OT: UConn football coach Randy Edsall announces retirement [edit] Now effective immediately

[Carnac]

Just took a look at the rest of UConn’s FB schedule to see if there’s a possibility of a W during the remainder of the season. The best chances are vs UMass & Yale. But I certainly wouldn’t bet the farm on a UConn win in either game.

Morale may be in the toilet by then, and the players are merely playing out the season. I read some of the comments from long time "hardcore" UConn boosters and fans in the chatroom during the game. Doom and gloom filled the room. There has got to be a "workable" solution to this dilemma. What is it? Obviously the process the administration has been using IS NOT working.

Time to use a different approach. I wonder if the administration would consider the idea of temporarily hiring 3 former championship winning football coaches (retired) on retainer, bring them in to form a "think tank", and offer some ideas and a consensus suggestion/plan to revive its football program. Former coaches that have experienced the pinnacle of success, and know exactly what it takes to form and build a winning program. The money spent now on this endeavor would be recouped down the road in increased ticket and merchandise sales during home games and TV revenue. Build it, and they will come.

Basically go outside of the program for help. There's no shame in asking for help. The first step for a recovering alcoholic or drug addict in any rehabilitation program is to "publicly" admit they are an alcoholic/addict. The first thing the administration will have to do is admit they need help, then ask for it. Because what they've been doing IS NOT working.

The football program is no better off now than it was 5 years ago. It's stuck in a spin cycle of hapless mediocrity. UConn wants to attract the best players available, but those players are going to other programs. Nobody wants to play for a loser. How do you sell a 1-9 or 0-10 program to a potential recruit?

There is still a myriad of fans, boosters and supporters (current students) that would get firmly behind a plan to return UConn football back to prominence. It's still not too late to remove this program from the "intensive care unit." The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The administration needs to take that first step in the right direction. What do they have to lose?

 

[HuskyNan]

Just took a look at the rest of UConn’s FB schedule to see if there’s a possibility of a W during the remainder of the season. The best chances are vs UMass & Yale. But I certainly wouldn’t bet the farm on a UConn win in either game.

Yale is no pushover.

I might to go to UConn-UCF game in November to show the players my support. UCF usually sells out home game tickets but I’m guessing there should be plenty available for this game.

 

[HuskyNan]

Shame on all of you on this women's board for snarking at the football program. You should want all facets of the university to do well. The day Geno hangs it up, we will have a huge hole to fill. And g-d forbid we come back to the pack, you won't see a real UConn fan laughing at what some of you post.

First day on the Boneyard? I guess you’ve never seen the snark towards the multi-national championship winning women’s team on the men’s board or football board.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Several years ago, I suggested that UConn follow in the footsteps of another school whose football program was anemic and on life support. South Carolina decided to go all in (Jim Fassel), and push all of their chips to the center of the table.

They hired a head football coach (Steve Spurrier) who came in and resuscitated the program, and lifted it to a top 5 national ranking. How much longer is UConn football going to stay mired in mediocrity? What’s the definition of insanity? In spite of the efforts to improve the program, the results of the last two gams is very disappointing.

Even the most ardent and loyal fans can only take so much. I dr into the chat room at the beginning of the game to learn what the long time fans were thinking. Their comments were not good. Is that the approach the administration has been taking with the football program? You decide.

We beat Steve Spurrier and South Carolina

 

[UConnCat]

Shame on all of you on this women's board for snarking at the football program. You should want all facets of the university to do well. The day Geno hangs it up, we will have a huge hole to fill. And g-d forbid we come back to the pack, you won't see a real UConn fan laughing at what some of you post.

All? The (mostly misguided) posts by a few in this thread hardly represent the views of the majority who post here. Also, nothing said here hasn't been said on the football board.

 

[CTBballfan243]

It’s only a matter of time before the power conferences split away from the NCAA and form their own division for all sports. They will have their own tournaments for all sports, not just football. Enjoy UConn basketball while it lasts. Soon we will go the way of Latech, Old Diminion, and other once powerful basketball programs that became casualties of conference realignment.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Early season football guarantees usually ensure a win.

UConn football was not the only team to pay out a large guarantee and get beat.
Georgia Tech paid Northern Illinois $1 million and lost.
Illinois paid the Citadel $400,000 and lost
Washington paid Montana $675,000 and lost.
Vanderbilt paid East Tenn $ 415,000 and 60 hotel rooms and lost.

I would score that FCS 5 FBS 0

Actually, Illinois lost to UTSA, not the Citadel. UTSA is in Conference USA (FBS)
Also Northern Illinois is in the MAC (also FBS)

So the score is only FCS 3 FBS 0

 

[Carnac]

We beat Steve Spurrier and South Carolina

And it can be done again!! But first you have to beat the Holy Crosses in the FCS. Let’s do this!!

 

[EdSaid]

Actually, Illinois lost to UTSA, not the Citadel. UTSA is in Conference USA (FBS)
Also Northern Illinois is in the MAC (also FBS)

So the score is only FCS 3 FBS 0

Your right, it was Texas San Antonio. I was going on memory from USA today

 

[Vowelguy]

Actually, Illinois lost to UTSA, not the Citadel. UTSA is in Conference USA (FBS)
Also Northern Illinois is in the MAC (also FBS)

So the score is only FCS 3 FBS 0

UC Davis beat Tulsa
E Washington beat UNLV

so it's 5 FCS wins this weekend

 

[MSGRET]

Actually, Illinois lost to UTSA, not the Citadel. UTSA is in Conference USA (FBS)
Also Northern Illinois is in the MAC (also FBS)

So the score is only FCS 3 FBS 0

@ed4ourgirls forgot to add UNLV paying 500K to Eastern Washington and lost in double overtime 35-33 two weeks ago.

 

[Adios]

At least Geno is a UConn football fan.

 

[triaddukefan]

Yale is no pushover.

I might to go to UConn-UCF game in November to show the players my support. UCF usually sells out home game tickets but I’m guessing there should be plenty available for this game.

Ah.. the renewal of the Civil ConFLict

 

[UConnCat]

update

 

[Vowelguy]

Edsall now out.
defensive coach is interim HC

 

[oldude]

Edsall now out.
defensive coach is interim HC

Best for all concerned. Edsall caught everyone by surprise with his announcement, and it’s probably just as well that he get on with his life.

Lou Spanos is an excellent coach with a great resume. Hopefully, he can salvage the remainder of the season and maybe earn himself the HC job in the process.

 

[UConnCat]

The AD's statement yesterday. Seems like the AD was not on board with Edsall's first decision.

 

[topogigio]

Randall now owns the two worst exits from a football team - both for the same team!

 

[oldude]

The AD's statement yesterday. Seems like the AD was not on board with Edsall's first decision.

It appears as if Edsall gave Benedict precious little advance notice before he announced his retirement publicly. Benedict then had to explain it to the University President, the Press and alumni as best he could. That couldn’t have gone over very well.

 

[EdSaid]

Just took a look at the rest of UConn’s FB schedule to see if there’s a possibility of a W during the remainder of the season. The best chances are vs UMass & Yale. But I certainly wouldn’t bet the farm on a UConn win in either game.

I don't think UConn is paying Yale enough of a guarantee for Yale to beat them, just $285,000. The week before U Mass is paying UConn a guarantee of just $150,000.

Have at the list, its dizzying

College football non-conference by 2020-2023 USAT - Graphics - Infogram

infogram.com

 

[hardcorehusky]

First day on the Boneyard? I guess you’ve never seen the snark towards the multi-national championship winning women’s team on the men’s board or football board.

I wish our "fanbase" would root for all the teams or at least be neutral and not add to the negativity. You can favor the women over the men, baseball over football, but I don't get the rooting against part.

 

[HuskyNan]

I wish our "fanbase" would root for all the teams or at least be neutral and not add to the negativity. You can favor the women over the men, baseball over football, but I don't get the rooting against part.

Who in this thread is rooting against the football team? You should go over to the football board and scold the posters that are still talking about dropping to FCS so they can get pounded a couple times a year for the appearance money.

Should UConn abandon big-time college football? The question is a complex one to answer (Hearst)

… and away we go. Figure out a way to read it - too long to just cut/paste excepts from BOT Toscano, Benedict, sports economists, etc…

the-boneyard.com

People here might be ragging on Edsall but most are fans of the team.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Who in this thread is rooting against the football team? You should go over to the football board and scold the posters that are still talking about dropping to FCS so they can get pounded a couple times a year for the appearance money.

Should UConn abandon big-time college football? The question is a complex one to answer (Hearst)

… and away we go. Figure out a way to read it - too long to just cut/paste excepts from BOT Toscano, Benedict, sports economists, etc…

the-boneyard.com

People here might be ragging on Edsall but most are fans of the team.

Trust me, I have. When I read they should go to FCS, that is when they stop being a fan of the team.

 

[oldude]

I don't think UConn is paying Yale enough of a guarantee for Yale to beat them, just $285,000. The week before U Mass is paying UConn a guarantee of just $150,000.

Have at the list, its dizzying

College football non-conference by 2020-2023 USAT - Graphics - Infogram

infogram.com

This is fascinating and bizarre. When you throw in the Holy Cross payout, it appears that UConn FB paid out a little over $1.5 million for teams to travel to Storrs, while recouping approximately $1.5 million by playing on the road.

It points out a significant challenge to being a football independent. Not only do you have to scrounge up 12 opponents, but you also have to reasonably balance your payouts against your receipts. When you’re in a conference, you play the same teams every year, alternating home and away, with no payouts involved.

 

[itsasport]

UConn was, and is, a national brand in basketball, but never football. For coaches, UConn football was just a stepping stone up to a more respected program. Even Edsall left after a modicum of success. Basketball needs only a few good players to become successful- a football team needs dozens. Why would any HS player who wants to get the respect needed to make the pros think of coming to UConn- especially new.

It was hubris that UConn could ever compete with the many established top D1 programs. UConn can not even compete with a Holy Cross, I do not see UConn as having any level of success unless they play E. O. Smith or Windham.

I say this with a great deal of sadness because my father played on he UConn team that beat Brown in the thirties. I would travel with him to the Yale games and watched countless games from the hill. BUt, UConn should just give up the ghost and drop football and put the money to better use.

 

[jchusky]

yea I just posted a couple things in the football forum and ppl were very rude, unlike here in the wbb board yea there's some disagreements but never gets malicious or people try to scold others about their opinion. Glad to be here and not over there from now on

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Wish I could be this bad and get paid so well.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Whatever you guys do, don't let your admin hire Will Muschamp; he is a dumpster fire.

It's nearly impossible to win as an FBS Independent in this day and age; even ND struck a partial deal with the ACC.

 

[Adios]

yea I just posted a couple things in the football forum and ppl were very rude, unlike here in the wbb board yea there's some disagreements but never gets malicious or people try to scold others about their opinion. Glad to be here and not over there from now on

Consider the psychology of the followings of the 2 teams. One made to suffer historically bad football over the few years after showing signs of moderate success. The other blessed to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime historical success in women's basketball since 1995. So yeah, there's some bitter posters there. Some who ironically migrate from the basketball boards, just to whine.

When people live with success, it's easy to be placid. When there's chaos? Other way around.

 

[EdSaid]

This is fascinating and bizarre. When you throw in the Holy Cross payout, it appears that UConn FB paid out a little over $1.5 million for teams to travel to Storrs, while recouping approximately $1.5 million by playing on the road.

It points out a significant challenge to being a football independent. Not only do you have to scrounge up 12 opponents, but you also have to reasonably balance your payouts against your receipts. When you’re in a conference, you play the same teams every year, alternating home and away, with no payouts involved.

Bizarre is the key word. 6 road games and $1.5 million might cover travel expenses. Take out Clemson's $900,000 guarantee, then you have 5 road games taking in $600,000.

Being a football independent, extremely difficult. Years ago Miami could do it. ND can do it cuz they probably get 10 times the TV revenue that UConn gets and they get to keep 100% of the bowl revenue.