"They’re sick of losing. They want to win. They want to go to bowls."

[uconnfan68]

My take on it is that it's more the S&C guys...and the atmosphere lead by the head coach. Let''s not forget that Weist inherited that same atmosphere and was able to move it forward at the end of the season with 3 wins.

They had a very good S&C guy there, or at least had a very top guy running the whole show. I can't throw them under the bus without throwing all of the players first. What made them think not lifting wouldn't come back to bite them? How many interior linemen can't do 20 reps with 225#? Only 2 I've ever heard of.

 

[sportsart]

They had a very good S&C guy there, or at least had a very top guy running the whole show. I can't throw them under the bus without throwing all of the players first. What made them think not lifting wouldn't come back to bite them? How many interior linemen can't do 20 reps with 225#? Only 2 I've ever heard of.

Don't judge someone until you walk a day in their shoes. While we are all responsible for our own actions or inaction, sometimes there are circumstances that will make the strongest man weak.

 

[huskysupporter]

Don't judge someone until you walk a day in their shoes. While we are all responsible for our own actions or inaction, sometimes there are circumstances that will make the strongest man weak.

I am sorry, I can't buy that in regards to players not being dedicated to the strength and conditioning program. This is college football, not pop warner. Whether you hate your coach or not, that should not stop you from being dedicated to the sport and all that entails.

I can buy that the team didn't perform up to standards because there was sub par coaching. But I cannot buy that some players were forced to be lazy because of the previous coaching staff.

And I completely understand you are going to come back with the fact I don't know what went on. That is fine.

 

[Srqhusky]

Regardless of what diaco says It takes more than one person to lose and it takes more than o e to win. Let s hope diaco backs up this talk. Even more so lets hope the team trains hard and practices hard.

 

[noeynox]

I mean, at some point Diaco just needs to move on from this narrative but there is anecdotal evidence of what he is saying. You look at guys like Xavier Hemmingway and Paul Njokeji, and they just weren't putting on the pounds you would expect of Olinemen playing major college football.

 

[sportsart]

I am sorry, I can't buy that in regards to players not being dedicated to the strength and conditioning program. This is college football, not pop warner. Whether you hate your coach or not, that should not stop you from being dedicated to the sport and all that entails.

I can buy that the team didn't perform up to standards because there was sub par coaching. But I cannot buy that some players were forced to be lazy because of the previous coaching staff.

And I completely understand you are going to come back with the fact I don't know what went on. That is fine.

When you are berated on a daily basis and the team is no longer a team, I would imagine it's hard to bust your ass for a cause you no longer believe in.

Have you not read the Diaco quotes where he basically said "they were broken"? Why is it Edsall's players never quit or lacked strength or energy? PP and GDL had mostly Edsall players. You can blame the players all you want. The return of the running game, post PP and GDL, and the last 3 games of the year were telling.

Since you've already said you don't know what went on, I don't need to say it again.

You might say WM was late pulling the trigger as I know he knew what was going on.

 

[huskysupporter]

When you are berated on a daily basis and the team is no longer a team, I would imagine it's hard to bust your ass for a cause you no longer believe in.

Have you not read the Diaco quotes where he basically said "they were broken"? Why is it Edsall's players never quit or lacked strength or energy? PP and GDL had mostly Edsall players. You can blame the players all you want. The return of the running game, post PP and GDL, and the last 3 games of the year were telling.

Since you've already said you don't know what went on, I don't need to say it again.

You might say WM was late pulling the trigger as I know he knew what was going on.

No, I think the disagreement is on how players react. There is a thing called pride, and it is what keeps a person motivated even when things are going poorly.

You seem to be saying it should be expected after what they went through. I say there is no excuse to quit. And that is unacceptable. Things aren't going well? Well lets just pack it in. Not acceptable. And should not be acceptable.

 

[Carl Spackler]

The more of this I read the less comfortable I become with BD. This type of talk reminds me too much of many A----s I met when working. At the risk of going cesspool on this it also reminds me of a lot of politicians. Just tell us what you expect, put your system in place and let the results speak for themselves.

THis I have remarked on elsewhere as well and I agree. Once is enough. Twice is fine, three times - ok, but let it go. We ALL know what happened, we saw the product on the field, we don't need to be told how badly the program was allowed to degenerate. Both coaches AND players are responsible. Coaches set the tone, players need to do their job too. It was bad, it's over.

I would prefer that Coach D not talk at all anymore about the past, and talk about his plan, and goals moving forward. To be fair, he is a first time head coach, and he's embraced taking on the spotlight, and he will make mistakes and he speaks his mind freely, which are all good things, and he gives every appearance of being totally invested in creating success.

But in speaking the way he does about the past, repeatedly, it does give the appearance of politician/salesman setting up expectations to be easily explained/excused in the future.

I'll chalk it up to a rookie head coach for now, but he does need to tone it down in the very least - and trust me - I was once a big Pasqualoni supporter, I think the guy should be flogged for what he did to UCONN, and I have no respect for him whatsoever any more.

 

[Carl Spackler]

When you are berated on a daily basis and the team is no longer a team, I would imagine it's hard to bust your ass for a cause you no longer believe in.

Have you not read the Diaco quotes where he basically said "they were broken"? Why is it Edsall's players never quit or lacked strength or energy? PP and GDL had mostly Edsall players. You can blame the players all you want. The return of the running game, post PP and GDL, and the last 3 games of the year were telling.

Since you've already said you don't know what went on, I don't need to say it again.

You might say WM was late pulling the trigger as I know he knew what was going on.

Players are not blameless in what happened in the past 3 seasons.

The time to move forward is now, and learn from the past. If the players haven't gotten that yet - then they shouldn't be here anymore.

 

[rich1122]

Bottom line it's getting old. Turn the page already.

 

[uconndogs]

I have to imagine Diaco is trying to manage expectations. Not a stupid thing to do.

I will be honest. I was a P supporter when he originally came on board. But, there is no sugar coating this. His tenure was absolute poison to this program in every respect. This is a complete rebuild. Folks, we had a fifth year senior OG who started for the better part of three seasons put up 13 reps on the bench at senior day. 13! He was not even remotely conditioned to play at this level.

Everybody who is excited about Diaco (and I am hopeful), had better set their expectations for the start of next season and continue to support this program after BYU and Boise more than likely paste us. It is simply going to take some time.

 

[J187Money]

I am sorry, I can't buy that in regards to players not being dedicated to the strength and conditioning program. This is college football, not pop warner. Whether you hate your coach or not, that should not stop you from being dedicated to the sport and all that entails.

I can buy that the team didn't perform up to standards because there was sub par coaching. But I cannot buy that some players were forced to be lazy because of the previous coaching staff.

And I completely understand you are going to come back with the fact I don't know what went on. That is fine.

I don't know what it was like under P with regards to the players and their attitudes with regards to S&C, but I went around the facility with Sio before his junior year (right when P started). Sio talked with a lot of pride about the competition between the players with regards to S&C. The players were ranked by performance, and Sio talked about being at the top of the list when he walked in the door and how hard he worked to stay there. My guess is that while Sio and his class were still around there was some leadership from the players, and maybe the work ethic graduated with them.

 

[uconndogs]

I don't know what it was like under P with regards to the players and their attitudes with regards to S&C, but I went around the facility with Sio before his junior year (right when P started). Sio talked with a lot of pride about the competition between the players with regards to S&C. The players were ranked by performance, and Sio talked about being at the top of the list when he walked in the door and how hard he worked to stay there. My guess is that while Sio and his class were still around there was some leadership from the players, and maybe the work ethic graduated with them.

I suspect you are correct. Edsall's teams were well conditioned and some of the athletes were off the charts in their measurables. The 2012 defense was one of the very best in the country. Just about every starter either ended up in the NFL or got a serious look. The defense was even much better than the stats indicated because the offense was constantly putting them on the field in bad spots. Of course the offense had Ryan Griffin and Nick Williams and was still incompetent. That P could only win 5 games with that team was as big an indictment of his incompetence as anything. The Buffalo game the next season simply made Ward's decision easier.

 

[Bezzz]

I don't know what it was like under P with regards to the players and their attitudes with regards to S&C, but I went around the facility with Sio before his junior year (right when P started). Sio talked with a lot of pride about the competition between the players with regards to S&C. The players were ranked by performance, and Sio talked about being at the top of the list when he walked in the door and how hard he worked to stay there. My guess is that while Sio and his class were still around there was some leadership from the players, and maybe the work ethic graduated with them.

Sio definitely put in the time.

 

[weyuo]

Hey Diaco has to put a positive spin on it when talking to the media and I think he's trying to in his used car salesman way. The media needs to be a little less lazy and start asking the right questions. Diaco is gonna regurgitate the same answers if they keep asking the same questions.

I supported P when he was here and I'll support Diaco and his staff the same way. I'm not in the locker room or at the team meetings so I have no clue as to what was going on under Edsall, P and now D. But.... for whatever reason they just could not put a winning program on the field the last 3 years and it was even starting to die on the vine when Randy jumped ship. That team was in no way ready to compete vs Oklahoma.

A new coach. A new staff, new strength and conditioning, hopefully a fresh approach and most importantly a fresh start will see things improve dramatically this year. We've heard the sales pitch now lets see the thing run. Put the W's up and the casual fan will buy but you need to put the W's up first. Coming close to beating BYU is not putting a W on the board or an extra fanny in a seat. Beat BYU, beat Boise, beat Army at Yankee Stadium.

 

[Nostical]

Sportsart is right. These players were broken by GDL and PP. The OLine was a mess. Parents were pulling their hair out trying to figure out what to do about GDL's tactics. I applaud Diaco for talking about the new culture and when asked--he never volunteers it-- he puts the onus on where it belongs. I think he's done a masterful job building enthusiasm for the future whle making it clear that new folks are driving the bus. These players already look and act a lot different than last year. I want him to keep up the promotional talk, keep building up our players and getting them to work harder than ever to be ready. Sell baby sell.

 

[Adios]

We must never forget the last 3 years in order to prevent it from happening again.

Worst regime in 90 years. Hope PP and GDL are proud. I know GDL is smirking somewhere. And PP is probably looking at his pay stubs.

 

[BlueMAB]

Does anyone know what question Diaco was responding to, or is everyone just assuming he decided to just repeat talking points about the state of the program he took over?

 

[huskysupporter]

Does anyone know what question Diaco was responding to, or is everyone just assuming he decided to just repeat talking points about the state of the program he took over?

I don't think anyone thinks he just started saying it. Some are questioning why he doesn't look forward instead of blaming the previous regime at what seems like every article.

I think everyone here remains excited about the new regime.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I don't think anyone thinks he just started saying it. Some are questioning why he doesn't look forward instead of blaming the previous regime at what seems like every article.

I think everyone here remains excited about the new regime.

This is pretty much where I am. We all know PP was a disaster. We all believe BD is a better fit and will provide the direction and leadership the team needs. I am ok with his early comments about how poorly the team was previously coached. But now I am ready for him to only talk about where they will be versus where they were. It's now time to look forward. I would be surprised if BD continues to talk about the past.

 

[Jerry27]

Hey Diaco has to put a positive spin on it when talking to the media and I think he's trying to in his used car salesman way. The media needs to be a little less lazy and start asking the right questions. Diaco is gonna regurgitate the same answers if they keep asking the same questions.

Precisely, the guys asking the questions have to stop dwelling on the past, ask a different question for crying out loud or we're going to keep getting the same response.

 

[BlueMAB]

I don't think anyone thinks he just started saying it. Some are questioning why he doesn't look forward instead of blaming the previous regime at what seems like every article.

I think everyone here remains excited about the new regime.

Maybe he's being asked the wrong questions? If the reporters aren't going to include the question in the articles, we're left to guess what he's asked.

I think it's a safe bet that most reporters are asking him to explain the situation he took over, and what we're reading is the same answer to the same question. You can prefer he choose not to answer that question, but if it's a different reporter asking the same question, HCBD strikes me as the type of man who would give as honest an answer as he can out of respect. He doesn't seem like the guy to say "I've answered that repeatedly, I'm not going to talk about it."

He is full of positive energy. He doesn't seem like the guy who wants to dwell on the negative past, because he's afraid to take accountability for a 0-0 record as head coach.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm about done hearing about it. Enough.

That being said, the proof will be in the pudding. I now expect to see a bigger, stronger, better conditioned team. I expect more cohesion, more pride, more of a winning attitude. Because given the way he has talked about this, it is now on him to prove that he isn't a BS artist. If I see it....see the tangible results, then we will know that he wasn't just being a politician. My expectations are higher frankly. I think the old players, in the condition they were in, could win 5 games just with better coaching and strategy. So if they have much improved S&C as well....well my expectations just went up. This is an easier problem to fix.

 

[weyuo]

I just want the opportunity to buy a bowl game ticket with UConn's name on it THIS YEAR! In the future I'd really like to buy one that's being played in......The Bahamas!! What a Christmas present that would be. Or... Hawaii. I could do that too. AAC has to get hooked up with whoever hosts one of the Hawaiian bowls. Screw Yankee Stadium. I freeze my off enough during the winter. Come on Diaco!! You better be out there recruiting the next Lawrence Taylor, Bob Lilly, Jim Brown or Tom Brady.

 

[pj]

My take on it is that it's more the S&C guys...and the atmosphere lead by the head coach. Let''s not forget that Weist inherited that same atmosphere and was able to move it forward at the end of the season with 3 wins.

I take it more as trying to motivate the players to work harder on the S&C. Their previous work ethic was unacceptable. Maybe the coaching contributed, but I find it hard to believe the previous S&C staff could not get a motivated player to become stronger and fitter. And we know some UConn players were able to show well at the NFL combine. If some seniors looked the same as they had as freshman, it is largely the player's fault, and the head coach for failing to provide a motivating environment. Diaco is letting the players know that they need to step up their efforts, without calling them out specifically.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I don't know what it was like under P with regards to the players and their attitudes with regards to S&C, but I went around the facility with Sio before his junior year (right when P started). Sio talked with a lot of pride about the competition between the players with regards to S&C. The players were ranked by performance, and Sio talked about being at the top of the list when he walked in the door and how hard he worked to stay there. My guess is that while Sio and his class were still around there was some leadership from the players, and maybe the work ethic graduated with them.

I've remarked on this elsewhere as well too. will do again. There was a lineup of players at the kickoff dinner signing autographs a few seasons ago - Pasqualoni's first season. Sio Moore, Dwayne Gratz, Ryan Griffin, Nick Williams, Trickshot Johnny. You often forget just how young these guys are, until you meet them and see them up close without their gear on, but that's a sidetrack - it was the end of July and they were in shape.

last season, in june/july - whenever it was - a projected starting quarterback - QUARTERBACK - came to camp something like 30lbs overweight with flab, and promptly blew out an acchilles doing simple runs.

Those of you out there that can correct me, please do, if you think I'm wrong - but the QB - IMNSHO is the position that should be the first into the facilities and working out, and the last to leave - every day. There is an unwritten kind of chain of leadership that flows from there through a roster of 105 players.

Coaches set the tone, but coaches aren't there to hold the players hands, and tell them how good they are, and give them trophys every minute of every day. Players need to be leaders in the group, and assemble everyone as a team.

All of that was consistent under Edsall, under Skippy, under Jackson, I'm sure before that too. Pasqualoni came in and by all appearances essentially ignored all of that, with a professional mindset that the players need to get it done. Period. No other interest. Left the players alone for themselves to develop apparently, and paid no interest to the strength and conditioning staff, and actually alienated them for whatever reason it seems. It all broke down - badly.

I've said this before, this will be the last time, I promise. I was once a very big supporter of Paul Pasqualoni. The guy did accomplish great things, and I was blinded to what was happening, by several factors, not the least of which was the appearance of progress at the end of 2012, after a clear tranisition year in 2011, and then my own blind respect for past accomplishments. I won't let that ever happen again. The sigsn that things had all fallen apart, were more than evident. Especially after Ambrose brought his 1-AA squad to Rentschler and steamrolled us physically.

If all the players come back like a Sio, Ryan, Nick, Dwayne and even Trickshot - with that kind of dedication to their craft again - instead of a Scott McCummings, we will have a good seasons. If we get one, just one single Scott McCummings, then the program hasn't been cleaned up completely yet.

And that people - is up to the players to clean up now - not the coaches.

 

[ZooCougar]

LOL. Diaco is the kind of guy who can take 30 minutes answering one question. That's how he controls the narrative.

I love the guy, and I believe my expectations are reasonable, but I can't wait for camp to open and to not here about what he inherited from the PGDL days. We got it Bob. Really we do. I don't need Bob to contrast the way he runs the place, I can do that on my own. It was nice to hear a few months ago but at some point he is going to have to segue away from all that.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

I like it. He's making a clear statement that there is a culture change in the program and everyone around it including the media and the fans should be on notice.

So true. And when making a culture change it's important to state what you are changing from and to, and why. Otherwise you're just offering bromides.

 

[Srqhusky]

So true. And when making a culture change it's important to state what you are changing from and to, and why. Otherwise you're just offering bromides.

Dead on here. He has said also he is not throwing the previous regime under the bus and had a lot of respect for them. He could care less about what they did. He sees what he needs to fix and is cgangi g the culture. Even when the kids went on spring reak he was telli g them not to revert and to keep eating right and lifting.

 

[sdhusky]

LOL. Diaco is the kind of guy who can take 30 minutes answering one question. That's how he controls the narrative.

I love the guy, and I believe my expectations are reasonable, but I can't wait for camp to open and to not here about what he inherited from the PGDL days. We got it Bob. Really we do. I don't need Bob to contrast the way he runs the place, I can do that on my own. It was nice to hear a few months ago but at some point he is going to have to segue away from all that.

He'll have more to talk about once games start.

He has a set speech for the off season circuit and that's why we are hearing it over and over again.