New OC Frank Verducci

[Chin Diesel]

I'm just curious as to why if you're bringing in a new OC you don't hold off on a lot of shuffling until he has a chance to give some feedback on that. We've seen a lot of shuffling the deck in all areas over the last year. Hope it settles down soon.

I wouldn't be surprised if part of the interview process was used to discuss staff changes. It's not uncommon in interviews for management.

 

[The Viking]

I love the quote from the NFL as long as it is not from PP

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I love the quote from the NFL as long as it is not from PP

We heard the same bullspit when PP was hired here.

 

[Confident Carl]

I like moving Wayne Lineberg as QB coach. He played the position at Virginia , coached QB's and was offensive coordinator at Richmond. I'm thinking that lineberg will be the passing game coordinator while Verducci,more the run game coordinator. We have co-defensive coordinators, stands to reason that may be the case on offense. That's just a guess. I never heard of Frank Verducci but the one things that stands out about him is he has not spent more than two years at any coaching spot since 1998. Let's all hope that all those experiences come together to create an outstanding OC for UCONN. All the best to Frank Verducci and family.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I think going back to a run heavy offense is the best bet going forward.

Playing at the Rent lends itself to a run game and ball control offense and with our recruiting it's probably a lot easier to develop quality lineman than to bring in highly sought after Wideouts.

 

[Adios]

I never heard of Frank Verducci but the one things that stands out about him is he has not spent more than two years at any coaching spot since 1998. Let's all hope that all those experiences come together to create an outstanding OC for UCONN. All the best to Frank Verducci and family.

One common result I notice in his resume...success!

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Not happy, not sad, just have to wait and see. Welcome... Let's get to work.

This is pretty much where I am. I kind of hoped to hear whoever was hired was a young up and coming coordinator with new ideas. I am also a bit surprised on moving Patterson because just a year ago he appeared to be the right guy to develop the QBs. A year later he is moved. Then again...it was a tough year for the QBs last year. It feels like a lot of coaching moves after just one year.

So it's a big wait and see for me. I am still hopeful that BD will get this on track.

 

[SAMCRO]

Hey, when you have a chance to hire the Tight Ends and Offensive Tackle coach at Northern Iowa, you do it!
We shall see. He's worked under some reputable guys, but as Jimmy and others mentioned I'm not seeing where in his career he has coordinated and called plays for an offense. I've got no problem with him coming from a smaller school, just was holding out hopes that we would have brought in an existing OC who has been successfully calling an offense. Diaco knows what's at stake (his job) so I'm sure he believes he brought in a guy that will help get wins.

 

[Husky25]

I think going back to a run heavy offense is the best bet going forward.

Playing at the Rent lends itself to a run game and ball control offense and with our recruiting it's probably a lot easier to develop quality lineman than to bring in highly sought after Wideouts.

That's not a weak limb upon which to climb. Tim Boyle is the only returning QB and we saw what he offered (albeit, as a 3rd string QB behind a weak offensive line). Sherriffs seems to be a dual threat and the back-up/3rd qb is a freshman. I think there's going to be a lot of handing off this year.

 

[Pudge]

I like moving Wayne Lineberg as QB coach. He played the position at Virginia , coached QB's and was offensive coordinator at Richmond. I'm thinking that lineberg will be the passing game coordinator while Verducci,more the run game coordinator. We have co-defensive coordinators, stands to reason that may be the case on offense. That's just a guess. I never heard of Frank Verducci but the one things that stands out about him is he has not spent more than two years at any coaching spot since 1998. Let's all hope that all those experiences come together to create an outstanding OC for UCONN. All the best to Frank Verducci and family.

But ... it totally refutes the Don Patterson built a GREAT QB position at Buffalo stuff we heard not too long ago. I dunno ...

 

[UConnMatt813]

My thoughts, pretty much echoing the board. Also contains a link to the write-up on Verducci on uconnhuskies.com

http://the-boneyard.com/blog/frank-verducci-named-new-offensive-coordinator/

 

[Dooley]

It's tough to put too much stock into what he helped accomplish in 1997, as the game has changed so drastically since then. But I do like the following tidbits from Des:

"A closer look at some key eye-catching stats outside of 31 years experience Diaco obviously saw that could help: the Northern Iowa offense led the FCS in red zone scoring at 98 percent.

Verducci was the co-offensive coordinator when UF beat Ohio State 24-17 in that Gator Bowl

Verducci coached the offensive line that helped Emmitt Smith break the NFL rushing record with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.

In 1997, with Verducci as the run game coordinator at Iowa, the Hawkeyes led the Big Ten in scoring and rushing."

This hire is consistent with my feeling that we are shifting towards a run based read-option style offense. Shireffs and Davis are both runners first, from what I understand. And Boyle had some newly revealed lower leg injury that would help explain why he didn't use his wheels last season. With our stable of RBs, it makes some sense.

A bit under the radar, but I am THRILLED to see this: David Corley who coached running backs will move to receivers and special teams coordinator. Corley will bring some excited energy to ST, an area that we sorely need (I'm talking specifically about our return game). Our starting field position last year was God awful and our PR guys let FAR too many balls hit the ground. I hope to see both areas improve in 2015, even if it simply means that our PR guys fair catch all punts and save 10-15 yards of bounce/roll.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

That's not a weak limb upon which to climb. Tim Boyle is the only returning QB and we saw what he offered (albeit, as a 3rd string QB behind a weak offensive line). Sherriffs seems to be a dual threat and the back-up/3rd qb is a freshman. I think there's going to be a lot of handing off this year.

Agreed. We could be looking at our worst group of QBs in D1A history coming into the season. Obviously the Casey injury killed us, but even so our QB play/depth has been consistently abysmal.

 

[gioff23]

There are 2 ways to beat the spread - try and win a shootout or try and keep their O off the field. The reason Oregin struggles perenially w/Stanford is that they (Stan) use their run game as a portion of their D, keeping them (Ore.) off the field to limit their ability to build the timing that is critical to the strategy. Playing in the NE, on grass, lends itself more to avoiding the B12 strategy (if you cant beat em, join em) versus the SEC, BIG, PAC12 approach (to beat them, make them watch the game).

the shuffling of the staff is interesting in that now every coach can coach every position on the field (w/the exception of Corley, who likely could not make the move to OL/TE). In a sense, we have 4 guys who can coord an O and call plays. I like staffs that are multi-faceted, both from a teaching perspective and from a game planning perspective.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Hey, when you have a chance to hire the Tight Ends and Offensive Tackle coach at Northern Iowa, you do it!
We shall see. He's worked under some reputable guys, but as Jimmy and others mentioned I'm not seeing where in his career he has coordinated and called plays for an offense. I've got no problem with him coming from a smaller school, just was holding out hopes that we would have brought in an existing OC who has been successfully calling an offense. Diaco knows what's at stake (his job) so I'm sure he believes he brought in a guy that will help get wins.

It's not the guy I hoped for (Quinn) but it's not Charley Molnar either. So we've that to hang our hat on.

 

[Bonehead]

Obviously wish him great success.

The following is known as a fruit basket dance. Once you move the pear, you have to move the apple, then the banana.

With Verducci coming there has been a shift among the staff, too. Wayne Lineburg, who coached receivers and special teams last year will coach the quarterbacks. Don Patterson who coached quarterbacks will move tight ends and David Corley who coached running backs will move to receivers and special teams coordinator.

Please, I'm just noting the dance, it's not a positive or negative comment. I know some of the Boneyard can read into things.

Are you saying....

 

[UConnDan97]

Interesting his history is slanted towards running the ball.

If your QB's at Dallas were Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson, you'd tell Emmitt Smith to run it every down too!!!

 

[Husky25]

But ... it totally refutes the Don Patterson built a GREAT QB position at Buffalo stuff we heard not too long ago. I dunno ...

But it's perfectly in line with playing to their strengths (Johnson and Newsome). This doesn't matter to me as much though. If the offensive line doesn't drastically improve, the whole thing is moot.

 

[CL82]

I know I am in the minority when I say 'GOOD'.
If I remember correctly that National Championship team ran the ball like 63 times in that game for 296 and beat the wide open offense team.

Sure - stats can be skewed for either persons arguement - I believe in running the ball.

"In 2009, he served as the offensive run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Notre Dame, helping the Irish finish in the top ten nationally in Total Offense. "

Same here. The best way to overcome a talent disparity on offense is to keep your opponents offense off the field. This was the key to FUCHCRE's success.

I'm mildly optimistic. I didn't realize the extent that the PP years wore me down, until last season just broke me. It will be a while before I get sucked back in.

 

[Sprague03]

When the Gators hired him-
http://www.gatorzone.com/football/staff/verducci

When the irish hired him
http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011409aac.html

"In addition, the name Verducci in New Jersey high school football is legendary as both his father and uncle were coaching icons. This should aide our recruiting efforts in New Jersey and the Northeast.

He was brought in for 3 reasons:
1) Recruit from NJ
2) Build a run game
3) Help build the O-line with Cummings. This guy has a great resume coaching OL from Joe Thomas to Larry Allen

 

[Confident Carl]

It's tough to put too much stock into what he helped accomplish in 1997, as the game has changed so drastically since then. But I do like the following tidbits from Des:

"A closer look at some key eye-catching stats outside of 31 years experience Diaco obviously saw that could help: the Northern Iowa offense led the FCS in red zone scoring at 98 percent.

Verducci was the co-offensive coordinator when UF beat Ohio State 24-17 in that Gator Bowl

Verducci coached the offensive line that helped Emmitt Smith break the NFL rushing record with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.

In 1997, with Verducci as the run game coordinator at Iowa, the Hawkeyes led the Big Ten in scoring and rushing."

This hire is consistent with my feeling that we are shifting towards a run based read-option style offense. Shireffs and Davis are both runners first, from what I understand. And Boyle had some newly revealed lower leg injury that would help explain why he didn't use his wheels last season. With our stable of RBs, it makes some sense.

A bit under the radar, but I am THRILLED to see this: David Corley who coached running backs will move to receivers and special teams coordinator. Corley will bring some excited energy to ST, an area that we sorely need (I'm talking specifically about our return game). Our starting field position last year was God awful and our PR guys let FAR too many balls hit the ground. I hope to see both areas improve in 2015, even if it simply means that our PR guys fair catch all punts and save 10-15 yards of bounce/roll.

Dooley, based on your logic above, Dario Highsmith has been projected as a special teams player. With our QB shortage I have to think they may give him consideration as a 4th QB. It ads depth to the position and gives us a Deshon Fox type player. I could see him getting game action next year if he is as good as his highlight reel.

 

[Dooley]

The NJ recruiting slant is every bit as important as his playcalling. If we can pluck a few NJ kids every year, he'll be an asset.

 

[Dooley]

Dooley, based on your logic above, Dario Highsmith has been projected as a special teams player. With our QB shortage I have to think they may give him consideration as a 4th QB. It ads depth to the position and gives us a Deshon Fox type player. I could see him getting game action next year if he is as good as his highlight reel.

Anything is possible. We will definitely need to give somebody on our roster some reps at QB and call him a 4th string QB. Our lack of depth at that position certainly warrants it.

 

[CTMike]

Regardless of who was hired, they better execute on Diaco's "vision" for the offense - what he's described has been run-first with downfield attacks - and obviously that hasn't been the case so far, for a multitude of reasons.

 

[Dooley]

Yup, we obviously need the OL to perform right out of the gates. We can't afford another 8 week practice season out of them. Run and pass protection need to be at a D-1 level in August, not November. If we can get proper protection, we do have some talent in the skill positions. Now if only we can find a Quarterback.

 

[PAGS]

This is kinda like that Christmas morning when you were 8, all excited to open the big box. You tear the paper, open the box and find a sweater. It's a nice sweater....but it's still a sweater! You just hoped for something better...you don't know what...but better.

 

[cttxus]

Curious now, with all the changes on O, if something breaks on a JUCO/transfer QB. Someone that can come in and compete for the starting job right away.

 

[junglehusky]

The NJ recruiting slant is every bit as important as his playcalling. If we can pluck a few NJ kids every year, he'll be an asset.

a few MORE kids

 

[HobokenHusky]

So it appears the plan is becoming clear: we want to be bigger and stronger than you so that you can't run the ball on us, and then when we get the ball we run it down your #$%#$^ing throat. I can get down with that.

 

[2Infinity]

The potential of this BD hire is intriguing. Even if FV hasn't been an OC before, he does have experience running many parts of an offense during his various coaching stops along the way to Storrs. In addition, he has been the coordinator of the running game portion of an offense more than once, so he's virtually been a co-offensive coordinator. Additionally, with his experience at so many levels of both college and pro football and at so many offensive positions, I'm excited to see what he can do here with the young pups we have. I also like that HE'S willing to jump at the opportunity here with UConn! When you consider that he's been involved with so many winning programs, his winning experience and no-doubt....winning attitude could be one of the more under-appreciated aspects of this hire! Welcome aboard Coach Verducci!