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UConn, despite this year's futility, should actually be a pretty good gig for someone wanting to build a program and make a name (or redeem themselves). There's money for assistants, great facilities, and a fan base that got a brief taste of winning and had it yanked away overnight. UConn has proven it will commit to any sport it wishes - basketball obviously, baseball and soccer (NCAA tourney success), hockey is now in Hockey East, and while Edsall was coach, he got a D2 program into shape and several bowls (including a BCS bowl courtesy of WVU and Pitt choking for the BE championship).
After Randy Edsall surprised everyone by bolting for Maryland immediately after the Fiesta embarrassment, former AD Hathaway rashly hired the aging Paul Pasqualoni as HC and his Pancho, George DeLeone as OC.
Now, with Warde Manuel as AD, UConn's biggest concern - and challenge - is getting to a better conference asap. And as recent conference realignment has hammered home - that means football.
IMO, the biggest obstacle to UConn hiring a great HC is bigger programs that are expected to be hiring in the next 1-2 years.
There are a few candidates already mentioned in the Pasqualoni thread. Who would you choose? Would you suggest someone else (and why?).
Potential leading candidates:
Mark Whipple: Currently Cleveland Browns QB coach (not much of an endorsement!), 121-59 as college HC with UMass, Brown, New Haven and experience as an assistant with U of Miami and smaller programs.
Craig Bohl: HC North Dakota State (94-32, won two straight FCS championships)
Bobby Petrino: HC Western Kentucky (79-28) Gotta figure UConn is a step up from there. Brings baggage, but would be supported by fans looking for a big time name.
Tim DeRuyter: HC Fresno State and an interim HC bowl win with Texas A&M.
Pete Lembo: HC, Ball St., 121-47 overall including stints at Lehigh & Elon.
Dave Clawson: HC, Bowling Green, 65-55 overall including stints with Fordham & Richmond.
Tom Bradley: former DC/interim interim HC - PSU, currently CBS analyst.
James Franklin: HC, Vanderbilt. Long shot, but he'll never win anything at Vandy.
Eric Mangini: former Jets HC, Pats assistant, and a CT guy)
And some guys with no HC experience, but expected to be soon:
If UConn re-joined the BigEast in all sports and had Football play in the MAC (or independent) I would be good with that. MAC needs a 14th team, and it is comparable to the AAC once Louisville is gone.
Voted for Whipple. DeRuyter or Tom Bradley would be fine too.
I think Bob Diaco or Tim Brewster, but I doubt Bob will want that job. After being at Notre Dame he will probably want something in the South, Texas, or West Coast. I think Tim Brewster should and will take the job. He is a northeast guy who needs to redeem himself in college football.
If Greg Schiano gets fired from Tampa, he will be a likely candidate also. He might like that he is in the ACC. Even Doug Marrone if he gets fired from Buffalo.
Doug Marrone ain't getting fired from Buffalo this year. That team has been decimated with injury this year, especially at the QB. Hard to win games in the NFL when your sending out an undrafted QB to start games which is how far down the depth chart Marrone has had to go this year.
It will be Bob Diaco. He is so sort after I dont know why he wants to be at UCONN.
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