Five years of countless challenges and a Big East move, UConn’s David Benedict ready for program to rebloom (Mike Anthony)

[huskymedic]

Alternate access link here if needed <-

 

[kobebeanbryant]

odd article. wonder what Benedict's angle is here.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Good article, thanks for the alternate access link. Initial reactions:

• Hadn't heard about the details on hockey arena, great news. I'm of the era when fans & players gathered around the fire to warm up between periods played in covered yet open air 'arena'
• Trustees chair Toscano's quote about move to American basically evacuating fan base is spot on, can't believe there are people still doubting move back to BE. Hopefully the rest of this week erases all of that.
• And Benedict is 100% right that he & UConn stared into the abyss, crippled. The fact that UConn basketball survived & bounced back from conference realignment hell is a huge story, actually becoming a positive!

- Critique: Weird how many pictures (9?!) of the guy were in the article. That & the mention of twin sons graduating high school (doesn't say if either going to UConn so assume no) seems to lay groundwork for him pitching himself for the Power 5 mentioned in article. The tie in with gardening & bulbs was a wee bit heavy handed.

 

[Watchdog]

This article really captured all the issues he's had to address and how well he's been able to stay focused on the long term factors that will be his legacy.

A bit weak on the Diaco and KO contracts but with the turmoil of the move to the AAC
it's not easy to say anyone else would have killed Diaco's deal or been willing to let KO walk at that moment. The only criticism that might be warranted is he apparently didn't see or understand how KO's personal life was leading to an implosion.

 

[HooperScooper]

Weird how many pictures (9?!) of the guy were in the article.

I thought the same thing reading the article! Just strange to see so many pictures of the guy. This is more about UConn than him.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I thought the same thing reading the article! Just strange to see so many pictures of the guy. This is more about UConn than him.

Can anyone even begin to imagine posing for that many photos in different settings backgrounds and not feeling extremely self-indulgent? I guess on the plus side he kept to one outfit

 

[Hoophound]

That definitely reads as a marketing piece for AD jobs and/or Dave laying the groundwork for a raise. Frankly, he probably deserves a bump in pay, especially when you look at his fundraising efforts.