Where would you invest in FB today?

[uconnyankee]

If UConn FB freed up $1M per year today, where would be the best place to invest for biggest bang?

I would go out and get best OC for $1M/year.
Thinking back to how good Lashlee was. Feel like that was last time UConn moved ball effectively. Even when Mazzone consulted for only a couple games, things seemed different.

Curious if others see different path.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I wouldn't give all $1m to an offensive coordinator. The OC already makes some money but I do think having a $1m salary for an OC gets you a good pot of candidates. Same for DC coordinator. The top FBS schools pay their coordinators several million dollars and, even with a $1m windfall, UConn can't match that. And truthfully some of them are very average and some suck. So, money doesn't guarantee success.
You could probably convince $800k is enough to pay a real good OC and DC. If they do great at UConn, they'll get poached by a bigger school, but that happens even within the higher echelons of P4 football. I'll gladly accept UConn does good and has to replace coordinators than be mediocre and with coordinators who aren't looked at as being "good" enough to poach.
Next step would be for transfer portal and NIL coordinators to do the math on how much UConn can allocate to different spots and needs for the lineup each year. The days of developing a roster through HS recruitment and filling it in with a few transfers it over. It's now, rebuild roster every season.

 

[Chin Diesel]

For context, here's the list of salaries for OC's.

https://footballscoop.com/news/the-highest-paid-offensive-coordinators-in-college-football-2024-edition

 

[coachcap]

If UConn FB freed up $1M per year today, where would be the best place to invest for biggest bang?

I would go out and get best OC for $1M/year.
Thinking back to how good Lashlee was. Feel like that was last time UConn moved ball effectively. Even when Mazzone consulted for only a couple games, things seemed different.

Curious if others see different path.

Regarding the offense moving the ball effectively:
1. UConn has a new OC.
2. The Huskies have brought in many new players through the transfer portal & it takes time for unfamiliar players to act cohesively.
3. If last weekend was any indication, the offense is gelling due to more familiarity with the system.

I agree with Chin that funds should be allocated for NIL to identify & bring in the best players at all positions.

 

[Palatine]

I would build up the supply of rock salt for the winter.

 

[CJasmer]

Regarding the offense moving the ball effectively:
1. UConn has a new OC.
2. The Huskies have brought in many new players through the transfer portal & it takes time for unfamiliar players to act cohesively.
3. If last weekend was any indication, the offense is gelling due to more familiarity with the system.

I agree with Chin that funds should be allocated for NIL to identify & bring in the best players at all positions.

UConn went cheap on OC promoted OL coach to OC.

 

[CJasmer]

Regarding the offense moving the ball effectively:
1. UConn has a new OC.
2. The Huskies have brought in many new players through the transfer portal & it takes time for unfamiliar players to act cohesively.
3. If last weekend was any indication, the offense is gelling due to more familiarity with the system.

I agree with Chin that funds should be allocated for NIL to identify & bring in the best players at all positions.

The best FBS teams only bring in Portal players to fill gaps in positions. They are able to keep their core group with their NIL and use NIL to fill gaps. The problem is UConn does not have that luxury since every year UConn best players will get poached and UConn will have like a 50% turnover of their roster each year. It will be hard to win with that strategy. UConn MBB since they are an elite team is able to just bring in portal players to fill in gaps.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I wouldn't give all $1m to an offensive coordinator. The OC already makes some money but I do think having a $1m salary for an OC gets you a good pot of candidates. Same for DC coordinator. The top FBS schools pay their coordinators several million dollars and, even with a $1m windfall, UConn can't match that. And truthfully some of them are very average and some suck. So, money doesn't guarantee success.
You could probably convince $800k is enough to pay a real good OC and DC. If they do great at UConn, they'll get poached by a bigger school, but that happens even within the higher echelons of P4 football. I'll gladly accept UConn does good and has to replace coordinators than be mediocre and with coordinators who aren't looked at as being "good" enough to poach.
Next step would be for transfer portal and NIL coordinators to do the math on how much UConn can allocate to different spots and needs for the lineup each year. The days of developing a roster through HS recruitment and filling it in with a few transfers it over. It's now, rebuild roster every season.

I definitely would use some of it to lure back Todd Orlando to Storrs. He’s making $400,000 at USF, last I checked. Definitely keep Matt Brock also.

 

[KryHavok]

I'd split it for an OC and NIL for some LBs & DBs so that our defense can be improved and reduce giving up big yardage.

 

[Slick]

I wouldn't give all $1m to an offensive coordinator. The OC already makes some money but I do think having a $1m salary for an OC gets you a good pot of candidates. Same for DC coordinator. The top FBS schools pay their coordinators several million dollars and, even with a $1m windfall, UConn can't match that. And truthfully some of them are very average and some suck. So, money doesn't guarantee success.
You could probably convince $800k is enough to pay a real good OC and DC. If they do great at UConn, they'll get poached by a bigger school, but that happens even within the higher echelons of P4 football. I'll gladly accept UConn does good and has to replace coordinators than be mediocre and with coordinators who aren't looked at as being "good" enough to poach.
Next step would be for transfer portal and NIL coordinators to do the math on how much UConn can allocate to different spots and needs for the lineup each year. The days of developing a roster through HS recruitment and filling it in with a few transfers it over. It's now, rebuild roster every season.

There used to be a saying: It’s not the Xs and Os. It’s the Jimmy and Joes.

 

[Chin Diesel]

There used to be a saying: It’s not the Xs and Os. It’s the Jimmy and Joes.

Agree. You definitely need Jimmy and Joe. Coordinator needs to at least draw up lower case "x" and "o".

 

[huskymedic]

Mora just said postgame that talent wins games. I’m guessing he’d prefer more money in the player personnel pot.

 

[BlueandOG]

I would use the money to buy linemen. The ROI is better than a higher-profile position like QB.

 

[ZooCougar]

1. NIL
2. NIL
3. NIL

 

[HCCForever]

I would use the money to buy linemen. The ROI is better than a higher-profile position like QB.

I agree that linemen are important. But how do you keep the units together? They need to be a cohesive unit. It hasn't worked out too well for Colorado.

 

[huskymedic]

I agree that linemen are important. But how do you keep the units together? They need to be a cohesive unit. It hasn't worked out too well for Colorado.

You have to be able to compete when others come calling to try and lure them away. Recruiting the current roster and the future roster are seemingly one and the same these days.

 

[Jetskies]

First, I'd buy some defenders who know what a tackle is.
Then, I'd buy some defenders who know what a tackle is.

 

[uconnfan68]

Mora just said postgame that talent wins games. I’m guessing he’d prefer more money in the player personnel pot.

Talent helps, but give me discipline and effort first.

 

[Nostical]

I’d use it to pay the financial guru who could get the Mohegan and Pequot nations to donate without restriction $50 million each to our NIL collective for the “specific purpose of promoting the accelerated betterment of UConn football and, by extension, raise the likelihood of a major conference affiliation which will help guarantee the continued prominence of UConn athletics, recognizing it’s enormous impact on the status of the university, the economy of the State, and the spirit of the people of Connecticut”

 

[UCan3]

If UConn FB freed up $1M per year today, where would be the best place to invest for biggest bang?

I would go out and get best OC for $1M/year.
Thinking back to how good Lashlee was. Feel like that was last time UConn moved ball effectively. Even when Mazzone consulted for only a couple games, things seemed different.

Curious if others see different path.

I could never figure out why we let that guy go….

He was obviously next level coach - that much was apparent during his short time here.

 

[CJasmer]

I’d use it to pay the financial guru who could get the Mohegan and Pequot nations to donate without restriction $50 million each to our NIL collective for the “specific purpose of promoting the accelerated betterment of UConn football and, by extension, raise the likelihood of a major conference affiliation which will help guarantee the continued prominence of UConn athletics, recognizing it’s enormous impact on the status of the university, the economy of the State, and the spirit of the people of Connecticut”

Great idea. But what is in it for the casinos? Do they have sports betting at the CT casinos?

 

[UConnJim]

I would give half the the money to an OC and half to NIL. Why? I think UConn has done a good job of developing OL and DL, but QB and WR recruiting and development has lagged and having successful QB play is the key to winning in college football. When you hire a successful OC, you will attract good QBs and WRs. Remember Brian Kelly at Cincinnati? Cincy's 3rd string QB was usually better than UConn's starter because Kelly could attract offensive talent based on his track record.

With the exception of the top P2 programs, I have thought you need to hire a proven offensive mind as head coach as you can not afford to pay both a head coach and a successful OC.

 

[huskyinfl]

I would develop the technology used in the movie face off and I would get NFL guys that flamed out in 1 to 3 years and do face transplants and put them on our team

 

[gioff2323]

Somewhat related, but Tennessee adding 10% fee to season tickets in order to pay players.

 

[huskysupporter]

Take all of the money plus a sizable chunk of current NIL and get an established P4 QB.