Moving UConn Football Forward - A Message from Athletic Director David Benedict.

[FfldCntyFan]

I can't be positive 100% of the time. There's not that much whiskey around...

If needed I can send you a few bottles

 

[Hoophound]

I never expected Mora to retire here. I did think he’d stick around 3-4 more years. He seemed a little perturbed lately. I actually felt that his reactions after beating Duke and surviving FAU were very subdued. Duke in particular. However, it was after Duke that he did a recruiting pitch in the press conference, so I thought that was a good sign. Anyway, I’m over it. Excited for what’s next.

 

[snoopy]

UConn needs a conference, plain and simple. Staying this way, is a death wish for the program. We are not Notre Dame, and the Big East is a good basketball conference that is losing juice compared to the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and the ACC.

So, question (two of them, actually):

1. Why did we reject the PAC-12 football offer?

2. Why don’t we try the AAC again?

(Ik the first AAC run was…a hot mess).

 

[BlueandOG]

Everyone knows that being in the P4 is better. Who would deny that? But that's not a plan. That's not a path to get into the P4. We've already seen that the Big East + Independent football is better than the AAC. The data is there.

Would we accept an invite to the Big 12? Of course! But we've gotta get an invite first in order to accept it...

This. UConnSan97 nailed it.

 

[Hamms30]

So, question (two of them, actually):

1. Why did we reject the PAC-12 football offer?

2. Why don’t we try the AAC again?

(Ik the first AAC run was…a hot mess).

1.) It wasn't worth it given the travel costs/burden
2.) We're not invited. We don't get to just pick a conference and join.

 

[superjohn]

Was anyone expecting Mora to live near Storrs for 20 years????

Even if he stayed for 8 years, he was leaving the area when he was done coaching.

That's the point. Whether he bought a house or rented he was never planning on staying there.

He's in his 60's and it's known he loves it out west, he doesn't have kids he was raising in CT.

 

[uconnbill]

So, question (two of them, actually):

1. Why did we reject the PAC-12 football offer?

2. Why don’t we try the AAC again?

(Ik the first AAC run was…a hot mess).

Travel was too much

No on the AAC because only baseball would improve. The football team lost its best players to the Big 12, a place we should have been in, but that ship has sailed for now.

 

[snoopy]

1.) It wasn't worth it given the travel costs/burden
2.) We're not invited. We don't get to just pick a conference and join.

As for the 2nd point, totally, I get that. A lot of people don’t and I think that trips them up.

But what I meant to say though, is DB potentially calling up AAC commissioners and seeing if there was any opportunity. But yeah…not sure if it’s worth it.

 

[Stinger92860]

Agree with this but my belief is that the P4 will break off and form their own association and UConn will not be invited into that group. What has become clear through all this is that only football matters to these conferences especially the SEC and B10 and they are the ones making all the rules anyway.

When the P4 breaks from the NCAA the revenue from basketall which will go directly to the schools increases dramatically. Not sure they take us then, but the economics will be weighted better for bball than it is now.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Having the governor and a U.S. senator coming out against it didn't help them both push the Big East.

Only senator. Governor is a businessman and supports AD David Benedict and UConn with move to more lucrative conference.

 

[AllHusky]

As for the 2nd point, totally, I get that. A lot of people don’t and I think that trips them up.

But what I meant to say though, is DB potentially calling up AAC commissioners and seeing if there was any opportunity. But yeah…not sure if it’s worth it.

Yechhh, I still have PTSD from first go round. Not sure how that helps us. Unless new Conference schedules destroy our ability to schedule P4's(it may), Independent schedule has "felt" better to me.

 

[ScottVib]

Only senator. Governor is a businessman and supports AD David Benedict and UConn with move to more lucrative conference.

It was the state speaker of the house, Matt Ritter who also was critical of the move (along with Murphy outright calling a move to the Big XII a mistake that would "burn" UConn)

 

[djct1999]

As long as we remain independent, UConn will always be a temporary stop, from first time gigs to career resurrection, and not a destination job. Mora did what he could and used that success to go somewhere he felt more stable. It is what it is. Even after this moderate success the last few years, I still have no clue how this current path is sustainable for UConn in the long run.

 

[Gburyhusky]

As long as we remain independent, UConn will always be a temporary stop, from first time gigs to career resurrection, and not a destination job. Mora did what he could and used that success to go somewhere he felt more stable. It is what it is. Even after this moderate success the last few years, I still have no clue how this current path is sustainable for UConn in the long run.

Being in a conference doesn't insulate you from coaching changes. It may change the dynamics of where and how your coaches are poached. But there are conference affiliated coaches moving around on an almost daily basis.

 

[nycscooby]

When the P4 breaks from the NCAA the revenue from basketall which will go directly to the schools increases dramatically. Not sure they take us then, but the economics will be weighted better for bball than it is now.

Not sure about that. What is March Madness without the P4 teams participating? How much will the media rights to that tournament be after the break-off? You know I used to think that the P4 would keep March Madness in place to have a more compelling tournament but now I think they are perfectly content with having their own tournament with the 50-60 programs they have? And they will probably each earn more than they currently do. Certainly their alumni and fans don’t seem to mind (I mean football is now down to maybe 10-20 possible winners every year and that probably won’t affect viewership of CFB). It is depressing and maddening that the whole system has blown up.

 

[Travelman6]

Not sure about that. What is March Madness without the P4 teams participating? How much will the media rights to that tournament be after the break-off? You know I used to think that the P4 would keep March Madness in place to have a more compelling tournament but now I think they are perfectly content with having their own tournament with the 50-60 programs they have? And they will probably each earn more than they currently do. Certainly their alumni and fans don’t seem to mind (I mean football is now down to maybe 10-20 possible winners every year and that probably won’t affect viewership of CFB). It is depressing and maddening that the whole system has blown up.

There are 66 teams total in the big 10, big 12, acc, and sec. Unless they want a super lame invite everyone tournament but that'd invalidate the regular season. Some years a p4 team goes 0-18 or 1-19 in conference, no one wants to see that in March, even if teams 62 to 66 did play in games. They'd have to lower the number to 32 or find a way to make 40 or 48 work but 40 or 48 diminishes the regular season and less people (less $) would tune in. They won't break away.

What they might do is invite the big east, aac, new pac and conference usa to join, but still not so compelling. That'd be 117 teams, going back to 64 would make sense or stay at 68 with heavy emphasis on p4 invites like cfb does now.

 

[djct1999]

Being in a conference doesn't insulate you from coaching changes. It may change the dynamics of where and how your coaches are poached. But there are conference affiliated coaches moving around on an almost daily basis.

Not saying it does. Not being in one makes the Mora situation commonplace.

 

[Jimdish255]

So, question (two of them, actually):

1. Why did we reject the PAC-12 football offer?

2. Why don’t we try the AAC again?

(Ik the first AAC run was…a hot mess).

Communications almost certainly have been ongoing. We don't get to invite ourselves to a conference. I will say we're in a better position to pursue a new Coach than we have been in a long gime. Maybe ever. Only an on-campus stadium would enhance that process (but we digress) . This program can win, is winning and that's a big deal.

 

[buddy]

Having the governor and a U.S. senator coming out against it didn't help them both push the Big East.

And they refuse to put any pressure on ESPN which can easily get UConn into a conference as they control the purse strings of such. Tie tax breaks to UConn getting an invite to ACC or let them pay taxes like everyone else.

 

[Scrutineer]

Ant not even just the playoff spot but the ability to play for a conference championship. He came here wanting to help us get into a power conference. He did his job, but we never got the call and who knows when it will come.

He'll now annually also get the opportunity to take on and defeat "Neon Deon". Think about what that does for your resume' if you win.

 

[CTBasketball]

I think we’ll be in a good spot soon. Mora resurrected us from the dead, gave us hope.

The first BC win was a tease, as was the Myrtle Bowl. It left you wanting more. The UNC bowl game was the appetizer, the fans and the band surrounding the team after the win with Mora raising the trophy. This season was the main course. The OT losses sucked, but the Duke game was the pinnacle. The casuals piled in and everyone was in awe. Random fans hugging each other and going crazy. Last time I saw that was 2010 vs. West Virginia in OT. I was lucky enough to see Mora’s final game, the comeback and the 4th quarter drive. Fagnano was the calmest of the bunch, almost Brady-like. And when that kick sailed left, again, random fans hugging each other and lost their minds. Pure elation.

From where we were the last 10-15 years you couldn’t ask for a better tenure. But it felt like we still want more. The fanbase is engaged and the pieces are in place, the next hire I’m confident can take us to the next level. We’re right there.

 

[NEforceUConn]

UConn should think about selling the fb rights to a private equity firm. Let’s see how the private sector can change our fb fortunes.

 

[Stinger92860]

There are 66 teams total in the big 10, big 12, acc, and sec. Unless they want a super lame invite everyone tournament but that'd invalidate the regular season. Some years a p4 team goes 0-18 or 1-19 in conference, no one wants to see that in March, even if teams 62 to 66 did play in games. They'd have to lower the number to 32 or find a way to make 40 or 48 work but 40 or 48 diminishes the regular season and less people (less $) would tune in. They won't break away.

What they might do is invite the big east, aac, new pac and conference usa to join, but still not so compelling. That'd be 117 teams, going back to 64 would make sense or stay at 68 with heavy emphasis on p4 invites like cfb does now.

Before anyone says what the P4 will or will not due, we need to know the incremental dollar value the new format would deliver for the P4. If we learned anything over the last 20 years it’s all about the money, 100%.

 

[Scrutineer]

I was thinking about this to, something just didn't add up to me. But the more I thought about it, I realized he may have been planning this for a month or so now (remember his press conference where he gave really short answers and seemed disinterested?) and he may have had a meeting with the players after the FAU game, letting them know he was likely gone if an opportunity out west came along. I haven't seen anything from players calling him a hypocrite or anything, so I'm assuming he let them know in some way, shape or form before the announcement.

At the same time, I'm with you in thinking something still feels off about the whole situation. It may just be that this feels like a lateral move at best, and Colorado isn't exactly a short drive to California where his dad is. So it gives the feeling of desperately wanting out or something. Idk

It may have been the timing.........and the lack of a conference.............and the location............and......
Next year here will be a real challenge with no Fagnano, no Bell (although we will have some excellent receivers back) and maybe other significant losses if the players aren't confident we'll be able to fill the QB position and others.
He did one major rebuild here and may have just not wanted to go through it again with no conference, no major revenue from media, etc.
Sure he has lots of work to do at Colorado St. but it's a fresh challenge, he has a conference affiliation, he can rent in Ft. Collins and buy his retirement home in the Rockies or wherever and live happily ever after.

 

[uconnbill]

Only senator. Governor is a businessman and supports AD David Benedict and UConn with move to more lucrative conference.

You are correct, as I misread his comment as Murphy is the one who came out against the Big 12

 

[DoctorWho85]

I don't know about that. Their overall budget is almost $30M less than ours.

They spend almost double in their on their football program tham UConn with a significantly smaller budget

 

[DoctorWho85]

So, question (two of them, actually):

1. Why did we reject the PAC-12 football offer?

2. Why don’t we try the AAC again?

(Ik the first AAC run was…a hot mess).

Cause the new PAC 12 TV deal would pay almost the same amount as Big East and Indy status. Not to mention the closest conference rival would be what? Boise St? That would destroy the athletic department on travel alone just for football.

AAC won't take football only and UConn isn't going to move basket ball unless it's to ACC, Big 10 or big 12.

Realistically without an invite to the P4 is just going to kill the budget more

 

[Chin Diesel]

Not sure about that. What is March Madness without the P4 teams participating? How much will the media rights to that tournament be after the break-off? You know I used to think that the P4 would keep March Madness in place to have a more compelling tournament but now I think they are perfectly content with having their own tournament with the 50-60 programs they have? And they will probably each earn more than they currently do. Certainly their alumni and fans don’t seem to mind (I mean football is now down to maybe 10-20 possible winners every year and that probably won’t affect viewership of CFB). It is depressing and maddening that the whole system has blown up.

Exactly. UConn in the BE won't be playing on national championship for ball.

And the national audience won't care UConn isn't in it any more.

 

[ZooCougar]

They spend almost double in their on their football program tham UConn with a significantly smaller budget

Evidence?

 

[uconnyankee]

Are you serious??

I hate dealing with low-IQ people, but I'll make an exception. What is your current alternative to the Big East + Independent football?? Is it the AAC? Because we saw how that went and it destroyed most of our revenue sports. So what's your solution, champ?

The argument that Mora left partly because of conference, and having a solution for UConn’s conference affiliation are very different.

I’m am hopeful that for 2030 with next movements, UConn can finally make a move. If there was a fb only option, I think UConn should consider it. But like everything else, there has to be a viable conference willing to make it happen.