Is it Time For Warde To Go?

[ZooCougar]

When I'm celebrating championships, you can tell me that.

If I recall, you were pretty unhappy when Randy was winning championships too. Non stop whining. Suggestions that nobody could be worse and all that.

Yes when you are celebrating basketball and hockey championships, I will remind you.

 

[UCweCONN]

Warde has done jackshizz here. Is there anything more to say about this man?

 

[UConnNick]

Amen.

The wrong people are in charge. Susan may be good on the academic front, but she is undergunned because Warde is in over his head.

He waited too long to fire Pasqualoni, strike one. Diaco is strike two. Why wait for the third strike? Pull him.

I agree, and I've been of that opinion ever since the Louisville to the ACC debacle. While Louisville was actively politicking for it, we sat back like a Cheshire cat acting like we were about to be crowned.

I'm not sure, but I think we may have that dynamic in place where the CEO doesn't want to admit she made a mistake by hiring him, so we will have to endure the rest of his tenure. I have some experience with this dynamic in our own business organization. Our management are very nice people to work with, in fact, they're way too nice. It takes us a year or longer to cut deadwood off the tree. We don't want to admit we made a mistake, so we perpetuate it, to the detriment of the rest of the organization. We are also embarrassed by our original lack of judgment when we hired the deadwood, because we think it reflects negatively on us.

 

[ZOOCONN]

I'm about to say something extremely controversial that I know full well I am going to be lambasted over by several Yarders, but here goes anyways...

If we want out of the AAC and into a Power conference, then football needs to improve ASAP. To improve ASAP, we need to throw more money at it (not less). With the limited revenue stream we have in the next few years, we need to figure out a way to cut funding for some other programs and pour into football. In my opinion, we are throwing way too much money at WBB. Yes, it's nice that they consistently win. But let's be honest, in the CR world, WBB is a novelty item that is neither necessary to have or be good at. As we continue to throw more money at WBB than football, this season is a perfect example of what we can all expect.

Kevin Ollie makes $3M/yr. Geno makes around $2M/yr. Diaco makes $1.5M/yr. This is exactly why I said last season, during our coach search, that we need to be willing to go into the $2-$3M/yr range on our next football coach. SMU just agreed to pay Chad Morris $2M/yr. Now, I understand that a coaches salary is no guarantee on results. But you can bet your bottom dollar that SMU is going to throw more money at football than women's basketball next season and in every single season afterward. And watch, SMU will probably win more games than UCONN next season.

I know that most WBB don't understand that football drives the CR bus. Most WBB fans are fans because we win every game by 50+ points and, for the most part, women's basketball isn't associated with the slime that comes from other school's men's hoops and football programs around the country. But to get out of the AAC, we must be willing to cut a little funding on WBB to pour more into football OR we must be willing to cap WBB funding where it is right now for the next several years while significantly upping the football budget.

So go ahead, take your shots at me. I'm tough, I can take it. I'm not saying that we should drop women's basketball nor am I rooting for our women to lose. I know that the state just all went ga-ga over the dual championships last spring. But we've now done that twice and we're no closer to a P5 invite than we were since the first time we won both the MBB and WBB championships . The only sport that matters to get us out of the AAC is football. Until we're willing to pour much more money into football that women's basketball, we are going to be a bottom-feeder school in a crappy conference arguing whether or not to go Independent or drop the sport altogether. I'm not ready to pull the plug on football for at least 10 years and neither should anyone else. In fact, I'd want just the opposite. We need to invest MORE money into football...even if it comes at a cost of other programs.

We just invested $1.5B into expanding research facilities in large part to enhance our AAU profile. That's GREAT. But we could be the Emory University of the northeast and be no closer to a B1G invite unless UCONN football can beat CFB dregs like Army, SMU, USF, Tulane, etc and get to bowl games. Jim Delany won't be able to justify adding UCONN to the football docket to his millions of B1G fans who are already concerned about the strength of the football conference, especially after yesterday's absolute embarrassment.

Can't like this post enough. It's time to take a real long hard look at what it is we want to be in terms of athletics. A REAL honest look, people are gonna have to start making some hard and most likely unpopular decisions if this program is going to succeed and ever make it to a P5 conference.

 

[uconnbill]

Warde needs to clean up this mess, or at least go down with ship until it's sunk.

He is supposed to be a football guy, but he couldn't have missed in a worse way. He was so set on winning the press conference and that was his undoing.

Really you are saying this after one year but gave FHCPP more time as did others complaining. He needs his players and what was left wasn't very good to say the least. This season goes on FHCPP for these are his players, not the current coaches players.

 

[junglehusky]

Just want to point out that the OP proposed firing the athletic director so that the football coach would "get the message" and replace some of his assistants. One of the funnier things I've seen on the boneyard (including HFD rants and right wing nutters).

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Really you are saying this after one year but gave FHCPP more time as did others complaining. He needs his players and what was left wasn't very good to say the least. This season goes on FHCPP for these are his players, not the current coaches players.

You can't say stuff like this, because you were a Pasqualoni supporter right up to the end, long after I and many others had given up on him.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

You would be in hotter water if you said KML looks fat. I'm pretty sure women's basketball is self-funded, so it isn't taking money that would otherwise be available to football. I agree that women's basketball has less relevance to conference realignment than men's lacrosse.

WBB is essentially self-funded. Is there any proof to the claim that UConn funds WBB more than FB? That seems almost impossible.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Warde has done jackshizz here. Is there anything more to say about this man?

Athletic directors don't "do" things outwardly, really, other than hire coaches. Cavanaugh was a home run, Ollie was a different kind of situation, though the one-year deal was crap, but he did end up getting it right, and did so again this offseason. Diaco, right now looks bad, but to judge a FB HC after one season with the dumpster fire P left is really difficult. And we absolutely cannot have a reputation for firing HCs after their first season, NO ONE will want to come here if that's the case.

 

[zls44]

I love when people who have absolutely no idea what went on with UConn during the last AC expansion talk like they just know. Like they know for a fact that Warde and Susan did nothing.

Oh, they have no evidence. But they know.

 

[Stainmaster]

I love when people who have absolutely no idea what went on with UConn during the last AC expansion talk like they just know. Like they know for a fact that Warde and Susan did nothing.

Oh, they have no evidence. But they know.

A committee of BY members would have definitely done a better job. In fact, we would probably already be in the B1G by now if that were the case.

 

[zls44]

A committee of BY members would have definitely done a better job. In fact, we would probably already be in the B1G by now if that were the case.

LOL sure thing hoss

 

[uconn34]

You folks can't be for real! WM is not the problem.

 

[HuskyBarker]

Warde needs to clean up this mess, or at least go down with ship until it's sunk.

He is supposed to be a football guy, but he couldn't have missed in a worse way. He was so set on winning the press conference and that was his undoing.

Too bad there's no official "Press Conference" Conference! Press Conference Bob would totally kick a## in that, why then we'd be undefeated!
"Whoa did you hear HCBD explain his 'anti-game plan' plan? He wiped the floor with the HORDE, their jaws hit the floor bro!!!

 

[RedStickHusky]

let's just hire a new coach every year until we find one to magically get us to 9 wins, since many of you seem to think that guy is out there somewhere. It'll really help recruiting when we're turning the staff over every year.

The obvious plan this year was to get as many reps as possible for players coming back -- unfortunately, you can't say that to paying customers so what we hear is aggravating gibberish about exhibition games and process partners. BD learned the game from Hayden Fry - do you really think he doesn't care about winning? Once CC went down, the level of QB play was such that we were afraid to run a real offense so our reasonably decent defense was hung out to dry every week. When you're not in a position to be competitive, the way you keep players engaged is by telling them that they're building a foundation and that we won't measure ourselves by short term wins and losses. I don't know that BD's plan is going to work but to me the grade remains an incomplete.

Next year we'll be better just about everywhere; maybe a slight drop off at WR and, of course, a huge unknown at QB. I have no doubt that figuring out how to get better QB play is job one this off season.

 

[chapwilvaug72]

seoUl: Korea: look likes yo bi dee snakee oils down their; yo sure north korea not influence yo

You obviously have never been profit centered or interfaced with Fortune 50 business plans and objectives. You; perhaps like to sit on your hands to wait for aspergers syndorme to produce results in yo abode or commode.

 

[RedStickHusky]

seoUl: Korea: look likes yo bi dee snakee oils down their; yo sure north korea not influence yo

You obviously have never been profit centered or interfaced with Fortune 50 business plans and objectives. You; perhaps like to sit on your hands to wait for aspergers syndorme to produce results in yo abode or commode.

ok jarjar

 

[spsct]

Next year we'll be better just about everywhere; maybe a slight drop off at WR and, of course, a huge unknown at QB. I have no doubt that figuring out how to get better QB play is job one this off season.

Well we can't be worse at QB next year, right? RIGHT?

 

[Adios]

A committee of BY members would have definitely done a better job. In fact, we would probably already be in the B1G by now if that were the case.

We wouldn't have. But we'd do a great job marketing! We're already doing a great job marketing UConn!

 

[Stinger92860]

In a doomsday scenario we have one scholarship QB going into spring. Davis can't get here fast enough.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Well we can't be worse at QB next year, right? RIGHT?

Well, we've only got one who's taken any snaps...

 

[freescooter]

YES! Past time actually.

 

[pnow15]

I'm about to say something extremely controversial that I know full well I am going to be lambasted over by several Yarders, but here goes anyways...

If we want out of the AAC and into a Power conference, then football needs to improve ASAP. To improve ASAP, we need to throw more money at it (not less). With the limited revenue stream we have in the next few years, we need to figure out a way to cut funding for some other programs and pour into football. In my opinion, we are throwing way too much money at WBB. Yes, it's nice that they consistently win. But let's be honest, in the CR world, WBB is a novelty item that is neither necessary to have or be good at. As we continue to throw more money at WBB than football, this season is a perfect example of what we can all expect.

Kevin Ollie makes $3M/yr. Geno makes around $2M/yr. Diaco makes $1.5M/yr. This is exactly why I said last season, during our coach search, that we need to be willing to go into the $2-$3M/yr range on our next football coach. SMU just agreed to pay Chad Morris $2M/yr. Now, I understand that a coaches salary is no guarantee on results. But you can bet your bottom dollar that SMU is going to throw more money at football than women's basketball next season and in every single season afterward. And watch, SMU will probably win more games than UCONN next season.

I know that most WBB don't understand that football drives the CR bus. Most WBB fans are fans because we win every game by 50+ points and, for the most part, women's basketball isn't associated with the slime that comes from other school's men's hoops and football programs around the country. But to get out of the AAC, we must be willing to cut a little funding on WBB to pour more into football OR we must be willing to cap WBB funding where it is right now for the next several years while significantly upping the football budget.

So go ahead, take your shots at me. I'm tough, I can take it. I'm not saying that we should drop women's basketball nor am I rooting for our women to lose. I know that the state just all went ga-ga over the dual championships last spring. But we've now done that twice and we're no closer to a P5 invite than we were since the first time we won both the MBB and WBB championships . The only sport that matters to get us out of the AAC is football. Until we're willing to pour much more money into football that women's basketball, we are going to be a bottom-feeder school in a crappy conference arguing whether or not to go Independent or drop the sport altogether. I'm not ready to pull the plug on football for at least 10 years and neither should anyone else. In fact, I'd want just the opposite. We need to invest MORE money into football...even if it comes at a cost of other programs.

We just invested $1.5B into expanding research facilities in large part to enhance our AAU profile. That's GREAT. But we could be the Emory University of the northeast and be no closer to a B1G invite unless UCONN football can beat CFB dregs like Army, SMU, USF, Tulane, etc and get to bowl games. Jim Delany won't be able to justify adding UCONN to the football docket to his millions of B1G fans who are already concerned about the strength of the football conference, especially after yesterday's absolute embarrassment.

Well, there was Picket's charge as a bad idea. Where to start?
Destroy the best women's sports program in history of this country to do exactly what?
Get Texas kid's to give up playing for the Longhorns and come to Storrs CT.
It is highly doubtful that Ct. will ever be able to recruit at high enough level to compete with the best programs on a yearly basis. There are not good athlete's in this state to do this.
And we will always finish 2nd to the Florida schools in Florida and 2nd to Texas schools in Texas, etc etc.,
The best we can hope for is to have a program similar to the one ran by Edsel who ran into this wall.
It is the stellar basketball programs that will get us our invite. Adding UConn adds 13 bb titles to the league resume and some league will take on the weaker football for the great basketball, Afterall only one football team out the league has a shot at the title. UConn bb gives you two legit shots every year.

 

[pnow15]

I love when people who have absolutely no idea what went on with UConn during the last AC expansion talk like they just know. Like they know for a fact that Warde and Susan did nothing.

Oh, they have no evidence. But they know.

In the real world there is no A for effort. It's about results.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Never said cut women's basketball. Just said to begin pouring more money into football than it.

Dooley, I pretty much agree with everything you have said in the Boneyard, but I'll take a minor exception with this. I think we need to know if the WBB is actually operating on the plus side or at least revenue neutral. Another thing to consider is the number of folks in this state who love the WBB team. I have to think that having the greatest WBB team in college is a great source of pride and leads to a number of donations every time they win. I understand there's a bigger CR picture to look at, but I don't think enough appreciable funds could be removed from the WBB budget to materially affect the overall football program and you run the risk of materially harming the women's program. The football program would need a large influx of cash to pay not only the head coach but his key assistants.

To answer the op, no it's not time for Warde to go. I hated the season as much as the next guy, but you can't adequately rate HCBD until he's had a chance to get the players up to snuff. Does he drive me crazy and make me scratch my head? Of course he does. But so did Terry Francona for the Sox when he first took over, but over time he seemed to learn his position and my initial issues with how he managed went away. Before we make next year a make or break season, keep an eye on the QB situation. I'd love Boyle to be the man, but I haven't seen anything to make me think that will happen. That means I'm putting all my eggs into the transfer's basket, a guy I have no clue about. No QB = no chance for success.

 

[ktuck911]

Where the heck did half the folks on this thread come from? Show your kahunas and actually come from behind this hiding place and write a personal letter to the school with your name on it with whatever demands you may have on Warde Manuel's status... If you're not gonna do that, just be a fan and join the real posters with some real thoughts and opinions... Did u post during the times when we were talking about kids we were/are recruiting? or during the coaching search? or during the AD search? or about any issues talked about game in and game out? Sorry but I can't deal with the fairweather fan crap, not this time... Pull your balls out and let'em hang for real if you're gonna call for somebody's head, but don't come here talking like you been here with the rest of us diehards...

 

[Dooley]

Dooley, I pretty much agree with everything you have said in the Boneyard, but I'll take a minor exception with this. I think we need to know if the WBB is actually operating on the plus side or at least revenue neutral. Another thing to consider is the number of folks in this state who love the WBB team. I have to think that having the greatest WBB team in college is a great source of pride and leads to a number of donations every time they win. I understand there's a bigger CR picture to look at, but I don't think enough appreciable funds could be removed from the WBB budget to materially affect the overall football program and you run the risk of materially harming the women's program. The football program would need a large influx of cash to pay not only the head coach but his key assistants.

Fair point, in bold. Another reply said the same thing.

I guess what I was trying to get at is that football rules the CR roost, does it not? The B12 is finally kicking around the idea of expanding now because they were just shut out of the football playoff. Nothing else. Unless Baylor WBB has significant expansion pull inside the B12, we need to show that we care about football and will fund it in the same manner as every other school inside the B12 does. None of them throw more money at WBB than football. I'm not saying we need to cut the WBB program. I'm just saying we need to seriously re-think where we are allocating our athletic department dollars if we want to catch an escape pod out of the AAC.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Where the heck did half the folks on this thread come from? Show your kahunas and actually come from behind this hiding place and write a personal letter to the school with your name on it with whatever demands you may have on Warde Manuel's status... If you're not gonna do that, just be a fan and join the real posters with some real thoughts and opinions... Did u post during the times when we were talking about kids we were/are recruiting? or during the coaching search? or during the AD search? or about any issues talked about game in and game out? Sorry but I can't deal with the fairweather fan crap, not this time... Pull your balls out and let'em hang for real if you're gonna call for somebody's head, but don't come here talking like you been here with the rest of us diehards...

Oh please, we can speculate about whether an unpaid 18-year old sucks and should be benched, but we can't talk about an executive making $500,000 whose decisions have threatened to unravel 30 years of unprecedented athletic growth?

Not that it even matters, but I will address your post:

1) the school reads this board, so this is as good as sending them a letter;
2) if posting here is the biggest determiner of fan-hood then Chipvilwaug is a better fan than the Werth's, Shenkman's, Burton and Rizza;
3) the results of this 'organization,' as they related to the most important thing he has done, have been atrocious, and sometimes people that make a lot of money need to be held accountable;

and most importantly

4) there is nothing fair-weather about a fan who still takes the time to read, let alone post, on a UConn football board.

 

[CL82]

2) if posting here is the biggest determiner of fan-hood then Chipvilwaug is a better fan than the Werth's, Shenkman's, Burton and Rizza;

Are you sure that Burton isn't Chipvilwaug?

 

[WestHartHusk]

Are you sure that Burton isn't Chipvilwaug?

Good point!