OK, let's try this again.
I got burned in a big-time way from a source who confirmed Dave Cecchini to be Yale's next football coach. However, I apologize for putting that out there before I was able to get a secondary confirmation. That same source got back to me to inform me that he was messed up and that it is indeed Tony Reno who will be named head coach.
I apologize to all who trust me and this blog to be the source of accurate information on all things to do with Yale football. You learn to trust your sources and there are times when wires get crossed. I still accept the full brunt of the blame on this. Instead of rushing to get this info out there, I should have held back until I was 100 percent certain of the facts.
Now onto the choice.
Reno was the secondary coach at Yale on Jack Siedlecki's staff. When Siedlecki was forced out, Reno assumed the lead on Yale's recruiting efforts. He would leave to join Tim Murphy's staff at Harvard in large part for family considerations because he, his wife and children live in Sturbidge, Mass.
Reno was a popular coach with his players and in the days following Siedlecki's departure, he was touted as the coach staff as being the top prospect to be considered for the Yale head job.
There are some alumni who have issues with the way Reno left for Harvard and some have suggested that he took some recruits with him. However, Reno received a lot of support in the Yale community - especially from his former players to get the job. If I were to go back and count the blog comments, I would think that Reno would have been the winner of that informal straw poll.
One concern is that Reno has never been an offensive or defensive coordinator above the Division III level but I personally really liked dealing with him in the time when he was on Siedlecki's staff.
This better be it cause there aint nobody else.
ReplyDeleteWithout question the best comment ever posted by one of the readers of this blog.
ReplyDeletedon't worry about it Jim, I appreciate how on top of this you have been.
ReplyDeletei guess there was still shoop & dorrell...
TOUCHDOWN!
ReplyDeleteReno will do amazing things with Yale football. No question. He should have been the first choice.
ReplyDeleteTOUCHDOWN!
ReplyDeleteIn the end, he had the key qualifications: young, willing to work cheap, and a Harvard pedigree!
ReplyDeleteLets hope it works out better than hiring Bill Belichek's assistants his worked out for NFL rivals hoping the magic dust will rub off on them!
All in all a ridiculous effort by Yale.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent of a Yale player recruited by Tony Reno I am very excited and upbeat about the future of Yale football. Tony will deliver and put Yale back at the top. This is incredibly great news.
ReplyDeleteWe won't know if it's the right choice until we see how he does. I was hoping for Cecchini but am excited to support Reno and hope he can do well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim, bad info is part of the job. As a Dad of a current player, I'm just glad this will be done and we can all look forward to moving on to re-instill Yale football pride.
ReplyDeleteNot a head coach, and not a coordinator. On the other hand, HC is a very different role than Coordinator. Mike Tomlin was only a coordinator for one year at every level. Wade Phillips is a great defensive coordinator, yet clearly not a good head coach. Reno seems to excel at two things that are core talents in a successful head coach: recruiting and motivation. Hopefully, he can also manage effectively.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the prediction for which asst coaches will be retained?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind remarks about my submission, but I was wrong. Should Mr. Reno have misunderstood what is being offered or should he be chained to a radiator in the Dillon Field House, there's always NEWT!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what his plan will be regarding the assistants. It wouldn't surprise me if he kept Brooks and Flanders since he worked with them in the past. I'm sure it will come up at the press conference but not expecting he'll be ready to divulge what he is thinking about his staff.
ReplyDeleteby any means necessary, Hynson need to stay
ReplyDeleteYes, the process to get to Coach Reno was publically messy,but as a former player's parent, I look forward to the success of this young, bright, energetic and hungry coach, who is also a man of honesty and integrity. Our sons will benefit from his mentorship as well as his football prowess. He is smart enough to surround himself with talented assistants. Way to go, Yale. Wishing you every success Coach Reno.
ReplyDeleteJim, do you really think any current coach from the defense will be asked back?
ReplyDeleteI do not have sense of what he will do regarding the assistants. Rick Flanders was the defensive coordinator of some very productive defenses with the help of Brooks and Reno. This is a key recruiting time so letting go of his assistants now would not be a smart move. Time will tell which ones stay.
ReplyDeleteBeckett should be fired. This whole ordeal was a disgrace. Williams should not have been forced to resign in the first place. Three candidates turn it down before Reno is finally offered and accepts the job. The search should begin for a new AD.
ReplyDeleteCoach Reno recruited my son. This guy has "winner" written all over him. I am positively thrilled he got the job. In fact, I was the first to throw his name out for consideration on this blog ("hire the coach who got away").
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Coach Reno. I am certain you will be the bright, young coach Yale benefits from in order to bring the Bulldogs back to prominence. Meanwhile, and more importantly, I have 100% faith it will all be done with character, integrity, positive energy and enthusiasm. This is a great day for Yale Football.
"He is smart enough to surround himself with talented assistants."
ReplyDeleteIF there are any available at this late stage.
In particular, a quality offensive coordinator will be crucial. Reno seems to have plenty of defensive experience, and--potentially--a solid DC available to him (Flanders).
Think Cecchini would be interested in a lateral transfer?! (just kidding...but wistfully so)
An OC? Hey, Rick Neuheisel isn't doing much these days (just kidding...).
ReplyDelete