99 replies to this topic

[Clears Cleaver]

UConn just got their 7th recruit since Coach P came on board, a LB from MA. He had just been offered by BC last week:
http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=5137782

By all acounts, Coach P has done a great job so far pulling in kids from the area and FL, TX and GA, including five 3* guys already in a class of 7 so far. By comparison, Edsall has never had more than 8 3* kids ever in a class. Recruiting guys say that Uconn is now being mentioned more frequently by much higher caliber players than ever before and some of the gurus say Uconn is laying the groundwork to have their best class ever and one that might crack the top 40. So what? Edsall never had a class rated in the top 50 and was usually in the 70s or 80s. we'll see...no one was more skeptical than me of this hire, but so far, he is doing and saying all the right things. I think that in the near term, this is probably very bad for our friends up in the Heights :-)

Coach P was all over ESPN yesterday, on College Football Live, did a chat, podcast, was on ESPN radio, etc etc etc. Came across very well.

The schedule for the coming season is the easiet Uconn has faced in a long time:
Thu, Sept 1 vs Fordham
Sat, Sept 10 @Vanderbilt
Fri, Sept 16 vs Iowa State 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Sept 24 @Buffalo
Sat, Oct 1 vs Western Michigan
Sat, Oct 8 @West Virginia
Sat, Oct 15 vs South Florida
Wed, Oct 26 @Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Nov 5 vs Syracuse
Sat, Nov 19 vs Louisville
Sat, Nov 26 vs Rutgers
Sat, Dec 3 @Cincinnati

Of course, the entire offense is being reconstructed, especially at the skill positions, so they may need an easy schedule just to win 7 games. but if they find a QB, whether it is McCummings, Box or Nebrich (FR), then maybe they can get some of these young WRs to make plays. The o-line should be good. The defnese will be stellar and perhaps the best in the conference. At the very least, it sets up for a big 2012 and 2013.

[Infield Infidel]

Pasquoloni came across very well on the podcast. He did win or share 4 conference titles back when the Big East was better, and he seems to be recruiting well. I think a talent upgrade will definitely be in store, but won't come to fruition for a couple years until they are upperclassmen.

With that schedule, they have a pretty good shot at starting 5-0 but Pasq doesn't sound confident in QB play.

[Clears Cleaver]

theya re up to 12 recruits now on July 1. Impressive stuff for a staff that's been on campus six months. Lots of speed guys from FL and a RB from Ansonia. They are involved in a lot more higher quality kids than before. Optimism running high in Storrs right now

[Captaincoop]

theya re up to 12 recruits now on July 1. Impressive stuff for a staff that's been on campus six months. Lots of speed guys from FL and a RB from Ansonia. They are involved in a lot more higher quality kids than before. Optimism running high in Storrs right now

I have to think playing in a New Year's Day BCS bowl has something to do with the recruiting success. This program has had a level of national exposure for the last 18 months or so that is far beyond anything it's ever seen before.

[grsharky7]

What are UCONN fans expecting this season? They don't have any world beaters on the schedule this year. The road schedule doesn't look to daunting, @ Vandy, Buffalo, WVU, Pitt, and Cincy. I figure the Big East should be wide open again so it could be anyones title.

[Skeesix]

I don't think anyone knows what to expect. We've had a lot of turnover these past few months.

[Clears Cleaver]

Vegas has them as the longest dog to win the conference. I think that is incredible, but the conference is wide open as was said. Its easy to poo-poo their chances when they have no QB and a whole new backfield to go with a new staff. If they find a competent QB and Shoemate runs well, they can be OK becasue their defnese should be very good

[Rocco Graziosa]

I have to think playing in a New Year's Day BCS bowl has something to do with the recruiting success. This program has had a level of national exposure for the last 18 months or so that is far beyond anything it's ever seen before.

I think they're dipping into the type of 3 or 4 star recruit thats nervous he could ride pine for a few years at, say, Oklahoma, but figures "well maybe I could star at UConn..........and still play in the Fiesta Bowl"

Not a bad way to build a program at a school like UConn.

[Clears Cleaver]

what they are doing really is competing more favorably for the kids that always went to Iowa, BC, PSU and to some extent Rutgers and Syracuse. and they are getting more kids from FL, not the kids that go to UF, UM or FSU or Ala or tOSU, but kids that would go to a second-tier SEC school, an ACC school or a Big East school.

True test will come on the field and if PP can continue this momentum into the fall when there tends to be higher quality recruits deciding between higher calibre schools

[StuckOnYouk]

Pasquolini just landed Bobby Puyol, the top rated kicker in Florida, ranked #9 nationally by a recruiting service for kickers/punters/long snappers. Puyol has already kicked 55-yarders and is referenced as a "near-automatic touchback machine".

Another nice get by the coaching staff.

[bowiac]

I think they're dipping into the type of 3 or 4 star recruit thats nervous he could ride pine for a few years at, say, Oklahoma, but figures "well maybe I could star at UConn..........and still play in the Fiesta Bowl"

Not a bad way to build a program at a school like UConn.

Not to put too fine a point on it, because I'm genuinely very impressed with the way UConn is building the program, but do any of their recruits have offers from anyone like Oklahoma? On Rivals, the only "major" offer I see for any of their guys is a Penn State offer for Mikal Myers. Everyone else is more of the BC/Temple mold?

[BigSoxFan]

Not to put too fine a point on it, because I'm genuinely very impressed with the way UConn is building the program, but do any of their recruits have offers from anyone like Oklahoma? On Rivals, the only "major" offer I see for any of their guys is a Penn State offer for Mikal Myers. Everyone else is more of the BC/Temple mold?

The "BC/Temple" mold? That's pretty funny. Never knew that BC and Temple shared the same recruiting pool. The reality is that UConn, BC, Syracuse, and Rutgers are basically in the same recruiting position. Each school is primarily going to get the 3 star guys with the occasional 4 star recruit sprinkled in. They're going to lose most recruiting battles to the Penn State, Notre Dame, etc. of the world. Rutgers will always have the advantage because of the NJ guys still favor that school, for some unknown reason.

[bowiac]

The "BC/Temple" mold? That's pretty funny. Never knew that BC and Temple shared the same recruiting pool. The reality is that UConn, BC, Syracuse, and Rutgers are basically in the same recruiting position. Each school is primarily going to get the 3 star guys with the occasional 4 star recruit sprinkled in. They're going to lose most recruiting battles to the Penn State, Notre Dame, etc. of the world. Rutgers will always have the advantage because of the NJ guys still favor that school, for some unknown reason.

Sorry, that may have been ignorant of me. I was just eyeballing offers - I don't know much about Temple's recruiting, they may be recruiting at a much lower level than BC?

[Clears Cleaver]

Temple has 22 players signed this year already, as many as any school in the country (va tech and a could sec dchools also at 22ish) Addazio rumored to be telling recruits they will be in the big east in a year or two. Sketchy.

[RedOctober3829]

Temple has 22 players signed this year already, as many as any school in the country (va tech and a could sec dchools also at 22ish) Addazio rumored to be telling recruits they will be in the big east in a year or two. Sketchy.

A couple of our coaches worked the Temple camp this summer and told me they heard the same Big East rumor as well.

[Captaincoop]

A couple of our coaches worked the Temple camp this summer and told me they heard the same Big East rumor as well.

Such crazy talk (not you, Red, I mean by Addazio). Just for an example, UCF would trip over itself accepting an offer to join the Big East. If you assume that the Big East wants to add another team beyond TCU, why would it take Temple over UCF?

Edited by Captaincoop, 17 July 2011 - 09:51 AM.

[RedOctober3829]

Such crazy talk (not you, Red, I mean by Addazio). Just for an example, UCF would trip over itself accepting an offer to join the Big East. If you assume that the Big East wants to add another team beyond TCU, why would it take Temple over UCF?

Why do you have to choose between them? The Big East needs 3 more teams to get to the magic number of 12 so they can have a conference title game and have all the added revenue that goes with it. Temple, UCF, and another team(Memphis?, ECU?) would get that done.

[Dan Murfman]

Yeah but will the added revenue from a Big East Championship game make up for adding 3 more teams that wont add anything to the conference. I would think adding those teams would cost more than what they would make from the championship game.

[Captaincoop]

Why do you have to choose between them? The Big East needs 3 more teams to get to the magic number of 12 so they can have a conference title game and have all the added revenue that goes with it. Temple, UCF, and another team(Memphis?, ECU?) would get that done.

They only need ten now, with the precedent that has been set by the (misnamed) Big XII. And beyond that, the Conference championship game-as-goldmine philosophy has been discredited by the experience that the ACC has had. Empty buildings, lousy TV ratings, and disappointing net revenue generated...and that's in a conference that has a handful of traditional powerhouses with huge fanbases. The Big East doesn't even have that. Their absolute best case scenario for a title game would be West Virginia-TCU or Pitt-TCU. Is ESPN opening up the pursestrings for that?

I doubt the Big East is concerned with getting to 12 at all. The bigger concern is adding quality programs that can justify keeping the BCS slot.

Edited by Captaincoop, 17 July 2011 - 03:15 PM.

[ethangl]

They only need ten now, with the precedent that has been set by the (misnamed) Big XII.

The Big XII is no longer going to have a CCG.

[RingoOSU]

The Big XII is no longer going to have a CCG.

Nah, they're going to keep the one they had before, the one played in Dallas every October.

[ethangl]

Nah, they're going to keep the one they had before, the one played in Dallas every October.

Well, maybe not this year..

[Williams Head Case]

Looks like hiring PP may have been the last straw for Hathaway:

Report: Herbst working to buy out Hathaway's contract

UConn president Susan Herbst is working on a deal to negotiate athletic director Jeff Hathaway's departure, university and athletic department sources said Saturday, according to The Day of New London.
Hathaway will receive a buyout, The Day reported, of the job he's had for the last eight years. Hathaway operates under a six-year cycle through 2017 and made a base salary of $351,717 in 2010.
The process could take at least "a few weeks" and likely longer, according to one of the sources who spoke to The Day. The source added it is doubtful Hathaway will be the athletic director by the time classes begin in September.


Read more: http://www.ctpost.co...p#ixzz1SzvUiZsn

If you're wondering why, this might be the issue right here:

A source told the Connecticut Post that Herbst met with Burton recently. If the cost of buying out Hathaway's contract is an issue, it seems possible that Burton may provide those funds.

Read more: http://www.ctpost.co...p#ixzz1SzvgUuRq

After the most successful year of UConn sports, this is getting to be a crossroads for the athletic department. With a new football coach, a change in basketball coach coming in the next couple years, and both programs back in the national spotlight, one has to wonder if this will be a move to bring UConn permanently into the big time or one to stave off an imminent regression. Herbst has a history in a southern, big state school system that I believe will translate into a push to get UConn to that point. But it's also possible that UConn could be topping out, which is why Edsall may have left and would have been the fear had Hathaway stayed on. I suppose the next AD hire will be the most telling sign of where Herbst sees the direction of the program going.

Edited by Williams Head Case, 24 July 2011 - 12:37 AM.

[Williams Head Case]

Statement from President Herbst:

Athletics Simply Being Reviewed

“Athletics is a vital part of UConn and there are many ways to evaluate the success of a collegiate athletic department _ academic performance of student-athletes, NCAA compliance, fundraising and overall athletic success.

“We will be excellent stewards of public and private funds in all areas of the University. As a result, I will be reviewing all divisions of the University over time, but with great urgency, to make sure that we are serving this state in the best possible way. Accountability and excellence are our themes, going forward.

“The Division of Athletics is one of those areas of the university in which we have already begun this evaluation process.”

The University of Connecticut will have no further comment on this issue.

[Clears Cleaver]

bye Jeff, thanks for your service. Hathaway is one of the worst ADs around when it comes to marketing, fundraising, etc.

[Plantiers Wart]

Heard that the "study" on Hathaway had 24 coaches in favor, and one very much against keeping him. In light of this, he will be replaced by Paul Pendergast.

[Williams Head Case]

Looking at some UConn beat-writer tweets, it doesn't appear that Coach P has picked a QB and he may hold off on naming a starter until later rather than sooner. The WR's have looked impressive (especially Tebucky Jones Jr.) but the QB perhaps with the most tools and even the nominally lead might be McCummings.

[Clears Cleaver]

I think McEntee is not really in the running. Nebrich would have to be the CLEAR best to get the job becasue they can redshirt him, so I think it comes down to Box and McCummings. McCummings is the best athelte of the two, but I have no idea who is better and evidently, based on comments, either does Coach P or DeLeone.

you know the perception of the offense is bad when Uconn wa picked 6th, 6th and 7th in the conference by the BE coaches and prominent media polls and yet they are generally considered to ahve the best defense and top two special teams in conference. Its tough to have the best D and ST and still be 7th in an 8 team conference. LOL

[Williams Head Case]

Speaking of QB's, in what Des Connor from the Courant is saying the biggest in-state get since Dan Orlovsky, Masuk QB Casey Cochran committed to UConn today.

Would Edsall have been able to land him?

"I think it came down to a couple factors," Cochran said of his decision to join UConn's Class of 2012. "It's my home state and it's a great feeling getting an offer from your home state's school. It felt amazing just to get that offer."
The son of Jack Cochran, a veteran high school football coach in Connecticut, Casey had also received a scholarship offer from Boston College. Iowa, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Yale and Princeton had also shown interest in his services.
"He was pretty excited," Masuk coach John Murphy said of Casey's commitment. "I think it's a perfect fit. To be at home, for his family to see him play easily, for all those reasons and more."
Casey Cochran helped New London win the Class SS title in 2008, and won a Class L title with Masuk last season. Cochran completed 22-of-32 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers' 50-20 win over New Canaan in the title game. He also ran for another score.


Read more: http://www.ctpost.co...p#ixzz1UOg6Ctks

[Clears Cleaver]

LOL...no, Edsall would not have landed him. I heard Cochrane wanted to hve his name on his uniform

Seriously, getting a name QB from the state was paramount for Coach P. He stated when he was hired he wanted to keep the best in state players and losing a QB with a coach for a father would have been a huge black eye. I have no idea if this kid is any good, but he will generate some interest within the state. Its all good

[BigMike]

LOL...no, Edsall would not have landed him. I heard Cochrane wanted to hve his name on his uniform

Seriously, getting a name QB from the state was paramount for Coach P. He stated when he was hired he wanted to keep the best in state players and losing a QB with a coach for a father would have been a huge black eye. I have no idea if this kid is any good, but he will generate some interest within the state. Its all good

Kid could be a good football player. He definitely has some tools. He was offered by BC last fall when Gary Tranquil was the offensive coordinator, but when Kevin Rogers took over BC basically pulled all existing QB offers, and Rogers was in control and decided not to offer Cochran after he spent a day at BC's camp in June. I think Rogers felt Casey wasn't as mobile as he prefers.

either way Casey is one fantastic HS player. I know the Rivals guy Farrel has always loved his arm

[Clears Cleaver]

Kid could be a good football player. He definitely has some tools. He was offered by BC last fall when Gary Tranquil was the offensive coordinator, but when Kevin Rogers took over BC basically pulled all existing QB offers, and Rogers was in control and decided not to offer Cochran after he spent a day at BC's camp in June. I think Rogers felt Casey wasn't as mobile as he prefers.

either way Casey is one fantastic HS player. I know the Rivals guy Farrel has always loved his arm

Farrell? If he had gone to PSU, he'd be a 4-star guy. But since he went to Uconn, he'll be two-stars

[Williams Head Case]

Looks like Nebrich may end up winning the starting QB job as a true-freshman. He already appears to be in the top 2:

Des Connor on Twitter

#UConn quarterback s #Michael Nebrich and #Johnny McEntee appear to be the top two in the four-man race for the top job right now.

[Clears Cleaver]

It's funny, other people at practice seem to think mccummings and box are leading. Only unanimous opinion is that nebrich has the most upside and mcentee the best throwing arm.

I think two guys will play the first couple games.

[Captaincoop]

It's funny, other people at practice seem to think mccummings and box are leading. Only unanimous opinion is that nebrich has the most upside and mcentee the best throwing arm.

I think two guys will play the first couple games.

That works out well about .00001% of the time.

[Williams Head Case]

Box transferring out to a I-AA school, looks like the QB hierarchy is finally being established.

[Clears Cleaver]

Mcentee, nebrich probably both play (although playbills would be different as m is a pocket qb and n runs and throws). I hope nebrich wins the job. Even as a true frosh, will be exciting to wAtch a touted recruit grow as the qb.

[Burt Reynoldz]

Well, the season opener is NOT being played this Thursday.

http://blogs.courant...-played-on.html

[Clears Cleaver]

LOl. I see this happening in an SEC stadium...

[Captaincoop]

DeLeone's quotes about the quarterback situation are not promising. Setting the expectations as low as possible.

Offensive coordinator George DeLeone (author of all of Temple's amazing offensive seasons of this mid-decade) praised all three, but made it clear just how inexperienced the quarterbacks are.

"I wish I could tell you we had Tom Brady backed up by Drew Brees," he said. "If you can tell me who it should be based on what we've seen, I think you're probably smarter than me."

Also, the defensive players are all talking about how different Pasqualoni's system is, and how they're going to be so much more aggressive this year. I realize I am a huge pessimist, but color me worried about the NFL's worst defensive mind of 2010 completely changing the philosophy of a very good defense with nine starters returning. The conservative defense was successful for HCRE because UConn doesn't have the athletes to play an aggressive style in the secondary.

[Clears Cleaver]

pasqualoni doesnt run the defense, coach brown does. heard all three qbs will play vs fordham, they have packages for eachj. since nebrich is a true frosh, my guess is they wouldnt bust his redshirt unless they felt he would eventually win the job

[Skeesix]

I didn't see the game, but it looked like the RB lit it up. Seems like the kind of kid UConn should be bringing in.

[Clears Cleaver]

I was at the game, saw the first half and into the third quarter and watched rest later. Not a loot of surprises, the offense is still not very good, the defense is good. The QB play was marginal. All three played. It appears that McEntee is the best, having played well in the 2nd half. he is nothing if not accurate. he doesn't have great pocket feel and really is not a runner. Nebrich is his competition and he made two or three really nice plays and made some poor decisions as well. McCummings will be the wildcat/option QB and will play every game in a specialty role. he threw a beautiful freeze option step back 55 yard TD to the TE (who was 20 yards behind everyone), but that was his only pass. The RB McCombs is a scatback type who can make people miss but will get killed if he has to run it 20+ times every game. shoemate will be the starter but sprained his ankle thursday. he will play at Vandy. The WRs had more action in one game than they did the alst six games last year.

the defnese is stout, with the only issues I saw a lack of pass rush and a couple missed tackles at safety. the new linebackers looked fine. sio Moore looks like he can play sundays, as does Reyes and Blidi.

[Mike in CT]

You really have to feel for the defense after this game.

They did all they really could to hand the team a win, and they had to sit there and watch this putrid offense lose the game.

Why even throw on 3rd down with 6+ minutes left? After everything you've seen, just run the ball and punt.

3 minutes left, and at this point it will be a miracle if the offense can even get into FG position.

[Clears Cleaver]

that was the single worst QB and ofense performance I have ever seen. the coaching staff should be ashamed. Syracuse fans are chuckling as all that I know have openly scoffede at DeLeone calling plays and teaching offense. Mcentee was not prepared to play. he isn't a college QB, he looks like he was never taught to play. he stares down WRs, has no pocket presence, throws late and into double coverage. he had 4 turnovers and could easily have had eight or nine. Vandy had three INTs dropped and a couple others would ahve been INts had they not been so poorly thrown.

wow...i've never seen anything like that. if nebrich is not starting next game, I don't know what to think

BTW, no way Edsall loses that game up 7 versus that awful Vandy team. How awful is Vandy? Elon outgained them last week

[StuckOnYouk]

From a positives standpoint, that was the most dominant UConn defensive performance I can remember seeing since they joined D1. I'm loving the new D coordinator's attack mode.

On the flipside, I'd like to apologize to Zach Frazer for anything I've ever said about him. All McEntee had to do with 7 minutes to go was NOT throw a pick on 3rd down and he does it. Without the pick we punt and our D finishes the game.

What is it about UConn quarterbacks? They almost always have a very good running game to work with which you would think should help their passing attack against a D that should be geared toward the run. Yet almost every QB is beyond awful. Just when you think it can't get worse...

[Clears Cleaver]

Edsall has not recruited a legitimate D1 quaterback since 2001 (orlovsky).

The talent stinks, but the kid was not coached at all. Every decision was bad and late. The complatoons he did throw almost always got his WRs killed. If nebrich us worse then cummings should play and they should run the ball 95 percent if the time.

The d was great, but let's remember vandy scored on a broken coverage, then a play where uconn was not ready for the hurry up, and then he blitzes the safety on second and long with two minutes left and vandy finally runs around end and breaks a 40 yard run to set up the gw Fg. Being aggressive us awesome, but three terrible plays or calls were exploited.

[Captaincoop]

Just look at Deleone's track record. His team at Temple had trouble putting ten points per game on the board against MAC opponents. The fact that Pasqualoni was allowed to bring him in is very disappointing, and we saw why this weekend. I don't see it getting better until he's gone.

[Doug Beerabelli]

Gettin' ready to head out and get the tailgate started up. I'd prefer they benched McEntee, or in the alternative, have the WRs carry trash cans with them on routes to help with the accuracy of his throws.

Edited by Doug Beerabelli, 16 September 2011 - 12:00 PM.

[SoxFan58]

mcEntee might be the worst QB I've ever seen start at a BCS school. I don't think this program is ready for the freefall it's going to experience from last year.