If UConn head coach Bob Diaco has a plan to get more physical on offense, that responsibility will now fall on new offensive coordinator Frank Verducci. Verducci was named offensive coordinator for the Huskies Monday morning.
Verducci comes to UConn from Northern Iowa, where we took on the duties as offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Verducci brings some NFL experience to the UConn program after serving as a scout for the St. Louis Rams.
The addition of Verducci is just one part of the offensive coaching staff shuffle in Storrs. Diaco made it a point of emphasis last month with the dismissal of offensive line coach Mike Foley to increase the toughness of the offense, starting up front. With Verducci being added to the staff, Football Scoop reports Wayne Lineburg will be the new quarterbacks coach after coaching receivers and special teams in 2014. Don Patterson will also move from quarterbacks to tight ends. Finally, per Football Scoop, David Corley will move from coaching running backs in 2014 to receivers and special teams in 2015.
Diaco has said the evaluation for the program at the end of the season goes not just for players, but also for the coaches as well. UConn has plenty of work to do as a program, and perhaps mixing things up could pay off. Could this be too many changes too soon though? The inability to provide stability on the coaching staff could be a problem for some programs, but if Diaco can manage the ship well enough and find the right mix of coaching at each position on the staff, it could be worth it.