UConn football coach Jim Mora on what it will take for his vision of the program to become a reality…

[ZooCougar]

Benedict has to address it and confirm his vision of the program. Mora will leave and find another program that will sign on to his terms. He may love the University but he'll can find others. He is hot, and he will be part of talk for coach of the year even with a .500 team, first year, imagine that!! He's great on all fronts, visible with media and we've been a basement program, now on the perceived rise. He knows how to make it work, and we need to keep him. He's so positive for the school, look how he's viewed in all eyes. Find a way!

Silly goose. I would bet that Mora and Benedict are in cahoots.

This is calculated.

 

[huskymedic]

… and his recruiting visits are on a Dollar Tree budget.

I need to find the most recent number i saw but UConn has not historically nickeled and dimed the actual football recruiting budget. I don’t think this is the root of any concern.

Colleges That Spend the Most on Recruiting Football Players

College football is a big business, among other things. Tens of millions of dollars routinely flow through the athletic departments of the biggest programs, not to mention the value of the exposure a...

finance.yahoo.com

 

[shizzle787]

I hate to go against anyone with the name Shizzle Televizzle and I know that most will disagree with me, but I have a problem with this approach. The college experience is about being inclusive, not exclusive. My friends who rowed crew and played tennis were just as important to the college experience as the football and basketball players. I loved playing college baseball even though it wasn’t a money-making endeavor for my university. Where do we draw the line?

Rowing and tennis don't pay the bills. Basketball and football do. The line is the NCAA minimum. We are not a P5 or Ivy League school. We can't afford to have 21 sports and compete in all of the ones that matter. There wouldn't need to be a lot of cuts but there would need to be a few.

 

[Punkbo]

Last week I asked this august body if we should be thinking contract extension with Mora.

The consensus here was that Mora would stay here for the long haul out of the goodness of his own heart and to build a legacy.

Well, now that we have this quote we know that isn’t true.

The school has to do something to match his commitment or this is in his view a total waste of his time.

He is just not going to stay here while his coaches get hired away each year and his recruiting visits are on a Dollar Tree budget.

Anyone who thinks Mora will hang around because he’s a sweet guy is sorely mistaken. He’s an economic animal like the rest of us. As much as we hate to say it, UConn football is not a destination job. Sorry.

 

[Banta55]

I need to find the most recent number i saw but UConn has not historically nickeled and dimes the actual football recruiting budget. I don’t think this is the root of any concern.

Colleges That Spend the Most on Recruiting Football Players

College football is a big business, among other things. Tens of millions of dollars routinely flow through the athletic departments of the biggest programs, not to mention the value of the exposure a...

finance.yahoo.com

Benedict, made him aware of the whole situation..IMO he's laying ground work to take a P5 job..

 

[ZooCougar]

I need to find the most recent number i saw but UConn has not historically nickeled and dimes the actual football recruiting budget. I don’t think this is the root of any concern.

Colleges That Spend the Most on Recruiting Football Players

College football is a big business, among other things. Tens of millions of dollars routinely flow through the athletic departments of the biggest programs, not to mention the value of the exposure a...

finance.yahoo.com

I disagree.

I’m only going by what came out of Jim Mora’s mouth.

He specifically mentioned recruiting visiits.

It couldn’t be more clear.

 

[Kolumbo]

We gotta find the context here. HCJM and AD Dave Benedict no doubt hashed out the entire situation of what Mora was getting involved with. We're not even through season 1 yet so I'm thinking he has no complaints. It's all part of the grand plan for HIM to come here and lift UCONN Football to where we want it to be. Might as well start asking for $$ now while the goings good.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Nice info Medic!

One caveat: considering our local recruiting territory we should be higher than (then) peers in Ohio (Cincinnati), Florida (USF), etc solely on travel required to where many players are playing HS ball.

 

[ZooCougar]

Anyone who thinks Mora will hang around because he’s a sweet guy is sorely mistaken. He’s an economic animal like the rest of us. As much as we hate to say it, UConn football is not a destination job. Sorry.

I think he wants it to be his destination. He’s trying to make it a better place.

If you guys actually follow college football you know that the better college coaches will always use this tactic to get what they want. Or they leave.

This is just the first time a UConn FB coach did it this publicly.

Edsall used to have to go hat in hand to Burton to get money for his projects.

 

[Go Dogs!!]

on one hand yes but it’s not UConns fault he was desperate for this job and didn’t research it before accepting it. Hell he didn’t use an agent. Still he is right

Desperate?? Do you think maybe the other schools didn't see him as an interested coach? Maybe the AD had a open mind and ask the question, "would you consider being our coach". Didn't have any reason to not consider him, it was a great find and maybe Benedict did something others wouldn't consider.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

We were willing to give the disaster in cranberry pants a ridiculous contract because he finished 6-7. There has to be a way to make the economics work for Mora.

 

[huskymedic]

Benedict, made him aware of the whole situation..IMO he's laying ground work to take a P5 job..

I disagree.

I’m only going by what came out of Jim Mora’s mouth.

He specifically mentioned recruiting visiits.

It couldn’t be more clear.

He mentioned a lot of things in 1:46. He referenced the whole university/recruiting experience needs to keep getting better. Spending close to $500k on recruiting for just football is not a “Dollar Tree” budget in comparison to other peer schools.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

In terms of roster size, I'd way rather invest in players 1-22 than anything beyond 85.

 

[fleaflicker]

Football Budgets.
Texas 147 million
Michigan 139 million
Ohio State 132 million
Notre Dame 120 million
Liberty. 45 million (2017)
UConn 17.2 million (2019)
Central Ct. 313K (2017)
I suggest the high rollers mentioned above have BIG DONORS paying allot of the freight. Not saying anything the majority on this board do not already know.
State not riding to the rescue in MOP.

 

[ZooCougar]

He mentioned a lot of things in 1:46. He referenced the whole university/recruiting experience needs to keep getting better. Spending close to $500k on recruiting for just football is not a “Dollar Tree” budget.

Sure it is. Just look at what peers are spending.

Only 30% of the total budget goes towards football.

How many athletic scholarships does UConn offer? What percentage of the total scholarships is football?

Get real. That’s pathetic. We are a tough sell for recruits. You can’t make up ground sending brochures and emails.

 

[storrsroars]

Benedict, made him aware of the whole situation..IMO he's laying ground work to take a P5 job..

Nah. He could've had one of those if he wanted. His initial comments were about not having to deal with politics and boosters and ridiculous expectations. Now he's setting the expectations.

Looking at that list of top 55 recruiting budgets, UConn's overall recruiting budget is decent, but the share for football is in the bottom five. If Mora got another $300K just for football, that would put UConn on par with most of the PAC12. I think that's doable.

 

[ZooCougar]

Nah. He could've had one of those if he wanted. His initial comments were about not having to deal with politics and boosters and ridiculous expectations. Now he's setting the expectations.

Looking at that list of top 55 recruiting budgets, UConn's overall recruiting budget is decent, but the share for football is in the bottom five. If Mora got another $300K just for football, that would put UConn on par with most of the PAC12. I think that's doable.

It’s a fairly old article too. It just shows how little the school was doing for program back then.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

For the purpose of full disclosure:

I have a hunch that I'll hit Powerball on the next drawing (if only one winner, the lump sum payout after taxes will be close to half a billion dollars).

If I do, anything Mora believes he needs to compete for a national title will be covered.

And will will have a men's lacrosse program (and restore many programs that were dropped over the past couple of decades).

 

[Huskyforlife]

Shouldn’t someone be asking what the point is though? You spend 3 million+ per year more on football, just to retain some coaches and maybe upgrade some things here and there, but it’s all just more debt for the university unless it leads to an ACC invite.

If he’s gonna threaten to leave over that, we should probably let him.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Shouldn’t someone be asking what the point is though? You spend 3 million+ per year more on football, just to retain some coaches and maybe upgrade some things here and there, but it’s all just more debt for the university unless it leads to an ACC invite.

If he’s gonna threaten to leave over that, we should probably let him.

If that's the attitude we should join the Patriot league.

 

[Ajs120102]

Nah. He could've had one of those if he wanted. His initial comments were about not having to deal with politics and boosters and ridiculous expectations. Now he's setting the expectations.

Looking at that list of top 55 recruiting budgets, UConn's overall recruiting budget is decent, but the share for football is in the bottom five. If Mora got another $300K just for football, that would put UConn on par with most of the PAC12. I think that's doable.

Is there a full video of this question with the initial comment?

 

[Huskyforlife]

If that's the attitude we should join the Patriot league.

Seriously think of how you would justify this monumental budget increase to the administration. Your football team has been the worst in all of D1 for the last 7-8 years, hemorrhaging money, some even calling for the program to shut down, and after one mediocre season you’re asking for a massive re investment? You’re not gonna find a non football fan who agrees this is a good idea, unless it comes with the promise of a P5 invite down the road.

 

[giddyup]

An on campus stadium (within the next few years) is one investment that I see making zero sense.

Finding a way to add $1.5 million or so a year for coaches salaries and our recruiting budget (knowing that this will need to continually increase) is where we need to start.

Ok, sure. That’s doesn’t break the bank though. I’m trying to get my head around where the big spend would be.

 

[uconndogs]

Mora is right on the money with this. UCONN and a lot of programs will need to address this issue. Facilities, salaries, NIL, will drive enormous commitments in capital. Without the right conference alignment and corresponding media revenues I don’t know how you sustain these programs. I’m sure UCONN has many wealthy alumni, but there doesn’t seem to be the history of giving that there is at other universities. Burton was helpful, but I don’t think he’s as deep a pocket as many think he is.

 

[History Geek]

… and it wouldn’t surprise me @ all if this commentary/timing has already been cleared through AD Dave.

Giving this year's relative success, and a 5-5 record on this date, today is the perfect day to mention this.

 

[RC111]

I agree but the school doesn't have the financial resources right now..I imagine he was told this..

This. The athletic department, including football, is hemorrhaging money.

Major expenses in the past couple years and/ or future liabilities:

AAC withdrawal - 17,000,000
Big East entry - 3,500,000
Ollie lawsuit AND buyout - 14,900,000
Big East withdrawal fee (currently) - 30,000,000

I graduated about 10 yrs ago and the cost for in-state attendance has doubled since then. Something will need to give, and as much as I enjoy going to the rent, I think the university needs to be careful before throwing lots more money at the football program. More than a little disappointed to hear this cropping up before season's end from someone who approached the school for the job. (Regardless of the context in which it was asked.)

 

[geordi]

Guys! Guys! I’d love to have a major football program that’s nationally ranked year after year. I’d also like to be 3-4 inches taller and 40 lbs lighter. I’d like to have several beach houses and a fleet of planes to whisk me wherever I have a whim to go. And where, pray tell, is my stable of buxom, blonde, beauties to meet my every desire?

The athletic department budget operated at a $47 million deficit last year. If we triple the football budget, we’re still in the bottom half of FBS. Equivalent to Liberty. That brings the deficit to @ $75M. If it gets us into the ACC, assuming we get a FULL share immediately (unlikely), the deficit is still $35-40M.

I guess that’s a small price to pay in order to let you build your sports related egos. Where is the return on investment? There is the harsh reality or the dreams.

 

[ZooCougar]

Guys! Guys! I’d love to have a major football program that’s nationally ranked year after year. I’d also like to be 3-4 inches taller and 40 lbs lighter. I’d like to have several beach houses and a fleet of planes to whisk me wherever I have a whim to go. And where, pray tell, is my stable of buxom, blonde, beauties to meet my every desire?

The athletic department budget operated at a $47 million deficit last year. If we triple the football budget, we’re still in the bottom half of FBS. Equivalent to Liberty. That brings the deficit to @ $75M. If it gets us into the ACC, assuming we get a FULL share immediately (unlikely), the deficit is still $35-40M.

I guess that’s a small price to pay in order to let you build your sports related egos. Where is the return on investment? There is the harsh reality or the dreams.

You sound like a wbb fan; conflating the football budget with the entire athletic budget.

If we hadn’t been cheapskates with the football program maybe we wouldn’t lost the entire fanbase, have an empty Rent for years and actually made some money on tickets and merch.

 

[CL82]

I need to find the most recent number i saw but UConn has not historically nickeled and dimed the actual football recruiting budget. I don’t think this is the root of any concern.

Colleges That Spend the Most on Recruiting Football Players

College football is a big business, among other things. Tens of millions of dollars routinely flow through the athletic departments of the biggest programs, not to mention the value of the exposure a...

finance.yahoo.com

Other than the size of the team and assistant coaches salaries?

 

[Tucker]

The state has gone from deficit to surplus. The timing of Mora’s message is spot on and yes I believe the AD has blessed this. Spend the money and take a shot at getting into a p5 in the next 5/10 years.