Now-former Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall was hired to coach at the University of Maryland, yesterday, which is odd, considering he turned down the opportunity to coach Syracuse, his alma mater, in 2009 and because his team was dominated by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Edsall had been the only coach of UConn since their rise to the FBS, guiding the team to their first bowl game in 2004, and their first BCS bowl this season. After arranging the deal, Edsall his best Lane Kiffin impression by not addressing his team about the decision.
Edsall did not accompany the team on its charter flight back to Connecticut, and players said he told them nothing of his coaching plans after the Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma. A freshman who asked not to be identified told the Hartford Courant that Edsall informed some of his players over the phone.
“It really pisses me off because he made [running back] Jordan [Todman] address the team last night to say he was leaving [for the NFL draft],” said the freshman, who also expressed his desire to transfer. “And he isn’t man enough to do it face to face to us?
“A lot of people were just really upset by the call. He made Todman get up and tell the whole team: ‘Jordan, I think you have something to say to these guys.’ He made him do it face-to-face. But he didn’t do it face-to-face.” –ESPN.com
A pretty scumbag move from Edsall, who was also a candidate to fill the Notre Dame vacancy last season. Edsall replaces Ralph Friedgren, who was let go despite having another year left on his contract. Initial reports said that Maryland made the move in order to grab Mike Leach while he was available, but that would make too much sense, considering his strong recruiting ties to Texas, and success in a more competitive conference. Maryland, however, decided to go with Edsall, who recruited heavily from New England prep schools and went 5-2 in his best season in the abysmal Big East. Personally, I would have gone with Leach, but I’m biased because of my disdain for UConn and the spoiled children of ESPN analysts.
