Dallas Cowboys' DC Paul Pasqualoni To Coach UConn Huskies

A couple of days ago, it looked like former Miami (FL) offensive coordinator Mark Whipple was set to become the next coach at Connecticut.

A couple talks with representatives from arch-rival Syracuse changed Jeff Hathaway's mind.

The Huskies have reportedly agreed to a deal with Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and the 2010 Big East Champions and BCS representatives are expected to formally introduce the 61-year-old at a press conference on Friday.

Connecticut went 8-4 in the regular season in 2010, including 5-2 in the Big East, winning the conference and its BCS berth only seven seasons after joining the conference and nine after becoming a bowl-eligible FBS school.

The Huskies lost the Fiesta Bowl 48-20 to Oklahoma, though the score was close for most of the game. Following the game, Randy Edsall, who had coached the team from its final season in FCS in 1999, unexpectedly did not make the flight home to Storrs, instead flying straight to Maryland without informing his players and became the head coach of the Maryland Terrapins.

Under Edsall, the Huskies made the jump to Div. 1-A, now FBS, won a share of two Big East titles and won the BCS berth for the first time this year. The team's big wins under Edsall include winning against West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, South Carolina and a victory in South Bend over Notre Dame.

Pasqualoni coached Syracuse from 1991-2004, the year UConn joined the Big East. In his time there, he suffered only one season below .500, led Syracuse to nine bowl games and three BCS appearances, playing in the Orange Bowl in 1998 and the Fiesta Bowl in 1992 and 1997.

Along with his success at Syracuse, the decision to hire Pasqualoni is also about recruiting. Whipple is not considered a strong recruiter.

A huge advantage for Pasqualoni is his connection to Connecticut, which paid off at Syracuse. The Chesire native recruited several big name players from Connecticut, including Bloomfield native and Indianapolis Colts star Dwight Freeney and New Britain's Tebucky Jones, who starred in the New England Patriots' secondary on the team that won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Another point of interest in recruiting is the new hot target for the Huskies—Texas. As Big East champions in 2010, the Huskies have completed their ascension from the days of FCS football in Storrs and are now looking to stay on top. Pasqualoni has connections down in the Lone Star State, especially since he was the offensive coordinator at Dallas this year.

Texas Christian University, the nation's second ranked team and 2011 Rose Bowl champions, are joining the conference in 2012. As the team gets better, so does the prospect of playing there. Pasqualoni could help UConn gain some foothold in the area, as well as farther east in Florida, where he was the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, as they hope to stay in contention once TCU arrives.

All in all, this seems a good fit for the Huskies. Offense will be a big key next season. Youngster Michael Box looks to be the next starter and the Huskies lost several major pieces to their offense, including running back Jordan Todman, offensive lineman Zach Hurd, and fullback Anthony Sherman. With wide receivers Michael Smith and Kashif Moore set to return and with the dual running backs Robbie Frey and D.J. Shoemate, Pasqualoni may look to increase overall offensive production.

With the defense still looking good, as well as the special teams, this should be a good year for the Huskies, who many have in their preseason top 25 for 2011. This is a good move by Connecticut by getting Pasqualoni. Things will only look up for UConn.