UConn Football Drops Fenway Bowl, Adds Key Piece to Coaching Staff with Ryan Manalac Hire
Saturday was a day of mixed emotions for UConn football. On the field, the Huskies came up short in the Fenway Bowl against Army. But off the field, they made a major move for the future, reportedly locking in Ryan Manalac as their new defensive coordinator.
According to multiple sources, Manalac has agreed to a two-year deal to join head coach Jason Candle’s staff. The move brings in a coach with a proven track record of developing defensive talent and calling plays at multiple levels of college football.
A Defensive Mind with a Strong Resume
Manalac arrives in Storrs after spending the past four seasons as the linebackers coach at Pitt, where he helped mold standout defenders, including First Team All-American Kyle Louis. Before Pitt, he called defenses at Bucknell and Old Dominion, giving him valuable experience running a unit-something that should pay immediate dividends for Candle as he builds out his first staff at UConn.
This hire follows another significant addition earlier in the week, when Candle brought in Nunzio Campanile to run the offense. Campanile most recently served as quarterbacks coach at Syracuse and brings his own brand of experience to the table. Together, Manalac and Campanile give Candle a strong foundation on both sides of the ball as he begins his tenure in Storrs.
Manalac’s Journey: From Bearcat to Husky
Before he was drawing up schemes on the sidelines, Manalac was a hard-nosed linebacker at Cincinnati. He played in 51 games for the Bearcats, racking up 115 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, and a reputation as a reliable, physical presence in the middle of the field. That playing experience has shaped his coaching identity-tough, disciplined, and detail-oriented.
Since hanging up his helmet, Manalac has made coaching stops at Michigan State, Valparaiso, Bucknell, Old Dominion, and Pitt. His versatility and experience at both Power Five and FCS levels give him a broad perspective, and perhaps more importantly, a deep understanding of how to build a defense that can adapt and compete.
Huskies Face a Pivotal Offseason
With the bowl game in the rearview mirror, UConn wraps up the season at 9-4-marking back-to-back nine-win campaigns. But this offseason promises to be one of transition. The coaching change from Jim Mora to Jason Candle is expected to trigger significant roster turnover, especially with the transfer portal opening next week.
The Huskies are already preparing to move forward without some of their biggest names. Quarterback Joe Fagnano and All-American wide receiver Skyler Bell are both graduating.
Bell, in particular, has drawn NFL interest and could be a high draft pick. Star running back Cam Edwards has entered the transfer portal, though it's still unclear whether he’ll ultimately leave the program.
For Candle and his new staff, that means a lot of work ahead-but also opportunity. With Manalac now in place to lead the defense, UConn has a coach who knows how to develop talent, install a system, and get the most out of his players. That’s exactly the kind of leadership this program needs as it navigates a critical stretch in its rebuild.
Around the UConn Campus
While football takes a breather, there’s plenty of action on the hardwood.
The UConn men’s basketball team, sitting at 11-1, is set to resume Big East play on Wednesday night against Xavier. The Huskies are 2-0 in conference after wins over Butler and DePaul.
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET in Cincinnati-mark your calendars, it’s New Year’s Eve.
Meanwhile, the top-ranked UConn women’s basketball team continues to roll. The Huskies are 12-0 and 3-0 in league play.
They’ll take the court Sunday afternoon against Butler, with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
It’s a busy time for UConn athletics-and with Ryan Manalac now officially on board, the football program just made a move that could shape the next chapter in a big way.