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>>Diaco is used to a preferred walk-on program. He experienced it at Iowa, where he was a player, and at Notre Dame, where he was defensive coordinator under coach Brian Kelly. "That's the model I'm used to," he said. "That there's no difference or delineation between whether you have aid or you do not have aid. Everyone on the team is held to the same standard, and everyone on the team is being evaluated at the same level."<<
>>Diaco said the preferred walk-on program is not exclusive to Connecticut players, but it is an option for them to consider, versus leaving the state. "It's not that it's the only prerequisite or parameter, but if this really talented Connecticut high school football player who loves Connecticut ... to me, these guys are not an afterthought anymore," Diaco said. "Don't go to another university. Come to UConn. Come serve this state institution and come serve the football team. In the event that you are a productive member of our football team in any of the three phases [offense, defense, special teams], then we're going to put you on scholarship, and we're not going to go out and recruit a different player. We're going to honor you and your production and service."<<
>>Diaco is used to a preferred walk-on program. He experienced it at Iowa, where he was a player, and at Notre Dame, where he was defensive coordinator under coach Brian Kelly. "That's the model I'm used to," he said. "That there's no difference or delineation between whether you have aid or you do not have aid. Everyone on the team is held to the same standard, and everyone on the team is being evaluated at the same level."<<
>>Diaco said the preferred walk-on program is not exclusive to Connecticut players, but it is an option for them to consider, versus leaving the state. "It's not that it's the only prerequisite or parameter, but if this really talented Connecticut high school football player who loves Connecticut ... to me, these guys are not an afterthought anymore," Diaco said. "Don't go to another university. Come to UConn. Come serve this state institution and come serve the football team. In the event that you are a productive member of our football team in any of the three phases [offense, defense, special teams], then we're going to put you on scholarship, and we're not going to go out and recruit a different player. We're going to honor you and your production and service."<<