Mora is right | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Mora is right

Really? You don't know why? You think it's ok to say that in order to have an opinion you have to pay for it? Please. The dude is spiraling.
Get over yourself. This is a real narcissistic take.
 
There are 4 one seeds, four 2 seeds, 4 three seeds,... In other words, the "3 seed" teams are actually ranked 9, 10, 11, and 12. And, there have been 2 teams ranked outside of the top 25 seeds that have won an NCAA Championship. I would think that 89% of the champions should come from the top 12 seeds. I think it's more surprising that 11% of the champions have come from the 13th seed and up.

DATA....9-16...32 teams...have zero chance....the bottom 20 teams...zero chance of a Final Four...the bottom 36...the barest slimmest chance.

 
Unfortunately, nobody has stood up at UConn like Mora has to speak the truth about college football today. Has Benedict? To some degree, but not as forcibly as Mora. It's OK if you don't believe him, but I do. UConn lost almost all of the offensive playmakers to the portal: Carter, Marion, Turner, Brewton, and Houston. What did UConn lack this year? Explosive offensive plays and a competent offense.

What has changed in the last year that has amped up Mora? The reality of NIL changing quickly. I would bet Mora thought UConn would be competitive in the NIL game and he found out after last season that wasn't the case. Thus, UConn lost way more in the portal than they gained this year. Look at the portal adds 2 years ago which included Bouyer-Randle, Bembry, Shearin, Roberson, Zozus, Guidone, Stafford, McDuffie, Shor, Stewart, Oladele, ... Much more impactful players than this year's portal crop.

Why has UConn football not performed? We have not invested in the program. For example, look at the head football coach salary. Pasqualoni's salary in 2011 was $1.5 million, the same as Jim Mora's in 2023! There is not one school that cares about football that has not increased the salary of the football coach over 12 years! And, is there any school in which the women's basketball coach makes over double what the football coach makes? Sure, Geno deserves his salary based on performance, but the differential is indicative of the commitment to football. And, Mora would have been the lowest paid football coach in the AAC last year.

Finally, as UConn fans, we all know that men's and women's basketball are not the driving force behind conference realignment and the LT viability of competing in the top level of college basketball probably depends on getting into a P4/5 conference. If you want UConn to get into a P4/P5 conference long term, we need to competing at the top level of G5 football.
 
Unfortunately, nobody has stood up at UConn like Mora has to speak the truth about college football today. Has Benedict? To some degree, but not as forcibly as Mora. It's OK if you don't believe him, but I do. UConn lost almost all of the offensive playmakers to the portal: Carter, Marion, Turner, Brewton, and Houston. What did UConn lack this year? Explosive offensive plays and a competent offense.

What has changed in the last year that has amped up Mora? The reality of NIL changing quickly. I would bet Mora thought UConn would be competitive in the NIL game and he found out after last season that wasn't the case. Thus, UConn lost way more in the portal than they gained this year. Look at the portal adds 2 years ago which included Bouyer-Randle, Bembry, Shearin, Roberson, Zozus, Guidone, Stafford, McDuffie, Shor, Stewart, Oladele, ... Much more impactful players than this year's portal crop.

Why has UConn football not performed? We have not invested in the program. For example, look at the head football coach salary. Pasqualoni's salary in 2011 was $1.5 million, the same as Jim Mora's in 2023! There is not one school that cares about football that has not increased the salary of the football coach over 12 years! And, is there any school in which the women's basketball coach makes over double what the football coach makes? Sure, Geno deserves his salary based on performance, but the differential is indicative of the commitment to football. And, Mora would have been the lowest paid football coach in the AAC last year.

Finally, as UConn fans, we all know that men's and women's basketball are not the driving force behind conference realignment and the LT viability of competing in the top level of college basketball probably depends on getting into a P4/5 conference. If you want UConn to get into a P4/P5 conference long term, we need to competing at the top level of G5 football.

And then you have A&M which paid $75 million to have a guy not coach, spent millions on players, and still aren't anywhere close to being in the conversation for the playoff.

Money matters but coaching does too. You can't just throw money at a problem and fix it.

If we were sitting here with six wins again and Mora said that to get over the hump that we needed more support, I would fully understand where he's coming from. But a lack of money doesn't get you an offense this bad. Plenty of teams do more with less.
 
It would be interesting to see the breakdown on where the NIL money is coming from for the top programs. This would give the university a basic blueprint to work with. Mora seems to indicate that AD Benedict is committed, so the next step would be to bring in someone to take charge of fundraising.
 
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And then you have A&M which paid $75 million to have a guy not coach, spent millions on players, and still aren't anywhere close to being in the conversation for the playoff.

Money matters but coaching does too. You can't just throw money at a problem and fix it.

If we were sitting here with six wins again and Mora said that to get over the hump that we needed more support, I would fully understand where he's coming from. But a lack of money doesn't get you an offense this bad. Plenty of teams do more with less.
To be fair, Mora did say that lack of money was not the reason for all of the losses. Clearly, there were games this season we could have/should have won with the roster we have, and we could have done better. Money or lack thereof is not the only factor, but it is perhaps the greatest one. But I think to say we could be more successful with more money is true, and I think the expectations would be greater and more achievable. And, as a sidenote, Mora has hinted at coaching changes, so I think we can expect to see some in the off season, but having the financial support is part of bringing in coaches who can come in get behind the effort to bring this program to the level it wants to reach. People (players, coaches, donors, fans) want to see without a doubt that the university is fully committed to this program.
 
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It would be interesting to see the breakdown on where the NIL money is coming from for the top programs. This would give the university a basic blueprint to work with. Mora seems to indicate that AD Benedict is committed, so the next step would be to bring in someone to take charge of fundraising.
Found this stat "The industry's growth has been driven in large part by collectives. These donor-backed groups facilitate NIL opportunities like autograph signings and appearances at fundraisers and account for 80% of the money flowing to student-athletes. The remaining 20% comes from brand deals, per Opendorse." Sep 19, 2023
 
It would be interesting to see the breakdown on where the NIL money is coming from for the top programs. This would give the university a basic blueprint to work with. Mora seems to indicate that AD Benedict is committed, so the next step would be to bring in someone to take charge of fundraising.
They have someone:

 
It appears that NIL payments for our program is distasteful for many of this board’s avid football supporters. Likely generational as well (most of us middle-agers & above seem to be at best holding our noses - and we’re the ones with the $). What does this say about support for football in this new age? Rubber is hitting the road.

Bleeding Blue for Good is not a secret. It has not been for all of ‘23.

If you want to see winning UConn sports, hold your nose and give something.

Communication and an articulated plan from the coach and athletic department would help. Not a haranguing from the coach from the podium when he’s 2-9 and his team is disheveled to put it kindly. He can go to charm school after UMass, cuz yeah, he’s got a game to coach - and coach better than he has. And a loss Saturday will be a giant nick in the kutz for hope.
 
To be fair, Mora did say that lack of money was not the reason for all of the losses. Clearly, there were games this season we could have/should have won with the roster we have, and we could have done better. Money or lack thereof is not the only factor, but it is perhaps the greatest one. But I think to say we could be more successful with more money is true, and I think the expectations would be greater and more achievable. And, as a sidenote, Mora has hinted at coaching changes, so I think we can expect to see some in the off season, but having the financial support is part of bringing in coaches who can come in get behind the effort to bring this program to the level it wants to reach. People (players, coaches, donors, fans) want to see without a doubt that the university is fully committed to this program.
It just feels like he doesn't get it.

He would not have people complaining if we were winning games that we "should" win. The expectations from the fanbase are so low and he still has to get up there and tell people to not complain unless they're contributing to an NIL fund. We could go 6-6 every year and he'd get a statue, and he acts like the fanbase is demanding a national championship. It doesn't make any sense.
 
It's a narcissistic take to think that people's opinions shouldn't be gatekept by how much money they have or choose to spend on a football program? Really? GoFY
Why should free riders have any influence?
 
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It would be interesting to see the breakdown on where the NIL money is coming from for the top programs. This would give the university a basic blueprint to work with. Mora seems to indicate that AD Benedict is committed, so the next step would be to bring in someone to take charge of fundraising.
I can help out. Generally, there are 2 types of NIL. There is NIL money for top stars from brands like Nike, Gatorade,… that is going to top players based on the star’s ability to market the brand. Think Paige Bueckers or Caleb Williams. That is not what Mora is talking about as that only impacts a very few players. Then, there is NIL cash that is being being paid by collectives, small and medium businesses, individuals,… that is basically paying the players for some “use” of NIL but is basically a payout. I don’t think large corporations are a big part of this. That is what Mora means when he says NIL.

At most large universities, they have a well developed booster club outside of university oversight that has been raising money for years for things like facilities, athletic scholarships, coaching salaries, … Many are now involved in NIL. To my knowledge, I don’t think UConn has a booster club, as historically the AD has been the fundraiser. With NIL it has to be an outside organization that is raising the money.
 
Found this stat "The industry's growth has been driven in large part by collectives. These donor-backed groups facilitate NIL opportunities like autograph signings and appearances at fundraisers and account for 80% of the money flowing to student-athletes. The remaining 20% comes from brand deals, per Opendorse." Sep 19, 2023
And nobody wants the autograph of anyone on a bottomed-out team. NIL for football at UConn is purely pay for play right now, which is what makes it so distasteful.
 
They have someone:


Unfortunately, I think this group may be good for smaller dollar donations, but where would someone who wants to invest $200k in football turn to? Not sure and that is what UConn needs.
 
Unfortunately, I think this group may be good for smaller dollar donations, but where would someone who wants to invest $200k in football turn to? Not sure and that is what UConn needs.
I’m positive that they can assist you in that endeavor - give Jared a call ;)

They are working w/ CT Corporations and businesses @ that dollar commitment level.
 
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Good atricle about Clawson at Wake Forest bemoaning what college football has become. As the title of this thread sates, Mora is not wrong!

Wake coach perplexed by ND 'love' for Hartman
Did you read the article? Because it doesn't support what Mora has said at all besides the basic fact that NIL is a crap show.

He even said there's no use complaining about it because it is what it is
 
This is where I am going to part company. I buy my tickets and make my seat donations but that's it. Any money I carve out for charity goes to charity, not college kids already on the dole.
That’s fine as long as you don’t mind that UConn is never going to be competitive in football.
 
Can we ask that our seat donation go to the NIL, or is this more money they want for this Mickey Mouse team? That's $800 for my upper seatbacks. What was that money used for? Like an earlier poster said, we don't have the alumni base or passion to compete with more prestigious schools in football. Paying money to get some kid to attend Uconn when they are already getting paid with a free education is so distasteful. Let him go to JMU or Syracuse. If we have kids who bleed blue and are in-state then we can defeat anyone!
 
Did you read the article? Because it doesn't support what Mora has said at all besides the basic fact that NIL is a crap show.

He even said there's no use complaining about it because it is what it is
"Clawson's point is that Hartman left Wake Forest with a year of eligibility remaining to land a significant NIL deal at Notre Dame, mirroring a concern many smaller programs have about retaining top talent developed in-house... Clawson echoed concerns from many programs that the players they recruit and develop over years will depart for more money at bigger schools."

Mora, "two of our top running backs decided to go in the portal, and they thought, you know, find a better situation and make money elsewhere, so that hurt us."

Sounds to me they are saying the same thing. Now Clawson didn't come right out and say losing Hartman hurt WF this season, and Mora took it a step further by calling out the lack of NIL money at UConn, but the underlying message is the same.
 
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I've already given thousands. Time for guys like you and JMIck to step up, Slick.
It takes the average person in Connecticut 20-25 years to make one years worth of Jim Moras salary. Maybe he can step up too?
 
And then you have A&M which paid $75 million to have a guy not coach, spent millions on players, and still aren't anywhere close to being in the conversation for the playoff.

Money matters but coaching does too. You can't just throw money at a problem and fix it.

If we were sitting here with six wins again and Mora said that to get over the hump that we needed more support, I would fully understand where he's coming from. But a lack of money doesn't get you an offense this bad. Plenty of teams do more with less.
Last year, we would have had the lowest paid coach in the AAC. Not the ACC, the AAC. Yet, you expect UConn to compete with P5 schools and top G5 schools. That is madness. Now, should UConn have a 2-9 record. No and I am not going to make any excuses. That said, I wasn't expecting 6 wins this season, but I was hoping for 4 or 5 based on last year. I do think the losses of Carter, Marion, Turner, Brewton, and Houston really impacted the W/L this season.
 
"Clawson's point is that Hartman left Wake Forest with a year of eligibility remaining to land a significant NIL deal at Notre Dame, mirroring a concern many smaller programs have about retaining top talent developed in-house... Clawson echoed concerns from many programs that the players they recruit and develop over years will depart for more money at bigger schools."

Mora, "two of our top running backs decided to go in the portal, and they thought, you know, find a better situation and make money elsewhere, so that hurt us."

Sounds to me they are saying the same thing. Now Clawson didn't come right out and say losing Hartman hurt WF this season, and Mora took it a step further by calling out the lack of NIL money at UConn, but the underlying message is the same.
This is interesting because Wake's donor base is probably deeper and wealthier than UCONN's. I think I smell something funny coming from Clawson tho because when Hartman was deciding whether to declare for the draft last season the level of competition he'd faced came in for a lot of scrutiny. I thought his decision to 'up transfer' was as much about improving his draft stock-I think he thought he could make himself into a first round pick-as any NIL concerns because the contract that comes with that draft position dwarfs anything you can make endorsing whatever in college.

Hartman was also criticized for enjoying all of his success in Clawson's patented 'slow mesh' offense which is a gimmicky scheme that works at Wake because it's designed to maximize the abilities of smaller players in the face of premium skill competition.
 
Someone around here brought up the deals that the legislature has cut with the Casinos as a possible source of NIL funding.

This is not a completely crazy thought.

I mean, you'd have collegiate athletes shilling for sports books....but.....hell, why not?

What I'd do is, if I were in the legislature I'd get authority to approach the Mohegans and Mashantuckets and say something like, 'Hey listen, you know how we have a contract where you send us X per year of the top line slot proceeds? Well can you do us a favor and slice say 10 million off of that and instead of sending it to the General Fund bank account wire transfer it over here which is the home of our State University's NIL collective. You're not paying more you're just essentially cutting two separate checks. In exchange, the athletes will endorse your operations, perhaps even make live appearances on the casino sports book floor during perhaps NFL games or really any other time that doesn't conflict with their athletic or academic schedules.'

It's really not an awful idea.
 
Last year, we would have had the lowest paid coach in the AAC. Not the ACC, the AAC. Yet, you expect UConn to compete with P5 schools and top G5 schools. That is madness. Now, should UConn have a 2-9 record. No and I am not going to make any excuses. That said, I wasn't expecting 6 wins this season, but I was hoping for 4 or 5 based on last year. I do think the losses of Carter, Marion, Turner, Brewton, and Houston really impacted the W/L this season.
I just checked the On3 database for coaches salaries in 2023 and it shows that Mora would be the 6th highest paid coach in the AAC, and his current salary is higher than the coaches at Navy, UAB, North Texas, Charlotte, Rice and FAU. It appears you were referencing 2022 salaries, however to be fair I don't think Mora would be the lowest paid coach in the AAC today, looks more like middle of the pack-ish. Is that high enough given our current status and revenue issues? Hard to say but certainly one issue among many we are facing.
 
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