Thoughts of an anti-Edsall hire guy as practice starts | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Thoughts of an anti-Edsall hire guy as practice starts

I wasn't thrilled with RE coming back at first, but I am on board now. Quick story - I was in Dallas in April for the women's final four (for a shorter trip than I had hoped) and I ran into Benedict at an alumni event. Even though I was at a basketball event, the only question I asked him was, "how did you get Rhett Lashlee to come here?" He smiled and said, "you will be very happy with the team this year."

Now of course he would say that, but I believe it. I believe RE and the staff he put together will make us better. So much so that not long after I spoke with Benedict, I became a season ticket holder for the first time after all these years.
 
Excalibur said:
Been thinking about this while traveling this week, and I am very encouraged by Edsall's comment that the current roster has the talent to win. That is very different from the approach that he took during his first tenure here (correctly) and at Maryland (incorrectly). In both places he was very upfront about needing to upgrade talent and change culture before fans could expect success. I hope he really believes what he is saying -- nobody can question his ability to assess talent.
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I was happy to read those comments also. I think in RE's first tenure with UConn, he had to build up 1A talent. So I think it was fair for him to say that fans needed to be patient. RE at MD had to clean up the culture....so it makes sense that he needed new talent there. I think the difference with RE 2.0 is that he doesn't have to change a lot from Diaco's culture. Diaco sucked as a coach, but he brought in good kids. RE can work with anyone who is motivated and committed to the program. The talent may not have been great...but the culture was ok. That's why I think he feels good about having success this year.

Well...that and 2 VERY strong coordinators, quality coaching staff and a couple key player additions (Pindell..and maybe Washington).
 
The one thing I find interesting with Edsall versus the other two: he knows how to manage a roster. He does understand talent and how to use them. He builds a team from a defined set of possible athletes. He wouldn't be caught with a Jonny McEntee as his starting QB with little competition or Lyle McComb as the only RB of any talent. The OLine deficiency would last years. Etc

The guy proved that he understood how to develop a competitive northeastern US team. Now he has the good AD.
 
Diaco made me sick, so I was never a critic of Edsall. I knew that RE had problem with AD Jeff Hathaway so when he took the Maryland job he did not exit gracefully to say the least. But I never forget that it was RE who built the UConn football program from practically nothing into a mid major with lots of buildings to his credit.
Since the return of the version 2 of RE, I have to say I am impressed with how he has rejuvenated the program in new coaching hires, new commits, return of alumni and the feel good around the program. Of course, UConn and RE and the program still have to win on the field to win back the credibility and loyalty of fans and administration. I am predicting a winning season. I am really hopeful for the new season and the future.
 
metsfan2323 said:
I count exactly one P recruit who got drafted and that is Obi, Noel Thomas might make it in the NFL.....I think Diaco was an awful coach but P was equally atrocious if not worse. P was just lucky to have Don Brown for two years which put some window dressing on his disaster.

also P inherited a quality program and buried it. Diaco inherited a mess and it stayed a mess but the players did get in much better physical condition.
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P was left with no QB except Johnny who could throw it in trash cans in Gampel Pavilion but not so much on the field. Edsall left the cupboard pretty bare and told Todman to hit the road. Robbie Frye bailed. Edsall did a poor job of recruiting his las year or 2. No QB's and many burnouts/bailouts. Probably why he,himself, bailed. P had deck somewhat stacked against him, but should've done better his first year.

It was his first experience as HC and maybe he has learned more since. He is using the same blueprint recruiting. Get athletes and develop. Every kid he gets has some Track pedigree with documented times. Uphill battle for 4 or 5 wins though. Still no QB. Maybe Lashlee has the magic touch.

Disco Bob needed to be Coach at a lower level before taking on the mess UCONN had. It was like Keystone Cops. Seems like the Blues Brothers. He rounded up all his old pals in the band, regardless of where they were good or not.
 
I just wanted to refresh my memory about my lukewarm response to the hire and relief at the change being made:

HCRE 2.0 Presser Thread (with Link to Watch)

Happy the presser went well. Randy is 1-0 when he walks in the door in a couple of days. As for my reaction? No cartwheels because it seems unrealistic to expect a quick repeat of his last few years. Just hoping that his abilities as an evaluator of talent and game preparation are still there. If he still "has it" and shows himself to be a more seasoned Coach in a good way, we get back to respectability fairly quickly. How fast and how far will depend on the staff and a little luck in developing a QB to lead the offense. I'm assuming because he's RE we will have a line that can block again and a defense that tackles and makes some plays. Now just show me the coaching staff and we're good.
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Definitely more impressed now that the staff is in place and the roster is filling out. Even excited about every game on the schedule thinking maybe we have a shot at most of them. No miracles but solid progress.
 
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warbler13 said:
Diaco made me sick, so I was never a critic of Edsall. I knew that RE had problem with AD Jeff Hathaway so when he took the Maryland job he did not exit gracefully to say the least. But I never forget that it was RE who built the UConn football program from practically nothing into a mid major with lots of buildings to his credit.
Since the return of the version 2 of RE, I have to say I am impressed with how he has rejuvenated the program in new coaching hires, new commits, return of alumni and the feel good around the program. Of course, UConn and RE and the program still have to win on the field to win back the credibility and loyalty of fans and administration. I am predicting a winning season. I am really hopeful for the new season and the future.
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The Big East was a BCS conference for football, not a mid major. That was the equivalent at the time of what they now call the P5. I suppose you can consider the two seasons (2002, 2003) we played as an independent mid major seasons.
 
Nostical said:
Pat Forde Yahoo Sports: "Could argue that UConn hiring Pasqualoni when it did was the most damaging decision any school has made in the last 15 years."
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Any possibility of posting the article link? Very interesting and would like to read whole article. Could not find. Thanks...
 
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After last year due to the financial concerns of the buyout I was resigned to the return of Diaco and another lost season. The return of Coach Edsall was a great day. Having observed K-State from a distance and seeing how Snyder returned and got their program back from the doldrums had made me wonder if that would work here. The assistant coaches Randy brought in show that they are happy with the opportunity. Our present staff is a huge upgrade from Diaco's. I think we have the talent to win now. Glad to hear the head coach say that. The safety position and the O-line are the question marks. I am hoping we can see a couple sellouts this season. BC at the Rent would have been one but I can see the reason to go for Fenway. 26 days to go!:)
 
Fishy said:
When the thought of mere competence is a breath of fresh air, you know you've been through some rough coaching tenures. I was happy the first second I heard that he might be the next coach.

I thought we had plateaued with him the last time around and I was not upset to see him go - I was so freaking wrong. If he doesn't leave, we don't crater and perhaps we're not sitting in this no-man's land outside the P5.

Edsall fits UConn and UConn fits Edsall.
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Couldn't have said it better myself. I will add though, I think we do better than .500, with luck better than .750.
 
My good buddy from Mobile and huge Auburn guy sent me this article and note yesterday. Article may have already been posted somewhere on the Yard.

"Good Article...we're watching whats going on up there. Y'all won't recognize your offense if Lashlee has full control. Malzahn throttled him at times but he thinks he knows more about O than anyone... Edsall doesn't (right?). And don't sleep on your new Line coach. He'll have his guys ready."
How UConn’s throwback hire can work ... eventually
 
Nostical said:
Pat Forde Yahoo Sports: "Could argue that UConn hiring Pasqualoni when it did was the most damaging decision any school has made in the last 15 years."
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I could argue that throwing it on 3rd and long up 7 against Vanderbilt was but, yeah hiring a lazy coach was bad too.
 
Pudge said:
The one thing I find interesting with Edsall versus the other two: he knows how to manage a roster. He does understand talent and how to use them. He builds a team from a defined set of possible athletes. He wouldn't be caught with a Jonny McEntee as his starting QB with little competition or Lyle McComb as the only RB of any talent. The OLine deficiency would last years. Etc

The guy proved that he understood how to develop a competitive northeastern US team. Now he has the good AD.
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Except Edsall would have had McEntee as the starter - with little competition. He left and when he did we had no QB. He could see the writing on the wall. Maybe he would have done better but Edsall left the team with no scholarship QB except a RS Frosh I believe. McEntee would probably have been his guy.
 
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rich1122 said:
Except Edsall would have had McEntee as the starter - with little competition. He left and when he did we had no QB. He could see the writing on the wall. Maybe he would have done better but Edsall left the team with no scholarship QB except a RS Frosh I believe. McEntee would probably have been his guy.
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Edsall would have gone with Mike Nebrich on Moreheads recommendation. Morehead (he recruited Mike) always knew that Nebrich would have become what he eventually did very quickly at Fordham or at UCONN if given the chance to learn on the job. The difference was Pasqualoni never could recognize a good but green QB with loads of potential. PP was a stubborn old man who was not about to gamble the season and take a chance on a young freshman QB just because his OC wanted to try that. Edsall was more flexible and trusting in his subordinates than PP. McEntee would have been the backup even if Nebrich had had some learning to do during actual games. There was friction between PP and Morehead that last season before Morehead left for Fordham.
 
rich1122 said:
Except Edsall would have had McEntee as the starter - with little competition. He left and when he did we had no QB. He could see the writing on the wall. Maybe he would have done better but Edsall left the team with no scholarship QB except a RS Frosh I believe. McEntee would probably have been his guy.
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Sorry. I'm not buying this sloth. Edsall knew talent. Got one year that he saw guys not developing fast enough - he went for Tyler Lorenzen. He always has two + stud RBS. Think Andre Dixon + Donald Brown; or the 4 kids who all went over 100y when Caulley went down. Robbie Frey would have stayed and starred. Offensive Lines were well formed and developed.

Contrast? Every year Pasquoloni or Diaco had major positional problems.
 
Fishy said:
When the thought of mere competence is a breath of fresh air, you know you've been through some rough coaching tenures. I was happy the first second I heard that he might be the next coach.

I thought we had plateaued with him the last time around and I was not upset to see him go - I was so freaking wrong. If he doesn't leave, we don't crater and perhaps we're not sitting in this no-man's land outside the P5.

Edsall fits UConn and UConn fits Edsall.
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I agree with this. I thought he plateaud also.
In retrospect it was Hathaway that needed to go not Edsall.
 
When I heard RE got hired, I was against the hire, but now, I think this year we are going to surprise, if we beat USF (@Tampa, I'll be there.), it will be an upset (USF might go undefeated and Quinton Flowers is Heisman candidate). I'm not sure who might be the QB, but if DP is, I think BS might be used on downs, too.

How's the QB doing? Anyone know?
 
HuskyDogArt said:
When I heard RE got hired, I was against the hire, but now, I think this year we are going to surprise, if we beat USF (@Tampa, I'll be there.), it will be an upset (USF might go undefeated and Quinton Flowers is Heisman candidate). I'm not sure who might be the QB, but if DP is, I think BS might be used on downs, too.

How's the QB doing? Anyone know?
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I hope you didn't pay a lot for those tickets since there won't be a game in Tampa....game is at the Rent on 9/9
 
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HuskyDogArt said:
Oops, I'll be at Orlando for UCF UConn. I thought it was USF hosting UConn...
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Execution.jpg
 
Exit 4 said:
Listen, I'm ready to rename the stadium Dave Benedict's Pratt and Whitney Stadium and the city of East Hartford Randy Edsalltown.
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Yes, but not yet!!! Prove it in the field, win games and I am good to go!!!
 
Nostical said:
My good buddy from Mobile and huge Auburn guy sent me this article and note yesterday. Article may have already been posted somewhere on the Yard.

"Good Article...we're watching whats going on up there. Y'all won't recognize your offense if Lashlee has full control. Malzahn throttled him at times but he thinks he knows more about O than anyone... Edsall doesn't (right?). And don't sleep on your new Line coach. He'll have his guys ready."
How UConn’s throwback hire can work ... eventually
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Nice Bulletin Board materials here!

upload_2017-8-9_14-22-21.png
 
Boom! But can you really argue with it? You can't objectively argue with it yet - until we all see the Lashlee/Crocker combo surprise South Florida - then the apple cart will be overturned and the above blown up.
 
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