Randy Edsall Returning To UConn As Head Coach
UConn has hired Randy Edsall. The former Maryland head coach led the Huskies from 1999-2010.
UConn is turning back the clock with the hiring of Randy Edsall. The former Maryland head coach led the Huskies from 1999-2010.
Sometimes, you can go home again.
UConn is bringing back one of the people responsible for its transition from FCS to FBS, as Randy Edsall is returning to Storrs as the Huskies’ next head coach.
The Huskies are turning back the clock to reinvigorate the football program, as AD David Benedict announced the move on Wednesday. A press conference is expected to occur on Friday to re-introduce the Huskies’ coach from 1999-2010.
Edsall replaces Bob Diaco, who was fired on Monday after a three-year stint in which he went 11-26.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Edsall back to the University of Connecticut,” said university president Susan Herbst. “He possesses the passion, experience and commitment to lead our program and develop our student-athletes, both on and off the field.”
The 58-year-old Edsall left UConn in early 2011 to assume head-coaching duties at Maryland, where he was fired midway through his fifth season after compiling a 22-24 mark. He has since been the director of football research for the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
The Pennsylvania native was with the Huskies when they opened Rentschler Field in 2004, and he also led the team to two Big East championships and five bowl games.
After losing to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2010 season, Edsall abruptly left for the Terrapins opening and somewhat controversially did not address the UConn players before he left. It wasn’t the best of moments for a head coach who went 74-70 and essentially put UConn football on the map. However, he has the pedigree to turn around a team that stumbled to a 3-9 mark in 2016 because his squads have been known for their physicality, discipline and smart play.
Edsall will be re-joining a UConn program that now plays in the AAC, which has seen several coaches come and go during the recent spinning of the coaching carousel.
