No more talk about patience, empty cupboards, and rebuilding. | Page 5 | The Boneyard

No more talk about patience, empty cupboards, and rebuilding.

The sky is not falling. We knew this season would be terrible. They have exceeded expectations in that regard; however, we will get better. Here's why:

1. UConn is a good brand. Good 2* and 3* players will want to play for us.
2. The AAC is the best of the G5 conferences. If they expand to 6 teams for playoffs, AAC is in the catbird seat.
3. Our young players are getting a ton of playing time this year. They will get bigger, stronger, and better educated.
4. Edsall is not perfect, but he can move our program from terrible to respectable. He did it before and he is doing it now.
5. Programs with worse histories have turned things around. It is the nature of sport. The tide will turn. Don't lose hope.
 
All of this talk about attracting four-star recruits...

The ability to recruit is a desirable coaching attribute, but I think the ability to think outside the box and develop available talent is more important. A case in point: Travis Kelce, now the Kansas City Chiefs' highly productive tight end (and thus a darling of fantasy football fans), was rated as only a two-star recruit coming out of Cleveland Heights, OH, where he played quarterback. Someone on the Cincy coaching staff had the good sense to recognize that Kelce's physical gifts and talents were better suited to playing tight end. Former two-star Kelce went in the first round to the Chiefs after a stellar college career. There have been plenty of other unheralded kids at UC who exceeded all expectations.

Cincy, sandwiched as it is between the B1G, ACC, and SEC, isn't in recruiting heaven. It's long had to make do with the scraps and crumbs its wealthier P5 neighbors leave at the table. What Cincy did benefit from is a recent string of innovative and effective coaches (excluding retiree Tommy Tuberville, who enjoyed a lucrative four-year golfing vacation at our considerable expense). I hope Cincy's current coach excels as well. And if he does, unlike the others, I hope he opts to stay.

It doesn't matter how much talent UConn or any other school is able to attract if the coaching staff isn't equipped or inclined to make the very best use of it.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
168,160
Messages
4,555,233
Members
10,438
Latest member
UConnheart
Top Bottom