December 16, 2007
Will Guerrero Get A 3rd Chance: Neuheisel, Chow, Walker, Harbaugh?
Editor's Note: How can we forget Guerrero's 4th misstep - reportedly telling June Jones that it's Walker as DC or nothing?! Let's keep that in mind for the record. Nice way to let whomever the new coach is that he won't be the real leader of the team.
Dan Guerrero has gone about the hiring of a new head football coach mostly quietly, which we hope is good. It certainly can be good. We don't want to focus on anything negative, but DG has made a few missteps that needs to be noted for the record as we head into the week DG sends his finalist list to Chancellor Block. This is his second head football coach hire, regardless of who actually made the call. Will he need or get a third chance at getting it right?!
Not having the search firm ready to go was the first misstep. Not a huge misstep, and one that was easy fixed, but one that makes you scratch your head. The second misstep was making it known that he was very interested in Chris Peterson when everyone knew, because Peterson was very vocal, that he didn't want the job. There was never any direct public quote from DG so he could be given a pass.
The third misstep was interviewing John Harbaugh. This is the move that absolutely makes no sense. Why interview another no-name position coach when you just fired one?? No one knew Jim Harbaugh had a brother before DG interviewed John. Now John is being considered to replace the mistake Dorrell?? We don't get that. We want to believe in Guerrero, we do. But if this goes sour, there are already some questionable moves to point to.
Nevertheless, let's review what we know. The only confirmed interviews have been with Rick Neuheisel, Norm Chow, DeWayne Walker, and John Harbaugh. That is not a great list for an AD who says at a big presser that the prerequisite for a new coach is successful head coaching experience. Of that list obviously we only have 1 such candidate, Neuheisel. If this is the list DG is taking to Chancellor Block this week, then DG will come under fire … unless he picks Neuheisel (and even then DG will still look amateurish). Dan Guerrero is painting himself into a corner here. We don't get it. If this is the hire that will shape his career, as DG himself apparently said, then something is missing.
We hope that something is shrouded in secrecy. We know that there are other names. We know that DG is on planes, trains and automobiles … we like that move. That is a great way to keep the beat press in the dark. So as we move into the week that DG sends his final list to Chancellor Block for review, we want to believe that DG is doing this right. He really has only one shot … it's that big.
Meanwhile, Brian Dohn is still out there pimping his second main guy for the job (after Dorrell was dumped), DeWayne Walker:
One interesting twist to a possible Chow hire is Walker's status. The two worked together at BYU and USC, and if Chow was named coach, sources said. Walker would consider staying on staff.
Dohn is a little late on this Chow-Walker (Choker) combo story but why waste a chance to pimp Walker. The question we keep wondering is who are Dohn's sources?? Our bet is that at least one of his sources is a member of Walker's agency, and another perhaps is an attorney wanting to represent players who are keen on Walker. This attorney, we hear, has been on the boards campaigning for Walker for some time.
In any case, we are in the stretch run and hopefully soon DG will let Bruin Nation know who had his ear and how much football means to UCLA.
22 Comments on Will Guerrero Get A 3rd Chance: Neuheisel, Chow, Walker, Harbaugh?
December 16, 2007
UCLAN @ 11:44 am:
Agree with everything you said, DD, but who would fire Guerrero? The sad truth is that he is just doing what everyone in Morgan Center wants him to do, and that’s why he was hired in the first place. They apparently don’t want any strong presence in the head coach’s seat, who might make demands. That is probably why we never go after a big name coach, well that and money.
I think they interviewed Harbaugh to make Chow look better in comparison, not because they had any real interest. I wish that Guerrero could be fired if this goes to Chow or Walker, but I don’t see it in a million years.
Starakawa @ 1:46 pm:
I actually have a great deal of faith that DG will make the right hire and find this post to be misdirected in some ways. There is one common thread between each of the interviewed candidates that I think many of us have failed to notice. Neuhiesel, Harbough, Chow and Walker all have nothing to lose by interviewing for this job. Note that none of these individuals will face any professional backlash for having interviewed for the job, unlike say a head coach or DC at a college that has yet to play their bowl game (such as June Jones, Mendenhall, Peterson, Leach, etc.) or any NFL coach who may feel interest in the UCLA job may effect their current position (such as KC’s Edwards). DG is a smart man and a consummate professional. He has shown us that in his hires of Howland and Savage. both brilliant hires who have led to impressive levels of success in their respective sports.
I suspect that DG has interviewed and spoken to several college level coaches and perhaps even some NFL coaches. Out of respect and a general sense of professionalism, I am sure DG has been keeping the names of these individuals highly confidential.
People should consider that the names noted and not noted are done for a purpose. By noting that Neuhiesel, Harbough, Chow and Walker have all interviewed for the job, DG shows the world, UCLA is actively looking and is being proactive. In addition, he gives the press something to think about and gives alumni something to chew on.
By not mentioning some other names (June Jones, Mendenhall, Peterson, Leach, Edwards, etc.), DG is showing the coaching community that he and UCLA can be entrusted with their reputations and that they are (and if hired will continue) to look after said coach’s well being. In addition, silence on the part of UCLA helps avoid the embarrassing public denials of interests in jobs that we often see take place when schools openly profess interest in a candidate ( such as Peterson at UCLA comes to mind, as does Michigan’s interest in Les Miles and Rodriguez, Arkansas interest in Bowden and Tuberville, etc) and often I suspect prevent coaches from pursuing jobs they would have otherwise been interested in.
I suspect DG knows exactly what he is doing… I am sure DG has intereviewed at least some of the aforementioned but I doubt we will hear about it.
In addition, I think that this type of thinking should tell us something – notable that individuals that currently are not employed and would not be facing any potential backlash/reprecussion as a result of interviewing for the job are probably not being considered, or if they are being considered, they probably are not being considered very seriously at this time. This would eliminate individuals like Mariucci and Terry Bowden. since there would be no reason for DG and UCLA not to name these individuals as targets of interest.
I cant imagine that the man who brought resurrected UCLA basketball by hiring Howland and re-created UCLA baseball by hiring Savage would limit his searach to Neuhiesel, Harbough, Chow and Walker.
David75 @ 2:06 pm:
Michigan just hired R-Rod away from his freakin’ alma mater, West Virginia!! So much for alumni loyalty. We really shouldn’t give Slick Rick extra points just because he was a former Bruin, but he’s still better than Chow, Walker and John Harbaugh (who he?). Anyway, Michigan has guts and got the best hire of the year, (sorry Arkansas, Bobby P is a slime ball). Danny G needs to reevaluate his whole search. He’s settling for 2d and 3d rate coaches and one that no one ever knew existed–John Harbaugh. We don’t need to wait until after the bowl games end or ask the coaches AD for permission–look at what Michigan and Arkansas did. Danny G needs to open up the check book and talk to the Ol’ Ball Coach Spurrier cuz he’s unhappy at South Carolina. Chris Peterson, Mike Leach, and Bronco Mendenhall need to be pursued with added vigor. Who cares about the Lackey Las Vegas Bowl. Talk to Bronco now and give him what he wants!
RISE UP @ 2:27 pm:
The Dolphins just won their first game of the season against Rick Neuheisel’s Ravens who scored a total of 16 points .WOW ,how soon can we get Rick signed up .Relax R.N. fan club , I’m just taking a smart-ass cheap shot .
Anthony @ 2:37 pm:
ok guys here is the answer. Norm Chow as head coach with Neuheisel as offensive coordinator to take over when Chow who is 60+ retires. Also bring over Ken Norton Jr. as an assistant. Every QB and linebacker would want to play for UCLA. Chow took an average QB in Palmer, who everyone thought was a bust, and made him into a world beater. The buzz and excitement over UCLA football make us a serious threat the school that follows the white horse. Plus such a buzz would generate a huge amount of income for UCLA and it would cover any and all salary issues connected with the hires.
JRBruin @ 3:12 pm:
Anthony, why two OC’s? I’d say Mora as HC and Chow as OC. Now that’d be great.
JRBruin @ 3:12 pm:
But seriously, it’s all a pipe dream, we don’t pay enough to our coordinators to make something like that happen.
Javier @ 4:00 pm:
Say no on Mora!
Roma @ 4:16 pm:
How about Brian Billick or Jim Mora?
We need personality…Say no to Chow!
Roma @ 4:20 pm:
Billick is probably tired of dealing with the thugs of the NFL. His
Offense could work in college. He is a much better coach than Kiffin or Edwards.
Plus he has the personality to bring in recruits.
STEVE @ 5:50 pm:
MY GUESS IS THAT IT WILL BE CHOW WITH WALKER AS DC. CHOW IS ANOTHER SUPPRESSED LOW PROFILE GUY WHO IS HAPPY ANYONE WANTS HIM. HIS LAST HC CHANCE. CHEAPER TOO. GOOD NEWS IS THIS: ALL TOP QB PROSPECTS WILL TAKE A HARD LOOK AT UCLA WITH HIM HERE. SC GOT 2 HEISMANS WITH HIM THERE. NO MORE AFTER HE LEFT. THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD.QB IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POS ON THE TEAM. REM ND GAME? NO QB=LOST GAME. MY HOPE IS TERRY BOWDEN, BUT WILL NOT HAPPEN. THEY COULDN’T STAND A STAR LIKE HIM.
STEVE
STEVE @ 5:52 pm:
MY GUESS IS THAT IT WILL BE CHOW WITH WALKER AS DC. CHOW IS ANOTHER SUPPRESSED LOW PROFILE GUY WHO IS HAPPY ANYONE WANTS HIM. HIS LAST HC CHANCE. CHEAPER TOO. GOOD NEWS IS THIS: ALL TOP QB PROSPECTS WILL TAKE A HARD LOOK AT UCLA WITH HIM HERE. SC GOT 2 HEISMANS WITH HIM THERE. NO MORE AFTER HE LEFT. THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD.QB IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POS ON THE TEAM. REM ND GAME? NO QB=LOST GAME. MY HOPE IS TERRY BOWDEN, BUT WILL NOT HAPPEN. THEY COULDN’T STAND A STAR LIKE HIM.
JRBruin @ 5:55 pm:
You don’t have anything to worry about Javier, Mora’s name hasn’t really come up at all. Not sure why you don’t like him, I think he’d make a good college coach.
Diego (Aka Bluebruin) @ 7:13 pm:
The Chow Walker combination doesn’t sit well with me.
Side note: Chow will come here as a HC, not as an offensive coordinator. Why leave the NFL where he’s making over a milliong to do the same position in L.A. for less than that?
Javier @ 7:31 pm:
Mora will leave as soon as the Washington job opens
tyler lyon @ 9:10 pm:
In the wake of Michigan’s hire, could you imagine if Guerrero hired Dwayne Walker or “John” Harbaugh? UCLA football and Dan Guerrero would be the biggest laughingstocks of college sports. Everyone else, especially SC, is already laughing pretty hard that these guys were officially interviewed. Leach and Jones want the job, but don’t get interviewed, but Guerrero’s interviwing Walker and John Harbaugh. Is he out of his frickin mind??? Even though Michigan was rejected by two big names, no one ever reported that they were interviewing third and fourth-tier candidates with no head coaching experience. Michigan has got some major balls. It appears that Dan Guerrero may be pure cheese.
December 17, 2007
Lifelong Bruin fan @ 1:14 am:
Starakawa–very astute post. It will be interesting to see if you are right.
David75–if all it would take was for UCLA to open up its checkbook to bring over Spurrier, I say GO FOR IT!
Jake @ 9:15 am:
Mike Leach, Steve Spurrier, June Jones. That’s as far as DG needs to look. Hire one of those guys and the program gets instant credibility and a ton of high school stars will want to play for UCLA.
Scott @ 10:52 am:
For the love of all that is Bruin blue and gold why in the HELL is an NFL position coach, John Harbaugh, even being considered for the HC!?!?!? Didn’t the NFL position coach experiement already end?
Lifelong Bruin fan @ 10:56 am:
Diego–curious to hear why you are opposed to a Chow-Walker combination. If Chow is open to it, and of course Walker as well, I think it would be fine and potentially a great combo, especially since the two have worked together in the past. Open to hearing other views however.
Trojan Buster @ 11:06 am:
Starakawa is probably right. There will not be an announcement, most likely, until a coach is available and not tied to a bowl game or NFL commitments. I’m wondering if Rodriguez would have publicly taken the Michigan job today if West Virginia was playing for the BCS championship. That would have been awkward…
BIG DAVE @ 11:18 am:
Guys, I don’t know about you, but I have a bad feeling that UCLA is still going to hire on the cheap. I hope I’m wrong. I was surprised to see that Rick Nue. was leading the poll! WOW! Are you guys serious? Neuheisal? He has taken 2 good football programs and has run them into the ground…He was an awful clock manager and carries a lot of baggage. He has inherited 2 good programs (CO and WA), had early succes, then tanked. We need consistency. We don’t need another Bob Toledo. A guy who spikes the program, then falls flat..Let’s get Kelly, Bowden, or Chow.. I just say ANYONE but Rick N. or Walker.