It's getting interesting, but our wait got a little longer.  Chris Foster of the LAT is reporting that the Monday presser is not scheduled. No word on whether it ever was scheduled, even though the Daily News said it was.  So we will NOT hear about Dorrell's fate tomorrow … apparently.   Not a problem folks, because Dorrell's days are obviously numbered, Foster:

The search for a new UCLA football coach has begun, even as current Coach Karl Dorrell awaits his fate. Dorrell will be fired this week and a short list of candidates has been assembled, sources familiar with the athletic department said today. 

No doubt in our minds that this will go down!  Obviously our priority is to make sure it does.  We continue to send emails to various parties as you all should as well.  DD readers have been posting their emails and sending them to us as well.  Keep up the pressure!

As for replacements, Foster has more details:

Boise State Coach Chris Petersen is said to be the first choice of Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, with Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach and former NFL coach Steve Mariucci considered among the other top candidates. Representatives on behalf of the UCLA athletic department have contacted all three, multiple sources said.  Former Washington and Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel, meanwhile, will not be considered for the job, according to one of the sources.

Right.  We will focus our next round of replacement polling on those candidates that are realistic and being considered, as long as they are receiving your votes.   This is the third confirmation we have that Neu is out of the picture.  So even though you have voted for him near the top he will be taken out of the running.   For those who are Neu fans don't despair.  You made your voices known to Morgan Center (they are on our emailing list and believe us, they read this site!). 

Foster has one golden nugget to report regarding the candidates:

Yet, financial hurdles are not believed to be a problem for Guerrero, as "the money will be there for the coach who is the right guy," a source familiar with the situation said.

Great if it's true … and we believe it is.  The money was there for Howland, and basketball doesn't make anywhere near what football makes.  Funny thing is, the rise in ticket sales may actually help pay for Dorrell's replacements.  Boosters are also putting up the money for a new coach and for Dorrell's buyout.  A new era indeed!!

As for DeWayne Walker, it is looking good now that he is NOT being considered for the HC job.  Thank effing jeebus. Now hopefully his posse can stop with the pimping and attacks and leave us to our football team!  Foster says Guerrero would like Walker to be the DC:

UCLA officials will also to try to retain defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who has been contacted about the vacant Washington State head coaching job. Walker was instrumental in the Bruins' recruiting efforts the last two years and a number of current recruits are expected to honor commitments if Walker stays.

We have been anti-Walker for some time here at DD … and avid DD readers know why.  We simply cannot accept him as HC.  Until Dorrell is fired and a new coach is hired that is NOT named DeWayne Walker that remains our position.  No more no less. We have a singular mission here and we are close to our goal.  

As far as timing, Foster says that Guerrero will be meeting with Dorrell "early this week" which probably means tomorrow: 

Guerrero has said he would meet with Dorrell, one of six African American coaches among the 119 universities that play major college football, early this week, but his decision was forged by the team's 1-4 finish to the regular season …  UCLA officials may wait until the Bruins' team banquet Wednesday before making an announcement.

Read the rest of Chris Foster's piece for details of Peterson's, Mooch's, Leach's, and Neu's records.  

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