I don’t post on the football board very often but I’ll say I heard from a pretty high level source that unless something MAJOR happens (something bigger than guys transferring), Randy is getting 5 years. He has underwhelmed thus far without question but it’s also very clear Randy is not a fan of the guys Diaco recruited, both as players and young men. So these transfers, to me, are not concerning or surprising. He’s weeding out the Diaco recruits. In his fifth year, Randy’s recruits will be seniors and if there’s no improvement by then it will be time to move on. I know the past 3 years have been disastrous and I know people are probably sick of hearing “it takes time to build a program” but it really does. The talent and culture from the Diaco era was bad to say the least. Randy is trying to turn that around but he only has so long of a leash...
Randy will more than likely get 5 years as 1)He is dirt cheap by major college standards, and 2)The amount of uncertainty surrounding the move to independence makes hiring difficult. If he or Uconn have any desire to win they both better do some soul searching and make some real changes.
Here is what I would recommend for a program in Uconn's difficult position.
1)Double the budget for assistants at a minimum. This is on the AD to find a way to make it happen. You can not be hilariously undermanned in both numbers and quality and hope to compete. Uconn has coordinators who barely qualify as position coaches at most P5 Schools. Quite honestly they would likely be off field analysts at top programs. That is not acceptable. Either put money into the program or kill it.
2)Recognize the reality that 2019 CFB is not 2009 CFB. The idea that you can red shirt a bunch of kids and develop them slowly over 5 years is over. If you successfully manage to develop some unheralded prospects into legit contributors, there is a high probability that they could transfer out to play on a winning team. Rutgers lost their center and team captain Jonah Jackson to OSU. You can combat this some by keeping kids engaged. There is no reason with the 4 game exemption kids are given w/o burning a shirt that more of your freshman shouldn't be getting time. This isn't The Junction Boys where you got to earn everything you get. If kids don't get playing time they start looking for some place where they might. Especially when games are blow outs. Let them play a few series and develop.
3)Loosen the academic standards for football players. this needed to happen a long time ago. There are a multitude of quality players who could be quality students given an opportunity. There is a reason you employ academic support staff. Let them earn their paychecks. Many of these kids have disadvantaged upbringings and are never taught how to study. Work with them. Often the gains made are stunning. Some will still flame out, but the majority will succeed and be better for having done the work. Uconn is a very good school but it needs to accept that it is not NW or Stanford. If you want to operate like you are some kind of pseudo Ivy League Team drop down to FCS and see if you can join. If you want to be a competitive G5 Program or a future P5 Program act like one.
4)Utilize the portal and Juco Programs to build depth and experience. SMU jump started their program by aggressively using the portal. Uconn can't be just toes in with it, they need to be both feet in. I would recruit the hell out of college aged kids with college development to bolster your ranks. I'd do this heavily for the next 2-3 years. The program desperately needs to get on par athletically with its competition. Otherwise when your own developed players portal out you will be replacing them with young kids. Quite frankly in a 25+ incoming class a program like Uconn should be looking at 15-16 freshmen, 3-4 Jucos, and 5-7 Transfers. You can still RS Jucos and transfers to space out classes. Uconn needs a talent infusion and this is how its done.
5) Modernize the offense. You can not play checkers while everyone else is playing chess. Uconn needs to utilize a spread offense that focuses on creating and exploiting mismatches. Trying to play 1970's Big 10 Football like you are Woody or Bo is a recipe for failure at the G5 Level. Successfully playing this way requires large and talented offensive lines, dynamic running backs and solid game manager type QBs. Wisconsin can do this. Uconn can definitely not. Find a well versed coordinator who is looking to make a name for themselves and move up the ladder. If you get 2-3 seasons out of him that's fine. Employ the same process and go forward.
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