I'm with those who think the next coach may come from a MAC school.....if it isn't Weist. And unfortunately, no matter how good a MAC ,MWC, etc assistant may be, fans will scratch their heads and declare Manual "a looser"
The identity of all those P5 assistants that have great minds, are great recruiters, come from prominant P5 schools, and that are ready for the next step do not have the same advantages that lead to their current successes ....... at UCONN.
For instance, a "top ten recruiter" from a region recognized as a hot bed of football talent has an easier time of recruiting for a team in a P5 conference that has a rich tradition of being a ranked team a portion of their history; maybe has played, or can play for national championships; plays before a multitude of fans; has successful and recognize household names in the NFL, etc.
UConn has none of that. Some have suggested there may be some CT high school coaches that have discourage their best players from going to UConn. I find it hard to believe any HS coach in the hotbeds of football talent would seriously say to their players that if you get an offer from UConn.......TAKE IT!
For example ....... southern/midwestern HS coach says "You got offers from Miami, FSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, UConn......take the UConn offer quick!"......I don't think so. Those good recruiters will not see the same success at UConn.
And if the assistants are as good as their accolades.......why would they choose a AAC conference team like UConn. (Perception, perception, perception) I'm guessing the more prominent schools looking for a new coach can easily trump whatever UConn offers monitarily.......especially if the accolades are as reported. Heck....the TV revenues alone will cover the difference.
Warde has a very, very tough sales job.......I'm not sure he or anyone else could pull it of to the level of fans expectations.
I can be wrong, however.......and I hope I am.