Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press
Jim Mora wants to win a national championship at UConn. That is what Mora said when he was recently interviewed by the CT Insider. He was asked what he needs to prove at the school.
“That I can lead a team to a national championship,” Mora said. “In the NFL, I didn’t achieve my ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. I got very close but didn’t ever get it done. That bothers me. At this level, I understand where we’re sitting right now. People will look at that statement and say, ‘He’s a fool. Can’t win a national championship at UConn.’ Well, I have to believe that, ultimately.”
On the surface that may seem unrealistic but when you coach at a school that has one of the best overall athletic departments in the country, it is not as unrealistic as you might think.
The football world might scoff at the notion of Mora thinking he can win a national championship at UConn but he has to believe that. He is setting a standard within the football program. A championship standard. If you are not competing for championships, then why are you competing at all?
UConn is not currently positioned to win a national title but if they can find their way into a conference in the next one to three years, it is possible down the road to compete for one, especially with the expanded playoff.
What makes it possible is the facilities and the commitment from the school. The athletic program is a national program that has had success in all four major sports recently. The administration wants to build on the success of those programs, especially the basketball programs. They want football to be good.
At 61, Mora has openly said he plans on coaching into his 70’s. Whether that is at UConn or not remains to be seen. He is healthy, vibrant and passionate about the game. When asked when he envisions the school winning a title, Mora was more realistic in terms of his thought process.
“I’m not talking about this year. But we can. And that’s what I’m working towards. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do this.”
As far as the rumors circulating that UConn might join the Big 12, Mora is in favor of the move despite the fact that it could be complicated with the Big East and basketball.
“Eventually, I would love, from a football standpoint, for us to be a Power Five program,” Mora said. “I see some of the push-back that people have when there are rumors out there because of the Big East and basketball, and I can appreciate that. I don’t have the history here at UConn or in the Northeast or in the Big East to understand all the complexities of it and the history and the emotions that’s been involved with the change. I’m ignorant to some of that stuff. So I just see it through the glass of the head football coach that says he wants to be in a Power Five conference and compete for a championship. But I know this: It’s not up to me.”
Mora raised the expectations at UConn after his first season. His comments reinforce his desire to make UConn a player in major college football. Simply winning six games and being Bowl eligible is not enough. He wants more.
Winning a national championship at UConn might be a long shot but if Mora can make the program a consistent bowl participant and one that can win nine or more games a season, he has done his job. National championship or not.
Building a consistently successful program requires a championship mentality. That’s what Mora is trying to instill in his players and the program. There is nothing wrong with thinking that way. Realistic or not.
All quotes in the story were part of an interview with CT Insider. The quotes in the story are courtesy of CT Insider.