So, What are your Thoughts on HCBD Now?

[Afroabe224]

We're a mediocre team... and that is AWESOME! The past few years have been so depressing the general feeling was 'we're going to be a laughingstock forever' (some even said we should drop football and return to the BE ). The fact that Diaco has us back to middle of the road is a heck of an accomplishment. More impressive is that he has done it primarily with energy and culture (PP had how many NFL players on those underachieving rosters??). 5-5 is a great measure but the eye test is what really impresses me. Going to a bowl this year will be gravy but we've all seen the improvement and 2016 was always going to be measuring stick. After this year I feel confident that Diaco can get us to the 7-9 win seasons we've been looking for.

 

[cohenzone]

Not so fast, Mr. Cohen. I am as critical of the two-deep as any here, but at last glance, over 1/2 are Freshmen and Sophomores. I think Coach Diaco has weeded out most (if not all) of the WKGs from the past regime. So I think starting next year, fans can safely assume that the UConn Football Huskies is Coach Diaco's team.

Didn't say none of them will be, but all the RS juniors and seniors will be along with some RS sophs. A good chunk of the team. One way or the other, the main point is, next should be a better indicator of the worthiness of Mr. Diaco long term. This year has been encouraging and who knows, maybe they can spring an upset, but a pretty big upset in either of these two games.

 

[Carl Spackler]

@SubbaBub
Diaco was getting a third year, whether he "earned" it or not. Only a winless season would have prevented that.

I've been riding shotgun on the Diaco Bandwagon since his opening press conference. I am on the record as saying 7-5 was within reach and the season has played out almost exactly as I thought it would have so far (Only a complete S__tting of the bed vs. USF has prevented a 100% prognostication). However, given what we have seen so far, I will continue to be cautiously optimistic about UConn's chances for bowl eligibility. Alas eligibility does not guarantee an invite. Isn't that right, Temple?

I don't remember where I read it, but I recall reading something about Temple being kind of a victim of the transitioning of the Big EAst to the AAC and the post season contracts. If I'm not mistaken, the conference has added more bowl contract selection/slots as of this year than the conference had last year - such that a 6-6 team, like Temple last year, coming out of the AAC this year and moving forward - is going to play some kind of bowl game. Could be wrong about that - but I think the chances of a 6-6 AAC team not getting a slot is not the same this year, as it was last.

Can I get Medic here? Medic? huskymedic?

(p.s. Winning 2 games and going 7-5 at this point - makes that potential problem, less of a potential problem - but we can only go one week at a time)

 

[CL82]

Not so fast, Mr. Cohen. I am as critical of the two-deep as any here, but at last glance, over 1/2 are Freshmen and Sophomores. I think Coach Diaco has weeded out most (if not all) of the WKGs from the past regime. So I think starting next year, fans can safely assume that the UConn Football Huskies is Coach Diaco's team.

WKG?

 

[Duncan Idaho]

WKG?

Wrong Kind of Guy

 

[Carl Spackler]

I'd submit that the team became entirely Coach Diaco's team after the Army game last season. Just my impression. I don't buy that argument, that this team isn't entirely Diaco's until some point in the future. He didn't recruit a good portion of the starters - Pasqualoni did, so if you're going to go with that kind of thought process - we've got at least 2 years still I think until we get an entirely Diaco recruiting team - I think, if my math is right, but to the point made before - after bowl eligibility went out the window with that fateful Chandler Whitmer late game decision in yankee stadium, something seemed to have changed where the team going forward from that point, was going to be all Bob Diaco. I think.

 

[huskymedic]

I don't remember where I read it, but I recall reading something about Temple being kind of a victim of the transitioning of the Big EAst to the AAC and the post season contracts. If I'm not mistaken, the conference has added more bowl contract selection/slots as of this year than the conference had last year - such that a 6-6 team, like Temple last year, coming out of the AAC this year and moving forward - is going to play some kind of bowl game. Could be wrong about that - but I think the chances of a 6-6 AAC team not getting a slot is not the same this year, as it was last.

Can I get Medic here? Medic? huskymedic?

The American Athletic Conference, only had 5 bowl tie-ins, and Temple had the sixth best record last year. The five teams with better records Cincinnati (9-3), Memphis (9-3), Central Florida (9-3), East Carolina (8-4), and Houston (7-5) all went bowling. Didn;t help that the Owls lost 5 of their last 7 games.

AAC added more bowls and tie-ins this year.

 

[Carl Spackler]

The American Athletic Conference, only had 5 bowl tie-ins, and Temple had the sixth best record last year. The five teams with better records Cincinnati (9-3), Memphis (9-3), Central Florida (9-3), East Carolina (8-4), and Houston (7-5) all went bowling. Didn;t help that the Owls lost 5 of their last 7 games.

AAC added more bowls and tie-ins this year.

You ever need a good helicopter pilot medic, I know a few.

 

[CTMike]

It's too soon to make any declarative statements on his tenure... But I feel like he possesses all of the intangibles that I want in a guy leading UConn Football. Young, energetic, smart, engaging, and honest (to a fault at times). I understand why he tore everything down and started over, and as long as there is consistent improvement, the ends will justify the means... But he needs to keep raising the bar. I think he's smart enough to learn and evolve and keep eliminating mistakes. He, like our team, has a lot of potential... Now he's gotta make the most of them both. We'll see.

 

[Carl Spackler]

The American Athletic Conference, only had 5 bowl tie-ins, and Temple had the sixth best record last year. The five teams with better records Cincinnati (9-3), Memphis (9-3), Central Florida (9-3), East Carolina (8-4), and Houston (7-5) all went bowling. Didn;t help that the Owls lost 5 of their last 7 games.

AAC added more bowls and tie-ins this year.

Question - did the new years day (P5+G1) thing go into effect last year, or does that start this year? With Navy knocking off Memphis, and us knocking off Houston, the playoff is out for the best record, but it seems like the new years day bowl is a lock for the top team no? Does that open up another slot?

Too early for this discussion? nah.

 

[Carl Spackler]

FWIW: As a Final answer to question posted about HCBD - I'm at least willing to look at this and post this:

2015 Season

Birmingham Bowl
Birmingham, Ala. – vs. SEC

St. Petersburg Bowl
St. Petersburg, Fla. – vs. Conference USA

Miami Beach Bowl
Miami, Fla. – vs. Conference USA

Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
Annapolis, Md. – vs. ACC

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Honolulu, Hawaii – vs. Mountain West

Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Boca Raton, Fla. – vs. MAC

AutoNation Cure Bowl
Orlando, Fla. – vs. Sun Belt
__________________________________________________
2016 Season

Birmingham Bowl
Birmingham, Ala. – vs. SEC

St. Petersburg Bowl
St. Petersburg, Fla. – vs. ACC

Miami Beach Bowl
Miami, Fla. – vs. MAC

Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
Annapolis, Md. – vs. ACC

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Fort Worth, Texas – vs. Big 12

Bahamas Bowl
Nassau Bahamas – vs. MAC

Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Boca Raton, Fla. – vs. Conference USA

AutoNation Cure Bowl
Orlando, Fla. – vs. Sun Belt

 

[BNich]

I think next year is the year to truly Judge. I want to see development of players, and talent of recruits.

As for Coach Diaco himself? I think he learned to tone down his bizarre statements. I think he continues to make questionable in game decisions as it relates to clock management and making adjustments. Two things he absolutely has to solve. But he has this team playing hard, playing with emotion, and playing for each other. That deserves major kudos. I said in a preseason thread I would not be shocked if we only won 1 game this season. So to have 5 wins at this point is amazing to me.

Are you implying you haven't seen any development or improvement this season?

 

[huskypantz]

I'm surprised that we are all pretty much in the same place regarding Diaco. I feel okay about what he's done so far, but it's to soon to tell if he's "the guy." Overall, I'm pleased with the progress the team's made. That's about all you could reasonably expect for year two, especially with the dumpster fire that he inherited.

You know this board. Start next season 1-3 or even 2-2 and the boo birds will arrive.

 

[BNich]

I think some people are not appreciating how complete of a s*&^show the situation Diaco walked into was. He has true freshman coming in after a 2-10 season that are beating out upper classmen. I think that speaks volumes to PP and co's inability to identify and mold talent. I am not sure what else could be expected at this point.

While I agree he walked into deplorable conditions as far as the program goes, but to me starting freshman over upper classmen doesn't say too much. The roster got down to 61 players. Thats an insanely low number. Not only that, he recruited the freshmen that are playing, he brought in his guys and surely wants to develop his guys. If he doesn't see some upper classmen as being his RKG and his kind of football player then I can surely see him playing his guys despite their class ranking. I think his first full class looked pretty good. And the guys he pulled in late after his hire have done pretty well to this point.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Recruiting has taken a 180 degree turn during losing seasons. I would love to see the caliber of player he and the staff can bring in if we can get to a bowl game and contend for the AAC next season.

Aside from the Cincinnati game, we have had a realistic chance of winning every single game on the schedule this year. I'd say that that alone is an 100000% improvement.

I think the final critique of Diaco as a coach will come next year when expectations are raised and games become increasingly important. Can he coach in big game atmospheres? Can he go undefeated vs the ACC as he could/should? Can he make the right adjustments and coach with everything on the line?

The expectation of expectations is a metric he hasn't faced yet.

I am impressed that the coaches have made multiple changes to the two deep and haven't been afraid to jump and established starter with new blood.

Biggest improvement I want to see next year is game management. Making sure the coach doesn't lose a game based on game day coaching.

 

[freescooter]

I said early on and I still think he reminds me of a young Schiano. He was a great recruiter, great if often wacky talker and an awful game day coach who never really won anything though he had one excellent year and usually won more than he lost at the world center of sucktitude that is Rutgers athletics.

 

[NavinRJohnson]

You know this board. Start next season 1-3 or even 2-2 and the boo birds will arrive.

Dr the last two games this year and people will be calling for BD's head.

 

[weyuo]

I want to see Diaco's loyalties to this program once they start bowling and winning conference titles. Calhoun and Auriemma stayed and built their legacies at Storrs. Will Diaco? Or will he be Edsall part 2. Make a name for himself and then go find his "dream job". So far he's matched Pasqualoni's best year but he still has left games on the field that should have been won(Missouri, USF). UConn should already be bowl eligible this year so if he can steal a win from Houston or Temple...... hurrah for him and Go Huskies. If not..then he's matched P's single season win total and we all get to wait til next year. I don't know about you guys but I'm getting tired of waiting til next year.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Well on the plus side, by this time into his tenure, I would've donated $5k toward P's buyout.

With Diaco, that's not in my realm of thinking.

 

[SubbaBub]

@SubbaBub
Diaco was getting a third year, whether he "earned" it or not. Only a winless season would have prevented that.

I've been riding shotgun on the Diaco Bandwagon since his opening press conference. I am on the record as saying 7-5 was within reach and the season has played out almost exactly as I thought it would have so far (Only a complete S__tting of the bed vs. USF has prevented a 100% prognostication). However, given what we have seen so far, I will continue to be cautiously optimistic about UConn's chances for bowl eligibility. Alas eligibility does not guarantee an invite. Isn't that right, Temple?

I also predicted 6-7 wins and have set the expectations accordingly. Pleasantly surprised by the 180 in turnover margin, still irritated over boneheaded decisions from the sideline that cost us games. Got lucky against Tulane. Normally if your offense throws up a goose egg, you lose. That said, a bowl will still be in play until the very last game, so that meets the minimum requirements for progress. Good news is that 6 eligibility guarantees an invite this year due to the AAC's new bowl contracts. Plenty of room at the inn for 6-6 Huskies.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

I voted, but I hope he'll stay at UConn for years...Who knows, maybe he'll lead us into the B1G!!!

 

[Nostical]

I don't think Narduzzi was Warde's choice.

Narduzzi is overrated. I'm glad we didn't hire him.

 

[CTBasketball]

I like Diaco. I've been to every game this season, 95% of the time absolutely smashed and rowdy.

And he still has more energy than me. Guys like that don't come around every so often.

 

[Jax Husky]

Player development gets an A from me.

In game coaching, a C.

I'll take it though.

 

[JMick]

Player development gets an A from me.

In game coaching, a C.

I'll take it though.

I'd argue the former is more important than the later, and that's it's easier to get better at the latter than the former. It's a good place to be at year 2. If recruiting is a C+, player development is an A, and in-game coaching is a B, you can win a solid amount of football games.

 

[J187Money]

I think some people are not appreciating how complete of a s*&^show the situation Diaco walked into was. He has true freshman coming in after a 2-10 season that are beating out upper classmen. I think that speaks volumes to PP and co's inability to identify and mold talent. I am not sure what else could be expected at this point. I personally think he is gone the minute he has that breakthrough season, but at that point the culture of the program and talent within the program will hopefully be of the quality to entice another quality coach, and for this I am relieved. We had basically been reduced to a G5 football wasteland when PP was shown the door. He has basically rebuilt the UConn football program in 2 years. So yes, I think he was the perfect guy for the job at the time, and has delivered on his end of the agreement to date.

What's the equation comparing the opposite of a complete disaster to a complete &:$@show?

I thought I was good at math but I'm lost.

 

[huskysupporter]

Are you implying you haven't seen any development or improvement this season?

No. I am saying I want to see more of Coach D's recruits next year so I can assess talent level. Being able to spot talent is a big part of this job.

Tough ti judge development because we have a ton of young players playing right now. (And some very promising ones). I can say the O Line has regressed. Think about that statement.

 

[Jax Husky]

I'd argue the former is more important than the later, and that's it's easier to get better at the latter than the former. It's a good place to be at year 2. If recruiting is a C+, player development is an A, and in-game coaching is a B, you can win a solid amount of football games.

Me too. He'll learn to be a beeter in game coach. You either know how to develop players or you dont.

 

[Jax Husky]

No. I am saying I want to see more of Coach D's recruits next year so I can assess talent level. Being able to spot talent is a big part of this job.

Tough ti judge development because we have a ton of young players playing right now. (And some very promising ones). I can say the O Line has regressed. Think about that statement.

O line has not regressed. That's asinine, imo. Those guys were weak and getting their butts kicked last year.

 

[jbdphi]

Dr the last two games this year and people will be calling for BD's head.

There's probably a 80%+ probability that we lose both of these games - I understand the BY isn't the place for realism but the odds of UConn beating a Top 25 ranked team this season seems incredibly low. Is it possible? Sure. Reasonable to expect? Not really.

We're 5-5 and with the possible exception of ECU, the teams we have beaten this year are anywhere from miserable to pretty bad. We're certainly improved but it would be a stretch to say that we're even competent yet.