Vontae Diggs Tweet

[Padutch5]

@cohenzone I get the overall point about Edsall. But I also don't think it diminishes the Fiesta Bowl accomplishment or greatly changes how we as fans perceive him. He was a good coach, who was great for UConn for the transition to FBS. For all his flaws he went out with 9, 8, 8, 8 wins and the program would be lucky to even lose 8 games a year now

A quick anecdote, I don't know if it's all hindsight, but when it was 4th and short vs. Pitt and the ball was on our own say 35 and Edsall went for it and Todman converted, I really thought that was going to be the turning point to where we became a real contender for the top 25 every year.

We all know how it played out with him going to MD and then the raids, but I'll always wonder what could have been had he stayed and Big East carried onward.

Yes I remember that Pitt 4th and short well. Up until then, Edsall never would take a chance. He took other uncharacteristic gambles that season. I’ve always wondered if he wasn’t already discussing the job worth Maryland and was trying to show them he could be aggressive in play calling.

 

[Wordbomar]

Mason Donaldson liked the tweet. As well as a few former players as well from Diaco era

 

[BlueandOG]

The small hands thing really irritated me, but overall I think Randy is doing ok. He's going to can the DC the moment the season ends and get someone with a fresh perspective. The players will be older, stronger and better next year and we will win more games. To quote someone who emerged from a number of tight spots, "If you're going through Hell, keep going." Or, if that fails, "Send lawyers, guns, and money."

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Yes I remember that Pitt 4th and short well. Up until then, Edsall never would take a chance. He took other uncharacteristic gambles that season. I’ve always wondered if he wasn’t already discussing the job worth Maryland and was trying to show them he could be aggressive in play calling.

Everything was painfully conservative. I remember being so happy from my seats (which were like 4 rows from the top of the upper deck in a sold out stadium).

 

[noeynox]

To say nothing of the fact that the team should have been better than its 8-4 record. Losses to Temple and Rutgers were almost entirely on the coaching staff.

When I said this at the time I was killed for it.

 

[noeynox]

I don't get the point of the tweet. If you want him to just talk about the now, then he's going to be talking about how we're the worst team in the country every single week. He's trying to get the guys to believe that what they are going through now will pay off down the road.

As for the past, I get that him talking about the days of Alfred Fincher and winning the Motor City Bowl isn't exactly on par with Calhoun telling stories of Ray Allen and Emeka Okafor, but im still glad he tries to sell the history we do have

How would we be talking about Hurley if his philosophy was "it's going to happen, but not fast enough for the seniors here now" [what was said last year btw] This year is we are too young and some of these kids shouldn't be playing. Next year it will most certainly be there is little experience at the most important position, QB.

Better yet what would Hurley's players think of making those comments publicly. I would feel so much better about this if they didn't completely turtle up against UMass and pissed that game away. Does it matter in the grand scheme? Probably not, but we are starving for anything positive to hang our hopes on.

I was glad when they hired Edsall, but now
I'm not a fan of his approach. He's treating this like trailers again, and that worked the 1st time because the fan base was being built. The position we are in now, and Benedict needs to know this, we need a coach whose intent is to put a product people want to go out and watch right away. I really thought the hiring of Lashlee was a step in that direction, but it's obvious Randy wants to dial things back to 2007, and has said that's a 5 year plan. I just want to know when the clock starts on that plan. Are we headed into year 3, or finishing year 1, cause with him you never know.

 

[kemba]

How would we be talking about Hurley if his philosophy was "it's going to happen, but not fast enough for the seniors here now" [what was said last year btw] This year is we are too young and some of these kids shouldn't be playing. Next year it will most certainly be there is little experience at the most important position, QB.

Better yet what would Hurley's players think of making those comments publicly. I would feel so much better about this if they didn't completely turtle up against UMass and pissed that game away. Does it matter in the grand scheme? Probably not, but we are starving for anything positive to hang our hopes on.

I was glad when they hired Edsall, but now
I'm not a fan of his approach. He's treating this like trailers again, and that worked the 1st time because the fan base was being built. The position we are in now, and Benedict needs to know this, we need a coach whose intent is to put a product people want to go out and watch right away. I really thought the hiring of Lashlee was a step in that direction, but it's obvious Randy wants to dial things back to 2007, and has said that's a 5 year plan. I just want to know when the clock starts on that plan. Are we headed into year 3, or finishing year 1, cause with him you never know.

Hurley has an elite backcourt, and various other decent to good recruits on his roster. It's also basketball so the process is quicker. The expectations are and should be higher.

Totally agree Edsall blew the UMass game but don't think it has anythng to do with looking towards the future. It's just common sense that the roster we have now isn't ready to win, and that this year is about getting guys experience that will hopefully pay off down the road. He could lie about that and say all he cares about is winning each week, but I don't know how that will make us better.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Mason Donaldson, Tyraiq Beals, Donovan Williams have all liked the tweet, as has Arkeel Newsome. Ryan Gilmartin's dad also liked it. Stuff like this is really, really bad. Indicative of serious lack of buy in that multiple current players would like tweets trashing our coach. Edsall's unraveling

 

[uconnphil2016]

I tweeted @ Alex Putterman to see if he would ask Randy about this tweet and the players who have liked it tomorrow. putterman seems like he is willing to ask tough questions, so we'll see.

 

[huskymedic]

Mason Donaldson, Tyraiq Beals, Donovan Williams have all liked the tweet, as has Arkeel Newsome. Ryan Gilmartin's dad also liked it. Stuff like this is really, really bad. Indicative of serious lack of buy in that multiple current players would like tweets trashing our coach. Edsall's unraveling

All people who aren’t seeing significant playing time.

Former players questioning prior regime/current coaches decisions are not a new phenomenon - just more visible in this day and age.

 

[Exit 4]

This tweet would not be an issue if the fan base trusted Edsall to play the best players and get the most out of what he has. Because the D isn’t improving ( the O is improving some) we are losing some of that trust.

 

[huskymedic]

This tweet would not be an issue if the fan base trusted Edsall to play the best players and get the most out of what he has. Because the D isn’t improving ( the O is improving some) we are losing some of that trust.

But doesn’t that comes back to the question of who’s not playing enough that should be? I guess folks could answer, “we don’t know who they are because we’re not @ practice to see the execution/effort” but to me, none of the upperclassmen’s names on D jump out @ me glaring omissions for not seeing the field. I’m all ears...

 

[kris1]

Something struck me today that perhaps Edsall seems to forget.....

1) You can't get complete "buy-in" when you're shunning the previous regimes recruits. You have to go with what you have (whether they're your guys or not). Great coaches find out what makes each kid tick and pushes those buttons to get kids to play above their capabilities. Geno is great at it. Kids today want instant gratification. They do whatever it takes to get on the field. If you cast them aside, you're not going to have any kind of team chemistry.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." -- Abe Lincoln

2) During his prior success at UConn his staff (OC & DC) consisted of future head coaches.

Rob Ambrose (OC) - Towson University, Head Coach
Joe Moorhead (OC) - Mississippi St., Head Coach
Todd Orlando (DC) - U of Texas, Defensive Coordinator

I don't think that can be said about the current staff, right now. To me, that makes a huge difference. Great coaches surround themselves with guys that aspire to be head coaches and have the ability to teach and bring the best out players with lesser ability. I believe Edsall has lost sight of that. Maybe it's ego, maybe it's the athletic budget, but I wouldn't be worried about any BCS schools heading to Storrs for their next HC. Maybe Dunn has a chance. He's still young. Crocker, however, will likely never get another BCS job. Edsall 2.0 is not equipped to get UConn back to the level it once was, at least not on his own. He's not an elite head coach. He can tweet quotes all he wants. He's living in a house divided. Until he learns from his past, there is no future, because he's mishandling the present roster.

I know for a fact this started last season with how he handled Newsome. This isn't new.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Something struck me today that perhaps Edsall seems to forget.....

1) You can't get complete "buy-in" when you're shunning the previous regimes recruits. You have to go with what you have (whether they're your guys or not). Great coaches find out what makes each kid tick and pushes those buttons to get kids to play above their capabilities. Geno is great at it. Kids today want instant gratification. They do whatever it takes to get on the field. If you cast them aside, you're not going to have any kind of team chemistry.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." -- Abe Lincoln

2) During his prior success at UConn his staff (OC & DC) consisted of future head coaches.

Rob Ambrose (OC) - Towson University, Head Coach
Joe Moorhead (OC) - Mississippi St., Head Coach
Todd Orlando (DC) - U of Texas, Defensive Coordinator

I don't think that can be said about the current staff, right now. To me, that makes a huge difference. Great coaches surround themselves with guys that aspire to be head coaches and have the ability to teach and bring the best out players with lesser ability. I believe Edsall has lost sight of that. Maybe it's ego, maybe it's the athletic budget, but I wouldn't be worried about any BCS schools heading to Storrs for their next HC. Maybe Dunn has a chance. He's still young. Crocker, however, will likely never get another BCS job. Edsall 2.0 is not equipped to get UConn back to the level it once was, at least not on his own. He's not an elite head coach. He can tweet quotes all he wants. He's living in a house divided. Until he learns from his past, there is no future, because he's mishandling the present roster.

I know for a fact this started last season with how he handled Newsome. This isn't new.

Geno has the shortest bench in wbb. The 6 that play are hs aa or poy. And hes had alot of kids leave.

 

[blue93]

Something struck me today that perhaps Edsall seems to forget.....

1) You can't get complete "buy-in" when you're shunning the previous regimes recruits. You have to go with what you have (whether they're your guys or not). Great coaches find out what makes each kid tick and pushes those buttons to get kids to play above their capabilities. Geno is great at it. Kids today want instant gratification. They do whatever it takes to get on the field. If you cast them aside, you're not going to have any kind of team chemistry.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." -- Abe Lincoln

2) During his prior success at UConn his staff (OC & DC) consisted of future head coaches.

Rob Ambrose (OC) - Towson University, Head Coach
Joe Moorhead (OC) - Mississippi St., Head Coach
Todd Orlando (DC) - U of Texas, Defensive Coordinator

I don't think that can be said about the current staff, right now. To me, that makes a huge difference. Great coaches surround themselves with guys that aspire to be head coaches and have the ability to teach and bring the best out players with lesser ability. I believe Edsall has lost sight of that. Maybe it's ego, maybe it's the athletic budget, but I wouldn't be worried about any BCS schools heading to Storrs for their next HC. Maybe Dunn has a chance. He's still young. Crocker, however, will likely never get another BCS job. Edsall 2.0 is not equipped to get UConn back to the level it once was, at least not on his own. He's not an elite head coach. He can tweet quotes all he wants. He's living in a house divided. Until he learns from his past, there is no future, because he's mishandling the present roster.

I know for a fact this started last season with how he handled Newsome. This isn't new.

The first part just isn't true. Look at the starting offensive depth chart. Plenty of guys that Diaco brought in. And last year the defense was full of Diaco guys and they were terrible, too.

And to Medic's point, who on defense should be playing that isn't? I understand and agree with what Diggs is getting at with the way Edsall talks about the future... but if these so-called "gems" were here, they'd have revealed themselves by now.

 

[Echo Hawk]

Liked by Garrison Burnett. I honestly can’t blame them—they’re right

Kind of agree with him. Always a big gap between the wish and the thing and it makes people crazy.

Depressed people live in the past.

Anxious people live in the future.

Happier, more productive people live in the moment. It's hard for most people to do.

 

[Exit 4]

But doesn’t that comes back to the question of who’s not playing enough that should be? I guess folks could answer, “we don’t know who they are because we’re not @ practice to see the execution/effort” but to me, none of the upperclassmen’s names on D jump out @ me glaring omissions for not seeing the field. I’m all ears...

I dont dispute your point at all. I merely pointing out that because the team is performing so poorly these types of comments get more legs.

 

[Block C]

This next press conference is going to be exciting. Oh my god if they ask Edsall about all this he will flip

 

[kris1]

The first part just isn't true. Look at the starting offensive depth chart. Plenty of guys that Diaco brought in. And last year the defense was full of Diaco guys and they were terrible, too.

And to Medic's point, who on defense should be playing that isn't? I understand and agree with what Diggs is getting at with the way Edsall talks about the future... but if these so-called "gems" were here, they'd have revealed themselves by now.

I think you’re missing the point. Edsall isn’t getting the most out of what he has. For two reasons: 1) He had better coaches (teachers) in his first stint. 2) He’s dividing the team with his comments in public.

I don’t care who he plays but get the most out of your roster. You can’t develop depth or chemistry (especially when you don’t care about winning - his words) without opportunity. How do you really know what you have if you don’t play as many guys as possible. I’m fine with redshirting guys. I’m talking about guys that don’t have that option. What do they have to lose at this point? If a kid knows there’s no opportunity to play (the dangling carrot), then they’re not going to give you their best effort everyday. There’s no incentive. You know why the top programs continue to get kids year after year, great coaches and opportunity.

 

[huskymedic]

This next press conference is going to be exciting. Oh my god if they ask Edsall about all this he will flip

It’ll be a non-event...

 

[kris1]

Geno has the shortest bench in wbb. The 6 that play are hs aa or poy. And hes had alot of kids leave.

True, but he gets the most out of every single one of them (even those that don’t get minutes) because they understand their role and they’ll be productive beyond basketball because of it. Geno doesn’t cast them off, he pushes them to be the best that they can be. The ones that leave, don’t like being pushed beyond their capabilities. How many have left UConn and went on the be an AA?

 

[BlueDogs]

I don't get the point of the tweet. If you want him to just talk about the now, then he's going to be talking about how we're the worst team in the country every single week. He's trying to get the guys to believe that what they are going through now will pay off down the road.

As for the past, I get that him talking about the days of Alfred Fincher and winning the Motor City Bowl isn't exactly on par with Calhoun telling stories of Ray Allen and Emeka Okafor, but im still glad he tries to sell the history we do have

You can't have buy-in to an approach that is failing at historic levels for two seasons. You buy into plans and systems that at least show positive change. Do an eye test and compare Hurley to RE. A down and out losing squad in March and now a different attitude level, better execution, focused on fundamentals, etc...not perfect but you see the early signs of progress right from the start. On the other side of the coin, 2 years of failing with a boat load of excuses, no execution, no improvement in fundamentals. Edsall has one year to get this thing righted, or out the door he goes, and in the interim he needs to clean house of the D side of the staff.

 

[blue93]

I think you’re missing the point. Edsall isn’t getting the most out of what he has. For two reasons: 1) He had better coaches (teachers) in his first stint. 2) He’s dividing the team with his comments in public.

I don’t care who he plays but get the most out of your roster. You can’t develop depth or chemistry (especially when you don’t care about winning - his words) without opportunity. How do you really know what you have if you don’t play as many guys as possible. I’m fine with redshirting guys. I’m talking about guys that don’t have that option. What do they have to lose at this point? If a kid knows there’s no opportunity to play (the dangling carrot), then they’re not going to give you their best effort everyday. There’s no incentive. You know why the top programs continue to get kids year after year, great coaches and opportunity.

I don't disagree with most of what you just said. I guess what I'm saying is that Edsall has proven that he'll play you if you are good enough to play - regardless of who brought you in. The staff sees every player in practice everyday. If the player's not playing in games, it's because they haven't taken advantage of the opportunities in practice. For all of Edsall's faults, talent evaluation isn't usually one of them.

 

[noeynox]

Hurley has an elite backcourt, and various other decent to good recruits on his roster. It's also basketball so the process is quicker. The expectations are and should be higher.

Totally agree Edsall blew the UMass game but don't think it has anythng to do with looking towards the future. It's just common sense that the roster we have now isn't ready to win, and that this year is about getting guys experience that will hopefully pay off down the road. He could lie about that and say all he cares about is winning each week, but I don't know how that will make us better.

I agree with most of what you say, but remember the kids read and hear what the coach says to the media. If all they hear is we suck and aren't good enough they may not be all in for their coach. That is really the crux of what Diggs was saying, and Noel Thomas agreed with.

 

[noeynox]

I think you’re missing the point. Edsall isn’t getting the most out of what he has. For two reasons: 1) He had better coaches (teachers) in his first stint. 2) He’s dividing the team with his comments in public.

I don’t care who he plays but get the most out of your roster. You can’t develop depth or chemistry (especially when you don’t care about winning - his words) without opportunity. How do you really know what you have if you don’t play as many guys as possible. I’m fine with redshirting guys. I’m talking about guys that don’t have that option. What do they have to lose at this point? If a kid knows there’s no opportunity to play (the dangling carrot), then they’re not going to give you their best effort everyday. There’s no incentive. You know why the top programs continue to get kids year after year, great coaches and opportunity.

This really is an excellent post.

 

[kemba]

You can't have buy-in to an approach that is failing at historic levels for two seasons. You buy into plans and systems that at least show positive change. Do an eye test and compare Hurley to RE. A down and out losing squad in March and now a different attitude level, better execution, focused on fundamentals, etc...not perfect but you see the early signs of progress right from the start. On the other side of the coin, 2 years of failing with a boat load of excuses, no execution, no improvement in fundamentals. Edsall has one year to get this thing righted, or out the door he goes, and in the interim he needs to clean house of the D side of the staff.

But again, apples and oranges comparing the rosters coming in and the sports themselves.

And look, Hurley is a better basketball coach than Edsall is a football coach. UConn basketball can go out and beat p5 programs for the best head coach on the market. Football can't. It is what it is. That doesn't mean Edsall can't eventually be successful. I wish it was sooner but I don't see how

 

[kemba]

I agree with most of what you say, but remember the kids read and hear what the coach says to the media. If all they hear is we suck and aren't good enough they may not be all in for their coach. That is really the crux of what Diggs was saying, and Noel Thomas agreed with.

Right but lets say he was talking up the guys like Diaco was, and saying how they expect to win this year...and then they come out and play like this, what do you say then? I think for the most part he's tried to be positive and preaching patience on giving the guys a chance to get better and develop. And as for the upperclassmen not playing...what do you say about them? The situation kind of speaks for itself.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Look, whomever “liked” that tweet can just . Former players taking shots at a new regime? Not a good look for Diggs. Show me where all these Diaco “gems” are.

Want me to be blunt? Most (if not all) of the kids who liked the tweet simply are not good enough to play at this level. Sorry not sorry.

 

[Pudge]

Something struck me today that perhaps Edsall seems to forget.....

1) You can't get complete "buy-in" when you're shunning the previous regimes recruits. You have to go with what you have (whether they're your guys or not). Great coaches find out what makes each kid tick and pushes those buttons to get kids to play above their capabilities. Geno is great at it. Kids today want instant gratification. They do whatever it takes to get on the field. If you cast them aside, you're not going to have any kind of team chemistry.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." -- Abe Lincoln

2) During his prior success at UConn his staff (OC & DC) consisted of future head coaches.

Rob Ambrose (OC) - Towson University, Head Coach
Joe Moorhead (OC) - Mississippi St., Head Coach
Todd Orlando (DC) - U of Texas, Defensive Coordinator

I don't think that can be said about the current staff, right now. To me, that makes a huge difference. Great coaches surround themselves with guys that aspire to be head coaches and have the ability to teach and bring the best out players with lesser ability. I believe Edsall has lost sight of that. Maybe it's ego, maybe it's the athletic budget, but I wouldn't be worried about any BCS schools heading to Storrs for their next HC. Maybe Dunn has a chance. He's still young. Crocker, however, will likely never get another BCS job. Edsall 2.0 is not equipped to get UConn back to the level it once was, at least not on his own. He's not an elite head coach. He can tweet quotes all he wants. He's living in a house divided. Until he learns from his past, there is no future, because he's mishandling the present roster.

I know for a fact this started last season with how he handled Newsome. This isn't new.

I appreciate where Kris is coming from ... and Have read his posts for years. He has insight and is thoughtful.

HOWEVER ...

I understand the balance of the Diaco players are disgruntled because they aren't getting on the field in great amount of time nor plays.

Specifically. Who do you think really is not getting his due?

Mason Donaldson? Donovan Williams? Name a bunch of others? Gilmartin? Brouse? Cespedes? WHOOOO? I think there is ample evidence that the kids on the field are the best today. Barring injury ... I really cannot argue - given the plays I have seen and Spring game etc ... that there is an abundance of talent not on the field. Nobody really leaps out at me as a real glaring error on Edsall. We simply do not have a lot to work with.

Then ...

Assistant Coaches?

I guarantee that Orlando was not HC worthy when he arrived in Randy's second year. By year 10? OK. He developed into something wonderful. Ambrose? Now he actually shows HC talent. But we all complained when he was here: trust me. I heard from parents then. Moorhead? To me ... he always was good. A good catch on HCRE. Then ...

The assistant coaches today - and I read extensively on their backgrounds when they arrived ... and also the comparative programs at the same hire year: Temple, USF, Cincinnati, Houston. I think all the guys Edsall brought in were solid - resume wise. It is easy to crank on Crocker. But, Dunn/Lashless ... then Aaron Smith, Jon Wholley, Dottin-Carter, Curome Cox and the Frank G. All have solid Northeast pedigrees. And still quite young. Like? Orlando was experienced and older AND Ambrose was experienced and older THAN the guy you compared him to. It is not apples and oranges.

My key vision? What do these younger coaches bring in in recruits? They had previous good solid references. But to date ... the JURY is out on their capacity to evaluate and bring in studs - under the radar. Orlando? By his 5th year, we were getting a few solid Western PA guys per year.

 

[kris1]

I don't disagree with most of what you just said. I guess what I'm saying is that Edsall has proven that he'll play you if you are good enough to play - regardless of who brought you in. The staff sees every player in practice everyday. If the player's not playing in games, it's because they haven't taken advantage of the opportunities in practice. For all of Edsall's faults, talent evaluation isn't usually one of them.

I get what you're saying. But, I think Edsall labels guys and doesn't waiver from that. I'll use Newsome as an example. I think we can all agree, he was the most dynamic player on the roster last year. Edsall didn't see him as an every down back. That's his opinion. He labeled Newsome as a 3rd down back and eventually named (his recruit) Mensah the starter. Was Mensah the best option? Did Mensah make the offense significantly better? Was Mensah a better all-around player then Newsome as a true freshman? Was Mensah a threat in the passing game? Was Mensah so far and away better between the tackle runner? Was Mensah a better pass-blocking back? Maybe I'm biased toward Newsome, but I'm going to say, "No." to all of those. Edsall played Mensah because it was his guy and he was the future. He took a guy that was a chunk play threat (in or out of the backfield) and made him a one-dimensional player. In turn making Lashlee's offense very predictable. Couple that with a bad defense and you get the results you got. Then, Edsall did what he does, points the finger at someone else, Lashlee, the roster, lack of strength and leadership....etc. He's never the problem, I guess that's my issue with Edsall. He's never the one being held accountable.