With Jim L. Mora Leaving for Colorado State, Who is Favored to Coach UConn in 2026? Who is the Top Candidate to Replace Jim L. Mora?
Full Story on Mora Leaving UConn
The Huskies have now accomplished at least nine wins in a season for the second straight year. In fact, UConn wants to achieve its first 10-win campaign since going 10-3 in 1998. Now that the program is now winning games consistently, head coach Jim L. Mora became a hot name in the coaching carousel across the country. Therefore, Mora will leave UConn after four seasons as head coach. He recently accepted a similar role for the Colorado State Rams on a five-year deal, replacing Jay Norvell. Offensive Coordinator Gordon Sammis will guide the team for the upcoming bowl game.
At the time of the coaching change, the 9-3 Huskies entered December on a four-game winning streak. Perhaps the biggest win of the season came on November 8, when UConn defeated the Duke Blue Devils 37-34. The Huskies became the 19th school to change football coaches along with Eric Morris (North Texas), Ryan Silverfield (Memphis), Bob Chesney (James Madison), Jon Sumrall (Tulane), Alex Golesh (South Florida), Mark Stoops (Kentucky), Justin Wilcox (California), Hugh Freeze (Auburn), Brian Kelly (LSU), Billy Napier (Florida), Trent Dilfer (UAB), James Franklin (Penn State), Jay Norvell, (Colorado State), Trent Bray (Oregon State), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Brent Pry (Virginia Tech), and DeShaun Foster (UCLA).
Jim L. Mora’s Career with the UConn Huskies
Mora took over as the leading man in East Hartford in 2022 after the retirement of Randy Edsall. The former guided the Huskies to two bowl games, including last season’s Fenway Bowl victory vs. North Carolina. UConn has now accomplished a winning season in consecutive years for the first time since 2007-2010. Also, the program is seeking to win two bowl games in a row for the first time since 2008-2009. Overall, Jim L. Mora compiled a 27-23 record (no conference play because of independent status and 1-1 in bowl games).
Before becoming the Huskies’ head coach in 2022, Mora was the team’s offensive analyst for the 2021 campaign. He does have prior head coaching experience for UCLA (2012-2017), Seattle Seahawks (2009), and Atlanta Falcons (2004-2006). Morris took the Bruins to four postseason appearances and a Top 10 finish in the college football rankings in 2014. He also led the Falcons to the 2004 NFC Championship Game, but ended up losing to Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles. His father, Jim E., coached the New Orleans Saints (1986-1996) and Indianapolis Colts (1998-2001)
What’s Next for the UConn Huskies?
Many Huskies football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Jim L. Mora in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Mora as UConn Huskies Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Jim L. Mora as UConn HC
Internal Candidates
Gordon Sammis-UConn
- Columbia OL Coach (2013-2014)
- VMI OL Coach (2015-2016)
- Lafayette OL Coach (2017-2018)
- William & Mary OL Coach (2019-2021)
- UConn OL Coach (2022-2023)
- Huskies OC (2023-2025)
- UConn Interim HC (2025-Present)
Top Head Coach Candidates for UConn Huskies to Consider
Joe Moorhead-Akron
- Akron Offensive Coordinator (2006-2008)
- UConn QB Coach (2009-2011)
- Fordham HC (2012-2015)
- Penn State OC (2016-2017)
- Mississippi State HC (2018-2019)
- Oregon HC (2020-2021)
- Akron HC (2022-Present)
Ryan Carty-Delaware
- New Hampshire WR Coach (2010-2011)
- New Hampshire OC (2012-2017)
- Sam Houston State OC (2018-2021)
- Delaware HC (2022-Present)
Jeff Monken-Army
- Georgia Southern RB Coach (1997-2001)
- Navy RB Coach (2002-2007)
- Georgia Tech RB Coach (2008-2009)
- Georgia Southern HC (2010-2013)
- Army HC (2014-Present)
K.C. Keeler-Temple
- Rowan Assistant Coach (1986-1992)
- Rowan HC (1993-2001)
- Delaware HC (2002-2012)
- Sam Houston State HC (2014-2024)
- Temple HC (2025-Present)
Leading Candidate to Replace Jim L. Mora as Huskies HC in 2026
Tony Reno-Yale
- Worcester State DC (1998-2002)
- Yale WR Coach (2003)
- Yale DB Coach (2004-2008)
- Harvard Safeties Coach (2009-2011)
- Yale HC (2012-Present)
Coaching Candidates from Other Schools:
Thanks for reading the Leading Candidate to Replace Jim L. Mora as UConn HC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
