Jim Mora’s new staff coming together…

[wheelerdog]

This is great because we've had such a great defense for the last few years.

I don't get it.

 

[huskymedic]

I'm sure the defensive players are happy and that is important for keeping the players. With Mora and Spanos, I think the defense will be fine.

 

[ktuck911]

Based on the time it took to announce him as coordinator I am going to go with option Z.

Gotta believe things will work out for the better... IF you don't, keep complaining... Keep the half empty mindset.. Where's that gotten us... Folks come to the board to see us complaining all the time about how we're not this or that... Let's get behind it.... Watch and see what happens...

I really liked Edsall, but he lost this team... Heck, he lost me... and I was on board til the end... It wasn't working with his conservative blue collar old school approach...

I'm drinking JM's Kool Aid right now.. Let's Roll!!!! No looking back...

 

[huskymedic]

This is great because we've had such a great defense for the last few years.

I don't get it.

Well, I guess we’re going to find out whether it was Spano’s D or Edsall’s D.

 

[ktuck911]

spanos took over with quite literally the worst college defense of all time and took them to somewhere thats not an embarrassment. Obviously there is room for improvement on the defense but you got to remember where he started. He and Mora can get this thing back on track defensively.

 

[Platt81]

Great... 120tg ranked defense here we come again

When you have an anemic offense that goes three and out more than they get first downs it leaves the defense vulnerable and unrested. The defensive efficiency is more on the lack of offense than poor schemes on defense. With the right moves on the offensive side of the ball, and with Mora I’m sure having a decent amount of say in the D these same players will look much better over the next two seasons.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Not great.

 

[Drew]

I’ll be very honest- Spanos coaching linebackers would’ve been fine with me. Spanos being the DC after the last few years is the first move that’s not sat well with me under the new staff.

 

[Forte]

Based on the time it took to announce him as coordinator I am going to go with option Z.

Sounds like the Ole assistant coaching $$$ isn't what we thought it would be. This reminds me of when Edsall promoted Guifre .... doesn't strike much confidence for our program going forward. Recruiting unless we have some studs in waiting from the portal seems to be unchanged from prior years. Let's all hope Mora is a legit game day coach.

 

[Hoophound]

I don’t think we should sell Spanos short. He’s been successful before. The dumpster fire he worked through this year was unfathomable. He kept the kids happy and playing hard. He’s got a way with people, players don’t quit on him. Hopefully, with Mora’s help, some better players and a competent offense, he can make the D look quite a bit better.

 

[ThabeetDown]

I don't hate the move in a vacuum -- Spanos did an admirable job given the circumstances this season. With that said, clearly this was the last possible choice for the program -- if he was near the top of the list, this is announced weeks ago. Not a good optic, but no one will care about the optics by the end of the weekend. Let's get to work.

I am curious how short of a leash he gets going forward -- if there is no strong improvement in the defense next season, I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't survive next season.

 

[Blades]

Maybe they had to wait for him to coach in that Bowl Game.... er um'.....anyway... Welcome back Coach Spanos 2.0 !

 

[Hoophound]

The turnover we had and the ridiculous amount of youth on the field was a problem. Edsall perpetuated it by churning through young players and avoiding the portal.

 

[The Moose]

I think the fact the players really seem to love him is big

 

[huskymedic]

 

[CCSUblue]

Not crazy about this, but the guys love him. Hopefully the position coaches will do a better job of coaching up the kids and Lou will have better support from Mora.

 

[Forte]

I don't hate the move in a vacuum -- Spanos did an admirable job given the circumstances this season. With that said, clearly this was the last possible choice for the program -- if he was near the top of the list, this is announced weeks ago. Not a good optic, but no one will care about the optics by the end of the weekend. Let's get to work.

I am curious how short of a leash he gets going forward -- if there is no strong improvement in the defense next season, I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't survive next season.

I don't think there is a leash. Unless this was some massive contract negotiation the past few weeks then it seems that no one else wanted to come here which is not good optics for this program going forward. Here's to Spanos showing us otherwise.

 

[Pudge]

David Benedict Approved ...

Cultural. He loves NE Connecticut. The kids love him. Jim Mora - obviously - is up to speed on the modern Defense. It isn't Billy Crocker hair on fire. Hilliard and Diabate do not need hand holding at their position coaching

 

[UConnJim]

Maybe we will find out the backstory at a later time.

That said, if Mora was thinking about hiring Spanos recently, it probably would have been complicated negotiation as Spanos had a contract until March 26, 2022 (his original contract went through Jan.14, 2023, but with the advanced notice, it was able to be changed to 3/26/22).

 

[rollskies]

The players seemed psyched about it, so i’m all for it. Good guy happy to have him back.

 

[Buffett10]

spanos took over with quite literally the worst college defense of all time and took them to somewhere thats not an embarrassment. Obviously there is room for improvement on the defense but you got to remember where he started. He and Mora can get this thing back on track defensively.

There’s room for improvement? There massive amount of room for improvement because his defense is trash. This is a failure on Mora’s part

 

[jostar1]

The job posting for Quality Control/Football Analyst (Specialist 1A) was extended until December 16.

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut is accepting applications for three full-time Quality Control/Football Research & Special Projects positions (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist the football staff with all duties for practice and game plan preparation; assist with breakdowns of opponents; assist with video cutups; assist with the distribution of game plans; provide statistical breakdowns for coaching staff; assist in the coordination of the walk-on program/on-campus recruiting in conjunction with the Recruiting Coordinator; maintain compliance with NCAA, institutional and departmental policies and procedures; and other duties and tasks as assigned by the Head Football Coach.

 

[Hogoff]

Maybe we will find out the backstory at a later time.

That said, if Mora was thinking about hiring Spanos recently, it probably would have been complicated negotiation as Spanos had a contract until March 26, 2022 (his original contract went through Jan.14, 2023, but with the advanced notice, it was able to be changed to 3/26/22).

Makes sense and could be the reasons negotiations took longer than expected.

 

[Hoophound]

Contract stuff may have been the issue. Didn’t understand how Mora swept in behind one of his own guys and snagged the job. Seemed kind of odd. This would make more sense.

 

[blue93]

Clearly he wasn’t the first choice for the job, but he has a good track record and the offense (or lack thereof) has been killing the defense during his time here.

He’ll have a much better staff working under him this time around and the players seem to like him, so I’m good with it.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Need to improve offense. They lacked a running game except when TP was playing.

 

[Blades]

Clearly he wasn’t the first choice for the job, but he has a good track record and the offense (or lack thereof) has been killing the defense during his time here.

He’ll have a much better staff working under him this time around and the players seem to like him, so I’m good with it.

Or as his pops put it " after the (Clemson) game back in Palm Desert and had some unvarnished thoughts."
“I watched the first half,” said Jim E. Mora. “Here’s my impression. One, I think the defense was respectable. Respectable. I thought the offense was bad. Real bad. "

 

[blue93]

Or as his pops put it " after the (Clemson) game back in Palm Desert and had some unvarnished thoughts."
“I watched the first half,” Jim E. Mora. “Here’s my impression. One, I think the defense was respectable. Respectable. I thought the offense was bad. Real bad. "

129th out of 130 FBS teams in average time of possession this year. Obviously the defense still has a lot of room for improvement, but that’s really difficult to overcome.

 

[Forte]

129th out of 130 FBS teams in average time of possession this year. Obviously the defense still has a lot of room for improvement, but that’s really difficult to overcome.

The offense this year absolutely killed the defense. At times it felt like with field possession or turnovers they were giving up as many points as the defense. That said the defense still gave up way too many third down conversions and big plays with too many players STILL out of position on many. Blitzing was almost not non existent. Improvement was obvious .... hard to get pumped about this move..... but like every year ... i guess let's see what happens.

 

[Hogoff]

129th out of 130 FBS teams in average time of possession this year. Obviously the defense still has a lot of room for improvement, but that’s really difficult to overcome.

The defense looked a lot more competent this year especially in the first half of games.