November 21, 2007
Dorrell Makes His Case For One More Year
Editor's Note. Tracy Pearson writes for the Press Enterprise, not the Press Telegram as we posted. The post has been corrected to reflect that fact.
The Daily Bruin ads have started to make an impact. For those of you who did not see the ads, a half pager was printed on Page 2 of the Sports section on Monday, and an 1/8 pager was printed in the paper yesterday. We have 3 more ads getting published in the next 2 weeks. The half pager was huge. It was impossible to ignore. We received many email comments about it and the 1/8 pager, and the discussion on the boards has been largely positive.
Traffic to DD has definitely increased, although it's hard to say how much is due to the ads because the Dorrell race-flaming quote still has all Bruins upset. All in all, so far, the ads are having their intended effect. People are talking about them, and mostly positively. We even received an email from former Bruin champion Brian Theriot, our FB's father, whom we have asked to write a post for our site (he wants to keep Dorrell by the way). The ads are having the impact of making Dorrell's failure REAL to many Bruins who hadn't formed an opinion. More ads are being published in the coming weeks.
There are rumors everywhere now that Dan Guerrero has made his decision. It is obviously hard to believe anything at this point. However, the last push to save Dorrell continues as Kevin Pearson in the Press Enterprise writes an entire article on how "Dorrell has cleaned up the program." Dorrell obliges Pearson with some choice quotes that basically lay out his reasons for why Guerrero should not fire him:
"We've accomplished a lot from guys who are on course to graduate, guys who are staying out of trouble, guys who are role models in the community," Dorrell said. "Those are all part of the UCLA makeup and those guys have done a good job of being ambassadors for this school."
Argument #1: "Clean program with model citizens." We got a chuckle out of the "role model" quip … guess that doesn't extend to 3-time ex-convict WR coaches on Dorrell's staff. Or to our top WR who was ripped nationally on the Jim Rome show for throwing his own teammate under the bus. But you can see the case Dorrell is making for himself to keep his job. It's as if his interview with Pearson was his trial balloon performance review with Dan Guerrero. Dorrell points out that he had to gut a horrible Toledo program (yep, blame the prior coach there Karl) and of course, he points to the future recruiting class:
"I felt we had to tear down the inside and then build the foundation up," Dorrell said. "I knew it was going to take a while. After the first season, I knew we had a lot of work to do with the mind-set of this program.
"We put a lot of work into it, both coaches and players. Now, its about getting our players in position to make plays and getting future players here who can continue to make plays."
Argument #2: Had to tear down and rebuild from scratch. Argument #3: Have a great recruiting class. That's about it folks. Ok, so Karl is trying to save his job, that's obvious and expected … and fair. You see how he has set up his arguments. If this is all he has … it's not enough. We aren't about to give him pointers on what he should say, but there is a lot to be desired. We think that is clear.
In other news, Dorrell himself is fatigued with battling the press. In his press conference Monday, Dorrell mockingly slammed his fist down and told the press that he is tired of the negativity. He wants to be positive for the remainder of the season. Admirable, but we won't stick our heads in the sands of denial. A loss to Oregon, with their star QB and other injuries, would actually be an unavoidable negative. It would also put in jeopardy Dorrell's amazing bowl eligibility streak (sarcasm). Keep sending your emails to Dan Guerrero and Chancellor Gene Block. Go Bruins!!!
22 Comments on Dorrell Makes His Case For One More Year
November 21, 2007
Dan @ 9:22 am:
Honestly, has everyone forgotten good ol’ Justin Medlock?
Mr. Medlock, a Dorrell recruit, got himself good and hammered (during the football season, no less), then drove his car off the road and down a hill, causing considerable damage to the car, but not as much to himself (he was able to play in a bowl game, after all).
And then, in a move to be copied later by Lance Briggs and other higher profile athletes, he just walked away, in an attempt to avoid a DUI.
Oh, did I forget to mention that a member of the women’s tennis team happened to be his passenger that night? Or that she ended up in critical condition while Medlock just walked away?
Oh yeah, Karl Dorrell really cleaned up the program. I guess not having a Handicapped Parking Scandal is the only qualifier for being able to say you have “role models” on your teams…
Dan @ 9:27 am:
Oops, maybe I should fact check before posting:
http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2005/dec/11/online-exclusive-bruin-kicker-/
His passenger was on the golf team, not tennis team.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=253640026
And, he didn’t play in the bowl game (Rotstein kicked that game).
Bruce Nagy @ 9:56 am:
I like Karl Dorrell…we all like Karl Dorrell, but what’s this “clean-up” the program stuff….I mean, it’s not like Bob Toledo was running the state peniteniary, was he? They’ve had far more off the field issues at USC under St. Pete…Ricky Manning got in a fight, Corey Paus got 2 DUI’s, DeShaun screwed up with a car lease. I came to SoCal in 2000 and have season tickets to BOTH schools — guess I’m unique (or weird), but I love College ball. My first two games at the Rose Bowl were wins over Alabama and Michigan….since I bought single tickets, sat with fans of those teams….they were stunned by the Bruin wins….the crowds were electric. Unfortunately, Toledo’s teams could NOT play defense when Pac-10 time came around…when Guerrero fired Toledo, everyone said what a “great guy” Bob was, but his program had become mediocre in the Pac-10.
Well, Karl is a great guy, his program is mediocre…he chose to run a finesse oriented, pass first, run second offense. His offensive line is NOT physical……
One final thought, I wrote to KD after my son and I went to Vegas for the Wyoming game…froze our asses off…the next morning in the paper, I read a comment from a UCLA player that said, “We really weren’t into the game.” I told KD about it in an e-mail…that was 2004….has anything really changed?
BruinFan1 @ 10:44 am:
If Dan Guerrero has made his decision, Dorrell is gone after the year is done.
Guerrero specifically said that he would be interested to see how the season would end. Dorrell is 0-2 since that time. Dorrell is, without an ounce of doubt in my mind, finished.
BruinFan1 @ 10:45 am:
*IS finished.
bruinguy @ 11:31 am:
Dorrell was never qualified to be a head coach, the guy was a position coach in the NFL. Throw out his best and worst years and you have a 50-50 program. Look at the talent level of head coaches in the Pac 10. How does he compare? The honest answer is, he does’nt. Would any other Pac 10 school hire this guy, as a head coah, No-way. When you are in over your head, throw out the race card. Just makes me sick. Dan, hire a qualified head coach. Next year will be disaster with this guy.
tyler lyon @ 11:51 am:
Exactly! Bob Toledo was not running the state penitentiary and Dorrell has “cleaned up” nothing. Say what you want about Toledo, but his very last team was not that bad and would have beat any of Dorrell’s teams from the past five years. Moreover, in 27 years of watching UCLA football, nothing was as exciting or came close to Toledo’s 20-win run, two Pac-10 championships, Cade McNown running a dynamic offense, and being one bad fumble call away from playing in the national championship game. UCLA football was routinely in the national spotlight during Toledo’s run. Currently, UCLA football only makes it into the national spotlight for stunning losses and uncanny underachievement. Dorrell’s claim that he had to completely rebuild the program and clean it up is a complete falsehood. Toledo is being unfairly maligned (i.e., that he was a horrible coach who ran a dirty program) and virtually everyone has bought into it - even by the “data-driven thinkers” on DD and Bruins Nation that want Dorrell fired!
Doug @ 12:38 pm:
Talk to Ben Howland about Injuries!!! Did anyone see the Bruins scratch and claw their way to a big win over #10 Michigan State. What about all the injuries they have right now. No excuses!!!! This team is going to be great. As Dicky V says, no one in the country coaches for 40 minutes like Howland does. KD could take some leasons from his coaching counterpart.
Go Bruins!!!
Trevor @ 12:43 pm:
OH man I can’t wait for a DD post from maxcadylives! What’s he got to tell us about the MOOSE?
jeff @ 1:12 pm:
Gut the program!? you u kidding me Karl!? Toledo was always in the top 10 in recruiting.had the number 1 recruitng class in 1998. was a great recruiter,unlike Dorrell. was a great offensive coordinator,and gave us an unbelieveable 20 game win streak that ended with a bad fumble call! of course our defense was pathetic that year too! Ucla had the parking-lot scandal,Fosters extra-benefits violation,other than that!? what else was there? oh? Cory Paus? ah,no-biggie! happens all the time! I must admit! I was pissed when Toledo was fired! But he has given us a Pac 10 championship,a 20 game win streak, a almost National Title! What has Dorrell given us? A 10 win season once! No-pac 10 Championship,no top-10 recruiting class! Yeah,great argument Dullard! Stick to the we have injuries,i didn’t get a fair shake,race has been an issue here for me at Ucla quotes! o.k. buddy?
JohnBruin @ 3:52 pm:
I thought Toledo was fired mainly for UCLA football becoming a haven for crime. The FBI investigated Cade McNown and other UCLA players for possibly fixing a game. Why? They were associating with people with known mob ties!
Also, over a dozen players illegally having handicap placards (how offensive - athletes taking parking spaces from the handicapped!).
This is on top of the usually drinking, fighting, etc.
Certainly, under Dorrell’s watch there was a DUI, a party fight and an assistant coach being at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is far from perfect. Still, the feds haven’t had to investigate Dorrell’s program.
Michael @ 4:02 pm:
Role models? UCLA students don’t need role models from the football team, because we are mostly outstanding students and leaders. As far as role models for the socioeconoimically poor communities in LA goes, it would be better to spend the $2 million on qualified and motivated teachers at their schools and try to change the culture to one that embraces Mandela and King instead of 50 cent and blame.
Obviously I am not advocating having a semi-pro USC football program that finds legal loopholes and illegal loopholes for all their players. But seriously, spending $2 million to change 12 kids’ lives a year is not the point of this program. If it were, KD should be fired for the cost/#kids ratio.
Paul Stine @ 6:07 pm:
I miss Bob Toledo!
bruin genius @ 8:14 pm:
Reading some of the Bob Toledo supporters comments makes me say, “I want Bob Toledo back!!!”
StumblingCat @ 10:46 pm:
BTW I have no doubt that Guerrero will bring KD back if he wins one of the last two games. The plane will have to hit the mountain hard in order to ensure KD is gone. Hitting the mountain hard will mean losses to both UO and USC. Anything less means another year of your favorite coach.
November 22, 2007
colonybruin @ 10:21 am:
If DUD-rell has ANY character . . integrity . . or dignity , If DUD-rell was Really a U.C.L.A. Bruin _ he would do the correct thing __ He would do what was best for U.C.L.A ___ he would do what was best for the hundred kids who are trying like hell, but are crippled by a very dysfunctional head coach ___ and he would do what was best for all the taxpayers , and stop stealing our money __ you are becoming a bad joke ___ it is time to L E A V E __
Bruce Nagy @ 11:08 am:
Happy Thanksgiving…..Since I started the Bob Toledo comments…..the point I was making was that he was fired because — to quote Dan Guerrero — “the program had become mediocre in the Pac-10″….Guerrero said it was the hardest thing he ever had to do because “Bob is a great guy”….guess what? Karl is a great guy and his program has always been mediocre in the Pac - 10….this crap about cleaning up the program….never I have heard about the FBI investigating Cade McKnown…..In 2003, Toledo’s Bruins were 7-3 and if he had beaten USC and WSU, his contract would have been extended….Bruins lost 52-21 and 48-27….they boxed up his stuff, wouldn’t let him back in the building, fired him and had Ed Kazarien coach the Vegas Bowl. In my opinion, KD must beat Oregon and USC, would qualify for the Sun and would retain his job for one more year. Anything less and Dan G. will have his stuff boxed up on the evening of Dec. 1 and that will be it!
Louis Miranda @ 11:58 am:
The worst thing about Dorrell is his inability to change what doesn’t work on offense. It’s as though he insists on proving that the offense he knows will work in college no matter what. Even Terry Donahue was able to change the offense to fit his personal the second season he was coach when the option offense he had was not working with the players he had. He was even younger than Dorrell when he saw the wisdom in making a change and getting a n offensive cordinator that eventually made for some exciting seasons on offense. Karl Dorrell makes Terry Donahue look like a genius which he wasn’t. Bob Toledo at least had some exciting teams in his 7 years. Dorrell hasn’t done a damn thing to make his teams better, in fact they play the most boring and infuriating brand of inept football I have ever seen as a long time follower and fan. His contract runs out in 2011 and I know in my heart we are stuck with this loser for the entirety of his contract. My only hope is that Guerrero doesn’t extend Dorrell’s contract any longer because the fact is UCLA will never achieve anything in football as long as he is their coach. Needless to say anybody on his staff should ever be their future coach.
WHP '68 @ 2:57 pm:
“His contract runs out in 2011 and I know in my heart we are stuck with this loser for the entirety of his contract.”
..unless the rage against keeps amping up. Remember, a lot of people (like me) were pretty oblivious of what was going on until his team blew it out its ass against Utah. A lot of us got clued in when the Notre Dame debacle eventuated. Subsequent efforts against Washington State and Arizona only fanned the flames. Now, it is pretty apparent that sentiment has turned against Dorrell and the only people who are defending him are those who need a plate glass window installed in their navels to see the world or the media beat writers who are in the UCLA athletic department’s pockets. Of course, There are also those Looney Tunes idiots like Streeter who have their own agendas. But, when it comes to definitive analysis of the situation, they cannot hold a candle to the work done here and on the BruinsNation.com site.
But Dan Guerrero sees the writing on the wall and season ticket sales — always sensitive to the previous season’s performance — will start to slide. Four more years of this shenanigans will put the attendance in a death spiral that cannot be readily reversed.
The truly sad fact is that UCLA could become one of the great sporting attractions in a very big market. We only have to compete with USC; there are no professional football franchises to drain off the fan dollars. Coupled with the fact that we are in the middle of a hotbed of high school talent, it is an enterprise waiting to take off — if they can get rid of Dorrell and get a decent coach..
..but that’s all been said before, hasn’t it?
RickBruin @ 8:27 pm:
There’s a lot of issues in the mix.
The bar has been raised due to the creation of the BCS and a REAL NCCA football championship trophy. UCLA has 100 NCAA championships, but football is the missing piece of the puzzle. Now like basketball, winning the conference is only the first step. UCLA winning the Rose Bowl game is no longer enough.
UCLA has always been a color-blind university. Jackie Robinson is the most important athelete in UCLA’s history. The suggestion that KD is being treated differently is an insult to UCLA and its history.
UCLA has the most significant coach in history, John Wooden. Consider Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Do UCLA’s 2007 football players and coaches measure up to that definition of success? Personally I don’t think so, but they still have two more games (plus maybe a Bowl game) to prove differently.
November 23, 2007
tobe @ 1:58 am:
just watched “we are marshall” the first problem the coach had in the movie was that his power I offense he favored wasnt working cause he had a crappy o-line, so he changed it to something he could still use with a bad o-line but simple to year. maybe should send dorrell a copy of the movie and redub it to say the WCO is not working.
November 25, 2007
Brian Theriot @ 11:28 pm:
ITS GREAT TO BE A BRUIN
BOWL BOUND AGAIN
DARN PROUD OF THIS TEAM