As Bob Diaco tries to guide a culture change to Connecticut and bring together a football family, Frank Verducci will be brought in as the new offensive coordinator.
Another New Jersey native, Verducci served as the tight ends and offensive tackles coach at the University of Northern Iowa last season and has an impressive resume that includes stints with three NFL teams.
With 31 years of coaching experience, Verducci is also a member of the Hayden Fry coaching tree and was an assistant at Iowa when Diaco played linebacker there.
As the new offensive coordinator, Verducci will primarily manage the running game and the hire will directly benefit the plethora of running backs in Ron Johnson, Max DeLorenzo, Arkeel Newsome and Joshua Marriner.
The Huskies ranked 116th nationally in rushing last year during their 2-10 campaign and the running backs only supplied five offensive touchdowns on the ground. Johnson, going into his sophomore year, was the only back to rush for more than one touchdown and have over 100 carries. Johnson proved himself worthy of the starting nod going into next year, but Newsome is another weapon that can be used in the open field.
The coaching changes continue with Wayne Lineburg moving from the receivers and special teams coach to be the new quarterbacks coach. Don Patterson, the former quarterback coach, will shift to managing the tight ends. David Corley will move from coaching the running backs to receivers and special teams.
The football coaching fraternity is alive and well with Verducci now in the mix, and Diaco’s second season now yields more expectations with changes on the field and on the sidelines.
Next year could go one of two ways. Either another year of transitioning to another level or the beginning of a new era at the Rent.
Diaco and ‘Ducci’s goal is the latter, rather than being a great start up name for an Italian restaurant chain.
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