What UConn football coach Jim Mora is pitching to recruits: ‘He makes it feel special’ (Mike Anthony)

[huskymedic]

Great read from Mike Anthony:




End around to article <<

-> “We had a two-hour conversation during my visit and it was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had,” said Cam Chadwick, a defensive back from Somerville, N.J. “Most of it wasn’t about football. It was just about life. That’s what got me shown that he has an open-door policy and that, whenever I need to, I can just go in and talk to him and just bond.”

Chadwick is a cousin of former Huskies point guard R.J. Cole, who is playing for the Lakers in the NBA Summer League. So he has been fond of university and its athletics program for several years. In recent months, Cole said of UConn “That’s the spot,” to Chadwick, who was ultimately chose the Huskies over Wake Forest and Duke during his on-campus visit.

“It was really talking to all the players here about what they have gone through since the new coaching staff came in,” Chadwick said. “That really showed me a lot. That showed me that they trust the new process. They were telling me stories about the old coaching staff and how they didn’t trust it, or didn’t feel as one team. After I heard about all of that and hearing how spring ball went, it really clicked for me.” <-

-> “He wasn’t talking to us,” Harper said. “He was talking with us. He’s not just trying to act like some Hollywood coach. He’s for the players. He listens to the players.”

What Mora mentions often, recruits say, is what Connecticut doesn’t have — a professional sports team. His point is that there is room for UConn football to again become a focal point in the state. <-

 

[hardcorehusky]

Great read from Mike Anthony:




End around to article <<

-> “We had a two-hour conversation during my visit and it was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had,” said Cam Chadwick, a defensive back from Somerville, N.J. “Most of it wasn’t about football. It was just about life. That’s what got me shown that he has an open-door policy and that, whenever I need to, I can just go in and talk to him and just bond.”

Chadwick is a cousin of former Huskies point guard R.J. Cole, who is playing for the Lakers in the NBA Summer League. So he has been fond of university and its athletics program for several years. In recent months, Cole said of UConn “That’s the spot,” to Chadwick, who was ultimately chose the Huskies over Wake Forest and Duke during his on-campus visit.

“It was really talking to all the players here about what they have gone through since the new coaching staff came in,” Chadwick said. “That really showed me a lot. That showed me that they trust the new process. They were telling me stories about the old coaching staff and how they didn’t trust it, or didn’t feel as one team. After I heard about all of that and hearing how spring ball went, it really clicked for me.” <-

"Mora has a goal of joining the ACC in a few years. "

 

[huskymedic]

"Mora has a goal of joining the ACC in a few years. "

Yea… was trying hard not to turn this into yet another conference realignment thread. LOL

 

[CL82]

"Mora has a goal of joining the ACC in a few years. "

There it is…

 

[Wildgopher]

That was a great read. I really hope these kids get to be a part of something we all been waiting for and can do it in front of a packed stadium. They are coming to UConn because they want to be part of the Revolution that all of us very dedicated fans want to be a part of also. When you haven't had good seasons for so long, and then you furn it around and the fan base gets all excited again, if you are a part of the teams that do that, you become a legend. These kids want to be a part of that. I hope they get to be as they are putting their trust in the program to spend 4 of the best years of their lives at UConn and turn things around for all of us dedicated fans here on this website and around the country to show we have the best programs in the country across the board! Good luck to all these young men!

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Yea… was trying hard not to turn this into yet another conference realignment thread. LOL

Lol...I had guessed that.

Sorry HM...can't resist asking...I wonder if Hurley agrees with him? Or would Hurley prefer to stay in the BE?

 

[JMick]

"Mora has a goal of joining the ACC in a few years. "

We're doomed

 

[JMick]

Lol...I had guessed that.

Sorry HM...can't resist asking...I wonder if Hurley agrees with him? Or would Hurley prefer to stay in the BE?

I'd imagine it depends on what the ACC looks like by the time we were to join. So much is going to change by then. I'd imagine the conference would look like:

BC
Duke
Louisville
NCST
Pitt
Cuse
Virginia Tech
Wake
UConn

And 1-3 more teams, either ACC teams that didn't make it or backfill from the AAC.

That's not as good of a basketball conference as the Big East, but it would be a very good football conference for us. We would be able to compete and it would give us good local games and easy travel

 

[PNolanFan]

I'd imagine it depends on what the ACC looks like by the time we were to join. So much is going to change by then. I'd imagine the conference would look like:

BC
Duke
Louisville
NCST
Pitt
Cuse
Virginia Tech
Wake
UConn

And 1-3 more teams, either ACC teams that didn't make it or backfill from the AAC.

That's not as good of a basketball conference as the Big East, but it would be a very good football conference for us. We would be able to compete and it would give us good local games and easy travel

Could we bring the catholics along as non-football members? I know that probably isnt feasible but would be ideal

 

[noeynox]

Could we bring the catholics along as non-football members? I know that probably isnt feasible but would be ideal

Honestly, it wouldn't be the best idea for either side. We lived through that drama once already.

 

[rbny1]

A wonderful article about Mora and the enthusiasm and hope he is bringing to the program... and very damning about the losing culture that developed under Edsall and his predecessors during the past decade. An interesting article on both counts.

 

[JMick]

Honestly, it wouldn't be the best idea for either side. We lived through that drama once already.

I think there is a possible scenario that could happen where a handful of schools do join the big east for Olympic sports and we have a mini 6-8 team football "conference" that is independent of the Big East. Whether it's an actual conference or a loose independent agreement where each school gets its own media deal but plays each other every year. I think it would cause a lot less problems than having everything under the same umbrella.

 

[Bongo Fury]

I'd imagine it depends on what the ACC looks like by the time we were to join. So much is going to change by then. I'd imagine the conference would look like:

BC
Duke
Louisville
NCST
Pitt
Cuse
Virginia Tech
Wake
UConn

And 1-3 more teams, either ACC teams that didn't make it or backfill from the AAC.

That's not as good of a basketball conference as the Big East, but it would be a very good football conference for us. We would be able to compete and it would give us good local games and easy travel

Guessing West Virginia would be interested

 

[JMick]

Guessing West Virginia would be interested

Probably not. This conference would make less money than the Big XII

 

[mikedog10]

Could we bring the catholics along as non-football members? I know that probably isnt feasible but would be ideal

I actually think there could be something to this… If the Big10 and SEC are going to form huge super conferences, a “basketball-alliance” between the ACC & Big East could cement their status as the 3rd super conference.

 

[manbyrd]

I'd imagine it depends on what the ACC looks like by the time we were to join. So much is going to change by then. I'd imagine the conference would look like:

BC
Duke
Louisville
NCST
Pitt
Cuse
Virginia Tech
Wake
UConn

And 1-3 more teams, either ACC teams that didn't make it or backfill from the AAC.

That's not as good of a basketball conference as the Big East, but it would be a very good football conference for us. We would be able to compete and it would give us good local games and easy travel

This doesn't look that bad honestly. I'd take Syracuse & Duke over Villanova & Georgetown. You do lose MSG and the tournament but ACC tickets at Barclays should be cheaper.

I've always had this concern about being in a Private school conference. Public schools are backstopped by state government funds that give them an advantage over time. Other than Duke in basketball and Notre Dame & USC in football the all-time top 10 programs, have been state schools.

 

[Waquoit]

I was interested in the open door policy. Is that the new normal in college football?

 

[Stinger92860]

I'd imagine it depends on what the ACC looks like by the time we were to join. So much is going to change by then. I'd imagine the conference would look like:

BC
Duke
Louisville
NCST
Pitt
Cuse
Virginia Tech
Wake
UConn

And 1-3 more teams, either ACC teams that didn't make it or backfill from the AAC.

That's not as good of a basketball conference as the Big East, but it would be a very good football conference for us. We would be able to compete and it would give us good local games and easy travel

If the money is not a major upgrade, and I mean 3-4X, I’d stay where we are.

 

[WNConn]

Can't bypass the paywall...what was said about the previous regime(s)?

 

[huskymedic]

Can't bypass the paywall...what was said about the previous regime(s)?

Use the included hyperlink: “End around to article << “

 

[Hoophound]

If the money is not a major upgrade, and I mean 3-4X, I’d stay where we are.

I think we’d have to be looking at 4x or more. The Big East should get a bump and if Mora gets football going, so will the football paycheck.

I’m really hoping that ND stays Indy for a few more years and buys us some time to become a more proven commodity.

 

[uconnbill]

Excellent article and hearing from the recruits on what Mora and the coaching staff is selling along with others. That is very good.

Now how long before CFA drops the NCAA?

 

[freescooter]

This doesn't look that bad honestly. I'd take Syracuse & Duke over Villanova & Georgetown. You do lose MSG and the tournament but ACC tickets at Barclays should be cheaper.

I've always had this concern about being in a Private school conference. Public schools are backstopped by state government funds that give them an advantage over time. Other than Duke in basketball and Notre Dame & USC in football the all-time top 10 programs, have been state schools.

There is a reason Bob Knight told Calhoun you want to be at the University of Somewhere.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

This doesn't look that bad honestly. I'd take Syracuse & Duke over Villanova & Georgetown. You do lose MSG and the tournament but ACC tickets at Barclays should be cheaper.

Do you really believe that s basketball conference with UConn and Syracuse in it couldn't get MSG to find a way to host their conference tournament?

 

[Nostical]

Even if that was the complete ACC lineup---BC, Duke, Louisville, NCST, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and UConn------(and we know there would be some additions), it would be a great landing spot for UConn if coupled with a big bump in revenue. Certainly it would for football--but I'd submit also for basketball. Consider that the only BE player drafted last month was our guy Tyrese Martin.
A lot will be transpiring conference wise in the next two years. What gives me hope is that Mora has a gravitas and charisma that I believe legitimately lifts our chances of football success. And you know that Dave Benedict will be much more a proactive stealth AD (like Tom Jurich without his baggage--lol) and much less a reactive layback AD like Warde Manual--"on the beach". Staying optimistic.