UConn Football adding Noel Mazzone as an offensive analyst

[huskymedic]

-> Mazzone, 64, was most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona in 2018-20. His three jobs prior to that were as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, UCLA and Arizona State.

Mazzone and UConn interim coach Lou Spanos were on the UCLA staff together in 2012, with Spanos as defensive coordinator. <-

 

[LoyalFanCT]

This is a smart move. Before everyone blasts Spanos further, got to see if some of these moves help.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I will say this, it suggests to me that they care and are trying. The fix isn't going to be quick or easy. It is very unfortunate that we didn't move on from Edsall when we had the no-season opportunity to bring in somebody new and have them build a culture.

 

[storrsroars]

The "N-Zone" offense coming to UConn... didn't work particularly well at Arizona, but given where UConn is at, the simplicity of the philosophy might be just the thing needed.

Interesting article discussing Mazzone's offensive philosophy while during his tenure with the Aggies, which was fairly successful.

An in-depth look at what Noel Mazzone brings to the Texas A&M offense

Noel Mazzone is an offensive mastermind who finds simple yet creative ways to get the ball to his best players. Here's an inside look at the offense he is bringing to Texas A&M.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

 

[ktuck911]

Agreed. This needed to happen... We had position coaches being moved around with the first go round at FBS level with OC and QB responsibilities... Wasn't/Isn't working out... Gotta get more serious on filling those roles with more qualified guys.. Expectations clearly are a lot higher with the guys that have the true experience of coaching these spots at the FBS level...

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

100% necessary when you have an OLine coach acting as OC and a quarterback coach calling plays.

 

[Hornet22]

I will say this, it suggests to me that they care and are trying. The fix isn't going to be quick or easy. It is very unfortunate that we didn't move on from Edsall when we had the no-season opportunity to bring in somebody new and have them build a culture.

Using hindsight, I completely agree. It was tough to make that call then. I believe the start of this season unearthed some things that quite frankly helped make the move. I keep thinking though- as embarrassing as it was, losing to Holy Cross was such a blessing. Had we won, losing to Purdue or any other FBS team other than UMass would have kept Edsall in his seat

 

[Exit 4]

Finally, someone in the room that has actually run an offense

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Drew]

Thank God. I’m starting to think we may actually care about this program after all

 

[huskymedic]

 

[ktuck911]

It is very unfortunate that we didn't move on from Edsall when we had the no-season opportunity to bring in somebody new and have them build a culture.

With the financial freeze of COVID that made things nearly impossible at that point bro.. We've penny pinched this program even during Edsall 1.0...

 

[storrsroars]

That kinda puts a damper on my enthusiasm about his "hiring".

 

[huskymedic]

That kinda puts a damper on my enthusiasm about his "hiring".

NCAA position limits and State HR world…

 

[Storrs South]

 

[HuskyAlum012]

Essentially just giving it a week to figure out who to let go....

 

[RSTuthill]

I applaud this move. There is more than meets the eye here. The mechanics of making the hire full time as OC for the rest of the season could not be completed this week. A good intro to onboarding.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Given that we now know we are aware of week-to-week contracts, it’s a bit of a mystery how Wdsall got an extra 2 years and 2m for taking a year off.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

Flicker of hope. I'll take it.

 

[Hoophound]

It’s interesting that they aren’t giving up on the season. Any chance that they are doing this to help give Spanos a fair audition for the job? Seems weird to me to bother with this.

I’d love to see the team win a couple of games and this will help, but it just seems odd given that the staff is on the way out.

 

[Adios]

Giving up only would set anyone back further. Even if the staff is on the way out, have to salvage or redevelop everything possible.

 

[JMick]

It’s interesting that they aren’t giving up on the season. Any chance that they are doing this to help give Spanos a fair audition for the job? Seems weird to me to bother with this.

I’d love to see the team win a couple of games and this will help, but it just seems odd given that the staff is on the way out.

I think they're trying to audition the current players to help attract a coach. And they're just trying to help the players too. They deserve it. They do work their asses off. I like that the administration isn't calling it quits on them

 

[LoyalFanCT]

If Spanos cannot turn the team around, another option is to bring in a new head coach. Make Spanos DC. Make Mazzone OC. Just a thought. I'm sure there a lot of readers who oppose not having the new coach appoint his OC and DC,

 

[hardcorehusky]

It’s interesting that they aren’t giving up on the season. Any chance that they are doing this to help give Spanos a fair audition for the job? Seems weird to me to bother with this.

I’d love to see the team win a couple of games and this will help, but it just seems odd given that the staff is on the way out.

I read this as a show to whomever the next coach and staff is that UConn will support the football program. It also shows the current kids and future recruits that UConn, isn't joking around about the future.