On Monday morning, the UConn Huskies announced the firing of head coach Bob Diaco.
You never want to be on either side of a job firing, especially during the holidays. But on Monday morning, the UConn Huskies announced the firing of head coach Bob Diaco.
The Huskies just wrapped up a dismal 3-9 season, which saw them rank dead last in points scored. UConn was barely able to manage 14 points per game this year. During one particularly dismal three-game stretch, the Huskies failed to reach the end zone on even one occasion.
UConn fires head football coach Bob Diaco a month after the season. https://t.co/73vQbZ1NFy
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 26, 2016
Diaco finishes his tenure at UConn with a 11-26 record. The team had high expectations for 2016, after going 6-7 in 2015 and reaching its first bowl game in five years. A quick 3-0 start had UConn looking good, but it would lose its final nine games by a combined score of 130-16. Ouch!
Athletic director David Benedict issued a statement regarding the dismissal.
"I believe a new leader for our program and student-athletes is needed to build long-term success. I am grateful to Coach Diaco and his staff for thier hard work and the integrity with which they ran the program and certainly wish them future success.I know this may come as a surprise to our fans and supporters given the timing of the decision. However, it became apparent to me that a change in program direction is necessary at this time."
Diaco issued his own statement, thanking the administration, staff and fans of UConn for their passion and support over the previous three seasons. He noted that he would be rooting for their success in the future.
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The school announced that athletic department officials will begin reviewing head coaching options immediately, and would update fans throughout the process.