December 12, 2006
Our Prediction That Dorrell Is Gone By ‘08 Gaining Support
Since our prediction on this blog and on ESPN Radio that Karl Dorrell will not be the head coach of UCLA Football in 2008, there have been a couple of reports to that affect in the MSM. We are hearing that The Sporting News this week issued in their print editions a report about Dorrell being considered an NFL coaching prospect if not this year certainly next year. ESPN’s Mason & Ireland thought we were “insane” to think that KD would be jumping to the NFL at the end of next season since, among other reasons, they did not think he was “ready.” We never said he was ready, we only said that he would go. Two different things.
Whether Karl Dorrell will coach in the NFL is not entirely dependent on his capabilities. If KD goes 9-3 next year, maybe even 8-4 (if there are no blowouts), that will be enough for interviews. And as the print edition of The Sporting News also apparently states, and as we have noted, KD’s dream is to coach in the NFL. He has not made a secret of that.
Looking at it rationally, it makes sense that KD will jump before the ‘08 season as he will lose 20 seniors next year, most of them starters. KD’s reputation will never be as good as it will be at the end of next season because 2008 will surely be another down year. He should not risk coming back in 2008. Imagine the damage that will do to his NFL coaching aspirations if he did … (after the 2008 season) no Pac-10 championships, 4 down years out of 6, 1 win against SC, no BCS bowl games … in 6 years. Not exactly a stellar resume.
For KD to get real respect, the kind that doesn’t depend on gimme wins, the kind that remains after rebuilding years, he needs to win the Pac-10. Next year is his best shot by far, as we have said. Now the MSM is beginning to make the same case.
