Big East: Joe Moorhead
Coach: Joe Moorhead
Position: Quarterbacks
Experience: Moorhead is going into his third season coaching the quarterbacks at UConn, though this is his first without the offensive coordinator title. Moorhead decided to stay on the staff as quarterbacks coach under new coach Paul Pasqualoni. While at Akron in 2008, the Zips were one of 17 schools nationally ranked in the top 50 in rushing offense, passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. As quarterbacks coach in 2006, he helped Luke Getsy leave the program with 24 different school records.
Of note: Though Moorhead is no longer the offensive coordinator, he still has perhaps one of the most important jobs on staff because the team has no starting quarterback going into fall practice. That is a big reason why UConn has not been projected to finish in the top half of the league in most preseason publications.
His challenge: It is a doozy, that is for sure. UConn fans will argue that the quarterback situation was not exactly ideal last season with Zach Frazer and Cody Endres. But there is essentially nobody experienced on the roster going into the fall. Michael Box is the only player who has attempted a pass in a collegiate game. Michael Nebrich is a true freshman; Scott McCummings is a redshirt freshman; and Johnny McEntee is a redshirt junior (see YouTube and "trick pass").
Nebrich and McCummings are dual-threat quarterbacks, and they could add another dimension to the Huskies offense, especially with some questions at the running back position. Moorhead was the person responsible for recruiting Nebrich, and the two have a good relationship. But nobody really stood out in the spring. In fact, the four quarterbacks combined to go 6-of-18 for 41 yards and an interception in the spring game. I know the weather conditions were terrible, but it probably would have been nice to see something.
Coach Paul Pasqualoni said the No. 1 priority during fall practice is getting a starting quarterback in place as quickly as possible. "The selection of the quarterback is always based on who the most productive guy is," he said in May. "Once we start working through preseason camp, that’s what it will be."
Previously profiled:
Cincinnati
No changes
Connecticut
Out:
Randy Edsall, head coach (to Maryland)
Todd Orlando, defensive coordinator/inside linebackers (to Florida International)
Lyndon Johnson, outside linebackers/special teams coordinator (to Maryland)
Terry Richardson, running backs (to Miami)
In:
Paul Pasqualoni, head coach
George DeLeone, offensive coordinator
Don Brown, defensive coordinator
Clayton White, special team coordinator/running backs
Internal moves:
Former offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is now quarterbacks coach
Quick take:
Pasqualoni, the Connecticut native, comes aboard with two new coordinators (three if you count special teams). But the rest of the staff stayed intact. Edsall took only one assistant with him to Maryland, which is strange. There should be more continuity in this coaching change than most. The trick will be getting the old and the new styles to mesh.
Louisville
Out:
Mike Groh, quarterbacks (to Alabama)
In:
Shawn Watson, quarterbacks
Quick take:
Charlie Strong scored a victory by keeping his staff almost fully together after a successful first year. Watson, the former Nebraska offensive coordinator, looks like a great addition to coach a position in flux.
Pittsburgh
Out:
Dave Wannstedt, head coach (forced resignation)
All of Wannstedt's assistants
In:
Todd Graham, head coach
Paul Randolph, executive associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive line
Calvin Magee, assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/running backs
Mike Norvell, co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers/director of recruiting
Keith Patterson, defensive coordinator/linebackers
Tony Dews, tight ends
Todd Dodge, quarterbacks
Tony Gibson, cornerbacks,/recruiting coordinator
Spencer Leftwich, offensive line
Randall McCray, safeties/special teams coordinator
Quick take:
It's certainly a sea change at Pitt, with an new staff and a whole new philosophy. The presence of several West Virginia assistants lends a little more spice to the Backyard Brawl, as well. Graham has done a good job of building some excitement after the whole Wannstedt/Mike Haywood mess.
Rutgers
Out:
Kyle Ciarrocca, co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks (not retained)
Randy Melvin, defensive line (not retained)
Ed Pinkham, co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs (to Elon)
In:
Frank Cignetti Jr., offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Brian Angelichio, tight ends
Jeff Hafley, defensive backs
Internal moves:
Phil Galiano moves from tight ends to defensive line
Robb Smith will coach linebackers as well as special teams
Quick take:
After a 4-8 season, Rutgers needed to make some major changes. Head coach Greg Schiano took advantage of the Pitt staff turnover to hire three former Panthers assistants. Hafley's ties in New Jersey already helped in recruiting. Cignetti will be charged with fixing a stale offense.
South Florida
No changes
Syracuse
Out:
Bob Casullo, assistant head coach/special teams (parted ways)
In:
Tim Daoust, defensive end
Internal moves:
Nathanial Hackett was promoted to offensive coordinator
John Anselmo becomes assistant head coach and will work with linebackers
Dan Conley will concentrate on inside linebackers
Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will work with defensive backs
Jimmy Brumbaugh will coach defensive tackles
Special teams will be divided among the staff
Quick take:
Casullo left before last season ended, so Syracuse had already moved on. The changes in responsibilities reflect the areas of concentration for the Orange this summer, as they have many young players who need tutoring.
West Virginia
Out:
Jeff Mullen, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks (not retained)
Lonnie Galloway, receivers (to Wake Forest)
Dave Johnson, offensive line (not retained)
Chris Beatty, running backs/slot receivers (not retained)
Dave McMichael, tight ends/special teams (not retained)
In:
Dana Holgorsen, offensive coordinator/head coach in waiting
Shannon Dawson, receivers
Bill Bedenbaugh, offensive line
Robert Gillespie, running backs
Quick take:
The entire offensive staff was let go except for Galloway, who left for Wake Forest a couple of weeks ago. West Virginia hasn't named a replacement for Galloway yet, but Dawson and Holgorsen will likely coach the receivers, with someone coming on board for special teams. The defensive staff remains intact, and Bill Stewart will coach his final year before handing the reins to Holgorsen. It will be a fascinating chemistry test.
White was the defensive backs and special teams co-coordinator at Western Kentucky last season, and he spent three seasons at Stanford before that. His other previous stops include Western Michigan and Western Carolina. White played in the NFL with Tampa Bay and the New York Giants after a standout career as a linebacker at NC State.
Pasqualoni's full staff now looks like this:
- George DeLeone, offensive coordinator/tight ends
- Don Brown, defensive coordinator/cornerbacks
- Hank Hughes, assistant head coach/defensive line
- Matt Cersosimo, wide receivers/recruiting coordinator
- Mike Foley, offensive line
- Joe Moorhead, quarterbacks
- Darrell Perkins, safeties
- Clayton White, running backs/special teams
- Jonathan Wholley, linebackers
Six of the nine assistants are holdovers from Randy Edsall's staff last year, which is a high number of coaches to be retained when a head coach is brought in from the outside. A lot of that may have to do with how late Pasqualoni was hired, coming aboard as he did in mid-January. It's good for continuity and carryover, but you always wonder how a new head coach will mesh with assistants from a previous regime. Huskies fans have to be happy to see Foley, who has gotten a lot of credit for the team's outstanding offensive line play over the years, stay put in Storrs.
One thing you can't question about this staff is its cumulative experience. According to UConn, four of the coaches have a combined 42 years as head coaches: Pasqualoni (19 years at Syracuse and Western Connecticut); DeLeone (four years at Southern Connecticut); Brown (12 years at UMass, Northeastern and Plymouth State); and Foley (seven years at Colgate). Hughes and Moorhead join DeLeone and Brown to give UConn four coaches who have served as FBS coordinators. And there is a combined 196 seasons of college coaching experience on the staff, with five different coaches having worked in the college game for at least 29 seasons.
One excuse Huskies players can't use this year is, "those coaches don't know what they're talking about." These guys have seen it all.
Moorhead, Hughes to stay on at UConn
Pasqualoni has named new coordinators on both sides of the ball -- Don Brown on defense and George DeLeone on offense. But the Hartford Courant's Desmond Conner reports that last year's offensive coordinator, Joe Moorhead, will stay on as quarterbacks coach. And Hank Hughes, who lobbied hard to succeed Randy Edsall as head coach when he was named interim coach, is expected to remain on staff as assistant head coach/defensive line coach.
Pasqualoni has yet to announce any other staff positions other than his coordinators.
Ex-Syracuse aide to run UConn's offense
Multiple outlets are reporting that Miami Dolphins tight end coach George DeLeone has been tapped as the new UConn playcaller. And it makes perfect sense.
DeLeone is a New Haven native and a UConn graduate who worked alongside Pasqualoni at Southern Connecticut State in the 1970s and throughout most of his run at Syracuse. He was an Orange assistant from 1985 to 1996 and again from 1998 to 2004. He served as offensive line coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and even spent one year as defensive coordinator. He was the associate head coach during Pasqualoni's final six years at Syracuse.
DeLeone also worked at Rutgers as an assistant from 1980 to 1983. Before heading to the NFL, he coached at Temple and Ole Miss.
Joe Moorhead has been UConn's offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Pasqualoni, who was hired late last week, hasn't officially announced any staff hirings yet.
UConn has biggest, best O-line in Big East
"It's not mirrors and tricks," said South Florida coach Skip Holtz, who used to work in Storrs. "It's the way they play in the trenches and the hardnosed brand of football they play."
Year after year, the Huskies line up with one of the biggest and most physical offensive lines in the Big East. This season is no different.
"We believe games are decided on the offensive line," senior guard Zach Hurd said. "If the offensive line can move the defensive line around, then we've got a good chance."
UConn's line paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers last year in Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. The season before that, Donald Brown ran for more than 2,000 yards.
The Huskies usually have the heaviest O-line in the league. Last year, it often lined up with four 300-pounders, plus 290-pound center Moe Petrus. The line could be a bit slimmed down on the left side this year if the current starters hold onto their jobs. Adam Masters, who's listed at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, is listed No. 1 right now at left tackle, with Mathieu Olivier (6-6, 276) at right left guard. Pushing them are Jimmy Bennett (6-8, 301) and Erik Kuraczea (6-2, 315).
The field may tilt a little to the right side when UConn's offense takes the field. That's where Hurd (6-7, 323) and right tackle Mike Ryan (6-5, 332) roam.
Hurd, a senior, was the only guard to make my Big East Top 25 players list. He was a first-team All-Big East selection last season and is one of the biggest interior offensive linemen around.
"When I got here, I wasn't the best tackle," he said. "We had Will Beatty and Mike Hicks, so I moved to guard. I love it there. I feel like I'm able to show off my athletic ability and get to the second level to take on a linebacker. It's been a real good fit for me."
It's not always a lot of fun for opposing defensive tackles when they see Hurd line up. Cincinnati's backup nose tackle, for instance, was giving up nearly 60 pounds in last year's game.
"But sometimes it's hard for me as well, being 6-7 against a guy who's 6-foot and trying to get him out of there," Hurd said. "That's where getting low comes into play."
Connecticut's linemen aren't just big. They're extremely well-coached and have fantastic footwork, a huge emphasis by offensive line coach Mike Foley. They've also got to be in tremendous shape to run the no-huddle offense installed last season by offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.
They're also the key to why UConn is a team on the rise.
"I think we're one of the biggest lines in the nation, so we should be moving some people around," Hurd said. "If we don't, it's on us."
BC using dirty recruiting tricks against UConn?
Quarterback Michael Nebrich committed to UConn in early June and planned on enrolling next January in Storrs. But that apparently didn't stop Boston College from continuing to recruit him, which isn't surprising because schools do that all the time and Nebrich hasn't signed any papers yet. What is surprising is what a BC assistant coach told Nebrich.
Connor reports that Nebrich received the following e-mail from an assistant who is not named in the story:
"Mike: We are hosting a one-day skill clinic on July 8. Would love to see you there. I know you're committed to UConn but You will have a new coaching staff there by next January. You have a plan for that?"
Nebrich said he called Huskies head coach Randy Edsall and offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead after he received the e-mail and that "they told me that was absolutely ridiculous and reassured me they'd be there."
Edsall has become a hot commodity in the coaching profession, and rightly so. But I seriously doubt he has a plan for a new job lined up for next year; coaching opportunities are incredibly fluid things, and besides, Edsall has built a solid program at UConn.
So either the Boston College coach knows something the rest of us don't, or he was spreading false information to sway a recruit. Either way, this incident surely won't help the bad blood that has existed between the two schools since BC bolted for the ACC.
UConn's Frazer hopes bigger means better
Mostly on his own, Zach Frazer decided he needed to add some bulk. So he put in the time in the weight room and changed his diet. When spring ball rolled around, the 6-foot-4 senior checked in at 238 pounds, or 13 pounds heavier than his listed weight at the end of last season.
"I was surprised," head coach Randy Edsall said.
Any fears that Frazer had pumped himself up too much were quickly allayed when UConn did its player testing. Frazer actually shaved a few ticks off his 40-yard dash time, completing it in 4.8 seconds.
"When I saw that, I said, OK, I've got no problem with it," Edsall said. "When you see him move around practice and everything else, he's carrying it very well. That now also gives him some confidence to pull down and run with the ball, and when he gets some mismatches he can run some guys over."
Frazer, though, isn't interested in just being a running quarterback. The strong-armed, former Notre Dame transfer also worked hard this winter on his throwing mechanics, which sometimes get out of whack. He has thrown 15 interceptions in 13 career games.
"I've been working on moving my hips around and getting my footwork right," he said. "I want my lower body moving but my upper body to be still. I'm making sure my off arm is in the correct position and that I'm keeping my elbow up so I don't get tired at the end of the game and my fundamentals go downhill. I don't want that to happen anymore."
Frazer got off to a rocky start in 2009, he threw seven picks in his first three games and missed four weeks with a knee injury. But from the Cincinnati game on, he had seven touchdown passes and just two interceptions while completing a respectable 56.6 percent of his pas attempts. Remember that he was learning a new offense as well.
"In that Cincinnati game, I feel like we started moving as offense," he said. "We started building that confidence as a unit, and I think we progressed."
Now comfortable under second-year offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, Frazer is making quick decisions and crisp throws in practice. While he's being pushed by Cody Endres, a junior who's had some success as a starter, there's really no doubt who the No. 1 quarterback is for the Huskies.
"Zach is our leader out here," receiver Kashif Moore.
There's just more of him this year.
PITTSBURGH -- A quick review of the first half at Heinz Field, where Connecticut leads Pitt, 7-3:
Turning point: Pittsburgh had first-and-goal at the 3 with a chance to go up 10-0. Instead, Bill Stull threw an interception, and UConn held on. Pitt had two other cracks at scores with wide open receivers either in or dashing toward the end zone but failed to convert.
Best call: On the first play after a punt late in the half, Connecticut offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead decided to go for the kill. Cody Endres connected with wide open Marcus Easley for a 79-yard touchdown pass. Easley is not even listed on the UConn two-deep, so Pitt was not prepared for that.
Stat of the half: Endres is 12-of-16 for 160 yards. Pitt had been stacking the box to stop the UConn running game, which worked for most of the half. But the Huskies got the passing game working late, and it's why they lead at the half.
What to watch in the Big East, Week 3
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
1. Cincinnati's defense vs. the Rodgers brothers: Shutting down Southeast Missouri State and Rutgers was nice. The real test for Cincinnati's rebuilt defense arrives this weekend against Oregon State and their two main playmakers, Jacquizz and James Rodgers. Quarterback Sean Canfield will easily be the best the Bearcats have faced this season, and the back line of the Cincinnati defense may be its most vulnerable area. The Beavers have given up five sacks already this year, so guys like Curtis Young and Ricardo Matthews could apply some pressure up front.
2. The Cincinnati passing game: We know that Pittsburgh could do nothing through the air against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Well, Tony Pike is no Bill Stull. The Beavers have given up 251 yards per game through the air this year already to lesser opponents. Can Pike keep up his stellar early-season play and silence the crowd in Corvallis?
3. Just Plains speed: All you ever hear about is the SEC's dominant speed. Well, West Virginia will come to the Plains with plenty of burners of its own, including Noel Devine, Jock Sanders and Tavon Austin. Last year in Morgantown, the Mountaineers looked like the much faster team. Auburn has some impressive athletes on defense, but you can't hit what you can't catch. If West Virginia can eliminate some of the penalties and mistakes it had in the first two games, it should move the ball and put up enough points in this game.
4. The West Virginia defense vs. Auburn's running game: The Tigers have been unbelievable on the ground thus far under Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn, averaging 345.5 yards per game rushing. Those are Pat White/Steve Slaton kind of numbers and then some. How will West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel counter that with his three-man front, especially if top defensive lineman Scooter Berry is unable to go? The last thing West Virginia wants is for Jarrett Brown to be standing on the sideline while the Tigers run the ball at will.
5. Syracuse's grit: Are the Orange content to be a team that plays good opponents tough, like they did against Minnesota and Penn State? Or can they get over the hump, beat Northwestern and prove things have changed under Doug Marrone? The offense needs to open things up a little more. While Greg Paulus has been decent, Syracuse has scored seven points since halftime of the Minnesota game. And the defense will have a challenge against the Wildcats' multi-dimensional offense.
6. UConn's, uh, offense: Maybe Cody Endres is the spark UConn needs at quarterback. That is, if he's over the stomach bug that bothered him all week. The Huskies need something to get them going on offense, because the passing game once again looks anemic. Scoring in the teens is probably not going to cut it against Robert Griffin and Baylor. It's time for offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead to show why he was hired.
7. Triple option near the three rivers: Navy befuddles many defenses with its triple-option offense. Pitt has seen it up close the past two years and did a good job shutting it down last year. But that 42-21 win in Annapolis came when the Midshipmen had quarterback issues; Ricky Dobbs is now in control under center and can run or pass. The Panthers' defense needs to tighten up some problem areas from last week at Buffalo in order to keep this one from being close.
8. Dion Lewis: The true freshman has been nothing short of spectacular in his first two college games. LeSean McCoy had a field day against Navy last season, and the Pitt offensive line should be able to open plenty of running lanes for Lewis. Are we in for yet another special performance?
9. Justin Burke's homecoming: The Louisville quarterback is from Lexington, Ky., and will be playing in his home city against Kentucky. He will not get a warm reception. Expect Kentucky to play press man-to-man against the Cardinals receivers, stack the box and force Burke to beat them throwing the ball. Burke doesn't have the strongest arm around, and he must constantly be aware of where the Wildcats' star cornerback, Trevard Lindley, is lining up. He must complete some deep balls to Scott Long or others to loosen up the defense for Victor Anderson.
10. Focus for South Florida and Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are playing their second straight no-name opponent (Florida International). For the Bulls, this is their third in a row (Charleston Southern). Both have big road games next week, Rutgers at Maryland and South Florida at Florida State. But they need to concentrate on the task at hand and put their outmatched opponents away on Saturday. If not, doubt will linger.
Frazer firmly in control of UConn quarterback spot
Zach Frazer may not have the perfect throwing delivery or very impressive stats. But he's good enough to be solidly entrenched as Connecticut's starting quarterback right now.
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| Bob Donnan/US PRESSWIRE | |
| Zach Frazer lost weight to better fit Joe Moorhead's no-huddle offense. |
While UConn coach Randy Edsall stresses that every day is a competition, he also made it clear that Frazer is firmly No. 1 ahead of Cody Endres as the season approaches. Frazer edged ahead Endres in spring practice and has kept his grip on the job.
"He's a good leader, he's tough and he's made good decisions," Edsall said Monday at UConn's media day. "He's got some more things to work on. His accuracy could be better. But he has leadership and knowledge of what we're trying to do and, I think, a toughness. And he does have a strong arm."
Frazer transferred to Connecticut from Notre Dame in 2007 after it became clear he would not beat out Jimmy Clausen for playing time with the Irish. Last season, he played in five games and started two for the injured Tyler Lorenzen. While he showed a nice zip on some of his throws and led a comeback victory at Louisville, he completed just 55.4 percent of his passes and had six interceptions with only two touchdowns.
This summer, Frazer has drawn praise for his physical transformation. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he said he dropped 10 pounds to 12 pounds in the offseason while not losing any muscle.
"It was mostly just laying off the late night snacks and cravings," he said. "I'm not a sprint-out quarterback by any means, but I feel quicker than what I was."
He had little choice but to get quicker if he wanted to excel in new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead's system. Moorhead has installed a no-huddle, high-paced attack that puts a premium on conditioning. That's been even more challenging this summer during 90-degree training camp days, but the upside is that the offensive players have rounded into great shape.
"Everyone is pushing themselves really hard, because we know this offense needs to be better than it was last year," he said.
Edsall has emphasized the need for balance in the offense, as opposed to a year ago. With Lorenzen hurt and Frazer and Endres struggling, the Huskies threw the ball just 37 percent of the time in 2008.
They'd love to get it closer to 50 percent this year, and that means Frazer has to improve. He worked hard this summer on improving his throwing mechanics, but it was mostly little tweaks and not a giant overhaul.
"He isn't the perfect, classic picture guy you're going to study on how to throw a football," Edsall said. "(But) to change his whole throwing motion now, it's too hard to do where he's at. He just has to deliver the ball on time."
Frazer may not be perfect, but he's the best UConn has right now. And the new offense may just suit him perfectly.
"This offense is made for quarterbacks, because everybody wants to throw the ball in space," running back Jordan Todman said. "He's making the right reads and doing the right things. Nobody can be perfect, but he's definitely looking good out there. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve as we go on."
Hope and concern: Connecticut Huskies
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
Biggest reason for hope: More oomph in the offense
How many games could Connecticut have won last season if it could have put together even a reasonable 
semblance of a passing game? Certainly the 12-10 loss to Rutgers was there for the taking. The Huskies led West Virginia at halftime and just missed a long touchdown pass early in the third quarter that might have given them all the momentum. A more potent offense might have even changed the course of the season finale against Pitt, which was close until the fourth quarter. So it's not crazy to think UConn, which hammered Cincinnati, could have won the Big East. New offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead won't turn the Huskies into Texas Tech, but he is installing a no-huddle, high-tempo game plan that will be light years ahead of the past few seasons. Zach Frazer has the arm to make it work and possibly push Connecticut over the hump.
Biggest reason for concern: Offensive skill players
Of course, in order to make that offense go, somebody's got to catch the ball. And from last season through this spring, nobody has really stepped forward as a legitimate, BCS-caliber star receiver. No matter how good Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon are, it's doubtful that they can entirely replace the production of Donald Brown, who led the nation in rushing last year. So the passing game will have to take some pressure off of the running backs. Do the Huskies have the wideouts to make that happen?
New Big East coordinators who will make biggest '09 impact
It's not hard to find new coordinators in the Big East. Seven of the eight league teams brought in at least one new playcaller, and half the conference will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Throw in the co-coordinators at Rutgers and South Florida, and there are 14 new people in charge of an offense or defense this season.
OK, so which ones will make the biggest impact in 2009? I'm not talking about which coordinators will do the best job or have the best units to work with. I mean, which ones will bring about the most change, good or bad, to their programs this year?
Here's who I think will have the most impact:
• Joe Moorhead, Connecticut: I've said it before, but the Huskies have basically traded in their old pickup truck for a sleek new sports car. Moorhead will bring an energetic, no-huddle attack to UConn, which has had a pretty vanilla offense for years. Don't expect Moorhead to get away from the team's bread-and-butter -- the running game -- but the former Akron playcaller should still make a huge difference. Spring practice observers say Moorhead wielded an undeniably large presence. UConn went 8-5 last year and scored 13 points or fewer in four of its losses. A little more offensive production could go a long way this year.
• Mike Canales, South Florida: There's something to be said for how excited the Bulls offensive players were this spring about Canales' new direction. The former wide receivers coach has promised to go to a true spread attack and throw downfield more than previous coordinator Greg Gregory. Canales has a lot of weapons at his disposal and would be wise to unleash them in creative ways, something Gregory was often criticized for not doing enough. His top two challenges are putting together a cohesive offensive line and finding a running game to complement Matt Grothe.
• Bob Diaco, Cincinnati: It probably won't be fair to compare Diaco's first year against last season's Bearcats defense, since Cincinnati is replacing 10 starters on that side of the ball. But given the team's scheme change to a 3-4 base (with the option of offering multiple looks), there's no doubt that Diaco is bringing a new style that he formulated under Al Groh at Virginia.
• Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville: For better or worse, Kragthorpe will be judged this year on how his offense performs after the head coach decided to put on the headset and call his own plays. He dumped popular former coordinator and local hero Jeff Brohm in order to take the reins. Kragthorpe has been vague on how his philosophy differs from Brohm, but you can probably expect more short passes to the running backs and tight ends given his background.
• Kirk Ciarrocca and Kyle Flood, Rutgers: It remains to be seen just how different the offense will look under these new co-coordinators versus how it was run under former playcaller John McNulty. But both will have a big impact, simply because of the talent turnover in Piscataway. Ciarrocca in particular has an important task in working with the quarterbacks. It's his job to develop Tom Savage and D.C. Jefferson for the future while getting the most out of seniors Dom Natale and Jabu Lovelace.
Other new coordinators for 2009: Brent Guy, Louisville defense; Frank Cignetti Jr., Pittsburgh offense; Bob Fraser/Ed Pinkham, Rutgers defense; Scott Shafer, Syracuse defense.
Edsall previews UConn's spring practice
Connecticut lost some significant stars in running back Donald Brown, left tackle Will Beatty, defensive end Cody Brown and cornerback Darius Butler, all of whom are expected to be first-day NFL draft picks in April.
Yet when coach Randy Edsall looks at who he has available for spring practice, which begins Tuesday for the Huskies, he can't help but get excited.
"We have more talent and more speed and athleticism than we've had," Edsall said. "We not only have guys competing to be starters, but there will be dogfights for guys to be backups. That's the encouraging thing to me."
The most noticeable change this spring will be the offensive system, as new coordinator Joe Moorhead will install a no-huddle attack with more emphasis on the passing game. It promises to look very different than what UConn has run in the recent past, but Edsall said he doesn't think it will require a steep learning curve.
"We have a plan put in for how we install it and what we want to do," he said. "I don't foresee any problems with our kids picking it up or getting the hang of and it doing it.
"That's one of reasons why I like the fact that we practice inside. We don't have to worry about the elements and we'll have ideal conditions. We're going to be aggressive but yet be smart with how we install, how much we install, and go from there."
The offense will come together in pieces, week by week, and the base of what Moorhead wants to do should be finished by the end of spring. Then more wrinkles will be added in the fall.
Of course, the other big question is who will run the offense. Edsall said there's a wide open competition at quarterback, and he made sure to mention freshmen Johnny McEntee and Casey Turner as part of the potential starters, along with Zach Frazer and Cody Endres.
"We might come out there tomorrow and there might be a guy lined up with ones, but nobody has the No. 1 position sewn up," he said.
Will that happen by the end of spring drills, or will the quarterback derby linger into fall?
"That's all up to the players," Edsall said. "The players determine that. We're just going to evaluate it. If it's determined by the end of spring, that would be great. But if it's not, I'm not going to say, 'Hey, there's a No. 1 guy' if no that guy hasn't shown to be a clear-cut No. 1. It's all based on what the players do in practice and what they do when we scrimmage."
Frazer had some bold predictions when he met with media members last month. For example, he told ESPN.com that the new offense would score 40 points a game, and he confidently said he would win the starting job.
"Right after that, Zach was in my office," Edsall said. "And I told him, it's great to have confidence and it's great that you do that. But there's a right way and a wrong way to handle those situations.
"Zach has done a good job in getting his weight down and working to be a leader and doing all the things you want in a quarterback. But you have to temper it. You're better off just letting your production speak for you before you have the production."
Edsall said improving the passing game was obviously one of the top priorities for spring. The other keys, he said, were getting better both offensively and defensively in deep red zone situations, improving ball security on offense and defensive turnovers, getting physically tougher and eliminating the mistakes that cost the Huskies last season in the punt-block and kick return areas.
Updated Big East coaching change scorecard
Barring any last-minute surprises, the Big East assistant coaching carousel is almost over.
The only remaining job left to be filled is Cincinnati's defensive line coach, which should be resolved very soon. So, for posterity's sake, here's your updated guide to all the changes this offseason for each Big East school.
Cincinnati
Defensive coordinator: Joe Tresey was let go, and Bob Diaco was hired from Virginia.
Defensive line: Keith Gilmore, who was also the assistant head coach, left for Illinois. No replacement has been named yet.
Notes: Defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs was promoted to associate head coach, while special teams/tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Elston is now assistant head coach. Diaco will install a 3-4 scheme on defense.
Connecticut
Offensive coordinator: Rob Ambrose took the head coaching job at Towson and was replaced by Akron's Joe Moorhead.
Notes: Moorhead will give the offense a no-huddle, high-tempo look.
Louisville
Defensive coordinator: Ron English left to become the head coach at Eastern Michigan. Bill Miller was elevated from linebackers coach but then left for Kansas. Former Utah State head coach Brent Guy was hired.
Offensive coordinator: Jeff Brohm was demoted and took a job at Florida Atlantic. Head coach Steve Kragthorpe will call his own plays this season,
Secondary: Eric Lewis followed English to Eastern Michigan and was replaced by former Tennessee assistant Larry Slade.
Special teams/safeties: Antonio Goss was hired from Middle Tennessee State to succeed Mark Nelson.
Running backs/tight ends: Tony Alford quit as running backs coach to take that same job at Notre Dame. Tight ends coach Greg Nord moved to running back, and Jay Johnson was hired to coach tight ends.
Wide receivers: Jeff Lewis will coach the position that Kragthorpe handled last season.
Quarterbacks: Matt Wells was hired from New Mexico.
Notes: Kragthorpe has had little staff stability in his three years at Louisville. He's now on his fourth defensive coordinator and third offensive coordinator.
Pittsburgh
Offensive coordinator: Matt Cavanaugh left to coach quarterbacks for the NFL's New York Jets. Frank Cignetti Jr. was hired from California.
Notes: Cignetti promises a smooth transition and will use many of the same schemes and terminology as Cavanaugh.
Rutgers
Defensive coordinator: Head coach Greg Schiano relinquished his role as defensive coordinator. Assistants Bob Fraser and Ed Pinkham were elevated to co-defensive coordinators.
Offensive coordinator: John McNulty was hired by the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to coach receivers. Assistants Kyle Flood and Kirk Ciarrocca were elevated to co-offensive coordinators.
Running backs: Gary Brown left to coach running backs for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Former Syracuse assistant Randy Trivers was hired.
Wide receivers: Brian Jenkins was hired from Louisiana-Lafayette to coach the position formerly handled by Ciarrocca.
Special teams: Robb Smith was hired from Maine to oversee special teams and outside linebackers. Chris Rippon left to pursue other opportunities.
Notes: Rutgers had a lot of turnover, but Schiano promoted a lot within his program to maintain stability.
South Florida
Defensive coordinator: Wally Burnham took the defensive coordinator job at Iowa State. Tresey was hired.
Offensive coordinator: Greg Gregory was demoted, then left for South Alabama. Receivers coach Mike Canales was promoted.
Linebackers: David Blackwell was hired from Clemson to oversee the position group that Burnham tutored. He will be co-defensive coordinator.
Receivers: Phil McGeoghan was hired from the Naval Prep Academy.
Secondary: Troy Douglas left for North Carolina. Tresey will coach defensive backs.
Notes: Leavitt struck out with several candidates for defensive coordinator but ended up with two good hires for that job.
Syracuse
Head coach: Doug Marrone was hired to replace the fired Greg Robinson.
Defensive coordinator: Scott Shafer, who was fired by Michigan after last season, was hired.
Offensive coordinator: Former Clemson playcaller Rob Spence was hired.
Offensive line: Former Tennessee assistant Greg Adkins was hired.
Receivers: Jaime Elizondo was hired from the Canadian Football League.
Running backs: Former Tennessee assistant Stan Drayton was hired.
Secondary: John Anselmo was hired from Nassau Community College.
Special teams/tight ends: Bob Casullo was hired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will also be assistant head coach.
Notes: Marrone kept two holdovers from Robinson's staff, linebackers coach Dan Conley and defensive line coach Derrick Jackson.
West Virginia
No changes.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
