(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.