What do we have returning for '26? | Page 3 | The Boneyard

What do we have returning for '26?

RSTuthill said:
Not sure why we are even having this conversation. Sit back, relax. It is gonna be a whole new cast of characters, players, coaches, system. I hope this crew decides to have a spring game so we can start to have some kind of idea. With today's poaching environment, I suppose that is too much to ask.
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They are just going to be fan engagement affairs going forward.
 
We will lose some more guys, and gain clise to as many as we lost before the spring academic session begins.

After spring practice we will go through this again. Players who want to see where they stand with our new staff will have a far clearer idea if they should remain or move on upon completion of the semester. We should also have a new batch of portal guys coming in at that point.
 
Jimdish255 said:
This year would seem to be an opportunity for him with our departures but Tucker knows better what the situation looks like. Perhaps there's some leverage to be gained but you never know. I don't anticipate a true freshman stepping in and starting unless that player is exceptional.
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It happens at other places, and not all 5*. Why not here?
 
FfldCntyFan said:
We will lose some more guys, and gain clise to as many as we lost before the spring academic session begins.

After spring practice we will go through this again. Players who want to see where they stand with our new staff will have a far clearer idea if they should remain or move on upon completion of the semester. We should also have a new batch of portal guys coming in at that point.
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I thought there is only one portal window this year starting at midnight Jan 2 to Jan 16th. So after that the roster is set, no?
 
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huskymedic said:
From all sources (high school, JUCO, Transfer Portal) - UConn brought in 57 new players last year without a coaching change.
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I guess this is turning into an annual occurrence. Hopefully once he gets things going Candle's often alluded to loyalty will keep more of the guys he develops than previous coaches.
 
I wish Candle would step up and be more visible. I’d don’t like this incognito mode. One thing I’ll give Mora is he hit the ground running in terms of PR and sold us hard. The job is mighty complex these days and being out in front engaging stakeholders is one of the keys to garnering support which, in turn, helps enable success. Not digging the silence at all. Just sayin. I’d don’t have time for the patience BS anymore. We’ve been through enough circuses.
 
giddyup said:
I wish Candle would step up and be more visible. I’d don’t like this incognito mode. One thing I’ll give Mora is he hit the ground running in terms of PR and sold us hard. The job is mighty complex these days and being out in front engaging stakeholders is one of the keys to garnering support which, in turn, helps enable success. Not digging the silence at all. Just sayin. I’d don’t have time for the patience BS anymore. We’ve been through enough circuses.
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Mora went dead silent all off-season. He went skiing.
 
giddyup said:
I wish Candle would step up and be more visible. I’d don’t like this incognito mode. One thing I’ll give Mora is he hit the ground running in terms of PR and sold us hard. The job is mighty complex these days and being out in front engaging stakeholders is one of the keys to garnering support which, in turn, helps enable success. Not digging the silence at all. Just sayin. I’d don’t have time for the patience BS anymore. We’ve been through enough circuses.
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Candle is doing great. He is getting quality recruits, filling in his staff and trying to find a home. Wait until we have a signing period and he gets a chance to talk about Spring practice etc. Right now, he’s probably struggling just to get settled. I don’t think Mora did as much talking as you think 2 weeks in and during Christmas week.
 
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Hoophound said:
Candle is doing great. He is getting quality recruits, filling in his staff and trying to find a home. Wait until we have a signing period and he gets a chance to talk about Spring practice etc. Right now, he’s probably struggling just to get settled. I don’t think Mora did as much talking as you think 2 weeks in and during Christmas week.
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The more he talks to the fan base, the less he is doing on tasks far more important. We want him to be focused on the important stuff. I am good until after spring practice myself.
 
husky429 said:
Mora went dead silent all off-season. He went skiing.
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Not when he first took the job, he was very visible and making the rounds everywhere then.

That said, different time different circumstances. Program was in a state that it needed more outreach, and the portal wasn’t as big of a deal quite yet.

Right now the only priority should be the roster and coaching staff. Once that’s complete I do hope he starts being more visible
 
kemba said:
Not when he first took the job, he was very visible and making the rounds everywhere then.

That said, different time different circumstances. Program was in a state that it needed more outreach, and the portal wasn’t as big of a deal quite yet.

Right now the only priority should be the roster and coaching staff. Once that’s complete I do hope he starts being more visible
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I think Mora was doing more of that in the Spring, not Christmas.
 
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DoctorWho85 said:
I know this happens when coaches leave but damn does this feel demoralizing for next season
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We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s clear that coach Candle wants his guys on the coaching staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s having similar conversations with some of the players.
 
kemba said:
Right now the only priority should be the roster and coaching staff. Once that’s complete I do hope he starts being more visible
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And getting the family settled.
 
Coach J said:
I guess this is turning into an annual occurrence. Hopefully once he gets things going Candle's often alluded to loyalty will keep more of the guys he develops than previous coaches.
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With the NIL it’s making players want to test the waters to see how much they can make. It will be a yearly occurrence for all the teams unfortunately.
 
Hoophound said:
I think Mora was doing more of that in the Spring, not Christmas.
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Mora was basically in the witness protection program during the off-season. I often wondered if he was even at Spring Practice.
 
Using UConn Football Roster - 2025 | Storrs Central as the basis for the roster and counting Transfers, Graduate, Senior (RS) and Seniors as out I get 59 out 59 staying (details below)
UConn_2026_roster_full.png
 
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zmart said:
Unfortunately, of those 59, 25 are Walk-Ons.
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So what? I doubt walk-ons are bad. Maybe it is time to show the new coaching staff that they should get a scholarship...

Or maybe they get a scholarship in a non athletic area.
 
It is fair to say that our roster has been gutted by Mora leaving and the new world the Portal. Candle has a big rebuild in front of him. The next few weeks will be interesting!
 
giddyup said:
I wish Candle would step up and be more visible. I’d don’t like this incognito mode. One thing I’ll give Mora is he hit the ground running in terms of PR and sold us hard. The job is mighty complex these days and being out in front engaging stakeholders is one of the keys to garnering support which, in turn, helps enable success. Not digging the silence at all. Just sayin. I’d don’t have time for the patience BS anymore. We’ve been through enough circuses.
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You want him standing on top of the ball in Times Square or something?

If there's something to complain about after the portal closes in a couple of weeks, fine. But right now this feels like complaining for the sake of complaining.
 
ArtTheFan said:
So what? I doubt walk-ons are bad. Maybe it is time to show the new coaching staff that they should get a scholarship...

Or maybe they get a scholarship in a non athletic area.
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Are you for real?
 
Purple Stein said:
You want him standing on top of the ball in Times Square or something?

If there's something to complain about after the portal closes in a couple of weeks, fine. But right now this feels like complaining for the sake of complaining.
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No. It’s just an observation. I’m not sold on Candle or any guy until they start performing. Been through 8 HCs (perm and temp) since Holtz. We also have had the luxury of having some the greatest BB coaches in the history of college basketball. So, you observe a few things along the way. It concerns me greatly when you have an HC not engaging the core fan base, especially after the turd dropped at Fenway. Not impressed, sorry.
 
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