whole picture and not get sucked into just the results. As fans, we want to see a winner. But knowing the whole story gives context and maybe a little more forgiving attitude toward the players and coaching staff.

That being said, improvement is necessary and I for sure want at least 4 wins this year. But knowing the path we have to travel, I can understand how and why we are where we are. Just because UConn plays the shell game financially to help the Athletic Department doesn't necessarily mean total buy in to a winning program. Hopefully, that will change with the new President.

All of this may be true, but so is Edsall's seemingly pathological need to remind the world that his team is weak, slow, inexperienced etc. He also feels the need to remind everyone constantly that his predecessors cratered the program. How is it supposed to motivate your current team when you crap on them at every turn, but never take responsibility for your own failings as a coach? It's interesting to me that Randy loves to point out how the coaches who followed him eroded what he had built while not accepting that he did the same thing at his dream job of Maryland. The team that he left behind was less talented and achieved far less than the teams that won ACC Titles and went to BCS Games under Fridge.

 

[gioff2323]

All of this may be true, but so is Edsall's seemingly pathological need to remind the world that his team is weak, slow, inexperienced etc. He also feels the need to remind everyone constantly that his predecessors cratered the program. How is it supposed to motivate your current team when you crap on them at every turn, but never take responsibility for your own failings as a coach? It's interesting to me that Randy loves to point out how the coaches who followed him eroded what he had built while not accepting that he did the same thing at his dream job of Maryland. The team that he left behind was less talented and achieved far less than the teams that won ACC Titles and went to BCS Games under Fridge.

I get that you do not like HCRE. And the MD teams have underachieved in the last decade, but it was not for lack of talent. The recruiting rankings do not support your thesis.

 

[MrSheldrake]

Any time you see a team regress in year 2 from bad to epically bad, it’s not a good sign. It’s time to perform in year 3 and win some games.

I think we will, I'd like to see us blitz more this year. The defensive backfield will be better this year than other teams and opposing QB's think. We will have one of the quickest and strongest linebackers in the league on the team this fall in Dillon Harris, as well as one of the biggest and strongest LB's in the league in Kevon Jones returning from last year. We also have grad transfer DJ Morgan.

 

[Scrutineer]

I don’t think we’ll ever go from 3-12 to 12-3 in a 12 game season

You're obviously forgetting the Conference Championship game and the two games in the FBS Championship.

 

[hardcorehusky]

All of this may be true, but so is Edsall's seemingly pathological need to remind the world that his team is weak, slow, inexperienced etc. He also feels the need to remind everyone constantly that his predecessors cratered the program. How is it supposed to motivate your current team when you crap on them at every turn, but never take responsibility for your own failings as a coach? It's interesting to me that Randy loves to point out how the coaches who followed him eroded what he had built while not accepting that he did the same thing at his dream job of Maryland. The team that he left behind was less talented and achieved far less than the teams that won ACC Titles and went to BCS Games under Fridge.

He says it because people have been turned off to the team and he feels he needs to explain what he walked into. The kids aren't stupid- they know they were overmatched. I spoke to one of our better players who said he loved playing as a freshman but was not ready for it.

Regarding Maryland, RE had to rebuild because many kids had off field issues and he was brought in to clean that up and remain competitive. One year he was down to his 5th string QB if I remember correctly. No one since he has left has done much with the program. Not sure RE is to squarely to blame for Terps problems.

Bottom line, UConn is a massive rebuild, the worst is behind us but now we need to see better for fans sake.

 

[uconnyankee]

Totally agree here

couldn't disagree more. Randy left. It's not his responsibility to maintain the program after he leaves. that is on the uconn administration and those that hired the following coaches and staff.

just because randy left in a manner that most didn't like or didn't want to happen doesn't mean he is responsible for the downfall of the program. I don't hear many on the BB side blaming Calhoun for the men's slide.

Factually, yes the program dropped off when Randy left. How can you blame someone for taking a shot at a new opportunity and new challenge.

 

[uconnyankee]

Yeah, realized that after my post. Thanks for pointing that out. As to the point of my post, how about commenting on that? Do you think we will be better? 7-5? 8-4?

no... the schedule doesn't play in uconn's favor this year. I think the games will be more competitive but the results won't change much this year. I see lot's of L's this year. Maybe 9 or 10 unfortunately.
Wagner, Tulane, and Umass would be the best opportunities and I'm not even sure Uconn is favored in those.
After those 3 I think it would take somer serious upsets which I wouldn't bank on.

we've been down this road before. feeling good, liking the team, the effort, the coaching etc. People start getting goofy with the expectations. 7-8 wins is just not realistic. When it doesn't happen, people start freaking out and asking for RE's head.

Honestly, as we sit here right now, 2 wins is reality, 3 wins is overachieving and 4 wins is a great season.
More than that and Edsall along with his coaching staff are genius'

 

[MrSheldrake]

no... the schedule doesn't play in uconn's favor this year. I think the games will be more competitive but the results won't change much this year. I see lot's of L's this year. Maybe 9 or 10 unfortunately.
Wagner, Tulane, and Umass would be the best opportunities and I'm not even sure Uconn is favored in those.
After those 3 I think it would take somer serious upsets which I wouldn't bank on.

we've been down this road before. feeling good, liking the team, the effort, the coaching etc. People start getting goofy with the expectations. 7-8 wins is just not realistic. When it doesn't happen, people start freaking out and asking for RE's head.

Honestly, as we sit here right now, 2 wins is reality, 3 wins is overachieving and 4 wins is a great season.
More than that and Edsall along with his coaching staff are genius'

How does the schedule not favor UConn this year compared to last year? Has it even been finalized yet?

 

[Hornet22]

couldn't disagree more. Randy left. It's not his responsibility to maintain the program after he leaves. that is on the uconn administration and those that hired the following coaches and staff.

just because randy left in a manner that most didn't like or didn't want to happen doesn't mean he is responsible for the downfall of the program. I don't hear many on the BB side blaming Calhoun for the men's slide.

Factually, yes the program dropped off when Randy left. How can you blame someone for taking a shot at a new opportunity and new challenge.

Perspective- true.
I guess the point some try to make is stop complaining about what happened after he left and just work to fix it.

 

[Hornet22]

no... the schedule doesn't play in uconn's favor this year. I think the games will be more competitive but the results won't change much this year. I see lot's of L's this year. Maybe 9 or 10 unfortunately.
Wagner, Tulane, and Umass would be the best opportunities and I'm not even sure Uconn is favored in those.
After those 3 I think it would take somer serious upsets which I wouldn't bank on.

we've been down this road before. feeling good, liking the team, the effort, the coaching etc. People start getting goofy with the expectations. 7-8 wins is just not realistic. When it doesn't happen, people start freaking out and asking for RE's head.

Honestly, as we sit here right now, 2 wins is reality, 3 wins is overachieving and 4 wins is a great season.
More than that and Edsall along with his coaching staff are genius'

Here’s what I would say. We do have some players this year that can do some things with the ball in their hands. We didn’t have much of that last year. Now how much that lends to the win column? No clue.
Why people are optimistic for a better season: defense is a year older/stronger/experienced. We have a few playmakers. Perhaps we have a QB that can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball to likes of Brown, Ross (frosh), Maurisseau...potentially aggressive LB’s in Morgan and Harris. Art Thomkins and Mensah can provide a good run balance
O Line
Upgrade in coaches

Why not be slightly optimistic for improvement?

 

[AndOne]

That said, Diaco absolutely screwed this program with his recruiting.

But many here stated that stars didn't matter. They loved how Diaco recruited guys who were captains of their team, played basketball or knew karate. LOL.

 

[ZachCT12]

How does the schedule not favor UConn this year compared to last year? Has it even been finalized yet?

It's been finalized for a while..
Wagner
Illinois
@Indiana
@UCF
USF
@Tulane
Houston
@UMass
Navy
@Cincinnati
ECU
@Temple

 

[uconndogs]

But many here stated that stars didn't matter. They loved how Diaco recruited guys who were captains of their team, played basketball or knew karate. LOL.

I’m not a big fan of the stars for UCONN. But, you have to have guys who can run.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

How does the schedule not favor UConn this year compared to last year? Has it even been finalized yet?

Well, other than the bowl game ... ?

 

[Husky68]

Here’s what I would say. We do have some players this year that can do some things with the ball in their hands. We didn’t have much of that last year. Now how much that lends to the win column? No clue.
Why people are optimistic for a better season: defense is a year older/stronger/experienced. We have a few playmakers. Perhaps we have a QB that can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball to likes of Brown, Ross (frosh), Maurisseau...potentially aggressive LB’s in Morgan and Harris. Art Thomkins and Mensah can provide a good run balance
O Line
Upgrade in coaches

Why not be slightly optimistic for improvement?

Thought we had a QB last year who could do some things with the ball in his hands (unfortunately he wasn't very good at getting the ball out of his hands), Mensah was here last year and lost lot of TE and WR talent (at least talent per UConn). So where is all this "betterness" on offense?
As far as defense goes, when you were by far the worst defense against scoring in the history of FBS it is not that hard to be slightly optimistic. Holding opponents to 45 points per game would be a 10% improvement.