New! Just released pod with Coach Mora

[UConnJim]

Mora seems the right man for the job and he seems to delegate much more to his assistants than Edsall or Diaco did. I do like that we have a better OC and DC (Spanos couldn't be HC and DC) than we had last year. How did Guifre end up as OC? On the recruiting side, I like that he has gotten kids from the CT prep schools and went after P5 transfers. As for roster management, I do believe he has upgraded the talent at almost every position, although Travis Jones can't be replaced.

All that said, it is year 1 and the first half of the schedule is not easy and UConn could go 1-5. For year 1, I think showing that UConn is a competitive team with 3 wins is a reasonable expectation. I think year 2 will be better as the schedule is favorable to start the season and the coaching staff will have another year to fill roster holes through the portal.

 

[Bongo Fury]

The amount of assistants, analysts and personnel is impressive. Shows UConn is committed to football. If they get left out again it won’t be for lack of effort or investment.

 

[Brochacho]

everyone keeps mentioning carwashes and at this point I'm too scared to ask why since it's been so long

A few years back a poster said they heard from a Wake alum/donor that the ACC was adding UConn while at a car wash.

 

[uconnric]

When he's not reffing games I assume his Monday to Friday job is working at a carwash?

Let me provide another theory -- nothing much is going on with UConn (both the ACC and the Big Ten know how to reach us if they need to fill spots) but Mora's job is to sell tickets, and that kind of talk is one way to build excitement.

Don't think it's being used to sell tickets. If anyone does have inside information, it couldn't be publicized at this point.

 

[jostar1]

Regarding rumors...remember this:

UConn to the NBE?

I know I'll get crucified for this thread, but just passing along something I heard today, because it came from a very credible source. Largest private donor at Providence, directly involved in their athletic department and knows Tranghese well (who he says UConn hired as a consultant at some...

the-boneyard.com

 

[Chin Diesel]

Mora seems the right man for the job and he seems to delegate much more to his assistants than Edsall or Diaco did. I do like that we have a better OC and DC (Spanos couldn't be HC and DC) than we had last year. How did Guifre end up as OC? On the recruiting side, I like that he has gotten kids from the CT prep schools and went after P5 transfers. As for roster management, I do believe he has upgraded the talent at almost every position, although Travis Jones can't be replaced.

All that said, it is year 1 and the first half of the schedule is not easy and UConn could go 1-5. For year 1, I think showing that UConn is a competitive team with 3 wins is a reasonable expectation. I think year 2 will be better as the schedule is favorable to start the season and the coaching staff will have another year to fill roster holes through the portal.

The way he talked about prep schools sounded like it took him 5 seconds to realize even though the school is in the northeast they are drawing in players from all over the country. Great to save money recruiting a California kid when he preps in New England. It's one of those brilliant in simplicity and understanding how to utilize a resource.

 

[gioff2323]

… and more portal guys coming!

 

[History Geek]

Regarding rumors...remember this:

UConn to the NBE?

I know I'll get crucified for this thread, but just passing along something I heard today, because it came from a very credible source. Largest private donor at Providence, directly involved in their athletic department and knows Tranghese well (who he says UConn hired as a consultant at some...

the-boneyard.com

Thanks for posting that. Memory lane.

 

[metsfan2323]

An interesting point is him talking about there being major realignment in college football in the next year and being positioned to get into the best conference possible. I wonder if it's a very general comment or there are some serious things going on behind closed doors.

Yes that was very interesting. Couple that comment with AD DB's response when asked about being an independent in February:

AD Dave Benedict on being an independent: “It’s hard to say what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone a year from now. There’s some things we need to keep an eye on”

The short time frame was never brought up by the interviewer, it was just a throw away question about being an independent.

 

[noeynox]

The way he talked about prep schools sounded like it took him 5 seconds to realize even though the school is in the northeast they are drawing in players from all over the country. Great to save money recruiting a California kid when he preps in New England. It's one of those brilliant in simplicity and understanding how to utilize a resource.

I look at it like you don't have to convince that kid to come from California to CT. He's already done it.

 

[Sportsman5]

Yes that was very interesting. Couple that comment with AD DB's response when asked about being an independent in February:

AD Dave Benedict on being an independent: “It’s hard to say what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone a year from now. There’s some things we need to keep an eye on”

The short time frame was never brought up by the interviewer, it was just a throw away question about being an independent.

Interesting comment. All UConn can do now is win games, but there does appear to be a lot more movement that will happen in the next few years and UConn should have a good chance of getting an invite to either the ACC or BIG 10. Everyone in the BIG 12 has one foot out the door and it seems likely the BIG 12 will get raided at some point by a combination of the PAC/ACC/BIG 10. If the BIG 10 is unable to raid the ACC, then UConn will have a great chance at an invite. If the BIG 10 does raid the ACC, then UConn could still be invited if there is an increase of 4-6 teams, but if not then they will have a great chance of backfilling to the ACC. Or we keep getting screwed...

 

[Hoophound]

If we could stay in the Big East and play football in a good and stable football only conference in the end, I’d be ok with that if the money was adequate. There should be some pretty appealing leftovers.

I’d love the Big Ten, but I’m much less excited about a picked over ACC. I’m one of those guys that prefers playing basketball against PC and Seton Hall over NC State and Wake Forest. Yes, we’d get BC and Cuse back on the schedule, but we’d lose Nova, PC, Seton Hall, Georgetown and St John’s to get there. I like the old rivals and the NYC vibe of the Big East.
.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I look at it like you don't have to convince that kid to come from California to CT. He's already done it.

You said it more succinctly than me. So, let me add more words to make the same point. You aren't going out to California or where ever and asking the kid to project what it's like away from home, what the weather, environment, rural/urban mix is....whatever. The kid is already in that new environment and you're just asking them to hang out longer.

 

[FrostyNuggets]

Regarding rumors...remember this:

UConn to the NBE?

I know I'll get crucified for this thread, but just passing along something I heard today, because it came from a very credible source. Largest private donor at Providence, directly involved in their athletic department and knows Tranghese well (who he says UConn hired as a consultant at some...

the-boneyard.com

That guy got the full Fishy treatment.

About 2 months before that post, a friends son told me UConn was going to the big East. I told him it would never happen and cited the list of reasons that I got from Fishy’s posts through the years. I bought into them. I even sprinkled in a bit of patented Fishy condescension.

Looking back, knowing now the circles my buddies son he runs in, I should have listened.

 

[Exit 4]

That guy got the full Fishy treatment.

About 2 months before that post, a friends son told me UConn was going to the big East. I told him it would never happen and cited the list of reasons that I got from Fishy’s posts through the years. I bought into them. I even sprinkled in a bit of patented Fishy condescension.

Looking back, knowing now the circles my buddies son he runs in, I should have listened.

Great, so what's next?

 

[jostar1]

That guy got the full Fishy treatment.

About 2 months before that post, a friends son told me UConn was going to the big East. I told him it would never happen and cited the list of reasons that I got from Fishy’s posts through the years. I bought into them. I even sprinkled in a bit of patented Fishy condescension.

Looking back, knowing now the circles my buddies son he runs in, I should have listened.

Talk to him again.

 

[cttxus]

That guy got the full Fishy treatment.

About 2 months before that post, a friends son told me UConn was going to the big East. I told him it would never happen and cited the list of reasons that I got from Fishy’s posts through the years. I bought into them. I even sprinkled in a bit of patented Fishy condescension.

Looking back, knowing now the circles my buddies son he runs in, I should have listened.

OK, on Fishy, admittedly I've been basically lurking on this board and contributing little of relevant UConn FB value since (and arguably before) our fall from grace after the Fiesta Bowl. But, harkening back to those good ole days, where has Fishy been recently for those of us not in the know? Has he recently returned like the great white sharks have off Cape Cod and the islands? Or did I miss him like so many unfortunate swimmers have?

 

[ZooCougar]

Interesting comment. All UConn can do now is win games, but there does appear to be a lot more movement that will happen in the next few years and UConn should have a good chance of getting an invite to either the ACC or BIG 10. Everyone in the BIG 12 has one foot out the door and it seems likely the BIG 12 will get raided at some point by a combination of the PAC/ACC/BIG 10. If the BIG 10 is unable to raid the ACC, then UConn will have a great chance at an invite. If the BIG 10 does raid the ACC, then UConn could still be invited if there is an increase of 4-6 teams, but if not then they will have a great chance of backfilling to the ACC. Or we keep getting screwed...

In before someone says something about AAU membership.

 

[ZooCougar]

I look at it like you don't have to convince that kid to come from California to CT. He's already done it.

“If you have to convince a kid from California to come to Connecticut then it’s just not going to work.” -Randy Edsall, probably

 

[metsfan2323]

Yes that was very interesting. Couple that comment with AD DB's response when asked about being an independent in February:

AD Dave Benedict on being an independent: “It’s hard to say what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone a year from now. There’s some things we need to keep an eye on”

The short time frame was never brought up by the interviewer, it was just a throw away question about being an independent.

and away we go. Fasten your seatbelt.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I feel like UNC and Duke are going to be a package deal always. There's too much history and money to break those two up. Just like Texas and Oklahoma.

But not in football, so no guarantee they're locked at the hip.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I feel like UNC and Duke are going to be a package deal always. There's too much history and money to break those two up. Just like Texas and Oklahoma.

I imagine that UNC & Duke feel that way at the moment but if they get different offers down the road this can change.

Also:

1 - how long have Texas and Oklahoma been rivals?

2 - how many of those years have they been in the same conference?

 

[Stinger92860]

But not in football, so no guarantee they're locked at the hip.

They can schedule a yearly H/H regardless of which conference they are in. They should sell the rights themselves.

 

[DoctorWho85]

I imagine that UNC & Duke feel that way at the moment but if they get different offers down the road this can change.

Also:

1 - how long have Texas and Oklahoma been rivals?

2 - how many of those years have they been in the same conference?

Aren't they both going to the SEC together though? Which just kind of strengthens my point?

 

[RSTuthill]

You said it more succinctly than me. So, let me add more words to make the same point. You aren't going out to California or where ever and asking the kid to project what it's like away from home, what the weather, environment, rural/urban mix is....whatever. The kid is already in that new environment and you're just asking them to hang out longer.

Not to forget that prepsters are often a year older