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UConn back on the loss column, going down at Syracuse 1-0. Losing this one is bad enough, but it could have been a lot worse. UConn was outshot 12-3, and had a huge 10-1 disadvantage in corner kicks.
We can blame a certain amount of play on AAC recruiting difficulty, but an arse whooping like that is more coaching than recruiting.UConn back on the loss column, going down at Syracuse 1-0. Losing this one is bad enough, but it could have been a lot worse. UConn was outshot 12-3, and had a huge 10-1 disadvantage in corner kicks.
We can blame a certain amount of play on AAC recruiting difficulty, but an arse whooping like that is more coaching than recruiting.
A few years ago, a former volunteer team manager and lifelong UConn soccer fan wrote a devastating post on his tenure. He was shocked over the unrelenting bullying and abusive treatment players and staff received from RR in practice, games and work. The post was criticized for being unbelievable and yet it had insider details and all of RR's crude language and mannerisms. The post was also laced with a palpable sense of disappointment and read true! After the horrible events at Penn State and Michigan were uncovered, I wondered if our Administration would allow a powerfully connected UConn coach mentally abuse his players and staff and create a hostile work environment with impunity?
In a 2018 "Soccer America" article, RR gave the following advice to parents that wanted their children to grow into college level players. "You should push them as hard as you can. Challenge them daily...Make every day difficult for them. Get them comfortable with being uncomfortable." Context is important here, this was his advice for children and teenagers! So, what is it like for his players and staff?
Imagine you are young man training, playing, or working under RR today. It is 24/7 and 10/12 (months) of being uncomfortable with no down time ever. No breaks, weekends off, social activities, holidays, relationships, studying, or family events because all are signs of weakness of character and unwillingness to commit to the Cult of Reid...I mean UConn Soccer. You are an athlete-student first with education a distant second or even fifth to the game. As for injuries, they are also a weakness of character and you should play through them no matter what the cost to your overall health or soccer career. "You have to go through hell (me) to get to heaven!" is a favorite RR quote.
Also, lets define RR's version of being "uncomfortable" - It is the highest level of stress possible day in and day out with personal attacks on your character, play, ability, toughness, intelligence, heart and physical characteristics (body shaming) all in front of your teammates, coaches and staff. It is constant psychological manipulation filled with attacks on your confidence in order to break you down to quit because only the toughest survive. Again, context is important. RR is dealing with impressionable and still maturing young men - not professional players or adults who can fight back. The promise of playing time, scholarships, time-off, travel, and career contacts are the carrots, while the sticks are outlined above! There is no such thing as "positive reinforcement" in his tool box and constant negativity permeates the program, while being endorsed by the AD and Compliance!
Allegedly, this past spring, the AD could no longer ignore the mountain of letters, emails, and surveys from parents, donors, university staff and current and former players all calling for an investigation into RR's erratic behavior both behind closed doors and in front of fans during games. (Did you ever see one of his wild outburst where he runs onto the pitch, delaying the game, having to be held back by his staff while screaming, spitting, and swearing at an official for a perceived bad call? Parents with children were the most pleased with his role model behavior, while university staff were so very proud of a co-worker!) Compliance quietly held interviews among random players and staff, many of whom feared retaliation from RR's well known vindictiveness, but enough stepped up and told the truth. To the staffers' shock, a number of the allegations proved true and they documented the UConn and possible NCAA policy violations. They reported their finding to the AD and he recommended RR's immediate dismissal and followed through without pause!
No, of course not! The AD recommend RR receive a slap on the wrist after all what's a little bullying and mental abuse compared to self-dealing ($350K), another potential lawsuit ($1M+), negative press for not stopping his behavior years ago (AD's job), and pissing off a prominent soccer donor ($8M). RR was to tone down his behavior and treatment toward players and staff, as well as stop forcing them to work for minimum and sporadic wage at his for-profit summer soccer camps. In return, RR was allowed to coach this year and the first year at the new soccer stadium; whenever it is completed! Just an informal "good old boy" deal that any UConn employee would have received.
Thankfully, the players were not forgotten, for being berated, shamed, embarrassed, punished, pressured, isolated and mentally abused they received a confidential hotline where they could report such abuse! In other words, they could report already proven abusive treatment that has been going on for years! (The rumor on Coach Deeley is fuzzy. He may have been asked to retire early so his salary could be used for Coach Miller's bump in order to keep him on staff after being offered the Rutgers head coach position. Allegedly! See players can leave en masse but not a coach that may look bad for the legacy.)
As for the players, I have met and dealt with many of them on campus. I have found them bright, articulate, driven, tough, aware and talented. I do not buy into the premise that they are lesser quality players from years past or that the conference plays into recruiting. Just review their bios to see their qualifications and experience. (On second thought skip the foreign players' bios since they are unusually thin!?) The starter's current play is just a typical human reaction to overwhelming stress, pressure, abuse, and playing injured. Try being at your peak at work while being micromanaged, screamed at, and told constantly that you are not worthy!
Also, the fear of making a single mistake and the threat of being immediately benched hangs over their robotic, cautious, and predictable play as well. Soccer is a game of flow, creativity (mistakes) and teamwork but not at UConn. The addition of so many new players, for a total of 36-players on the roster at one point, was insane and guaranteed a fractured team and loss of any group cohesion gained over the prior fall and spring seasons. There are now enough players for 3 "divided" teams and what is the point in having that many players when RR continues playing the same ones getting the same poor results? This toxic environment also explains the revolving door at the end of each season where starters, subs and bench players alike leave the program! Negative reinforcement only works for a brief period of time and for this team it is two years before a player learns that this is not a normal or healthy situation and leaves for self-preservation. Given their record, I wonder how many players will be leaving this late fall?
RR desires one more championship to cap his career and legacy. Unfortunately, it will come at a steep cost with the blood, sweat, tears, careers and education of the players. I estimate well over one-hundred players have been negatively impacted by RR's abusive and erratic behavior and were forced to leave both the sport and university they loved. No parent should send their son to play for this toxic coach and program; especially Connecticut parents since, sadly, your boys are just practice dummies and you pay taxes and tuition to support this school! So, to the Administration, "Is one person's tainted legacy worth the mental health of all those former, current and future players and staff? Is anyone accountable?"
If this is true (not questioning you, I just have no way to corroborate any of this), whoever this is should go to the AD or the University President. If that does not work, go to the press or your local State rep if you live in Connecticut.
A few years ago, a former volunteer team manager and lifelong UConn soccer fan wrote a devastating post on his tenure. He was shocked over the unrelenting bullying and abusive treatment players and staff received from RR in practice, games and work. The post was criticized for being unbelievable and yet it had insider details and all of RR's crude language and mannerisms. The post was also laced with a palpable sense of disappointment and read true! After the horrible events at Penn State and Michigan were uncovered, I wondered if our Administration would allow a powerfully connected UConn coach mentally abuse his players and staff and create a hostile work environment with impunity?
In a 2018 "Soccer America" article, RR gave the following advice to parents that wanted their children to grow into college level players. "You should push them as hard as you can. Challenge them daily...Make every day difficult for them. Get them comfortable with being uncomfortable." Context is important here, this was his advice for children and teenagers! So, what is it like for his players and staff?
Imagine you are young man training, playing, or working under RR today. It is 24/7 and 10/12 (months) of being uncomfortable with no down time ever. No breaks, weekends off, social activities, holidays, relationships, studying, or family events because all are signs of weakness of character and unwillingness to commit to the Cult of Reid...I mean UConn Soccer. You are an athlete-student first with education a distant second or even fifth to the game. As for injuries, they are also a weakness of character and you should play through them no matter what the cost to your overall health or soccer career. "You have to go through hell (me) to get to heaven!" is a favorite RR quote.
Also, lets define RR's version of being "uncomfortable" - It is the highest level of stress possible day in and day out with personal attacks on your character, play, ability, toughness, intelligence, heart and physical characteristics (body shaming) all in front of your teammates, coaches and staff. It is constant psychological manipulation filled with attacks on your confidence in order to break you down to quit because only the toughest survive. Again, context is important. RR is dealing with impressionable and still maturing young men - not professional players or adults who can fight back. The promise of playing time, scholarships, time-off, travel, and career contacts are the carrots, while the sticks are outlined above! There is no such thing as "positive reinforcement" in his tool box and constant negativity permeates the program, while being endorsed by the AD and Compliance!
Allegedly, this past spring, the AD could no longer ignore the mountain of letters, emails, and surveys from parents, donors, university staff and current and former players all calling for an investigation into RR's erratic behavior both behind closed doors and in front of fans during games. (Did you ever see one of his wild outburst where he runs onto the pitch, delaying the game, having to be held back by his staff while screaming, spitting, and swearing at an official for a perceived bad call? Parents with children were the most pleased with his role model behavior, while university staff were so very proud of a co-worker!) Compliance quietly held interviews among random players and staff, many of whom feared retaliation from RR's well known vindictiveness, but enough stepped up and told the truth. To the staffers' shock, a number of the allegations proved true and they documented the UConn and possible NCAA policy violations. They reported their finding to the AD and he recommended RR's immediate dismissal and followed through without pause!
No, of course not! The AD recommend RR receive a slap on the wrist after all what's a little bullying and mental abuse compared to self-dealing ($350K), another potential lawsuit ($1M+), negative press for not stopping his behavior years ago (AD's job), and pissing off a prominent soccer donor ($8M). RR was to tone down his behavior and treatment toward players and staff, as well as stop forcing them to work for minimum and sporadic wage at his for-profit summer soccer camps. In return, RR was allowed to coach this year and the first year at the new soccer stadium; whenever it is completed! Just an informal "good old boy" deal that any UConn employee would have received.
Thankfully, the players were not forgotten, for being berated, shamed, embarrassed, punished, pressured, isolated and mentally abused they received a confidential hotline where they could report such abuse! In other words, they could report already proven abusive treatment that has been going on for years! (The rumor on Coach Deeley is fuzzy. He may have been asked to retire early so his salary could be used for Coach Miller's bump in order to keep him on staff after being offered the Rutgers head coach position. Allegedly! See players can leave en masse but not a coach that may look bad for the legacy.)
As for the players, I have met and dealt with many of them on campus. I have found them bright, articulate, driven, tough, aware and talented. I do not buy into the premise that they are lesser quality players from years past or that the conference plays into recruiting. Just review their bios to see their qualifications and experience. (On second thought skip the foreign players' bios since they are unusually thin!?) The starter's current play is just a typical human reaction to overwhelming stress, pressure, abuse, and playing injured. Try being at your peak at work while being micromanaged, screamed at, and told constantly that you are not worthy!
Also, the fear of making a single mistake and the threat of being immediately benched hangs over their robotic, cautious, and predictable play as well. Soccer is a game of flow, creativity (mistakes) and teamwork but not at UConn. The addition of so many new players, for a total of 36-players on the roster at one point, was insane and guaranteed a fractured team and loss of any group cohesion gained over the prior fall and spring seasons. There are now enough players for 3 "divided" teams and what is the point in having that many players when RR continues playing the same ones getting the same poor results? This toxic environment also explains the revolving door at the end of each season where starters, subs and bench players alike leave the program! Negative reinforcement only works for a brief period of time and for this team it is two years before a player learns that this is not a normal or healthy situation and leaves for self-preservation. Given their record, I wonder how many players will be leaving this late fall?
RR desires one more championship to cap his career and legacy. Unfortunately, it will come at a steep cost with the blood, sweat, tears, careers and education of the players. I estimate well over one-hundred players have been negatively impacted by RR's abusive and erratic behavior and were forced to leave both the sport and university they loved. No parent should send their son to play for this toxic coach and program; especially Connecticut parents since, sadly, your boys are just practice dummies and you pay taxes and tuition to support this school! So, to the Administration, "Is one person's tainted legacy worth the mental health of all those former, current and future players and staff? Is anyone accountable?"
Is there a link to this report that you can share?A few years ago, a former volunteer team manager and lifelong UConn soccer fan wrote a devastating post on his tenure. He was shocked over the unrelenting bullying and abusive treatment players and staff received from RR in practice, games and work. The post was criticized for being unbelievable and yet it had insider details and all of RR's crude language and mannerisms. The post was also laced with a palpable sense of disappointment and read true! After the horrible events at Penn State and Michigan were uncovered, I wondered if our Administration would allow a powerfully connected UConn coach mentally abuse his players and staff and create a hostile work environment with impunity?
In a 2018 "Soccer America" article, RR gave the following advice to parents that wanted their children to grow into college level players. "You should push them as hard as you can. Challenge them daily...Make every day difficult for them. Get them comfortable with being uncomfortable." Context is important here, this was his advice for children and teenagers! So, what is it like for his players and staff?
Imagine you are young man training, playing, or working under RR today. It is 24/7 and 10/12 (months) of being uncomfortable with no down time ever. No breaks, weekends off, social activities, holidays, relationships, studying, or family events because all are signs of weakness of character and unwillingness to commit to the Cult of Reid...I mean UConn Soccer. You are an athlete-student first with education a distant second or even fifth to the game. As for injuries, they are also a weakness of character and you should play through them no matter what the cost to your overall health or soccer career. "You have to go through hell (me) to get to heaven!" is a favorite RR quote.
Also, lets define RR's version of being "uncomfortable" - It is the highest level of stress possible day in and day out with personal attacks on your character, play, ability, toughness, intelligence, heart and physical characteristics (body shaming) all in front of your teammates, coaches and staff. It is constant psychological manipulation filled with attacks on your confidence in order to break you down to quit because only the toughest survive. Again, context is important. RR is dealing with impressionable and still maturing young men - not professional players or adults who can fight back. The promise of playing time, scholarships, time-off, travel, and career contacts are the carrots, while the sticks are outlined above! There is no such thing as "positive reinforcement" in his tool box and constant negativity permeates the program, while being endorsed by the AD and Compliance!
Allegedly, this past spring, the AD could no longer ignore the mountain of letters, emails, and surveys from parents, donors, university staff and current and former players all calling for an investigation into RR's erratic behavior both behind closed doors and in front of fans during games. (Did you ever see one of his wild outburst where he runs onto the pitch, delaying the game, having to be held back by his staff while screaming, spitting, and swearing at an official for a perceived bad call? Parents with children were the most pleased with his role model behavior, while university staff were so very proud of a co-worker!) Compliance quietly held interviews among random players and staff, many of whom feared retaliation from RR's well known vindictiveness, but enough stepped up and told the truth. To the staffers' shock, a number of the allegations proved true and they documented the UConn and possible NCAA policy violations. They reported their finding to the AD and he recommended RR's immediate dismissal and followed through without pause!
No, of course not! The AD recommend RR receive a slap on the wrist after all what's a little bullying and mental abuse compared to self-dealing ($350K), another potential lawsuit ($1M+), negative press for not stopping his behavior years ago (AD's job), and pissing off a prominent soccer donor ($8M). RR was to tone down his behavior and treatment toward players and staff, as well as stop forcing them to work for minimum and sporadic wage at his for-profit summer soccer camps. In return, RR was allowed to coach this year and the first year at the new soccer stadium; whenever it is completed! Just an informal "good old boy" deal that any UConn employee would have received.
Thankfully, the players were not forgotten, for being berated, shamed, embarrassed, punished, pressured, isolated and mentally abused they received a confidential hotline where they could report such abuse! In other words, they could report already proven abusive treatment that has been going on for years! (The rumor on Coach Deeley is fuzzy. He may have been asked to retire early so his salary could be used for Coach Miller's bump in order to keep him on staff after being offered the Rutgers head coach position. Allegedly! See players can leave en masse but not a coach that may look bad for the legacy.)
As for the players, I have met and dealt with many of them on campus. I have found them bright, articulate, driven, tough, aware and talented. I do not buy into the premise that they are lesser quality players from years past or that the conference plays into recruiting. Just review their bios to see their qualifications and experience. (On second thought skip the foreign players' bios since they are unusually thin!?) The starter's current play is just a typical human reaction to overwhelming stress, pressure, abuse, and playing injured. Try being at your peak at work while being micromanaged, screamed at, and told constantly that you are not worthy!
Also, the fear of making a single mistake and the threat of being immediately benched hangs over their robotic, cautious, and predictable play as well. Soccer is a game of flow, creativity (mistakes) and teamwork but not at UConn. The addition of so many new players, for a total of 36-players on the roster at one point, was insane and guaranteed a fractured team and loss of any group cohesion gained over the prior fall and spring seasons. There are now enough players for 3 "divided" teams and what is the point in having that many players when RR continues playing the same ones getting the same poor results? This toxic environment also explains the revolving door at the end of each season where starters, subs and bench players alike leave the program! Negative reinforcement only works for a brief period of time and for this team it is two years before a player learns that this is not a normal or healthy situation and leaves for self-preservation. Given their record, I wonder how many players will be leaving this late fall?
RR desires one more championship to cap his career and legacy. Unfortunately, it will come at a steep cost with the blood, sweat, tears, careers and education of the players. I estimate well over one-hundred players have been negatively impacted by RR's abusive and erratic behavior and were forced to leave both the sport and university they loved. No parent should send their son to play for this toxic coach and program; especially Connecticut parents since, sadly, your boys are just practice dummies and you pay taxes and tuition to support this school! So, to the Administration, "Is one person's tainted legacy worth the mental health of all those former, current and future players and staff? Is anyone accountable?"
UCF scores with 2 seconds left in the first half to make it 1-0.
Oh come on. It's not that hard to "hang around" in soccer.