New Head Coach Criteria

[Kowalski]

These are the guys I'd reach out to. Some have connections to the Northeast, some are coaches that have had success at smaller schools.
Mendenhall
Matt Patricia
Freeze
Chip Kelly
Tony Reno
Paul Chryst
Chesney (but we missed our chance years ago)

Chryst was very successful in his 7 years at Wisconsin. The Badgers won or tied for 1st in the West 3 times & won or tied for 2nd 3 times. Then got fired in ‘21 after starting with 2 losses in conference - looked like a rash move at the time. I assume he wants to coach again & should have at least 6 or 7 coaching years left in him. He’s shown is a winner. Would love to see him on DB’s short list.

 

[Rdkid]

Here are a few interesting names that probably are non starters but seems like future head coaches.

Tyler Bowen - OL Ohio St. Has collegiate and NFL coaching experience
Kodi Burns - Assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator & wide receivers coach. Has collegiate and NFL coaching experience
Nick Sheridan - Alabama Co-OC/QB. Has SEC and B1G experience
Charlie Weis Jr. - Ole Miss OC/QB
Ra'Shaad Samples - Oregon Asst. HC/RB
Zac Alley - WVU AHC/DC/LB

Too soon
Vince Kehres - Toledo DC/LB. Formerly Mount Union HC

This is more the aisle we’re shopping in.
Chesney ain’t happening.
Gruden - is Rex Ryan not available?

 

[CCSUblue]

This is more the aisle we’re shopping in.
Chesney ain’t happening.
Gruden - is Rex Ryan not available?

I'm all about the young guns that have shown great growth over the past several years. Especially among bigger programs.

 

[How Sway?!]

Fitzgerald would be a massive get.

Eh he was 4-20 in his last 4 seasons. I think we can aim higher

 

[CL82]

There wasn’t a portal at Holy Cross and that didn’t hold Chesney back at JMU.

The hardest part of the portal is being willing to play in it.

The hardest thing about the portal is having multiple truckloads of NIL available

 

[Scrutineer]

If you dig a little deeper, you'll notice several positives about Kittlley

1. FAU player and team stats improved dramatically

QB Veltkamp and WR Messer's stats are in the top of the AAC stats and offensively much improved over last years team

2. Zach deploys an aggressive passing attack that involves multiple receiving threats

3. His offensive philosophy at previous stops in his coaching career have resulted in impressive numbers. At Houston Christian in his first season, the team doubled its offensive production, increasing total yards by 46% and touchdowns by 56% with QB Bailey Zappe leading the nation in passing touchdowns in 2019

At Western Kentucky: Kittley's offense experienced a 115% increase in total yards and a 192% increase in touchdowns from the previous year, with the team leading the FBS in passing yards per game (433.7) in 2021.

In Zack's final season as offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, his offense ranked 10th nationally in total yards per game, 9th in passing yards per game, and 8th in points per game.

Texas Tech's offense averaged 459.8 total yards per game in 2024 and scored 38.6 points per game.

That's not a correlation, that's a trend and exactly what you're looking for in a new coach hiring search. Any questions?

As his agent, what is your percentage of his earnings?
On a more serious note, does he have winning experience as a head coach? I'm too lazy to look up his record......but to me that's the most important requirement. Chesney has won at multiple schools, and there are others out there.
I like the North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana schools, both the regular ones and the "State" ones.

 

[noeynox]

Never apologize, don't let him push you around like that.

Make a case for O'Brien, though he's probably right.

What's up Trevor?

 

[Scrutineer]

Part of the reason why Calhoun/Geno/Hurley succeeded is they understand the Northeast. No disrespect to the Dakota coaches but Fargo/wherever ain't Storrs.

I have to disagree. We are not trying to improve football so we can compete in a Northeastern conference.
The most important criteria has to be a coach who has a track record of winning and who knows how to run a program. No more coordinators, no matter what color their pants are..................

 

[ZooCougar]

Why only at a high level? Unless you consider JMU a high level. Their coach has done pretty well at Indiana.

FCS, G6 or P4.

Not like D2 or something.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

Same here.

 

[Chonky]

I have to disagree. We are not trying to improve football so we can compete in a Northeastern conference.

You’ve sold me.

Rehire Paul Pasqualoni

 

[UCONNJACK]

Part of the reason why Calhoun/Geno/Hurley succeeded is they understand the Northeast. No disrespect to the Dakota coaches but Fargo/wherever ain't Storrs.

Don’t forget Penders.

 

[Uconnalliance]

Reno would be my 1st call.

Forgot about him!! Prime pickins LMFG

 

[ArtTheFan]

You couldn't get a 75% consensus on here for anything other than the superiority of CT pizza.

Reno is a good football coach. But as I said, that's less important today than being able to buy an entire roster for cash every year.

And I'm going out to get a Colony Grill Pizza. Good pizza...

Now, does Colorado have great pizza? Not as good as Connecticut...

I will trust AD David Benedict to hire a good coach. I'd love to see a Jim Mora type who is about 10 years younger...

 

[ZooCougar]

And I'm going out to get a Colony Grill Pizza. Good pizza...

Now, does Colorado have great pizza? Not as good as Connecticut...

I will trust AD David Benedict to hire a good coach. I'd love to see a Jim Mora type who is about 10 years younger...

I’m ready to see a coach who actually acts like he wants to be here 12 months a year.

His stupid Twitter profile said Sun Valley for the last 4 years.

Today he changed it to Fort Collins.

 

[uconnyankee]

Or Tony Reno.

He isn’t coming. That’s a fact

 

[businesslawyer]

He did very well for quite a while before he imploded.

He wouldn't be on my short list, nor would he be on my backup list but as I initially responded, we could do worse.

I really like the Fitzgerald idea. The only downside there would be that I don't believe we could keep him once he starts winning here. I can live with that.

The higher you make the buyout, the more one has to accomplish before the bigger schools are after him.

 

[Nameless]

He isn’t coming. That’s a fact

Not disagreeing but what makes you say this?

 

[uconnyankee]

Agree on the criteria. Knowing the landscape is important so being a Northeast guy is a plus.

Reno and Cahill should be contacted. If Chesney doesn’t see a P4 opening he likes he may hear us out, but would be a tough sell getting him to leave James Madison. They’re closer to the CFP than we are currently.

Folks who recommend candidates like the Kelly’s, Orlovsky, Pentrino, or Belichik should seek a lobotomy.

Reno isn’t coming to UConn.
I’d bet my life on it.

 

[uconnyankee]

Not disagreeing but what makes you say this?

Wait until after Yale season.

 

[freescooter]

The football coach st Yale is a perfect gig. You have one game a year where winning is important. Other than that there is no pressure. He seems like a very knowledgeable guy but I doubt he is on any list for the UConn job.

 

[uconnyankee]

I'm all about the young guns that have shown great growth over the past several years. Especially among bigger programs.

I like your thinking, but I want someone that has run a program.
Not just one side of the ball.

Mora was great at running the program. He came in and changed everything. Maybe he wasn’t the best tactician. But nobody can argue with his ability to build a program. A younger version of Mora would be awesome. I don’t know who that is in college coaching.

the other option is a big name, and hope they bring coaches and players. That’s expensive though.
But it gives UConn some instant credibility.

I don’t envy Dave’s challenge. Lots riding on this decision.

 

[noeynox]

You couldn't get a 75% consensus on here for anything other than the superiority of CT pizza.

Reno is a good football coach. But as I said, that's less important today than being able to buy an entire roster for cash every year.

Sure. Need a football GM or someone like the guy Mora is taking with him to CSU. That sorta stuff will sort itself out during the interview process.

Biggest thing Mora accomplished here is show how the Portal is supposed to be approach. Not look at it as "everyone there has issues"

 

[Blue Huskie]

Matt Patricia mentioned. IDK about that.

 

[AllHusky]

Wait until after Yale season.

Stanford