I don't watch the football a lot. Is Diaco this bad?

[shizzle787]

The real problem here is that we wasted over a minute on the first fifteen yards of the drive. There was no urgency to get up to the line and hike. If we hadn't wasted as much time early on, Diaco's lack of brain cells wouldn't have been a factor.

 

[ctchamps]

The real problem here is that we wasted over a minute on the first fifteen yards of the drive. There was no urgency to get up to the line and hike. If we hadn't wasted as much time early on, Diaco's lack of brain cells wouldn't have been a factor.

Disagree. The timing was meant to leave as little time on the clock after a touchdown. They got the ball down with 17 seconds and could have had three plays to score instead of one if he didn't burn the last time out. Time management was actually terrific until that last time out.

 

[shizzle787]

Disagree. The timing was meant to leave as little time on the clock after a touchdown. They got the ball down with 17 seconds and could have had three plays to score instead of one if he didn't burn the last time out. Time management was actually terrific until that last time out.

I disagree. The most important thing you need to do when losing and driving is guarantee yourself enough time to score. Better to have the lead and 30 seconds left than lose how we did.

 

[ctchamps]

I disagree. The most important thing you need to do when losing and driving is guarantee yourself enough time to score. Better to have the lead and 30 seconds left than lose how we did.

We'll agree to disagree.

 

[temery]

I get the feeling many here would be far happier with a team that sucked, but a coach who made no mistakes.

There is no denying he screwed up big in the last 30 seconds. But he also had the team in the position to win. He's doing something right.

 

[ctchamps]

I get the feeling many here would be far happier with a team that sucked, but a coach who made no mistakes.

There is no denying he screwed up big in the last 30 seconds. But he also had the team in the position to win. He's doing something right.

First game in many years I enjoyed watching albeit the outcome was horrible.

 

[JSM1970]

You act like they played 'Bama and Ohio State in the last 2 weeks. They struggled against a FCS team at home and a Navy team w/o its starting QB.

We'll know more after the next 2 weeks considering both of those teams are lousy. Will UConn handle them, play close games or lose outright.

I get the feeling many here would be far happier with a team that sucked, but a coach who made no mistakes.

There is no denying he screwed up big in the last 30 seconds. But he also had the team in the position to win. He's doing something right.

 

[formerlurker]

I get the feeling many here would be far happier with a team that sucked, but a coach who made no mistakes.

There is no denying he screwed up big in the last 30 seconds. But he also had the team in the position to win. He's doing something right.

The feeling you should be getting, from me at least, is that I'd be happier with a coach who might make mistakes, but learns from them.

This is not a one time issue, this is a pattern. The focus is on what he's doing wrong.

Unless mediocrity is our Football goal and we want participation trophies next to the NCAA Championship Trophies some other sports contribute to our cause.

 

[ctchamps]

The feeling you should be getting, from me at least, is that I'd be happier with a coach who might make mistakes, but learns from them.

This is not a one time issue, this is a pattern. The focus is on what he's doing wrong.

Unless mediocrity is our Football goal and we want participation trophies next to the NCAA Championship Trophies some other sports contribute to our cause.

The salient point for me is whether this is an issue with Diaco in general or an issue that is specific to this set of players he's coaching. I don't know how one can distinguish the difference.

 

[formerlurker]

The salient point for me is whether this is an issue with Diaco in general or an issue that is specific to this set of players he's coaching. I don't know how one can distinguish the difference.

So you blame the players for clock management and play calling? I watched the game with my nephews. One had his first Freshman Football game earlier yesterday, the other his first Pop Warner game today.

BOTH of them yelled when the time out was called and immediately said that meant we'd try two passes into the end zone because we did. I'm pretty sure the UCONN players were thinking the same. I'm shocked you can rationalize Diaco's mistakes were based on the "set" of players he's coaching.

 

[temery]

Actually, I had a similar thought, but chose to be slightly more diplomatic.

Many here act as if UConn lost a game it was supposed to win. I don't believe that is true. What was the pre game line?

You act like they played 'Bama and Ohio State in the last 2 weeks. They struggled against a FCS team at home and a Navy team w/o its starting QB.

We'll know more after the next 2 weeks considering both of those teams are lousy. Will UConn handle them, play close games or lose outright.

 

[SubbaBub]

Actually, I had a similar thought, but chose to be slightly more diplomatic.

Many here act as if UConn lost a game it was supposed to win. I don't believe that is true. What was the pre game line?

I was a -4 game. You get 3 pts for being the home team. It was essentially a pick 'em on the field. Given the losses Navy incurred and the projected improvements on the UConn side, this was a game you should expect to win.

Your rationality while correct is still a bit too soon. I hope the team comes out strong on Saturday, it is starting to feel a little too much like PP's third year around here.

 

[8893]

I've thought from the start that his almost impossible optimism was one of his greatest strengths and his most valuable trait for the job he inherited.

What concerns me is that I increasingly believe it's insanity, or the result of him being a simpleton.

 

[shizzle787]

I was a -4 game. You get 3 pts for being the home team. It was essentially a pick 'em on the field. Given the losses Navy incurred and the projected improvements on the UConn side, this was a game you should expect to win.

Your rationality while correct is still a bit too soon. I hope the team comes out strong on Saturday, it is starting to feel a little too much like PP's third year around here.

That last part is a stretch. Our next two games we should win. After that, who knows.

 

[Bezzz]

They struggled against a FCS team at home

Yeah, but but but that Maine team is really good.
Toledo 45- Maine 3

 

[pnow15]

Diaco needs to be left home on game days.
Getting only one snap with a time out and 17 seconds on the game clock from the two yard line sets a new milestone for incompetence.
But the incompetence did not start there.
Why was the ball allow to bounce all the way to the five yard line on Navy's punt?
Why is Thomas, his best hands player, not catching that punt.
Why take the ball of your star player's hand on the key downs at the end of possessions?
Diaco has been doing this since he arrived and will be doing this while we are watching Houston and Cincy leave for he Big 12. Fire this guy at the end of the season.

 

[huskymedic]

Why is Thomas, his best hands player, not catching that punt.

Because Noel Thomas is not a punt returner.

 

[pnow15]

Because Noel Thomas is not a punt returner.

Is it written in his contract? That is silly. Anyone you put back there is the punt returner or in this case the punt fielder. You win by eliminating mistakes.

 

[BlueDogs]

You still forget what was here before. Again he screwed up but is leaps and bounds better than the last regime.

UConn should have won but clock management wasn't the only issue today with special teams playing into the loss as well.

I still remember Calhoun taking heat when his first season was done and people saying UConn made a mistake not highering Mitch Buonaguro to be the coach. We know how that worked out.

First season is the operative fact. It should not be lost on anyone that we are arguing Diaco is a lot better than the other idiot, so it's tolerable that he mismanages games and actually lost a game through incompetence. We are so beat down we actually are trying to justify by comparison. It's unrealistic he will be replaced because the program is so worn down, we can't imagine going through another transition.

 

[pnow15]

Sure, run with it... but "best hands player" does not equal best "punt fielder".

Well, the best hands label usually includes judging where the ball is going to be and the surest way to catch it.

 

[huskymedic]

Well, the best hands label usually includes judging where the ball is going to be and the surest way to catch it.

Okay you doubled down - you win.

 

[pnow15]

Well, the best hands label usually includes judging where the ball is going to be and the surest way to catch it.

PS.
Just the way saying a center fielder in baseball has a great glove. It presumes that he puts himself in position to use his glove.

 

[ctchamps]

So you blame the players for clock management and play calling? I watched the game with my nephews. One had his first Freshman Football game earlier yesterday, the other his first Pop Warner game today.

BOTH of them yelled when the time out was called and immediately said that meant we'd try two passes into the end zone because we did. I'm pretty sure the UCONN players were thinking the same. I'm shocked you can rationalize Diaco's mistakes were based on the "set" of players he's coaching.

Not at all what I wrote. Diaco's mistakes are on Diaco.

The debate, at least for me, is whether Diaco will ultimately have confidence in his players to let the QB make the call during these critical points in games.

And yes I yelled at that time out call. Surprised you didn't hear it even though I live in NC.

 

[formerlurker]

Not at all what I wrote. Diaco's mistakes are on Diaco.

The debate, at least for me, is whether Diaco will ultimately have confidence in his players to let the QB make the call during these critical points in games.

And yes I yelled at that time out call. Surprised you didn't hear it even though I live in NC.

I get your point clearer now but still don't agree with the coach having the confidence in the QB to make the call. Bryant was something like 26/28 for the game. I'm pretty sure he wanted 2 more pass attempts.

That's why we pay Diaco to lead this program. Every call during critical points should be his. Bryant has more than proven his ability to improvise but Diaco hand cuffed him in my opinion.

 

[ctchamps]

I get your point clearer now but still don't agree with the coach having the confidence in the QB to make the call. Bryant was something like 26/28 for the game. I'm pretty sure he wanted 2 more pass attempts.

That's why we pay Diaco to lead this program. Every call during critical points should be his. Bryant has more than proven his ability to improvise but Diaco hand cuffed him in my opinion.

We agree about this.

I was just listening to the post game which was different than people just taking out bits and pieces and posting.

Interesting that he and whatever other coaches deciding what to do could not tell what happened after the first down throw. I can give that confusion a pass.

But his next point about sending in two plays, the first being a run is the crux of the problem. Not expecting that if it failed there would be no opportunity of a second play is beyond comprehension for me. That any coach who played the game and watched games, as I'm sure he has, to totally not understand this defies logic.

My gut tells me he didn't make the call and he's sticking up for whoever did. Heat of the moment mistake compounded by making excuses. Just fall on the grenade BD. But that's easy for me to say given my remoteness from the game. And I don't mean distance. The emotions expressed in this forum following that game have to be magnified a hundred fold for him. He probably hates losing more than us fans and has to be sick to his stomach that that play was called in. Of course if he made the call then.........

I've seen this coaching staff make adjustments, both in games and over the time they've been at UConn. If they are worth their salary they'll address this problem of crisis play calling. I'm still willing to give them a pass because they've had so many fires to put out and most are appearing to be handled.

 

[uconnbill]

I have a question, is Diaco responsible for the clock and TO's or is an assistant coach supposed to be tuned in to that and wired into Diaco?Offensive coordinator or someone else? It seems to happen to a lot of teams both college and pro.

'

That is my question who in the press box wasn't paying attention to things like timeouts and whether a play is complet or not.
The head coach has respondibilties but so do the offensive and defensive coorinator as they answer to the head coach.

 

[formerlurker]

We agree about this.

I was just listening to the post game which was different than people just taking out bits and pieces and posting.

Interesting that he and whatever other coaches deciding what to do could not tell what happened after the first down throw. I can give that confusion a pass.

But his next point about sending in two plays, the first being a run is the crux of the problem. Not expecting that if it failed there would be no opportunity of a second play is beyond comprehension for me. That any coach who played the game and watched games, as I'm sure he has, to totally not understand this defies logic.

My gut tells me he didn't make the call and he's sticking up for whoever did. Heat of the moment mistake compounded by making excuses. Just fall on the grenade BD. But that's easy for me to say given my remoteness from the game. And I don't mean distance. The emotions expressed in this forum following that game have to be magnified a hundred fold for him. He probably hates losing more than us fans and has to be sick to his stomach that that play was called in. Of course if he made the call then....

I've seen this coaching staff make adjustments, both in games and over the time they've been at UConn. If they are worth their salary they'll address this problem of crisis play calling. I'm still willing to give them a pass because they've had so many fires to put out and most are appearing to be handled.

Very good post, Fleud. So much so that I have nothing more to argue. This has been fun, educational and therapeutic.

Thank you.

 

[ctchamps]

'

That is my question who in the press box wasn't paying attention to things like timeouts and whether a play is complet or not.
The head coach has respondibilties but so do the offensive and defensive coorinator as they answer to the head coach.

This would answer a lot of questions but I'm going to take an educated guess that the OC made the mistakes. BD strikes me as the type of coach who will cover for his players and staff even if the cover is poorly done.

 

[ZOOCONN]

Is it written in his contract? That is silly. Anyone you put back there is the punt returner or in this case the punt fielder. You win by eliminating mistakes.

this response displays a fundamental lack of any football knowledge... so why arent dez bryant, larry fitzgerald, julio jones or odell beckham jr returning punts?

 

[UConnFranklin]

I'm getting on board late but still had to call the last play. I'm so P..O... QB lines up behind the center, fakes hand off to Johnson up the middle to freeze the line. QBl rolls out to the right Left tight end slants across the middle, WR right runs to right corner with right tight end giving a block then runs a buttonhook pattern. QB has 3 through options or just run it in along the right side.

Im now a great offensive mind but if I can see this why the H... can he? And if he manages the game properly he still has a time out or two left. My God, we need an offensive mind on this coaching staff!!!