2018 Coaching Carousel

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yeah, UConn is an infinitely better program than Rhode Island and its not even close.

[SaveOD238]

Yeah, UConn is an infinitely better program than Rhode Island and its not even close.

But is it infinitely better if you account for loyalty and comfort?  In 2018 UConn isn't an "It's Indiana" situation anymore.

[The Equalizer]

True, but that's more because the A-10 is awful than because of UConn.

Right now, UConn is similar to - but slightly worse than - where MU was after Majerus. Several years past the legend, held it together for a while, but the trajectory was trending down.  But at least MU was regularly making it to the NCAAs under Hank and the NIT under Rick. With Ollie, they did very well for a couple of seasons, then fell off a cliff.

This hiring could resurrect the program, or send it to the kind of purgatory we faced under Dukiet.  And UConn isn't in a terribly great bargaining position in the AAC.

I'm hoping they're facing puragtory more like DePaul after Joey.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I'm not pronouncing the death knell for UConn. But it looks a lot more likely today than it did when Calhoun retired. The basketball program (and perhaps the athletic program as a whole) is on shaky ground.

That's what they get for hiring a football first AD.

[GoldenWarrior11]

UConn is the gambler at the casino playing poker that keeps losing money and doesn't know when to walk away.  Instead, he keeps tossing money out on his next hand, hoping that he gets a straight flush and gets a jackpot.

It's kind of sad to see, but it's - more so - frightening.  You keep wondering how much they have left to spend before they are unable to continue playing.  I truly think that the cord gets pulled on their football program due to the revenue just not being there anymore.  They are already paying Diaco big money for not coaching.  They hired Edsall because he was willing to take less money and had success their before.  Their former offensive coordinator just left for the same position at SMU.  Now they need to pony up and spend up to buyout Ollie (whose for cause firing will not hold up in court). 

In retrospect, they should have never elevated football in the early 2000's. 

[Marcus92]

In retrospect, they should have never elevated football in the early 2000's.

If only the administration agreed. In their view, the powers behind the football power conferences are the only thing holding back UConn from achieving the true greatness it deserves. They see perennial football doormats like Kansas raking in money for nothing and seethe with jealousy. Their only regret is that the Big 12 or ACC have yet to extend an invitation to join the club (which will surely happen eventually).

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

If only the administration agreed. In their view, the powers behind the football power conferences are the only thing holding back UConn from achieving the true greatness it deserves. They see perennial football doormats like Kansas raking in money for nothing and seethe with jealousy. Their only regret is that the Big 12 or ACC have yet to extend an invitation to join the club (which will surely happen eventually).

Will it though? Their football program isn't going anywhere and their basketball program is a cluster f**k right now.

[GGGG]

Yeah I don't think there is going to be much movement at the P5 level for awhile.  Now that the B10 has locked up their TV rights, and with the continuing declining viewing numbers, I don't think the networks are clamoring for conferences to add members.  And I don't think that UConn would be the most enticing candidate anyway.

[GoldenWarrior11]

If only the administration agreed. In their view, the powers behind the football power conferences are the only thing holding back UConn from achieving the true greatness it deserves. They see perennial football doormats like Kansas raking in money for nothing and seethe with jealousy. Their only regret is that the Big 12 or ACC have yet to extend an invitation to join the club (which will surely happen eventually).

Unfortunately, I do not see that happening.  UConn has now fallen behind other football programs in the AAC like UCF, USF, Memphis and Houston in the pecking order for (potential) expansion.  They have a smaller stadium, compared to P5 standards.  They lack history and tradition.  They don't have a large enrollment.  They don't have a large endowment.  They are not an AAU institution.  Men's Basketball has hit rock bottom.  What exactly would a P5 conference add by inviting UConn? 

Conversely, UCF and USF have skyrocketed their value to a potential P5 conference (ACC/Big 12) due to their size, location and commitment to athletics.  When those two programs play P5 schools, they get huge crowds.  They have proven to be able to win at the higher levels. 

[Marcus92]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My post was about how UConn sees things. In their view, it's a downright injustice that no football power conference has invited them yet. Personally, I think they're disconnected from reality and chasing a fever dream that's costing taxpayers and students tens of millions.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yeah, UConn is an infinitely better program than Rhode Island and its not even close.

Yeah.  But is it so infinitely better that he has to wait 5 more years of a rebuild in order to get a job in a Power 6 Conference? No

His brother told DePaul to stick it...then got ASU

[Its DJOver]

UCONN is better than URI, however there's a very good chance that even bigger programs will come calling. I think the bigger question is whether or not he wants to leave the northeast?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

With a few exceptions, looks like UCONN fans have started to give up hope at getting into a power conference. I kinda feel bad, but after they continually bad mouthed the Big East, they get what they deserve.

https://the-boneyard.com/threads/conference-realignment.125483/

Thank god for the Big East

[Herman Cain]

Hurley will take U Conn deal if offered. Hurley is a very good coach and will have U Conn back in good shape relatively quickly.   

[Marcus92]

One of the posts on the UConn blog reads:

"We will be begging the A10 for an invite in 5 years."

[SaveOD238]

I blame Peter Karmanos for ruining Connecticut sports

1996- Karmanos announces the Whalers will be leaving Hartford at the end of the season, taking professional sports from the city.

1998- Connecticut makes a deal with Robert Kraft to bring the Patriots to Hartford, bringing professional sports back to the city, but it falls through.

1998- In response, the previously failed attempt to bring the Huskies to Division 1 and build a stadium was revived.

2002- UConn becomes a full-fledged D1 member, but draws small crowds and had almost no success.

In the meantime, the men's and women's basketball teams continued to win championships and have great success, while the state of Connecticut tried desperately to remain relevant in major sports...not realizing that they WERE relevant in a massive sport.

2013- Conference realignment.  UConn, a state university, hitched its fortunes to a hope for an ACC invite that never came.  Now they suck and are stuck in college football and basketball purgatory in the AAC.

So, in conclusion, Karmanos moving the Whalers gave the whole state a massive sports inferiority complex that they tried to fill with football (twice).  If they had just realized the gold they had in Huskies basketball (men's and women's) they could be happy in the Big East.  Now it's probably too late.

Screw Peter Karmanos (signed...a former Hartfordian)

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Hartford Whalers still have one of the best jerseys in sporting history.

[SaveOD238]

Hartford Whalers still have one of the best jerseys in sporting history.

No doubt about it.  They sell Whalers stuff all over New England.

[Lennys Tap]

Hurley will take U Conn deal if offered. Hurley is a very good coach and will have U Conn back in good shape relatively quickly.

Year 5?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Hartford Whalers still have one of the best jerseys in sporting history.

Hartford Whaler merchandise is among the top selling in the NHL, period.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I blame Peter Karmanos for ruining Connecticut sports

1996- Karmanos announces the Whalers will be leaving Hartford at the end of the season, taking professional sports from the city.

1998- Connecticut makes a deal with Robert Kraft to bring the Patriots to Hartford, bringing professional sports back to the city, but it falls through.

1998- In response, the previously failed attempt to bring the Huskies to Division 1 and build a stadium was revived.

2002- UConn becomes a full-fledged D1 member, but draws small crowds and had almost no success.

In the meantime, the men's and women's basketball teams continued to win championships and have great success, while the state of Connecticut tried desperately to remain relevant in major sports...not realizing that they WERE relevant in a massive sport.

2013- Conference realignment.  UConn, a state university, hitched its fortunes to a hope for an ACC invite that never came.  Now they suck and are stuck in college football and basketball purgatory in the AAC.

So, in conclusion, Karmanos moving the Whalers gave the whole state a massive sports inferiority complex that they tried to fill with football (twice).  If they had just realized the gold they had in Huskies basketball (men's and women's) they could be happy in the Big East.  Now it's probably too late.

Screw Peter Karmanos (signed...a former Hartfordian)

I hate Peter Karmanos.
Hockey hater Governor Rowland even came through with a new arena offer for him, but it was too little too late and Kamoron had his sights on Columbus, OH where his wife was from but that city had no interest in him as they wanted an expansion team (Which they ended up getting).
It's not like the move to Raleigh, NC has been a home run move either.  Yeah, they won a Cup, but they've always are one of the lowest attended teams.
I love hockey and still play when I can, but I haven't followed the NHL since. 

I agree, Connecticut has been trying to make up by pushing D1 football as the replacement since then.   

[jsglow]

I blame Peter Karmanos for ruining Connecticut sports

1996- Karmanos announces the Whalers will be leaving Hartford at the end of the season, taking professional sports from the city.

1998- Connecticut makes a deal with Robert Kraft to bring the Patriots to Hartford, bringing professional sports back to the city, but it falls through.

1998- In response, the previously failed attempt to bring the Huskies to Division 1 and build a stadium was revived.

2002- UConn becomes a full-fledged D1 member, but draws small crowds and had almost no success.

In the meantime, the men's and women's basketball teams continued to win championships and have great success, while the state of Connecticut tried desperately to remain relevant in major sports...not realizing that they WERE relevant in a massive sport.

2013- Conference realignment.  UConn, a state university, hitched its fortunes to a hope for an ACC invite that never came.  Now they suck and are stuck in college football and basketball purgatory in the AAC.

So, in conclusion, Karmanos moving the Whalers gave the whole state a massive sports inferiority complex that they tried to fill with football (twice).  If they had just realized the gold they had in Huskies basketball (men's and women's) they could be happy in the Big East.  Now it's probably too late.

Screw Peter Karmanos (signed...a former Hartfordian)

I think you're spot on.  The reality is that Hartford is geographically stuck between NYC and Boston.  The Whalers last year they couldn't sell 11,000 STHs.  The NHL had fertile untapped markets in the '90s.

Too bad they didn't realize that college hoops was their niche.  They tried to force football and lost their franchise.  They'll never get it back to where it was unless they swallow their pride and drop the gridiron effort.  And even then they'll have to beg and take a lesser $ share.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I think you're spot on.  The reality is that Hartford is geographically stuck between NYC and Boston.  The Whalers last year they couldn't sell 11,000 STHs.  The NHL had fertile untapped markets in the '90s.

There's a reason for the 11,000 STHs.  The Whalers could and did sell far more in earlier seasons.  The owner before Karmanos got in terrible trouble financially and traded away 2 of the teams most popular players (including its best player) for two nobodies and team absolutely sucked thereafter.  Fans were so mad about the trade the team was boycotted.  Ironically, Karmanos did make some good moves to turn the team around.  The season tickets were steadily increasing as a result and he still pulled the plug.

[jsglow]

I get it.  But think about today with the likes of Nashville and Columbus, etc.  It was always a big risk in Hartford.  Might have survived but maybe not.  Point is college hoops was gold.

[nyg]

Penney Hardaway to Memphis.  Now he brings in his AAU Team kids.