UConn hires longtime assistant Mazzone as an analyst
If the UConn football team’s offensive struggles had only to do with energy or focus, interim coach Lou Spanos’ electric personality alone would be the charge in the Huskies lighting up a scoreboard.
The situation is not so simple, though. It’s very complicated.
So UConn is bringing in some help.
The Huskies have hired Noel Mazzone, a longtime college football assistant coach and offensive coordinator, as an analyst.
Mazzone, 64, was most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona in 201820. His three jobs prior to that were as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, UCLA and Arizona State.
Mazzone and Spanos were on the UCLA staff together in 2012, with Spanos as defensive coordinator. Spanos was promoted last week in the wake of Randy Edsall’s departure.
“I worked with him, had success with him,” Spanos, who was an analyst under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2018, said during his weekly virtual press conference. “I value his philosophy and knowledge of the game. I
thought he would help our staff — offense and defense and special teams — with his wealth of knowledge. So we’re looking forward to him helping us out.”
Mazzone is under contract for one week, with a $2,500 stipend. His deal expires Sept. 21, at which point UConn can revisit his status. If Mazzone were made a “countable” member of the coaching staff, perhaps offensive coordinator, UConn would have to remove a coach from the staff.
In the meantime, as an analyst, Mazzone can observe and game-plan and communicate, but he is not permitted to serve as an on-field, active coach. UConn’s offensive coordinator is Frank Giufre, also the team’s offensive line
coach.
The Huskies (0-3) have been shutout in both of their games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, 45-0 at Fresno State and 49-0 Saturday at home against Purdue. Mix in a 38-28 loss to Holy Cross, of the Football Championship Subdivision, and UConn is averaging 9.3 points a game, which ranks 128th out of 130 FBS teams.
“We have weapons,” Spanos said. “We have to put them in the best position to be successful.”
UConn plays Saturday at Army. Jack Zergiotis started the first two games at quarterback before being replaced by Steven Krajewski, who is listed as Saturday’s starter on the depth chart. Spanos said Wednesday that position would continue to be evaluated in advance of the game.
There have been issues at every position. The Huskies
are averaging 194.3 yards a game and 2.9 yards per play, both ranking 129th in FBS.
“I think he’s a big help,” freshman running back Nate Carter said of Mazzone’s presence. “He’s definitely opening our eyes to
how we run things, offensively, as far as running and scheme-wise, RPOs. Throughout practice and throughout the week he’s going to be able to help us in how to ... use our talent to the best of our ability.”
When Randy Edsall
departed Sept. 6, Spanos was promoted from his role as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Jarren Horton was promoted to defensive coordinator and safeties coach after serving as the Huskies star/nickel/dime coach. Jake Bahr, previously a graduate assistant and in a role of quality control, was promoted to linebackers coach.
Mazzone is originally from Mount Vernon, Washington, and played quarterback at New Mexico, where he started his coaching career as a graduate assistant.
His first job as an offensive coordinator was at Oregon State in 2002. He was the offensive coordinator at N.C. State in 2003-04 and Ole Miss in 2005. He coached three seasons in the NFL with the Jets under Hartford native Eric Mangini, as wide receivers
coach in 2006-08.
“I want to welcome Noel to the UConn football family and I look forward to him providing valuable support to our coaching staff,” athletic director David Benedict said in a statement. “We haven’t gotten off to the start we had hoped for but we will continue to do everything we can to achieve success on the field this season.”
Spanos’ debut as head coach was a 49-0 home loss to Purdue, just five days after he was promoted. He’s been charismatic, energetic and optimistic.
“I’m enjoying the experience,” he said. “It’s all about our players. Every time I see them, I have a smile on my face. Even every time I talk to them, there’s a smile on my face.”