Should Benedict or a Search Committee Choose the HC?

[LoyalFanCT]

Maybe someone from Boneyard could summarize our priorities on the search for a new coach and send it to the search firm, AD, interim president, and Board of Trustees.

 

[Blades]

Got this in an e-mail yesterday. Anyone else get it ? I guess this answers questions regarding a "search committee", but this is a new angle.

"..............in regard to the on-going search process for the next head football coach at the University of Connecticut. As we enter the early stages of this search process, we are offering “listening sessions” to select constituents of our football program, in conjunction with our search firm. This will be an opportunity to share feedback on the UConn football program and what you would like to see in our next head football coach. ..........."we have identified you as someone we would like to invite to a session. "

For anyone interested here's a little recap.

Just finished up listening ( I wasn't miked up ) but interesting stuff with about 20 or so of us. A little to much of the same narratives of why Uconn can't... NE football, takes to long in FB compared to hoops, tough academics, recruiting limitations.

To me you have to get a new HC that is willing to change these narratives with the power of the Uconn brand, across the board. Go all out like Boise St since the 90's with a bunch of different coaches, who have worse roadblocks than Uconn playing in frickin' Idaho. Cut some corners ( Uconn's made SAT's optional recently), use the portal, do it now and when you win, act like your supposed too. And do it aggressively on both sides of the ball, instead of playing the game like you'd rather be in the fetal position, playing it safe.

No more Edsall's little engine that could, when he accomplishes something like beating Notre Dame. Or a chump like Diaco who wants to start a rivalry game when he gets his 1st FBS win (UCF) or thanking teams for making him better like vs. Army. I remember listening to an edgy guy like Monken, a few years back, after he beat Uconn or a younger Calhoun in hoops ( who started in the Fieldhouse) when he said " they want to run with us, no they don't wan't to run with us" after he blew out Virginia on their home court by 40 or so. So the next guy needs to change these played out narratives, be loyal to his players, know who the enemy is( the opponent), stop making excuses, make this fun again and tell em' why Ucann.

I really liked what I heard from the lead Daniel Parker from Parker Search Group in the chat because he grasps and sees alot of positives that Uconn FB has and can do, with what's already in place, that tons of these programs don't have. Especially when most teams aren't gonna get to play for anything except some random bowl game, not a NC, no matter what they do ( just ask UCF). It's just getting the right HC, who'll sees the same opportunity, will enjoy the challenge and the journey.

 

[Chin Diesel]

For anyone interested here's a little recap.

Just finished up listening ( I wasn't miked up ) but interesting stuff with about 20 or so of us. A little to much of the same narratives of why Uconn can't... NE football, takes to long in FB compared to hoops, tough academics, recruiting limitations.

To me you have to get a new HC that is willing to change these narratives with the power of the Uconn brand, across the board. Go all out like Boise St since the 90's with a bunch of different coaches, who have worse roadblocks than Uconn playing in frickin' Idaho. Cut some corners ( Uconn's made SAT's optional recently), use the portal, do it now and when you win, act like your supposed too. And do it aggressively on both sides of the ball, instead of playing the game like you'd rather be in the fetal position, playing it safe.

No more Edsall's little engine that could, when he accomplishes something like beating Notre Dame. Or a chump like Diaco who wants to start a rivalry game when he gets his 1st FBS win (UCF) or thanking teams for making him better like vs. Army. I remember listening to an edgy guy like Monken, a few years back, after he beat Uconn or a younger Calhoun in hoops ( who started in the Fieldhouse) when he said " they want to run with us, no they don't wan't to run with us" after he blew out Virginia on their home court by 40 or so. So the next guy needs to change these played out narratives, be loyal to his players, know who the enemy is( the opponent), stop making excuses, make this fun again and tell em' why Ucann.

I really liked what I heard from the lead Daniel Parker from Parker Search Group in the chat because he grasps and sees alot of positives that Uconn FB has and can do, with what's already in place, that tons of these programs don't have. Especially when most teams aren't gonna get to play for anything except some random bowl game, not a NC, no matter what they do ( just ask UCF). It's just getting the right HC, who'll sees the same opportunity, will enjoy the challenge and the journey.

All this matters little if Uconn doesn't commit the $$$$ for the HC and his staff. Any talk on how much they are willing to spend?

 

[Blades]

All this matters little if Uconn doesn't commit the $$$$ for the HC and his staff. Any talk on how much they are willing to spend?

Well there we go another reason, why Ucann't..........Yes there was, from a high level (even outside of Uconn itself ) on down, was the narrative.

 

[06029]

For anyone interested here's a little recap.

Just finished up listening ( I wasn't miked up ) but interesting stuff with about 20 or so of us. A little to much of the same narratives of why Uconn can't... NE football, takes to long in FB compared to hoops, tough academics, recruiting limitations.

To me you have to get a new HC that is willing to change these narratives with the power of the Uconn brand, across the board. Go all out like Boise St since the 90's with a bunch of different coaches, who have worse roadblocks than Uconn playing in frickin' Idaho. Cut some corners ( Uconn's made SAT's optional recently), use the portal, do it now and when you win, act like your supposed too. And do it aggressively on both sides of the ball, instead of playing the game like you'd rather be in the fetal position, playing it safe.

No more Edsall's little engine that could, when he accomplishes something like beating Notre Dame. Or a chump like Diaco who wants to start a rivalry game when he gets his 1st FBS win (UCF) or thanking teams for making him better like vs. Army. I remember listening to an edgy guy like Monken, a few years back, after he beat Uconn or a younger Calhoun in hoops ( who started in the Fieldhouse) when he said " they want to run with us, no they don't wan't to run with us" after he blew out Virginia on their home court by 40 or so. So the next guy needs to change these played out narratives, be loyal to his players, know who the enemy is( the opponent), stop making excuses, make this fun again and tell em' why Ucann.

I really liked what I heard from the lead Daniel Parker from Parker Search Group in the chat because he grasps and sees alot of positives that Uconn FB has and can do, with what's already in place, that tons of these programs don't have. Especially when most teams aren't gonna get to play for anything except some random bowl game, not a NC, no matter what they do ( just ask UCF). It's just getting the right HC, who'll sees the same opportunity, will enjoy the challenge and the journey.

This details who the search firms are and their relative successes. Parker placed more FBS coaches but they have a sub 500 winning record. Also note that Parker got DB his job.

The Influence Of Search Firms In College Athletics

Growing in popularity in recent years, search firms assist universities with selecting coaches, athletic directors and other leadership positions. ADU analyzed 217 different instances since 2008 of universities using a search firm to aide in hiring an athletics director or football head coach.

www.athleticdirectoru.com

 

[huskymedic]

This details who the search firms are and their relative successes. Parker placed more FBS coaches but they have a sub 500 winning record. Also note that Parker got DB his job.

The Influence Of Search Firms In College Athletics

Growing in popularity in recent years, search firms assist universities with selecting coaches, athletic directors and other leadership positions. ADU analyzed 217 different instances since 2008 of universities using a search firm to aide in hiring an athletics director or football head coach.

www.athleticdirectoru.com

PES was also used when we got Diaco… so they owe us one

 

[Blades]

PES was also used when we got Diaco… so they owe us one

Yeah what was Diaco making $2Mil a year ? .... and Edsall on the cheap is still higher than about 40 FBS coaches, so I'd say money alone doesn't always get results.

 

[freescooter]

There are a number of ways to use a search firm and a number of ways to uses a committee. The firm can identify possible candidates and do some preliminary screening that it is pretty tough for the AD to do. Sometimes they can get real feedback on guys that official contacts won’t or can’t give. For example the guy who placed Benedict might call him unofficially to ask about Cory Edsall if he were being considered as coach at Northern South Dakota. Committees can either bless the AD’s choice, or if you let them, make the choice. But in a university setting you are likely going to have one so here’s hoping AD Dave knows how to run one. I suspect he does.

 

[Nostical]

I was also in one of the listening sessions and it sounds much like what Blade heard. He summarized his session well. The best thing I heard was that the powers in the state (Gov--Majority leaders in the statehouse, University BOT) are all-in on rejuvenating the program and are committed to paying the $$$. "Money will not be an issue in who UConn hires". Heard a lot about us getting more active in the portal---and protecting our young talent at year end from being enticed to enter it. Also, the search firm rep said our Independence is not a big negative and that DB deftly carved an interesting schedule and TV deal. I also heard the argument about Boise St and Coastal Carolina's kids not being able to get into UConn. At the same time lots of top 25 public U's are recruiting and winning. Part of it is getting "real" and "creative"with admissions, but part is the ability of the new HC to lead, sell a vision and have an eye for talent. Bottom line, I think we're all sober enough to know these sessions are more an opportunity for them to say they "engaged the fanbase", but I much preferred the Zoom session and its ability to engage, to a survey-monkey exercise. I doubt we influenced the process--lol--but it's clear the search firm currently has it's eye on a group of disparate guys, FCS and FBS HC's, OC's DC's and Asst's that can lead, build, excite, engage and attract a great staff. I also got the feeling that the search firm has a lot of faith in Benedict to ultimately pick the right guy from among the short list.

 

[History Geek]

We can find our Dave Clawson (should have hired him in 2013) who has found succeess in the ACC at Wake, at top 30 school NATIONALLY. We are a top 25 public.

 

[huskyblooz]

I'll tell you this much - The Boneyard wouldn't have hired PP, Diaco, or Edsall. It would have still been a disaster but we wouldn't have chosen them.

I disagree on Diaco. I thought it was a great hire. Broyles Award winner. Young & energetic. The opposite of Pasquoloni. ... Which is probably why I hate him more than anyone. I feel duped. I bought in. ... and i admit I was 100% wrong. But at the time I admit I liked the hire.

 

[Waquoit]

Jim Rome loved the hire. Haven't listened to him since.

 

[Hoophound]

The thing with Diaco is, he’s crazy. I have a strong eye for crazy. No way I look at that face in a one on one interview and don’t see the crazy. When we hired him I thought he was nuts, but I was hoping for crazy like a fox. That’s not what we got.

 

[Block C]

Please find a coach that his system fits with the players. Spanos is doing a good job with this team. He is showing the players we have are ready.

 

[Rewster]

I was also in one of the listening sessions and it sounds much like what Blade heard. He summarized his session well. The best thing I heard was that the powers in the state (Gov--Majority leaders in the statehouse, University BOT) are all-in on rejuvenating the program and are committed to paying the $$$. "Money will not be an issue in who UConn hires". Heard a lot about us getting more active in the portal---and protecting our young talent at year end from being enticed to enter it. Also, the search firm rep said our Independence is not a big negative and that DB deftly carved an interesting schedule and TV deal. I also heard the argument about Boise St and Coastal Carolina's kids not being able to get into UConn. At the same time lots of top 25 public U's are recruiting and winning. Part of it is getting "real" and "creative"with admissions, but part is the ability of the new HC to lead, sell a vision and have an eye for talent. Bottom line, I think we're all sober enough to know these sessions are more an opportunity for them to say they "engaged the fanbase", but I much preferred the Zoom session and its ability to engage, to a survey-monkey exercise. I doubt we influenced the process--lol--but it's clear the search firm currently has it's eye on a group of disparate guys, FCS and FBS HC's, OC's DC's and Asst's that can lead, build, excite, engage and attract a great staff. I also got the feeling that the search firm has a lot of faith in Benedict to ultimately pick the right guy from among the short list.

Nostical is it your impression that UConn will allow mOre students in like Boise and Coastal or that they made the excuse they don’t need to because other top 25 universities succeed without allowing students like that.

 

[JMick]

oh no. a nissan marketing person is leading our coaching search. we're doomed. seriously. I've now given up hope.

 

[husky8273]

oh no. a nissan marketing person is leading our coaching search. we're doomed. seriously. I've now given up hope.

He left Nissan over 10 years ago and joined his father's firm which has performed over 1000 executive searches over 30 years.

 

[uconnric]

Good to see Benedict on the sidelines standing with the team last night, That lets the players know that he’s behind them and gives him a feel for what’s going on with the players. That’s what lead to him replacing RE after the Holy Cross debacle in the first place.

 

[Padutch5]

The value in using an outside search firm is they can contact coaches/agents currently under contract elsewhere. This allows DB to gage level of interest without putting the prospective coach in violation of contractual issues with their current employer

Also, part of the deal with these search firms is they complete all the background checks necessary.

Dont forget the search firm will be ethically , and probably contractually, prohibited from going after coaches they already placed in their current school..I have done more than a few searches in the business world and that is something many people forget. The more coaches they have placed, the fewer places we can look.

 

[Banta55]

Dont forget the search firm will be ethically , and probably contractually, prohibited from going after coaches they already placed in their current school..I have done more than a few searches in the business world and that is something many people forget. The more coaches they have placed, the fewer places we can look.

Good point .

 

[huskymedic]

I really liked what I heard from the lead Daniel Parker from Parker Search Group in the chat because he grasps and sees alot of positives that Uconn FB has and can do, with what's already in place, that tons of these programs don't have. Especially when most teams aren't gonna get to play for anything except some random bowl game, not a NC, no matter what they do ( just ask UCF). It's just getting the right HC, who'll sees the same opportunity, will enjoy the challenge and the journey.

Lol… sources: