UConn News Check-In; Bye Week
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Diaco remaining (surprisingly) quiet on recruiting allegations, rumors to Michigan
Bob Diaco is doing a fantastic job handling the distractions that are surfacing and murmuring around his team this season.
Despite a pending offseason recruiting investigation and rumors of not only his but athletic director Warde Manuel's departure for Michigan at the end of the year, Diaco has led his troops to another successful season. Despite a loss last week to Iowa State that has all but ended UConn's playoff hopes and chance at a second straight national title, UConn sits 8-2, 21st in the country as the season draws near a close.
How has the coaching magician pulled it off? Employing a Bill Belichick like tactic. "Stay quiet", Diaco says. "Don't even look at ESPN, stay focused on the next game or practice, and focus on our problems after the season."
There has been no update from the NCAA on the investigation into recruiting violations since early in the season, when a statement was released saying they would begin after the season concluded.
As for the seemingly never ending coaching carousel rumors, Diaco has made it clear he is leaning toward returning for his sixth season on the UConn sidelines next fall.
"I said this in accepting the extension [back in January 2016], we've got something good going here. Look at that national championship banner up there. You can't tell me I don't have it good here."
We'll see. Diaco is reportedly signed through 2021.
Trebell getting attention for head coaching spots
UConn super assistant Bob Trebell, who has been the head scouter for the Huskies' recruiting this year, special teams coordinator and assistant offensive coordinator, is reportedly being targeted for the head coaching position at Hawai'i, according to the Associated Press.
Trebell, 43, has only been part of the UConn staff a year (he's worked with Northeastern before their shutdown, Arizona and Auburn as well), but is getting good exposure amongst his peers and is a popular choice to move up through the ranks some more in 2019. His high energy and brilliant special teams strategy and expertise has received lots of praise from the UConn staff, including Coach Diaco himself.
"Bob has been a fantastic asset to our staff this year", Diaco says. "His brain is absolutely built for football, and he's helped our recruiting efforts tremendously."
Hawai'i, whose coach Chuck Heater will be retiring at the end of the season, is looking for an option who is a proven recruiter and a younger choice to hold the spot for "a while", according to A.D. Siahone Pulaki.
We'll see what the future holds for Trebell, but it looks bright.
UConn Recruiting
Thanks to Trebell, UConn's recruiting class is shaping up very nicely for 2019.
As of November 10, UConn has 7 4-star caliber recruits committed to suit up for Diaco's Huskies in September 2019, and all are likely to make impacts soon, if not immediately.
| UConn Huskies Commits -- as of 11/10 Recruiting - 2018 |
| NAME | POS | CLASS | HOMETOWN | HT | WT | CALIBER |
| J.P. Byers | RB | HS | Claremore, OK | 6'2 | 224 |  |
| Tony Rush | S | HS | Glenview, IL | 6'2 | 188 | |
| Jeremy Broadricke | DT | HS | E. Los Angeles, CA | 6'5 | 260 | |
| Marcus Rodgers | ATH | HS | Westmont, IL | 6'4 | 214 | |
| Mike Molden | CB | HS | Universal City, TX | 6'0 | 207 | |
| Lawron Leak | C | HS | Irondequoit, NY | 6'3 | 301 | |
| Kris Williams | WR | HS | Dunmore, PA | 6'0 | 189 | |
The headliner is the #2 safety in the nation,
Tony Rush. The Illinois product is graded out at 75 overall, and figures to challenge with seniors Mike Stokes, Derek Robinson and sophomore Ross Sinclair for PT next fall. Rush will likely be the 4th safety in the rotation, meaning he will see most of his time in quarter and nickel formations.
Diaco might be most excited about Oklahoman tailback
J.P. Byers. We talked about him in the last recruiting update, and though he'll almost definitely sit out next year, his size, speed and power won't keep him on the bench long.
The one player we didn't talk about last time who has committed is WR
Kris Williams. The Pennsylvania product joins a mess at that position, where very little will be settled until the first week of the 2019 season. He has average height at 6', but is a technical receiver who has solid hands.
Everyone else we have talked about, and if you would like to go back and review the first recruiting update, view the post below.
Recruiting Update 1
From those still not committed, UConn currently has the lead on 4* OT Kevin Jones, 3* OG Lui May, and 4* CB Kallan Slaughter and 3* CB Shavlion Wade.
5* Athlete Graham Patterson, a projected lineman, has committed to Syracuse.