Our newest edition of Husky Talk on the podcast with guests Courtney Williams and Dennis Callaghan who were both fierce competitors on the offensive line.
Starting with Courtney, originally a walk on and came to UConn after graduation for summer school which was a requirement for admission. He ended up joining the team and learning the game as a scout team player.
Dennis was from Michigan and UConn was not even on his radar. He expected to attend a MAC school before he was won over by the Huskies and made his way to Storrs.
Both have unique journeys that are incredible. Courtney was undersized while Offensive Line coach Hudson took a liking to his work ethic, foot speed, and he became known as the Jedi for his development.
Dennis traveled as a freshman because only 3 offensive linemen were part of that class and one ended up quitting. This was 1994 and Skip Holtz in his first year at UConn wanted to change the culture.
The group really became a family and bonded because they did redshirt together. Future classes included Corey Derfuss, Mike Sasson, Jamie Harper, Mark Campoli, Steve Darby and Mike Burton.
Dennis and Courtney credit the success of the 1998 season to an attitude that was built over the summer before the season. Strength coach Mike Golden put the group to work, instilled toughness, along with a mentality that nobody could stop them.
A huge reason I went to UConn and committed early was because I saw how dominant they were up front. Dennis being a captain said he was not a rah rah type of leader, he led by example because he was going to knock you on your ass one way or another.
Talent like QB Shane Stafford, Recolon Jumpp with Barry Chandler, along with a young Taber Small in the backfield. John Fitzsimmons, Tory Taylor, Steven O'Conner some of the wide receivers in the country.
Courtney and Dennis said it best, they were versatile and could beat you however you wanted. Load up the box to stop RC Jumpp and Barry Chandler, please have at it. The Pup, Shane Stafford was going to light it up throwing to Fitz, Tory, Okie, Wendall McDuffie...it didn't matter, Shane was going to shred you if that box was loaded.
Ok, you want to spread out and cover the pass, be my guest. You had fullbacks that played with reckless abandon in Chad Martin RIP... or Fezzie coming downhill on iso or power to make you feel every pound of his 260. Dennis, Courtney, Harper, Burton, Sasson, Campoli, Derfuss, Darby, knocking people around and creating holes. Two-star RBs who ran HARD in RC and Barry Chandler with a touch a Taber Small to having a powerful running attack. Also being smart in the passing game picking up blitzes. A mentality created by new offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo or coach Guge as he was referred to.
Not to take away anything from the defense. Ron Gamble,, Chad Cook, Ronnel Jumpp, Chad Smith, Jeff Delucia, they all were a big piece to the puzzle of the 1998 UConn Football team.
Courtney and Dennis tell it perfect; they beat the eventual National Champions UMass....TWICE and I attended both games, which made me decide to commit to UConn early. Courtney and Dennis were a little nervous coming in, but they loosened up and told some amazing stories. Thank you for coming on the podcast.
Husky Talk is going to air weekly, any alums who would like to come on, we would love to hear your story and journey through UConn football, as well as life, please DM or email me at scully7958@gmail.com if you would like to be a guest.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CGl57YdaRHhQj0oUiE1Px?si=f8Wh0P7xSQKsmNB6h-Y_Yw
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/husky-talk-the-jedi-with-the-captain/id1652970662?i=1000654348514
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b1acd0c-20cf-4fda-a1b0-18e18ac54cca/episodes/b3da49b5-4b90-4f36-babf-2f4e43ec8232/cully-husky-talk--the-jedi-with-the-captain
