TJ is in a tough position, and I'd like to give him a fair shot.......with what TJ has inherited, its as bad as what Greg Schiano inherited when he first went to Rutgers
Alternatively, if TJ doesn't do too well, I don't think Warde can look the other way after expressing the concept that UConn was not living up to his expectations. (This is the part that may not be fair to TJ.......but unfortunately that is the business of BIG TIME COLLEGE football).
I'd take Greg Schiano in a second if TJ was shown the door. I know fans loved to pick on his style(s), but he accomplished something none of our previous coaches equaled:
recruited highly regarded athletes (not talking stars......point is quite a few well established and recognized college football brands also offered his recruits)
excited a fan base state wide
rumored to have had a waiting list for season tickets
*got finances to expand a stadium
*a number of his players are quite successful in the NFL (not picking on UConn's alumnae)
*multidimensional exciting offense........never was lacking for talented QB's, RB's or receivers
*did not win any BE titles, but very seldom got blown out by WVU, Cincinnatti, Louisville or Pittsburgh.....most of the time very competitive with stiff OOC competition
Did anyone ever hear the so called "experts" on any sports channel refer to Rutgers, in Schiano's final years, as irrelevant on the college football map.
Now, if we take off our blue colored glasses, objectively look at those points, in my mind I can understand why the BIG, any other of the power 5, or a moderate college football fan across the country, would have a positive perception of Rutgers, and not so much of UConn
*everyone plays weak OOC schedules......I wouldn't exactly gloat over UConn's scheduling of quite a few OOC marshmellows.
everyone has its share of WTF losses.....even Michigan
I'm rooting hard for TJ to succeed, but if in Wardes evaluation he decides to go in a different direction, I wouldn't hesitate to at least interview Greg Schiano.