UConn athletic director David Benedict searching for next football coach: "We need some charisma"

[ShakyTheMohel]

From the Mike Anthony article above…

-> The day after the Holy Cross loss, a Sunday, Benedict reached out to Edsall to set up a Monday meeting. Edsall called Benedict back and said he was going to retire at the end of the season and that announcement was made. On Monday, UConn announced that Edsall would instead depart his role immediately.

“I was caught a little off guard,” Benedict said. “He wanted to announce it quickly. … Given some time to think about it and have some conversations, we just got to a place where [his immediate departure] was the best decision for the team. It’s that simple.

“I don’t know that it’s appropriate to get into a conversation about why I think it didn’t work out. I’ll do a lot of soul searching on that as we move forward, because that’s something we have to take into consideration as we look at the type of person we want to come in.” <-

Ok...so now it's confirmed... Benedict wanted to fire Edsall...Edsall tried to retire and Benedict went along with the ploy at first but changed his mind and fired him the next day.

Seems a little sloppy.

At first I was ok with the retirement, but I like where it ended up. I guess Benedict was in the same place...at first he was ok with Edsalls retirement plan, but probably after checking in with donors he decided to go with his first plan.

 

[Palatine]

Edsall finally faced accountability. Something that was never in place in his second go around. Benedict gave Edsall way too much rope. Hope DB learned something.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Ok...so now it's confirmed... Benedict wanted to fire Edsall...Edsall tried to retire and Benedict went along with the ploy at first but changed his mind and fired him the next day.

Seems a little sloppy.

At first I was ok with the retirement, but I like where it ended up. I guess Benedict was in the same place...at first he was ok with Edsalls retirement plan, but probably after checking in with donors he decided to go with his first plan.

Oh...and I will add....and I am disappointed to be saying this...this exit really hurts Edsalls legacy at UConn. Even more than the horrific results in his second go round.

The one thing I always gave Randy credit for was being a man of integrity. Doing things the right way. Being a role model for his players. Sure he was stubborn and cranky, but he ran a clean program and he really developed his players. I admired how he handled the Jasper Howard tragedy. His interview after the Notre Dame win actually brought a tear to my eye.

Then....we got a peak into the real Randy with his hasty exit to Maryland. To his credit...he owned up to that mistake and apologized upon his return to UConn. The only thing I felt good about when Randy returned was that I thought he was a good leader who would instill the right values in the team.

Now....another messy exit. Another exit where Randy isn't transparent...doesn't take accountability...and leaves without doing the right thing.

He is not the man or leader I thought he was. And that's disappointing.

 

[CL82]

I admired how he handled the Jasper Howard tragedy. His interview after the Notre Dame win actually brought a tear to my eye.

Same.

 

[SubbaBub]

I think Benedict realizes that the Edsall hire took the life out of the program. A change needed to happen with Diaco...but it was the wrong change.

Look at this board...we haven't seen this many posters on this board in years. Sure some are just miserable trolls who come out when the program struggles....but there are a lot of real fans on here who seem energized by the prospect of change.

It was the economical, safe play. Didn't work. That doesn't mean the thought process behind the decision was wrong.

There is not a lot right with the program right now. Maybe this independent thing will attract better players, maybe it won't. Same for the new coach, but one thing is clear. We can't point back to our rise from trailers to a 3 year run of above average results as the benchmark any longer. This is a bottom feeding program that is not commensurate with the AD/school that it represents and it will take resources, patience, a bunch of missteps and some luck to change that.

Hopefully the time to climb out of this will arrive shortly.

 

[SubbaBub]

Ok...so now it's confirmed... Benedict wanted to fire Edsall...Edsall tried to retire and Benedict went along with the ploy at first but changed his mind and fired him the next day.

Seems a little sloppy.

At first I was ok with the retirement, but I like where it ended up. I guess Benedict was in the same place...at first he was ok with Edsalls retirement plan, but probably after checking in with donors he decided to go with his first plan.

I think the thought of what the final 10 games would do to the program, changed his mind. With Spanos, some will keep grinding. With a lame duck Edsall, the % of players, coaches, and recruits checking out would be turned up full blast.

There was really no upside for Randy staying. Imagine the Purdue loss with him here or worse not making a change at QB?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Edsall finally faced accountability. Something that was never in place in his second go around. Benedict gave Edsall way too much rope. Hope DB learned something.

He did learn something, answer the phone when Mr Burton calls. Burton hated the Pasqualoni hire, and he had Hathaway fired for it. Burton and his two sons, one of whom was team captain of the 1999 Huskies could easily come up with major bucks for a new coach. The family business filed for chapter 11 but the personal wealth of the family is still several hundred million.

 

[Exit 4]

Ok...so now it's confirmed... Benedict wanted to fire Edsall...Edsall tried to retire and Benedict went along with the ploy at first but changed his mind and fired him the next day.

Seems a little sloppy.

At first I was ok with the retirement, but I like where it ended up. I guess Benedict was in the same place...at first he was ok with Edsalls retirement plan, but probably after checking in with donors he decided to go with his first plan.

What’s missing from the public story is that the kids and the coaches wanted Edsall fully out of the picture. No one wanted to be stuck playing 10 more games under this tight control using his philosophies when it was bearing zero fruit. The kids and the coaches went to AD David Benedict and asked for a clean break and with that it was an easy decision to skip the 10 game sunset plan.

 

[hardcorehusky]

@hardcorehusky not singling you out and this is no attack on your point. I agree with it but it should be noted somewhere in thread after thread and post after post nobody mentions Randy was DB's hire. I get he was getting his feet wet at a school with limited budget etc, but the point remains it was his hire. He has to hit the ball out of the park on this one.

So much smoke and mirrors, it's silly. Randy who constantly repeats "I look out my office window and see players getting better every day" and has to tell them every day "never quit" and two games into the season he quits !!! Then wants the last day of work to be the end of the season ???
Randy was a low budget hire in a low budget land and was able to get his son a D1 assistant job in the mix. Randy's salary should have ended the day he quit and the faux consultant / advisor to the AD designation terminated immediately. With money released there going to the new offense annalist.

Would simply love to know just what advice Dave is taking and getting our money's worth from Randy between now and Dec 1.
The jokes on me I pay for this ..... ..... .....

No offense taken. I still feel Randy wasn't his first choice- but the budget was sunk with Diaco's buyout and that dictated what he could do and couldn't. Totally different aside, why can't Athletics borrow the money from the UConn Foundation instead of it coming out of budget?

 

[uconnfan68]

He did learn something, answer the phone when Mr Burton calls. Burton hated the Pasqualoni hire, and he had Hathaway fired for it. Burton and his two sons, one of whom was team captain of the 1999 Huskies could easily come up with major bucks for a new coach. The family business filed for chapter 11 but the personal wealth of the family is still several hundred million.

They aren't using their last few hundred million for UConn.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Oh...and I will add....and I am disappointed to be saying this...this exit really hurts Edsalls legacy at UConn. Even more than the horrific results in his second go round.

The one thing I always gave Randy credit for was being a man of integrity. Doing things the right way. Being a role model for his players. Sure he was stubborn and cranky, but he ran a clean program and he really developed his players. I admired how he handled the Jasper Howard tragedy. His interview after the Notre Dame win actually brought a tear to my eye.

Then....we got a peak into the real Randy with his hasty exit to Maryland. To his credit...he owned up to that mistake and apologized upon his return to UConn. The only thing I felt good about when Randy returned was that I thought he was a good leader who would instill the right values in the team.

Now....another messy exit. Another exit where Randy isn't transparent...doesn't take accountability...and leaves without doing the right thing.

He is not the man or leader I thought he was. And that's disappointing.

I agree with the values but it’s do as I say not as I do.

 

[Nextmanup]

What’s missing from the public story is that the kids and the coaches wanted Edsall fully out of the picture. No one wanted to be stuck playing 10 more games under this tight control using his philosophies when it was bearing zero fruit. The kids and the coaches went to AD David Benedict and asked for a clean break and with that it was an easy decision to skip the 10 game sunset plan.

FACT..

 

[Sportsfan71]

And a stadium. Here's a nice spot on Discovery Drive. 195 is on the other side of the field towards the left.

View attachment 69772

Agree 100000%!!! The stadium has to be on campus, that just would put the ribbon on the present! Some day I hope, if Big Boy football remains and they want to draw players and fans to the program, put it on campus and stop lugging kids on school buses going to a field trip while in middle school.

 

[Sportsfan71]

Route 6 (I-384) needs to be built, BUT NIMBYs are always complaining. We should rebuild the Midland route (East Hartford to Willimantic railroad). The railroad can be a passenger/freight operation, but the G&W doesn't like passenger trains. Have the Connecticut Eastern RR Museum run the passenger trains. Even from Willimantic to East Hartford for students and citizens of Eastern CT.

Now, if you build a stadium on campus, what should we do with the Rent? I doubt you'll see an on campus stadium at UConn in the near future...The politicians (especially East Hartford's politicians) would veto it...

Let the state figure that out, UCONN does not own it any way and pays rent out of the wazooooo..

 

[CONN78SEJ]

They aren't using their last few hundred million for UConn.

His #1 son alone is worth $40 million, not bad for a former UConn football player. Both sons are in the family business. If Robert Sr was given some say in who Uconn hires, he would make a huge donation in a heartbeat, not sure though if Benedict would want to walk down that road.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Let the state figure that out, UCONN does not own it any way and pays rent out of the wazooooo..

That’s why they call it the Rent.

 

[uconnfan68]

His #1 son alone is worth $40 million, not bad for a former UConn football player. Both sons are in the family business. If Robert Sr was given some say in who Uconn hires, he would make a huge donation in a heartbeat, not sure though if Benedict would want to walk down that road.

You just said the business went bankrupt. Why would UConn football be a priority?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

You just said the business went bankrupt. Why would UConn football be a priority?

Um…………….no, I said they filed a chapter 11. Chapter 11 is not really a bankruptcy, it’s more a reorganization of assets, the business still functions, and can borrow money against its assets. Chapter 7 or 13 are where you lose everything and your assets are sold off. Ok boys and girls, schools over.

 

[bobbyinaz]

I'm always amused when posters decide how others should spend their money

 

[CONN78SEJ]

You just said the business went bankrupt. Why would UConn football be a priority?

Was UConn football a priority when Burton gave them money to build the Family Football Complex? Most of Burton’s money is in his Hedge Fund. Okay? Do you understand now?

Redirect Notice

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I'm always amused when posters decide how others should spend their money

I’m amazed when some posters on the Boneyard try to pass themselves off as smart people.

 

[BlueDogs]

Huh? He could leave tomorrow and get a P5 job…

You’re living in your own private Idaho. He has zero football credibility. Overseeing one of the worst FBS programs and stewarding it from a legit edge candidate for Big 12 expansion to a non-factor doesn’t fly. Moving a state flagship to the Faux BigEast to save basketball and banishing football to Siberia does not a P5 AD make. There isn’t a group of P5 Trustees anywhere that would underwrite that risk. NFW.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

You’re living in your own private Idaho. He has zero football credibility. Overseeing one of the worst FBS programs and stewarding it from a legit edge candidate for Big 12 expansion to a non-factor doesn’t fly. Moving a state flagship to the Faux BigEast to save basketball and banishing football to Siberia does not a P5 AD make. There isn’t a group of P5 Trustees anywhere that would underwrite that risk. NFW.

I think you’re full of it. Benedict fired Edsall faster than Cary Grant running from an airplane.

 

[LBird33]

Ok...so now it's confirmed... Benedict wanted to fire Edsall...Edsall tried to retire and Benedict went along with the ploy at first but changed his mind and fired him the next day.

Seems a little sloppy.

At first I was ok with the retirement, but I like where it ended up. I guess Benedict was in the same place...at first he was ok with Edsalls retirement plan, but probably after checking in with donors he decided to go with his first plan.

Edsall tried to get out ahead of it which is bush league and put Benedict on the spot.

 

[polycom]

You’re living in your own private Idaho. He has zero football credibility. Overseeing one of the worst FBS programs and stewarding it from a legit edge candidate for Big 12 expansion to a non-factor doesn’t fly. Moving a state flagship to the Faux BigEast to save basketball and banishing football to Siberia does not a P5 AD make. There isn’t a group of P5 Trustees anywhere that would underwrite that risk. NFW.

You sir must be confused. Warde Manuel left UConn's AD and got the AD job at MICHIGAN. Do you realize how bad Warde was at his job? Yet he got a job at a top 5-10 AD, yet you think AD David Benedict won't get a P5 job by successfully landing the basketball program somewhere. As a fanbase we deserve what we are getting.....

 

[Yup!]

You’re living in your own private Idaho. He has zero football credibility. Overseeing one of the worst FBS programs and stewarding it from a legit edge candidate for Big 12 expansion to a non-factor doesn’t fly. Moving a state flagship to the Faux BigEast to save basketball and banishing football to Siberia does not a P5 AD make. There isn’t a group of P5 Trustees anywhere that would underwrite that risk. NFW.

I pretty much agree with your posts but you’re wrong on this one BlueDogs. Benedict saved our basketball program, hired a guy in Edsall because he knew the football program and brought it to prominence at one point, so he was hoping to get that same result while he was tied up with Diacos buyout, he couldn’t afford to hire a more expensive coach. He gave Edsall a chance and once the fan base was fed up so was Benedict and canned him. The independence is not his fault, he tried to move all sports to BigEast and keep football in the American, but Aresco was not having that and booted the football program, so independent was the best move. Bowl Tie ins will come in time this move is still fresh. IMO he’s done a hell of a job and can get a job in a sec if he were to leave here.

 

[CL82]

You just said the business went bankrupt. Why would UConn football be a priority?

Because football drives the bus?

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

Let the state figure that out, UCONN does not own it any way and pays rent out of the wazooooo..

There is literally NO WAY the Rent will be abandoned for an on-campus stadium. Not one iota of a chance of that happening. It's here....it's a better stadium than a lot of FBS schools play in, and it's not going anywhere for a long time. It's up to the program to live up to the expectations when that stadium was built and get it filled up again. A stadium on campus is a dream on a ship that sailed long ago. Blaming the location of the stadium for the current status of the football program is a red herring.

Fix the program, fill the Rent.

 

[Hoophound]

We've beat this to death, but I love the Rent. It is convenient, has good beer and food options and it is comfortable (chairbacks). All complaints about the seats being empty due to location are unfounded. We won, the seats were filled. We lost, the seats were empty.

The last two Ollie years showed that even the basketball team would have lousy attendance on campus if the team stunk.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

We've beat this to death, but I love the Rent. It is convenient, has good beer and food options and it is comfortable (chairbacks). All complaints about the seats being empty due to location are unfounded. We won, the seats were filled. We lost, the seats were empty.

The last two Ollie years showed that even the basketball team would have lousy attendance on campus if the team stunk.

Not to mention that Rentschler is convenient to highways for all those not already in Eastern CT. I love going to BB games at Gampel, but it's a hike, and I'm in North Central CT. I know students have to be shuttled to the Rent, but let's face it...the students haven't been packing the place, either.