First ... UConn Athletic Department is NOT just Football and Men's Basketball. The Jimmy Carter Malaise exhibited by some is because these years have been tough in those two bell cow sports. The Overall AD is genuinely in good shape. But we were in the Jeff Hathaway Zzzzz years. We hire Program coaches and let them develop to compete for championships. That was true of Calhoun and Auriemma; but also Stevens and Ray Reid (?). Jim Penders. Mike Cavanaugh. Randy Edsall is proven - in my mind. It is tough this term because the new conference does not provide the buzz for State of Connecticut fans as the Big East slant of Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, WVU, BC. But, some of the things Edsall is doing this time informs me that he is actually a better HC than the previous years.
Second ... Michael Hogan was a very mediocre administrator. The Susan Herbst years, in contrast, has been one of significant University growth and excellence. The athletic department is merely one important component of a campus (series of campuses) that needed energetic leadership and change. To judge Susan Herbst (or David Benedict) on conference status ignores that our path was largely set in 2002-2003, long before they arrived. Beat out Louisville>? Only if the collective political structure was willing to bankrupt the City, County and State (further) with a YUM type deal; which I suspect is rivaled by their PapaJohns Stadium deal. The University, in the realm it operates, does not have the juice to push through stupidity. I do not see the New Big East as a hugely beneficial option. I think we are in FBS Football for the long haul given a $200-300m investment. And the marketing, given the poor field performance since 2010 (hmmm) is pushing a rock up a hill thus far.
The reason I don't like to engage in the debate is the above answer doesn't really ever change. Nothing about this moment in time gives more momentum than Danny Hurley and Randy Edsall - solid two gets and contracts given the circumstances. And, yet, I do bring up the history: We sucked before John Toner edged us into the Dave Gavitt discussion; we have a glorious rise since. And there will be great days again.
