College football never really sits still, does it? UConn’s program is right in the thick of that change, especially now with new head coach Jason Candle stepping in.
Candle takes over from Jim Mora and faces the tough task of rebuilding a roster that’s seen a ton of turnover. In his recent press conference on national signing day, Candle shared his way of tackling the chaos, putting a big emphasis on building a culture that actually keeps and develops players.
With over 70 new faces—more than 60 of them transfers—Candle’s strategy is getting plenty of attention. He wants to take UConn football somewhere new, and honestly, it’s a huge challenge.
Jason Candle’s Approach to Rebuilding UConn Football
When Candle agreed to lead UConn, he walked into a program in serious transition. After Jim Mora left for Colorado State, a wave of players followed him out, so Candle had to lean hard on transfers to fill out the roster.
He really believes in bringing in freshmen, developing them, and creating a place where people want to stay. But the transfer portal era doesn’t exactly make that easy, and he’s had to adapt fast.
The Challenge of the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal has completely changed how college football coaches recruit. With the NCAA cutting transfer windows down to just one in January, Candle and his staff had to make a ton of decisions almost overnight.
“It is a very challenging time in college athletics,” Candle said, making it clear that trying to piece together a roster with so many moving parts isn’t for the faint of heart.
Still, Candle seems pretty upbeat. He credits his staff for jumping in and putting together a group he thinks can compete. “Roster construction is more of an art than it is a science,” he said, which sounds about right. It’s all about finding the right people and building the right relationships.
The Importance of Development and Retention
Candle keeps coming back to player development and retention. “Development is paramount and as critical now as it has ever been,” he said. He wants a culture where players—whether they’re freshmen or transfers—can really grow.
That’s the kind of environment he thinks leads to success, not just quick fixes.
Building Relationships and Trust
At the center of Candle’s philosophy? Real relationships. He talks a lot about trust, communication, and respect. “Every relationship in my life or your life is based off three principles: trust, communication, and respect,” he explained.
He wants to build a team that’s tight-knit and ready for the pressures of college football. His years at Toledo, where he never had a losing season, definitely shaped this approach. A lot of the transfers and freshmen he brought in were originally headed to Toledo, which gives him a bit of a head start in building something new at UConn.
Key Additions to the Roster
One of the bigger names joining UConn is quarterback Bo Polston. Candle managed to flip him from Toledo to UConn, which is no small feat. Polston will compete with Kalieb Osborne, another Toledo transfer, and Jake Merklinger from Tennessee.
Candle seems genuinely excited about the quarterback room. He knows strong play at that position can make or break a season.
Intentional Recruiting
Candle’s recruiting style is pretty deliberate. He wants guys with good character who buy into the team’s goals. “I feel good about who they are as people,” he said, showing how much he values personality and mindset over just raw talent.
If you want more details or updates on UConn football and Candle’s plans, check out the full article on [CT Insider](https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-football/article/jason-candle-signing-day-transfer-portal-uconn-hus-21333706.php).
For more information and updates on UConn football, check out [CT Insider](https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-football/article/jason-candle-signing-day-transfer-portal-uconn-hus-21333706.php).
Stick around for more coverage and insights as the team moves through this big transition.
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