The school that realignment left behind: Inside UConn football's collapse - Adelson @ ESPN

[Waquoit]

"I remember going in his office, shutting the door and being like, 'What happened?' I did not know the program talentwise had fallen off that much," Orlovsky said.

I think this says as much about Dan as it does Bob. I certainly wouldn't mind if the program and he were estranged for a bit.

 

[UConnJim]

I think the ACC has had their eye on the ultimate prize during expansion - Notre Dame. When Pitt was selected for the ACC before UConn, some people speculated that if Notre Dame was ever going to join the ACC, the ACC should try to get some traditional rivals into the conference. Pitt is the 5th most school that Notre Dame has played. That is why Navy (most games played against ND) is rumored to be the 16th school as a football only if Notre Dame joins as you could put Notre Dame in a division with Navy, Pitt, and say BC so that they play tradition rivals in conference.

As for Louisville, they had just been rejected by the Big 12 so they understood the expansion process and they did everything they could to get into the ACC. Unlike UConn's administration, they were not overconfident and left nothing to chance.

All that said, I do think the ACC made mistakes with the schools they selected. They were late to start the ACC Network and it is not carried by Xfinity which is a major loss of revenues. BC athletics don't drive the needle enough for Xfinity to carry the ACCN even though Massachusetts is a major Xfinity state. If the ACC took UConn, I would guarantee you that UConn fans (and Connecticut politicians) would not accept no ACCN in Connecticut. I think adding UConn could help drive the ACCN to be carried by Xfinity. How much revenue for the ACC would that be? Xfinity has ~19 million subscribers. Let's say the ACCN would charge Xfinity $0.50 per sub on average, that would be $114 million in total revenue and assuming the margin for the ACC is 50%, it would increase ACC revenues by ~$57 million per year which more than pays for adding UConn.

 

[freescooter]

I think what they miss is that instead of doubling down as Cincy did, Houston did, even Memphis SMU and Temple did, UConn essentially quit. Cincinnati kept going with its basketball program. Got NCAA bids almost every year. On the football side they kept building. Brought in good coaches. Basically said, ok we are here. Let’s be the best team in the AAC. UConn got all weepy and did a woe is us. Blamed the league instead of going out and showing they were too good for it.

I also think that Diaco’s second year was sort of unfortunate. 6-6 and a bowl bid created some false sense that despite his craziness he had things on the right track. Clearly he did not And in hind sight that team wasn’t good but it did have some luck.

 

[Huskygamble19]

Hey Now Hey Now don't dream its over,,,,,

 

[Blades]

Get this ESPN narcissistic passage, "With a lucrative television deal on the table from ESPN, the conference had a chance to solidify its future. But some in the room felt the league could gain more in the open market. So the Big East turned the deal down. Shortly thereafter, the ACC started showing interest in multiple Big East teams."

How dare the Big East turn down the almighty World Wide Leader's money?! That last line should read, "Shortly thereafter, a butt hurt ESPN conspired with the ACC to destroy the Big East."..... EXACTLY

ESPN and those ACC shills needs come clean, stop lying and tell truth like Flipper did. ("ESPN told us what to do" )

Did ESPN Force ACC/Big East Realignment? (UPDATED)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=R8y6DJAeolo It’s impossible for me to view the monopoly ESPN has over the sports world and the unthinkable amount of money that comes in and out of Bristol without thinking of Gordon Gekko. As more and more is revealed about the way ESPN does business at the very top...

awfulannouncing.com

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The article’s intention was entirely to limit public enthusiasm towards the Mora hire and take a few swipes (framed to appear as compliments) at us in the process. I personally like that they feel the need to do this and will explain why.

The firm I worked for in the late 1990’s had among their clients Ben & Jerry’s and at our annual conference/dinner in January 1999, asked Ben and Jerry to appear as guest speakers. Jerry started with a humorous story on how they met {the two laziest kids in gym class found each other) and went on to how, once they began selling their product in grocery stores, a major distributor attempted to force those stores to stop carrying their product. Jerry said he was worried that this would put them out of business, but Ben was smart enough to realize that if they were so frightened of Ben & Jerry’s product, it was time to expand.

They (northern ACC schools, ESPN, perhaps the ACC itself) is worried about what we can become and what it will do to them if we get there. The article did reopen a number of old wounds (I still feel Hathaway did more damage than P or Diaco, cringe at the misfortune of BC being on the limited committee that decided in September 2011 to add two BE schools and wish the B-12 would be given the opportunity to reconsider remaining at ten members when UT, OU et al decided to decline the P-12 invitation) but we need to put that behind us.

If Mora succeeds, brings us to where we were the past few years of RE 1.0, some of those schools will be shaking in their boots as from that point, with the people we have in place, we will be able to take the next step forward. If we do that, the schools that the ACC selected instead of us will be in our rear view mirror.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I think the ACC has had their eye on the ultimate prize during expansion - Notre Dame. When Pitt was selected for the ACC before UConn, some people speculated that if Notre Dame was ever going to join the ACC, the ACC should try to get some traditional rivals into the conference. Pitt is the 5th most school that Notre Dame has played. That is why Navy (most games played against ND) is rumored to be the 16th school as a football only if Notre Dame joins as you could put Notre Dame in a division with Navy, Pitt, and say BC so that they play tradition rivals in conference.

As for Louisville, they had just been rejected by the Big 12 so they understood the expansion process and they did everything they could to get into the ACC. Unlike UConn's administration, they were not overconfident and left nothing to chance.

All that said, I do think the ACC made mistakes with the schools they selected. They were late to start the ACC Network and it is not carried by Xfinity which is a major loss of revenues. BC athletics don't drive the needle enough for Xfinity to carry the ACCN even though Massachusetts is a major Xfinity state. If the ACC took UConn, I would guarantee you that UConn fans (and Connecticut politicians) would not accept no ACCN in Connecticut. I think adding UConn could help drive the ACCN to be carried by Xfinity. How much revenue for the ACC would that be? Xfinity has ~19 million subscribers. Let's say the ACCN would charge Xfinity $0.50 per sub on average, that would be $114 million in total revenue and assuming the margin for the ACC is 50%, it would increase ACC revenues by ~$57 million per year which more than pays for adding UConn.

You could be correct but I personally believe that it was ND that approached the ACC. While the C-7 always felt that once the split (which was designed when the conference expanded to 16 after the first ACC raid but never set in stone as \to when it would happen) occurred, ND would remain with the catholic schools, ND had made some comments that would lead one to believe they were trying to align with the football playing members, hoping to be included as a not football participant. Once the BE lost Syracuse and Pitt, the remaining football schools wouldn't be significant enough of a conference and ND still viewed themselves above the other catholic members so they approached the ACC with the idea of adding ND, which would (and did) finally rip the BE apart. Nova (every current BE school owes them a debt of gratitude) had enough success to keep the conference at a high level in the public's eye, which I imagine the ACC never anticipated, but the ND betrayal is something the C-7 never anticipated.

 

[coachcap]

Andrea A$$inine doesn't have the mental capability to have written this tripe overnight. It has been sitting in her desk drawer for a while until she could insert Coach. Mora's name at the time of the hiring announcement. She is just an ESPN Shill & incapable of original thought.

 

[huskymedic]

Andrea A$$inine doesn't have the mental capability to have written this tripe overnight. It has been sitting in her desk drawer for a while until she could insert Coach. Mora's name at the time of the hiring announcement. She is just an ESPN Shill & incapable of original thought.

Geez Coach… you’ve gotten quite ornery lately

 

[coachcap]

Geez Coach… you’ve gotten quite ornery lately

Cantankerous curmudgeon, I've been told that I resemble thT description...lol

 

[CL82]

Andrea A$$inine doesn't have the mental capability to have written this tripe overnight. It has been sitting in her desk drawer for a while until she could insert Coach. Mora's name at the time of the hiring announcement. She is just an ESPN Shill & incapable of original thought.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Cantankerous curmudgeon, I've been told that I resemble thT description...lol

That may well be true but what is also true is your assessment of the article. ESPN has been holding onto this in a tickler file for a couple of months, waiting for our announcement of a new head coaching hire so they could throw cold water on our news.

 

[hank970]

The article’s intention was entirely to limit public enthusiasm towards the Mora hire and take a few swipes (framed to appear as compliments) at us in the process. I personally like that they feel the need to do this and will explain why.

The firm I worked for in the late 1990’s had among their clients Ben & Jerry’s and at our annual conference/dinner in January 1999, asked Ben and Jerry to appear as guest speakers. Jerry started with a humorous story on how they met {the two laziest kids in gym class found each other) and went on to how, once they began selling their product in grocery stores, a major distributor attempted to force those stores to stop carrying their product. Jerry said he was worried that this would put them out of business, but Ben was smart enough to realize that if they were so frightened of Ben & Jerry’s product, it was time to expand.

They (northern ACC schools, ESPN, perhaps the ACC itself) is worried about what we can become and what it will do to them if we get there. The article did reopen a number of old wounds (I still feel Hathaway did more damage than P or Diaco, cringe at the misfortune of BC being on the limited committee that decided in September 2011 to add two BE schools and wish the B-12 would be given the opportunity to reconsider remaining at ten members when UT, OU et al decided to decline the P-12 invitation) but we need to put that behind us.

If Mora succeeds, brings us to where we were the past few years of RE 1.0, some of those schools will be shaking in their boots as from that point, with the people we have in place, we will be able to take the next step forward. If we do that, the schools that the ACC selected instead of us will be in our rear view mirror.

Laughter is the best medicine.

 

[Waquoit]

I love Calhoun, but that was totally a factor. Heard it way back when that “basketball coach is a problem.”

UConn sports is really something. We don't get a sniff of the big-time without JC. Yet, we didn't make it to the big, big-time because of JC. Maybe not only because of JC, but no doubt he was a factor.

 

[John]

That is as accurate as I have seen.

I love Calhoun, but that was totally a factor. Heard it way back when that “basketball coach is a problem.”

Now, considering what UNC did academically and the fact Louisville is corrupt, kinda rich how it turn out.

But, Adelsen nailed the dynamics.

If I recall, there was a lot of media speculation that the infractions we got nailed for were just the beginning and that more would be revealed with time. We weren't known as the UNLV of the East (lol) for nothing. Of course, time revealed that other programs had taken infractions to the next level (and got away with it) cough*UNC*cough.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

That may well be true but what is also true is your assessment of the article. ESPN has been holding onto this in a tickler file for a couple of months, waiting for our announcement of a new head coaching hire so they could throw cold water on our news.

Why? Why would ESPN care enough about UConn to do this?

ESPN cares about one thing....making money. How does attacking UConn help them make money?

 

[Waquoit]

Why? Why would ESPN care enough about UConn to do this?

ESPN cares about one thing....making money. How does attacking UConn help them make money?

I maybe agree that this story has been in the file for awhile, but even so you either run it now or kill it before it becomes even more stale. And since content is content, why would you kill it?

 

[JohnFSilver]

Why? Why would ESPN care enough about UConn to do this?

ESPN cares about one thing....making money. How does attacking UConn help them make money?

I used to sit in on these meetings and think the world of the editors there. This was a good story. There is no “espn” hates UConn. The story is timely. I don’t know if this story was scheduled to run when it did, or if they moved it up because mora hired.

They may have had it in the que to go at the end of the season. But, Mora hire blew the timing. So that cut their losses and put it out there.

 

[zls44]

The article’s intention was entirely to limit public enthusiasm towards the Mora hire and take a few swipes (framed to appear as compliments) at us in the process. I personally like that they feel the need to do this and will explain why.

I assure you nobody in Bristol is roaming the halls wondering how to downplay the coach hire by the worst program in America.

 

[CL82]

I love Calhoun, but that was totally a factor. Heard it way back when that “basketball coach is a problem.”

From whom did you hear that?

 

[CL82]

Why? Why would ESPN care enough about UConn to do this?

ESPN cares about one thing....making money. How does attacking UConn help them make money?

Because you can lift the American largely due to the horrific deal that conference got from ESPN? Think they wouldn’t hold a grudge? Remember what happened to the Big East after it turned down a lowball deal from ESPN? The bank rolled that conference’s evisceration.

 

[Waquoit]

I assure you nobody in Bristol is roaming the halls wondering how to downplay the coach hire by the worst program in America.

I submit the Mora hire gets us out of the cellar.

 

[JohnFSilver]

From whom did you hear that?

I would say about half dozen different people.

It was. “The football is just OK. We got the media market, and the basketball coach is a issue.”

They just didn’t like them.

From people inside AD department at UConn and also from ACC media/people. It was an issue. Deciding factor? No. But no one in the conference was dying to see Calhoun in the conference. Why didn’t Boeheim and Syracuse advocate for UConn?

Why has no one who has partnered with UConn ever spoke up on the schools behalf?

Remember, Nate Miles was a live issue when those discussions started. UConn was under fire for APR issues (ultimately banned), and you know what? They didn’t really like him. Personally (probably because he kicked their ass).

Not sure the acc wanted to deal with what UConn brings as far as personality, media, fan base. People making decisions just generally did not like the university as partners. Herbst and Manuel had to navigate that. Just not enough time.

Herbst and Manuel tried to change that narrative, but I always got the feeling that UConn was difficult to deal with behind the scenes for so long it hurt their relationships.

Louisville, on the other hand, had Pitino, Bridgewater, and Tom Jurich called in favors and had Mitch McConnell help him out.

Louisville became a nice option without the baggage. Lol. The entire regime was corrupt, but oh well.

Why do you guys think Kevin Ollie’s contract was so attuned to violations and APR?

 

[CL82]

Why didn’t Boeheim and Syracuse advocate for UConn?

My guess is because not having Connecticut in conference gave him a competitive advantage. Supposedly he’s friends with Calhoun.

Interesting though. I appreciate the detail.

 

[Slick]

Well..it was his failures in those areas that led to losing games. He doesn't have to get into specifics...we all know what goes into winning.

I have said this before...the one thing I always thought was a core Edsall strength was integrity. Wow was I wrong.

Diaco is proving to be a much more genuine person than Edsall. And 5 years ago I would have thought you were nuts if you said that.

Nothing but kudos to Diaco for being forthright. Maybe in time Edsall will be more honest about what happened.

What happened is he really sucked.

 

[Hoophound]

I would say about half dozen different people.

It was. “The football is just OK. We got the media market, and the basketball coach is a issue.”

They just didn’t like them.

From people inside AD department at UConn and also from ACC media/people. It was an issue. Deciding factor? No. But no one in the conference was dying to see Calhoun in the conference. Why didn’t Boeheim and Syracuse advocate for UConn?

Why has no one who has partnered with UConn ever spoke up on the schools behalf?

Remember, Nate Miles was a live issue when those discussions started. UConn was under fire for APR issues (ultimately banned), and you know what? They didn’t really like him. Personally (probably because he kicked their ass).

Not sure the acc wanted to deal with what UConn brings as far as personality, media, fan base. People making decisions just generally did not like the university as partners. Herbst and Manuel had to navigate that. Just not enough time.

Herbst and Manuel tried to change that narrative, but I always got the feeling that UConn was difficult to deal with behind the scenes for so long it hurt their relationships.

Louisville, on the other hand, had Pitino, Bridgewater, and Tom Jurich called in favors and had Mitch McConnell help him out.

Louisville became a nice option without the baggage. Lol. The entire regime was corrupt, but oh well.

Why do you guys think Kevin Ollie’s contract was so attuned to violations and APR?

If it weren’t for your line of work, I’d say you’re crazy. but I trust you are correct to some degree. However, I think a lot of the Calhoun dislike was actually just Cuse and BC planted bs playing off the violations to help vilify him and keep him out of the ACC. Tobacco Road was openly in favor of us so I really think it was northern, unproven football and BC/Cuse lobbying that killed us.

JC and Boeheim were very good friends and golf buddies. JC openly praised Boeheim in the press and spoke of their close bond. When Boeheim got the chance to put JC in his rear view as a competitor, he flushed the friendship. He was even open about it. Does anyone remember the time he was interviewed and when asked about us, instead of answering the question he said, “We’re in a better conference than them, that’s what I think”?

That whole process was a disgrace.

 

[jdb50]

I would say about half dozen different people.

It was. “The football is just OK. We got the media market, and the basketball coach is a issue.”

They just didn’t like them.

From people inside AD department at UConn and also from ACC media/people. It was an issue. Deciding factor? No. But no one in the conference was dying to see Calhoun in the conference. Why didn’t Boeheim and Syracuse advocate for UConn?

Why has no one who has partnered with UConn ever spoke up on the schools behalf?

Remember, Nate Miles was a live issue when those discussions started. UConn was under fire for APR issues (ultimately banned), and you know what? They didn’t really like him. Personally (probably because he kicked their ass).

Not sure the acc wanted to deal with what UConn brings as far as personality, media, fan base. People making decisions just generally did not like the university as partners. Herbst and Manuel had to navigate that. Just not enough time.

Herbst and Manuel tried to change that narrative, but I always got the feeling that UConn was difficult to deal with behind the scenes for so long it hurt their relationships.

Louisville, on the other hand, had Pitino, Bridgewater, and Tom Jurich called in favors and had Mitch McConnell help him out.

Louisville became a nice option without the baggage. Lol. The entire regime was corrupt, but oh well.

Why do you guys think Kevin Ollie’s contract was so attuned to violations and APR?

Remember we beat Louisville in football on their field prior to the decision to take them not us IIRC. We were not worthy though.

 

[UConnJim]

If it weren’t for your line of work, I’d say you’re crazy. but I trust you are correct to some degree. However, I think a lot of the Calhoun dislike was actually just Cuse and BC planted bs playing off the violations to help vilify him and keep him out of the ACC. Tobacco Road was openly in favor of us so I really think it was northern, unproven football and BC/Cuse lobbying that killed us.

JC and Boeheim were very good friends and golf buddies. JC openly praised Boeheim in the press and spoke of their close bond. When Boeheim got the chance to put JC in his rear view as a competitor, he flushed the friendship. He was even open about it. Does anyone remember the time he was interviewed and when asked about us, instead of answering the question he said, “We’re in a better conference than them, that’s what I think”?

That whole process was a disgrace.

I believe this is closer to the truth. Gene DeFillipo was strongly against UConn joining the ACC and I believe the noise around Calhoun was just to help justify the position. Gene is a vindictive man and it ultimately cost him his job at BC.

That wasn’t the only reason why Louisville got the invite over UConn as the football schools believed Louisville was a stronger football program, they were pouring money into athletic facilities, and the administration was laser focused on not getting the ACC invite after missing on the Big 12.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

If it weren’t for your line of work, I’d say you’re crazy. but I trust you are correct to some degree. However, I think a lot of the Calhoun dislike was actually just Cuse and BC planted bs playing off the violations to help vilify him and keep him out of the ACC. Tobacco Road was openly in favor of us so I really think it was northern, unproven football and BC/Cuse lobbying that killed us.

JC and Boeheim were very good friends and golf buddies. JC openly praised Boeheim in the press and spoke of their close bond. When Boeheim got the chance to put JC in his rear view as a competitor, he flushed the friendship. He was even open about it. Does anyone remember the time he was interviewed and when asked about us, instead of answering the question he said, “We’re in a better conference than them, that’s what I think”?

That whole process was a disgrace.

I think a lot of UConn fans see Calhoun through husky colored glasses. I once had someone ask me if I liked Bobby Knight..I said "not really"....they said..."why? He's just like Calhoun".

 

[Travelman6]

I think a lot of UConn fans see Calhoun through husky colored glasses. I once had someone ask me if I liked Bobby Knight..I said "not really"....they said..."why? He's just like Calhoun".

Ya, except Calhoun didn't throw chairs, assault cops, and hit and choke players.