UConn Announces Jason Candle as New Head Football Coach (Updated)

[CTBballfan243]

i heard UConn hired a coach. Nice.
IDK anything about the guy except he has a solid winning record in the MAC, which doesn't exactly pump me up per se, but talent is talent, even if it comes from the MAC. Absolutely hoping for the best with coach Candle. Congrats sir.

On another note, I believe in integrity and I hope he refuses to pursue any toledo players to UConn. I don't care if we benefit, and everyone else is doing it. It's wrong, IMO. You recruited before, you can do it again, leave Toledo alone to lick their wounds and recover without pouring salt into it. Move on.

If the player insists, that's different. But don't chase anyone, leave them alone.

UConn should not be greedy. UConn should only take Toledo’s 4 best offensive and 4 best defensive players. Leave the rest for Toledo.

 

[UConnDan97]

I just want to say the following to the folks that like only 1 team at UConn and kind of dislike another (there are actually a few out there): our coaches all support each other, and for the most part they always have, and I love that it still remains true today!

 

[storrsroars]

Weird, while snooping the Toledo board, I came across this "Fire Candle " thread.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-934229.html

It was after a 2021 49-52 loss at home to Eastern Michigan, which brought Toledo's record to 4-5.

If we were expected to be bowl eligible like Toledo was that year, we'd have melted down too.

 

[king conn]

I fully expect a new HC to bring in his new coordinators.

I hope AD DB does his best to find Sammis a landing spot as a P4 OC or an HC job depending on what Sammis' goal is for profesional development.

Give Sammis the chance to leave on good terms, and if he does well, possibly return as HC at UConn down the road.

I hope DB finds him a spot if only to take him away from Mora.

I would love to see Mora swim without him. Remember his offense before he was the OC.

 

[Waquoit]

I know we can't harp on recruiting Connecticut/Mass/RI/NY but I've always felt like there's a lot of kids here with potential that just need the right program to develop. I think it's a good area for him if this is his expertise

You're right. And HCRE 1.0 should have done more to bring CT HS football along instead of feuding with the coaches.

 

[AllHusky]

Great job Yard, I got nothing to say except, "What they said!" Go Huskies.

 

[ec33]

I know we can't harp on recruiting Connecticut/Mass/RI/NY but I've always felt like there's a lot of kids here with potential that just need the right program to develop. I think it's a good area for him if this is his expertise

As much as worrying about "recruiting" New England makes me cringe, there has to be a larger pool of players that UConn has not been getting in the past. They cannot all be "too good for UConn" or "not good enough for UConn."

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Kehres probably would have been Toledos next HC if he stayed

He may end up with their HC job.

 

[LBird33]

Weird, while snooping the Toledo board, I came across this "Fire Candle " thread.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-934229.html

Fans are fickle. If you combed the boneyard history you would find almost manic reactions to everything at some point

 

[uchusky32]

Welcome to the Pound, Coach Candle!

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

He may end up with their HC job.

I'm guessing he'd rather be DC at Nebraska than HC at Toledo. Unless he really doesn't want to leave his roots in Ohio.

 

[HuskyNan]

Eagles fan Geno said “his Eagles” have a QB that played at Toledo

 

[ArtTheFan]

I guess Candle will light UConn's football fans!! 😀 Seems like a great hire. Who will he bring along as coaches?

I wonder if Candle will light a fire under the Basketball only fans. DB, great hire...

 

[gioff2323]

This guy was Toledo's '24 QB recruit:



I wonder if he will follow. Looks like he would be in line to start at Toledo in '26 barring a portal hire.

Wait. We want our coach to steal recruits from his prior school?

 

[Dove]

From what I’ve seen Toledo fans aren’t very sad to see him go. and the consensus seems to be that he has done less with more compared with the rest of the conference.

So I am slightly concerned about the hire, but hoping it all works out.

 

[Bongo Fury]

I know we can't harp on recruiting Connecticut/Mass/RI/NY but I've always felt like there's a lot of kids here with potential that just need the right program to develop. I think it's a good area for him if this is his expertise

That would be a good thing but I’d totally fine with if he can continue to get good talent from Ohio, FLA or wherever talent is.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[UCFBfan]

Did Mora take our GM or whatever that position is called? I think after head coach, that position is the second most important. Having someone do the behind the scenes work with the portal, etc and not having the HC have to worry as much about that is huge now a days.

 

[freescooter]

Funny to go back and read all the experts list the front runners for the job. I assume he shows up someplace in the others receiving votes category but Smith, the FCS guys and Sammis seemed to have been the favorites. Yet now they are saying this was Dave’s guy from the get go. 2nd time he hired a guy nobody expected. Hope Candle is just as successful or even more.

 

[ArtTheFan]

Is there a more irrelevant city in American sports today than Pittsburgh?

True, the last time I cared about them was when THE IDIOT traded Ronnie and Ulf to the Quins (and I'm talking about Youngstown State Penguins).

 

[huskymedic]

-> Toledo AD Bryan Blair has made it known to folks within Toledo athletics they would like to retain Kehres; but it remains to be seen whether this is just a "we have our man already, I'm gonna go ahead and make this happen" or if they are planning a "national search in which Coach Kehres will be considered."

Big decision for Toledo and one that likely impacts whether or not they retain Kehres.

The reason I say that, is because based on the coach he is, and the performance of his units on the field, Kehres has fielded significant interest from other head coaches about joining their programs as defensive coordinator. Currently, Syracuse, Nebraska, UConn and another ACC program are all waiting for an answer from Kehres, several sources tell FootballScoop <-

 

[Bandito2025]

Did Mora take our GM or whatever that position is called? I think after head coach, that position is the second most important. Having someone do the behind the scenes work with the portal, etc and not having the HC have to worry as much about that is huge now a days.

The position was just posted on the Universities website

 

[JMick]

Eagles fan Geno said “his Eagles” have a QB that played at Toledo

I've always appreciated how Geno gives real consideration to questions like this. Especially lately. That was a way better and way longer response than anyone deserved and it did a good job conveying how a lot of people around here feel

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Thanks Dave and welcome Coach Candle. Imagine it can be tough, do your best to not schedule competing dates with the attending fanbase.

 

[NowInStorrs]

Wait. We want our coach to steal recruits from his prior school?

It's different when our guy does it.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I'd like to see Victor Rossa reconsider along with a couple of the guys on defense

Good call. I wonder if we will get some dudes back. More importantly, I wonder if he'll want them.

 

[JetsUC93]

I wonder what he is going to do for QB next year. Will he go to portal?

Maybe go after the BCU QB that is in the portal?

 

[TheDude]

Maybe go after the BCU QB that is in the portal?

You know I was thinking that same thing. Dillon Lonnergan. Immense talent. I think he injured a thumb in SU game. I'd take the FAU guy in a heartbeat if he entered the portal.

 

[ArtTheFan]

Fans are fickle. If you combed the boneyard history you would find almost manic reactions to everything at some point

Just like that Dr Pepper hot seat ad, Fans are fickle.

 

[IndyLives]

No excuses. Candle can turn the UConn football team into a Texas Tech type football program in a few years. UConn should be competing for Playoff spots and National Titles soon. Let's Go!!