Liberty turnaround

[ShakyTheMohel]

The Athletic had a good article today about how Liberty has quickly become a legitimate FBS program.

Is Hugh Freeze going to force ADs to look at him as a coaching candidate?

The Liberty head coach has changed the way he calls plays, one of a number of adjustments he's embraced since leaving Ole Miss.

theathletic.com

Freeze talks about his talent the same way Edsall does...

"Freeze’s explanation for the dramatic rise of his program, now in its third season of FBS play and on a seven-game winning streak, is partly that it has had a full recruiting class to upgrade the talent level. Before Freeze arrived, just everyone on the roster was recruited to play FCS football.

“That’s no one’s fault,” he says. “That’s what that they were. So with last year, being the first full season of FBS, you’re playing with the roster, and even today, we probably have 30 to 40 percent of our roster that is really FBS talent.”"

Of course... UConn was already FBS...so that's kinda sad. But...it shows how quick you can be good if you have the right coach. I think Freeze's success proved it's fair to expect the next UConn team to be significantly better on the field. I can't imagine it's easy to recruit kids to Liberty, yet Freeze finds a way to field a team that pounds Syracuse on the road.

I guess the point is....no more excuses.

 

[uconntailgater]

They keep this up they may be a candidate to join the AAC?

 

[Palatine]

Liberty is an evangelical school founded by Jerry Falwell. Even as a FCS school it got players that other similar sized schools couldn't attract because their players tend to put Christianity above all else. Their faith based curriculum gives them a recruiting advantage with like minded students. That's not an editorial comment, it's just a fact.

 

[Husky68]

HCRE1.0 74-70
DrmJobRE1.0 22-34
HCRE2.0 6-30
Total 102-134

Maybe hiring a career losing coach was not the way to go after Red Pants was given the boot. Two winning conference records in 16 years. Maybe, just maybe, "he is what his record says he is".

Given the big decreases in loses over the last two years (from 11 to 10 and then down to zero) and the sterling practice and hygiene record for the 2020 Huskies am proposing re-up HCRE2.0 for another 5 year stint so. Continuity is very important.

Fun fact, Red Pants won as many games in 2015 at UConn as HCRE2.0 has won in 3 years.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Liberty is an evangelical school founded by Jerry Falwell. Even as a FCS school it got players that other similar sized schools couldn't attract because their players tend to put Christianity above all else. Their faith based curriculum gives them a recruiting advantage with like minded students. That's not an editorial comment, it's just a fact.

I think just as many kids are turned off. They have very strict rules most kids wouldn't like. I can't imagine Falwell Jrs recent transgressions have helped.

I would think it would be a net negative on recruiting.

 

[BlueDogs]

Liberty is an evangelical school founded by Jerry Falwell. Even as a FCS school it got players that other similar sized schools couldn't attract because their players tend to put Christianity above all else. Their faith based curriculum gives them a recruiting advantage with like minded students. That's not an editorial comment, it's just a fact.

They also have $$ coming out of their ears. They are incredibly well funded by their base. That said, there is no excuse left for where we are other than another terrible hire (RE- hire) and a school complicit in a “good enough for the price” mentality.

 

[metsfan2323]

There's a good chance Syracuse will end their season with one more win than UCONN.

 

[UConnJim]

Liberty is a very experienced team. It looks like they redshirt as many as they can and they have used transfers and JUCOs to improve the roster.

Look at the experience of the starters:

R-Sr.: 6
Sr.: 6
R-Jr.: 4
Jr.: 4
R-So.: 1
So.: 3
R-Fr.: 1

OL starters: Sr, RSr, RSr, RSo, RJr

They have 25 Srs or RSrs and 22 RJrs and Jrs on the roster.


And, they have used transfers and JUCOs to fill the holes.

Starters:

Transfers: 4
JUCOs: 7

Key offensive skill positions:

QB: R-Jr. transfer from Auburn
RB: R-Sr. JUCO
WR: R-Sr. JUCO
TE: R-Sr. transfer from Colorado

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Libery has deep pockets....

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

If you’re conservative Christian parents do you want your football star son at Florida St or Liberty?

They have potential to be the BYU of the East.

 

[BlueDogs]

If you’re conservative Christian parents do you want your football star son at Florida St or Liberty?

They have potential to be the BYU of the East.

So true.

 

[CL82]

If you’re conservative Christian parents do you want your football star son at Florida St or Liberty?

They have potential to be the BYU of the East.

So true.

Based on what?

 

[hardcorehusky]

I know some kids that go to Liberty and had their choice of schools. Due to their Christian faith - it was Liberty or bust. They absolutely have major upside in sports.

 

[hank970]

The BYU of the East? Certainly not academically. Liberty is nothing more than a lousy for-profit diploma mill.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

The BYU of the East? Certainly not academically. Liberty is nothing more than a lousy for-profit diploma mill.

This is a football forum

 

[hardcorehusky]

The BYU of the East? Certainly not academically. Liberty is nothing more than a lousy for-profit diploma mill.

What makes you say that?

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I do think it's weird that this board has evolved from "Liberty is a lock for a W in the schedule" to "Liberty is on par with BYU and FSU".

I think Liberty has a niche that will attract some players. But I don't think that they will pull recruits from high level P5 schools like FSU.

A few rules at Liberty for student's...

Dress code..."Hairstyles and fashion should avoid extremes. Students must dress modestly and appropriately at all times. Earrings and plugs may be worn in ears. No other facial jewelry is permitted."

Entertainment:. "Media and entertainment that is offensive to Liberty's standards and traditions (i.e., lewd lyrics, anti- Christian message, sexual content, nudity, pornography, etc.) are not permitted on- or off-campus."

And my favorite: "Sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University. In personal relationships, students are encouraged to know and abide by common-sense guidelines to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Activities inconsistent with these standards and guidelines are violations of the Student Honor Code."

Why go to school? Lol.

 

[Drew]

Its almost like hiring a good football coach leads to having a good football team. Shocker.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I do think it's weird that this board has evolved from "Liberty is a lock for a W in the schedule" to "Liberty is on par with BYU and FSU".

I think Liberty has a niche that will attract some players. But I don't think that they will pull recruits from high level P5 schools like FSU.

A few rules at Liberty for student's...

Dress code..."Hairstyles and fashion should avoid extremes. Students must dress modestly and appropriately at all times. Earrings and plugs may be worn in ears. No other facial jewelry is permitted."

Entertainment:. "Media and entertainment that is offensive to Liberty's standards and traditions (i.e., lewd lyrics, anti- Christian message, sexual content, nudity, pornography, etc.) are not permitted on- or off-campus."

And my favorite: "Sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University. In personal relationships, students are encouraged to know and abide by common-sense guidelines to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Activities inconsistent with these standards and guidelines are violations of the Student Honor Code."

Why go to school? Lol.

Wow you really twisted my words there. Poor words they have been twisted beyond recognition!

 

[mikedog10]

If you’re conservative Christian parents do you want your football star son at Florida St or Liberty?

They have potential to be the BYU of the East.

Someone tell Susan Herbst that Jesus does have a place in the huddle. We're focused on blocking religion, how about blocking Temple's defensive line!?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Based on what?

Based on the fact the school is run by a super conservative religious group and appeals to people in those groups. Not saying they are there or will be, just that they could. If you are from a super religious group you would rather have your son go play football with heathens or go to school with like minded people? Not a crazy concept

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Based on the fact the school is run by a super conservative religious group and appeals to people in those groups. Not saying they are there or will be, just that they could. If you are from a super religious group you would rather have your son go play football with heathens or go to school with like minded people? Not a crazy concept

Of course there are kids who will find Liberty appealing. The point is that they are the exception and I would guess overall that it is a negative with recruiting.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Of course there are kids who will find Liberty appealing. The point is that they are the exception and I would guess overall that it is a negative with recruiting.

I’m also not sure how rigorously these are enforced. For example, you can only have intercourse if it is with the university president’s wife and you let him watch.

 

[CL82]

Based on the fact the school is run by a super conservative religious group and appeals to people in those groups. Not saying they are there or will be, just that they could. If you are from a super religious group you would rather have your son go play football with heathens or go to school with like minded people? Not a crazy concept

Ah, so speculation. Got it.

 

[UConnJim]

Of course there are kids who will find Liberty appealing. The point is that they are the exception and I would guess overall that it is a negative with recruiting.

It might be a negative for some, but not for lots of kids from the Southeast.