:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52749341/107843695.0.jpg)
UPDATE: UConn has confirmed the hiring of Crocker.
Welcome to Billy Crocker, new Defensive Coordinator pic.twitter.com/p6nCCFGuuG
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) January 14, 2017
Original Post
According to Kevin Nathan from NBC Connecticut, the Connecticut Huskies have poached Villanova Wildcats defensive coordinator Billy Crocker away from the Main Line.
Breaking news: #nbcct sports has learned that Waterford native Billy Crocker is leaving DC job at Villanova to be @UConnFootball def. coor.
— Kevin Nathan (@KevinNathanNBC) January 14, 2017
Nothing has been confirmed by UConn as of Saturday morning, but a couple of thoughts on this.
First, a huge congrats to Coach Crocker. Since taking over the defense in 2012 he has turned the unit into a force to be reckoned with, culminating in this past season’s #1 ranked defense in the FCS. That type of production was always going to put him on the shortlist for a bigger job, and now he has it. Best of luck to him.
On Villanova’s side, this definitely hurts. The transition from Andy Talley to Mark Ferrante has been smooth sailing so far, so this is the first bump (had to). Recruiting has been solid, and the defense was set to return a lot of starters from last year’s group.
We’ll wait for the official confirmation, but it looks like Ferrante has a big coaching spot to fill.