The phone of UConn AD Warde Manuel was getting plenty of use on Wednesday as Manuel was closing in on the hiring of Notre Dame defensive coordinator as the Huskies' new football coach.

Manuel ignored the majority of incoming calls but when he saw a call from UConn Hall of Fame women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, he knew it was in his best interest to answer the call.

Auriemma was as curious as many others in the state on where Manuel stood in hiring a coach. He certainly got his answer.

"I called and said 'hey Warde, how's the search going?'" Auriemma said after Sunday's practice. "He said 'I think we are close, I think we are hiring a coach and as a matter of fact, he is right here do you want to say hi?' I said hi and that was it. It was just a five-minute conversation but he sure sounds like the kind of guy who can get people motivated. When you are an established program, your program speaks for itself and it may not be as urgent. But when you are a program that is trying to make a national impact, we had that, we had a national impact we went to the Fiesta Bowl but I think on the big scheme of things if you are going to make a splash and you are do some things a little different and he seems to be a little different, I think he is going to shake things up for sure and I am anxious to see it."

BIG PLANS FOR JIMMY BENNETT

It's a special time for UConn offensive tackle Jimmy Bennett who finished up his classwork at UConn, is set to play in the Medal of Honor Bowl on Jan. 11 in Charleston, S.C. which could be a major step as he looks to embark on a career in professional football.

Did I miss anytihng? Oh yeah, he proposed to his girlfriend - former UConn forward Heather Buck who said yes.

Current UConn center Stefanie Dolson said she is thrilled for Buck and Bennett.

"Super excited, I was really happy for her," Dolson said. "They are awesome, they are the perfect couple. First of all, they are both huge and secondly, they are cute together. They are great people and I am very happy for them."