40 Years Of Hiring Cheap Inexperienced Coaches: Update
Much to discuss, lets get to it. Tom Deinhart, Sporting News, is reporting June Jones has interviewed with SMU:
A source close to the SMU situation tells me Hawaii coach June Jones is the main target. He already has had a clandestine interview for the job.
SMU? Seriously, DG will have to explain this one if Jones never even interviewed with UCLA due to the reported demands that he scrap his staff for Walker et al. Another one gone. And that's not all. Rumors abound, here is the confirmation, that Al Golden has removed himself from consideration. Not too worked up over that, but it begs the question, what is going on?? Is he bowing out because he is hearing nothing?
So we are left with Neuheisel and Walker, as far as we know. Walker had his interview this morning Brian Dohn is reporting. Walker's camp was immediately out on the boards saying it went great, quoting Chancellor Block no less. The battle lines are drawn. If these are the 2 candidates under consideration then it will be clear what UCLA thinks about its football program depending on who they hire.
If we hire inexperienced unproven Walker, with his prancing PR and thugs, we will be signaling once and for all that at UCLA football isn't a priority. We will hire another cheap inexperienced hire in a long line of cheap inexperienced hires over 40 years. Champions Made (Near) Here. Walker has also said many times that he wants to be a head coach in the NFL. Now, he is pimping the line that he wants to stay at UCLA and in LA. Right. He also has brought back thuggery to the program as we have already pointed out. Odds are that arrests and on-field and off-field incidents will soon follow.
If UCLA selects Neuheisel then at least we will have chosen for the first time in 40 years an experienced proven winner … who came a BCS vote away from a national title game at Washington. Neuheisel has coveted the UCLA job for decades as both a former player and assistant coach. He wants to coach at the college level. When he says he wants to be at UCLA, it's actually true. But he carries baggage that could hinder his success. The pro-Dorrell, pro-Walker beat press will be so soured by losing their 2 picks for head coach that Neuheisel will be an easy target of bias. There will be little to no goodwill given to Neuheisel … and the love and fluff pieces of the kind they gave loser Dorrell all the way through this 5th pathetic season of his.
Not a great job if this is all Guerrero has in store. We hope there's more than just this, but given the choices, we go with Neuheisel.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
No Walker as head coach. I dont hate him like you all but it is not the right time. I hope we keep walker as dc but not as head coach. Rick was alway my number 1 choose. He will win a National Championship if he gets the job.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
fusc, I’m not so sure ucla will win a national championship with neuheisel as coach, but certainly the chances are a lot better. I don’t think he is a great coach, but he is a definite mprovment over dorrell. Come to think of it miss piggy would be an improvement.
December 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
You know, I’ve been a UCLA guy all my life. My father attended the university, and I think the happiest day of his life was when I broke the news to him that I was going to be fortunate enough to get my education on the athletic department’s dime. My earliest memory of UCLA football was crying myself to sleep after the Bruins lost to Maryland in the 50’s. I was too young to even know the rules of the game. I just knew there was a room full of unhappy people because of the outcome of the game. That was enough.
I’ve bled blue and gold through Sanders, Barnes, Prothro, Rodgers, Vermeil, Donohue, Toledo and Dorrell. The years of being close to the program have left me frustrated at times, jubilant other times, but always loyal and wanting the best for UCLA football.
Since Dorrell was fired, I have done my best to point out why I believe Rick Neuheisel is the best candidate to fill the position. Some guys feel as I do, others don’t. But, I honestly respect the opinions of others making points for the coach of their choice. While I am happy that guys like Troy Aikman and Bob Stiles have publicly endorsed Neuheisel and, now, the guys at bruinsnation have correctly exposed the problems that Neuheisel had at Colorado and Washington as mostly BS, I have run out of patience with Guerrero and Block. The recent postings by D. Walker’s family members and some of the thug-like remarks by Walker’s fan club have totally turned me off to this search process.
If Guerrero and Block couldn’t see from the get-go that Neuheisel was the right guy, if they end up offering him the position as a default hire, I only hope that Neuheisel tells them to kiss his ass.
Sometimes people deserve what they get. Go ahead, Guerrero, hire Walker.
December 26th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I’ve been telling all you peple that since Day 1!!! DG doesn’t have a pair!!! He is so worried about doing the “right thing”, rather than pick a QUALIFIED Coach to lead us to the Promise Land. He IS going to pick Walker just wait and see. And if that happens, we should change this to DumpDan!!! Hey, at least it’ll have the same initials.
December 26th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
ATP don’t quit us.We need you to keep after them till the end.If DG does hire DW though I’m done .
December 26th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Just one more comment before I check out of here for good. The latest news about June Jones interviewing at SMU should be taken in much the same way as Dorrell’s interview at Duke was taken. No knock on Jones, personally. He is just more likely to have a little success at SMU than at UCLA. Joneses run-and-shoot offense SHOULD be appealing to a program like SMU’s. They cannot recruit and win using a conventional offense. The guys they will recruit to run the Jones offense will basically be one-dimensional in scope….pass blockers, fast but smaller receivers, no tight ends, no blocking backs, and a QB who can throw on the run. They’ll pick up whatever defensive guys are willing to show up on campus.
The history of NCAA football is replete with programs that felt the need to go with gimmick-type offenses because it was their best shot at utilizing the athletes they could recruit. None were successful for long. Rice went with the wishbone and led the nation in rushing stats for a while. They went to the “bone” after it fell out of favor with the likes of Oklahoma. The service academies do the same thing now. Remember David Klingler at Houston throwing the ball 80 times a game and leading the nation in passing stats? Houston didn’t win a national championship, and Klingler was a bust at the next level.
Anyway, I hope June Jones gets the job at SMU if he really wants it. I’m just happy UCLA didn’t get so desperate as to try to install a gimmick offense that has never been successful other than at non-elite programs.
Peace to all of you. My sincerest best wishes.
Go Bruins!
December 26th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I read the June Jones is not intrested in the smu gig. Have a happy new year ATP. I’ve read a lot of your post, you base your opinions on facts. I myself justed jumped aboard the dd.com a few weeks ago,( Thanks tj simers ) its obvious a lot of Bruin fans that have been posting respect your input. I hope it wasn’t Pat M rudeness that made you not want to participate. So if I don’t see your posts again have a happy new year.
December 26th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
While Rick was and is my #1 guy, the way this search is being conducted, it is making us (UCLA) look like fools. First Chow withdraws, now Golden? Either we are continuing to be dissed, or these candidates feel put out at not hearing one way or the other for so long. I think Walker would be a disaster, and after hearing and seeing the LV debacle, what with gambling and late nights out and willy-nilly travel, not to mention the ‘throat slash’ gesture that DD pointed out, it doesn’t portend well for the program. They should have hired Rick a long time ago. Now it will look like he is a fall back choice.
And if they wanted to look elsewhere, I can’t understand why people like June Jones didn’t get a call. He was practically campaining for the job on the Dan Patrick radio show. I doubt he would leave Hawaii for SMU, however. They’d have to shower him with money. Other guys I could live with would be Pat Hill or even Franchione. But all this delay just strings everyone along and looks amateurish.
DG should hire Rick yesterday. There aren’t many coaches out there that would cause concern over in OJ land. Rick would. He would compete from day one. Whatever past transgressions have occured are out there. Does anyone care about Bobby Bowden’s mess over at FSU? What about Cheatey Pete? He may end up losing a NC over Bush. The point is, everyone has a past, and Rick deserves the shot.
BTW, ATP, it was Maurice Clarett you were thinking of.
December 26th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
GOLDEN HAS DROPPED OUT. NOW WE ARE LEFT WITH NEU AND DWAYNE. WHAT A BOTCHED JOB. DG IS A JERK. MARIUCHI WOULD BRING IN REVENUE TO COVER. SAD ENDING
STEVE
December 26th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Agree that a Walker era would see a real problem with discipline and sportamanship on the field. I’ve seen it all year with this defense. Late hits, prancing around, all the kind of things we used to associate with Miami or Florida State. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think that if Walker is hired, it’s not just going to be wins and losses which are a going to be a problem.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
John F in regards to the throat slashing gesture by Bruce Davis is not something that we condone he is obviously not frustrated with being double and tripled team, as much as he is with the way the opposing o-line play dirty. what contributes to that frustration is the lack of flags that should be thrown on the O-line men. It has nothing to do with Walker.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
About To Puke….YOU CAN’T LEAVE US NOW ! ! !.
I loved your story as a child crying about the UCLA loss to Maryland. Being new to DD I have looked forward daily to your educated,fair and balanced comments. Don’t let the thugs take over the ship yet, please. If DG does hire DW, then I will buy and share the first bottle of ” Night Train Wine ” with you…because I feel another train wreck is coming.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Just re-iterating what DD pointed out. It looked bad on national TV. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Bruce Davis fan. But you have to maintain composure in a big game. BTW the announcers including Bob Griese, had all good things to say about Rick, that he deserved a chance. It wasn’t the DW love fest I thought is was going to be.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
What does that say about the state of the UCLA coaching search when Golden has dropped out? This is a coach that was literally on NO ONE’S radar screen (except Guerrero’s) at any time whatsoever until it was discovered that he was interviewing for the job. Of course, he dropped out because of Guerrero’s daliance and inability to make a decision and pull the trigger, just like Chow did. Chow did not “blow the interview” as most want to believe. Chow and Golden have some self-respect and are not going to wait around for several weeks while Guerrero and the bozos at Morgan wring their collective hands over what to do with Walker. Both coaches are highly regarded and greatly desired by their current organizations. When another school or organization comes calling on such a coach, that school or organization has to show some class, respect, and leadership and let the coach know what the decision is quickly. Looking at the situation objectively, Guerrero’s decision to give Walker a second interview after Xmas while keeping Golden (and Chow) waiting is nothing but insulting for coaches that have the experience they do. Pretty soon, Rick is going to pull out and Guerrero will end up hiring Walker. Guerrero and UCLA football will then be the laughingstock of the country.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
RICK NEUHEISEL WILL PULL OUT OF THE UCLA COACHING SEARCH IF A DECISION IS NOT MADE BY 5:00 PM FRIDAY DEC 28.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hey Tyler, that’s what DG is hoping for so he can just give the HC job to DW.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I would expect an announcement this week. I am not sure what the exact delay is, but my guess is it has to do with details, money ect… Neuheisel should be “in office” by Friday, or there really is something terribly wrong, and we need a new AD. So far I have been fairly accurate in my assessments of this “situation”;let’s hope I am right on this one.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
ATP,
Please don’t go. I enjoy reading your posts like a kid waiting all week for the Sunday comics in the paper, like my grandmother waiting for the last person to fall asleep before she could open her Bible and enjoy what she was reading and like my lil-brother anxiously waiting for me to fall asleep so he could pull out that 1965 copy of Playboy he had hidden under his bed.
Lifes is never perfect and we all have to keep on fighting to survive. That means we have a cause in our life. From your posts I see that this cause strikes right to the marrow of your life. Your devotion to school and team. Only a former player could have such a love for school and team, it’s different and not to belittle the devotion of non-players, it simply is not the same, close, but not the same.
I wake up in the mornings to read these posts not for jollies, but to see the love and dvotion that people can have for a cuase. It is incredible to say the least.
Sure, the world has many problems and likely more important causes to support, but those don’t always spark the interest of all of us.
It’s our pastimes that keep our motors running. This board will not be running on all eight cylinders if you are not part of it. It may sputter and stall, but I believe it wil eventually get there. I don’t know you personally, but if I did, I am sure I could call you a friend and thats more important than anything.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I predict a happy ending……a surprise that no one sees coming…..but al of you should know that I am typing this from my Blackberry while my kid is riding Guerrero…er..umm..I mean Dumbo in FANTASYLAND!!!!
December 26th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Gary,
You could are so correct in your analogy of DG.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
John F I was merely pointing out the frustration Bruce Davis is going through. I believe that he is going to have a great nfl career barring injuries. He plays with a lot of passion and obviously he is was more frustrated than anyone posting here in the inability of the offense to do anything.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I’m not so sure we are going to get a Head Coach by the new year.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Let’s fire up “dumpguerrero.com”
December 26th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Don’t give up ATP! Remember it’s trOJans that burst under pressure. Bruins are forever. I agree with Gary in predicting a happy ending! If it was DW, he would have been named before the Lost Vegas Bowl, or on Monday, or right after the interview . . . He can’t be our next coach. Think Chow/Golden were told they were not our next HC and withdrew to save face?
I still don’t mind if DG is waiting to talk to one or two of the coaches playing on Monday. I don’t think Leach, (take a knee) Mendenhall, or Peterson are out of the running yet. Let’s all be patient.
RN would be a great improvement!! In addition to Aikman supporting RN, Wayne Cook was on 570 on Christmas Eve saying he’s the man needed for the Bruins! Lee and David agreed, saying DW is not ready but Rick is! David finished the segment saying he thought it might be down to RN or DW. That’d be like telling Tony Romo his choices were down to Jessica Simpson or Roseann Barr.
December 26th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Whatever the overall plan of DG and Gene Block, they’re botching it up with the candidates. NO RESPECT!! Not calling these guys to let them know where they are in the search is weak! I don’t think I’ve ever seen people fall out of a job search on their own for lack of contact with the school. I’ve never come across that in any coaching search made in the last 10 years that I can remember. Can anyone remember the last time candidates had press conferences or used the media to announce they were withdrawing from consideration??
If DG and GB are waiting until the BCS bowl games to speak to specific candidates, they can come up with something professional/brilliant to say to the current candidates. That’s ridiculous that they’re not keeping contact with these candidates, or are not telling them that they’re not going to be given the job. They know that these coaches have obligations in their current jobs, so keeping them uninformed is also keeping their current employers in limbo. Temple would LOVE to know if theyr’e supposed to be looking for a new coach right now. Tennessee would love to know if Chow is going to be around to help Vince Young in the playoffs. Giving them no update, or coming up with something intelligible to say is only causing their current employers to put pressure on them to remove themselves from consideration.
Thank GOD the Ravens suck. If they were playoff bound, I’m sure RN would be feeling the heat.
December 26th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Maybe they are waiting for Jeff TEDFORD!!!
December 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I realy wonder what DW’s interim contract actually says. Was there some kind of reward or contingency clause regarding the head coach job?
RN is likely getting frustrated by now. My nightmare would be if he pulled out also.
I have to agree with you all who believe that DG’s handling of all this has been less than professional. I hope he pulls the rabbit out of his hat, but I won’t be surprised if he caves in to the PC lobbyists.
We can only hope that he does not wait too long. Every day wasted is another day that Rick does not have to complete the recruiting process and gather his assistants.
With a lousy process like DG is using, no wonder he has lost several potential candidates. He won’t be long in this job unless he grows up fast.
December 26th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
ATP,I go back way before you. I remember listening to the 1954 Maryland UCLA game when we beat them 12to7. I attended my beloved University in the 50″s. As an old fart I appreciate all you wippersnappers. If you don’t get that lingo it means old farts
December 26th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
This old fart meant to say wippersnappers will some day be old farts
December 26th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
What is UCLA (Guerrero and Block) doing? Are they stupid or something? I can’t believe how incompetent they are at what they are doing.
December 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Dump Guerrero. Another ball-less bureaucrat terrified of making a non PC decision.
He’s dithering between Golden and a bunch of other coaches who have had 4-8 seasons or worse. Yeah, the guy with an 0-1 season is his #1 choice, but he wants to take his time and let Neuheisel announce he’s no longer interested. Keep him waiting Guerrero. A brilliant, ball-less strategy.
So much for UCLA football. If it’s not Neuheisel, and Neuheisel before Friday, count me gone. I’ll watch poppies grow on Saturdays. Much more entertaining than UCLA football. And the blue and gold is there as long as you look up at the sky.
Is Dan Guerrero the worst athletic director EVER, or what?
(As for the lachrymose tales by About to Pee, my Dad was UCLA ‘42 and I was UCLA ‘67 and on a certain athletic team. Ahem. The first football game I remember going to was at the Coliseum in 1953, when I was 8 and Red Sanders’ QB was running the single wing with perfection. And the opposition was a team called USC. But Guerrero’s drive for inconsequentiality is about to make even me go away. After 54 years.)
December 26th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Hey, ATP, just ignore jerks like Pat M.
Everyone else on this site appreciates your input.
December 26th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Dan Guerrero and Gene Block need to understand something in their PC search for a Football Coach….if they choose to go with Walker, I expect a 3-0 start including(wins over Fresno, Tenn and BYU)because DG is saying the talent and recruiting is in place and that West Coast offense run by Jay Norvell is superb and WITHOUT ALL THOSE UNLUCKY injuries, we will be a Pac-10 and Rose Bowl contender. DG is saying DW is a motivator, that’s what we need! Also, That KD cleaned up all that Bob Toledo scum and riff-raff. We now have the INFRASTURE…all the Pac-10 Academic All-Americans we need. So Dan, that’s what I think! You will be telling us that what YOU demanded by Basketball and Baseball is NOT what you demand from football….a tried and true winner! You will be telling us that Saturday afternoons on the Arroyo Seco are about the weather, the friendship of the tailgates, the kids wearing UCLA jerseys throwing Blue and Gold footballs. Kinda like a day at the beach….the winning and the losing don’t matter…it’s how we play the game!
December 26th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Gosh! Methinks you guys are gettin’ kinda’ hysterical. Maturity and professionalism dictate that all parties get treated with respect and appreciation for services rendered.
Relax! You’ll live and survive a few more days of waiting for Rick Neu to be announced as our next leader.
December 26th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Infrastructure, Bruce. Especially when a few words away you start talking about academic All Americans.
I’m not sure of the point of your post, though. Are you willing to continue to suffer for another 6 years of dreadful coaching because we now have the infrastructure for a good football team in place? And because we’ve got a great basketball coach?
Football teams don’t coach themselves. They require passionate, experienced coaches who know what they are doing. And, in UCLA’s case, a coach who will take the pay cut. Which leaves only 1 out there, who is slipping away.
December 26th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
My oh my, I pop in every so often on this site, and now I see it slowly spiraling into despair. No more vibrant discussions about who should and who shouldn’t be, but just people tired of this long, drawn out process that DG has orchestrated. It really sucks, as I feel DW folks insidiously influencing this site, gobbling up the life force of DD. Don’t despair. As stupid as this process has been, in the end, the last man standing, as the dust settles, will be RICK;)
December 26th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Dan Guerrero,
Westwood Village just called and said it’s idiot is missing.
An all points bulletin has been issued for one Dan Guerrero alleged Atheletic Director at UCLA, aka “The Westwood Village Idiot.” Guerrero has been mising from his place of employment for three weeks and has been seen infrequently in cities across the nation interviewing “no so likely” candiates for the vacant head football coach job at UCLA.
Guerrero could be in the company of one Gene Block where he would be walking submisively behind and to the left there of, not to cause his leash to bind. He will cower and hide when approched on any discussion regarding Rick Neuheisel and rolls over on his back for a tummy rub when the initials DW are mentioned.
He is not housebroken, as evidenced by the line of crap he has left behind. Don’t worry he is not highly dangerous and will not attack for it appears he has been neutered. You can confirm this by contacting a certain Chow and Golden (retriever).
If you see Guerrero please contact the Westwood Village Animal Control Department at once. Do not attempt to confront Guerrero yourself, the crap he leaves looks to be highy contagious as evidenced by one Brian Dohn who has almost drowned in it and now is halucinating about it as being gold.
December 26th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
ATP,
No bailing out. We’re all in this together, you know, united we stand, divided we fall. U rah rah rah, C rah rah rah. L rah rah rah, A rah rah rah, U-C-L-A fight fight fight!!
December 26th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
had an interesting discussion w/ some UCLA fan(atics) this weekend. They contend UCLA is an elite job. I contend that DG’s last two searches which resulted in Karl Dorrell and now finalists that include a dc who has never coached, the head coach at Temple (since self- eliminated) and a former college coach who has been defrocked does not result in an “elite” program. The best coaches he interviewed or tried to interview didn’t want the job. And the one good coach who wanted the job..Leach..wasn’t interviewed.
Neuheisel is still my guy (at least of the last two), but any program that averages a 6-5 record over the last ten years needs big help.
I hope Rick is the guy.
Right now, SC, ASU, Cal, Oregon are demonstrably better programs. That puts the Bruins in the middle of the pack in the Pac 10–no more and no less.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
It is taking entirely to long to announce who the coach is considering we are down to two! Neuheisel and Walker! Rick is the best choice he has wanted this job every since he was an assistant coach at UCLA. He has a proven record as a coach of two very good programs, and he is a winner as he showed as a quarterback in the Rose Bowl. Walker is a good coach, and I wouldn’t have a problem retaining him as the defensive coach, but generally when a new coach comes in he gets to choose his own assistant coaches. Rick has been endorsed by many very good alumni and paste players, lets hope Mr. G gets the message soon!
December 26th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Jones has no interest in SMU and has not been interviewed.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Ed, what did those that believe wer’e an Elite job respond to your comments?
I’m interested in gauging the opinions of other Bruin fans. It still baffles me how there’s a large camp of supporters for Dwayne Walker.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:01 am
The Bruins need an “RN” to ail their woes….RN was rumored to be in LA looking at Real Estate this morning….he has to report back to Baltimore for the “Rasins” final game..I expect him to be announced on Sunday night or Monday as the next Bruin Head Coach….I don’t know who started this site…I have expressed my appreciation for it…but for God’s sake let’s all hope there will neve rbe a DUMPRN.COM…on the other hand…John Robinson is getting tired of UNLV…wouldn’t that be something….hey Paterno is still going…….just a thought, just a thought!!!! Of course a former Trojan head Coach running the Bruins program….change my name to ABOUT TO PUKE JR.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:53 am
Bluebruin - I’d be happy to share with you why I think Walker is a fine candidate for head coach. (its no contest imo when comparing him to Neu). Unfortunately, this and any other post I write in support of Walker will be deleted. Nice site. Keep up the good work. You’re doing great things for UCLA!
December 27th, 2007 at 12:59 am
So, why Neuheisel? The thing that makes him better for the job is his experience? His experience at leaving programs in turmoil? I’m confused. I am not at all a Neuheisel fan. I understood so many other picks over Walker - but Neuheisel? Wow. Wow. I’m not a child like so many that are saying “if Walker is named coach - I’m done with UCLA football” (cmon really?) I’ll support the team when he is hired but he is probably the last person I’d want coaching our team. DG is a mess for even considering him.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:04 am
This delay has me confused. We have taken four weeks to get to Neuheisel vs. Walker? The fact that it has come to this is living proof to me that this football gig is not only not perceived as a good get nationally, but doesn’t mean much to the administration either.
Maybe Walker is the guy and maybe he can turn this around? But then wasn’t that the Dorrell justification?
Maybe Neuheisel has grown and is smarter about the ethical aspects of coaching at UCLA. But then maybe he isn’t.
Of the two, I think Neuheisel is the more exciting pick…will sell more tickets and can make the Rose Bowl fun again with some offensive wizadry. But do you any of you really think he can threaten SC’s dominance?
But the fact it is down to those two is fairly disheartening.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Ed, I wouldn’t say UCLA is an elite job right NOW. I’d go with Lou Holtz, who said WVU is the better short-term job, while UCLA is the better long-term job. Sure, WVU may be poised to be an immediate threat, but UCLA does have the stronger presence overall.
DG and GB,
Find us a coach who realizes that (Jones, Leach, RN . . .) and has credentials to help make us the elite school we should be. If we land a coach like that, their name will be long-revered at UCLA and across the nation. Then, the Mike Bellotti’s of the world will be saying, “That could have been me . . .”
December 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Assuming Mike Leach and June Jones have been in contact with DG, I would still prefer UCLA hiring RN. The main reason being Leach and Jones are much too one dimensional with their Run n’ Shoot and Spread offenses (respectively), both of which shy away from the run like the black plague. I believe that in today’s college football environment, the ability to run and throw the ball in a balanced manner is the best way to ensure consistent winning in a program, as well as the best way to entice blue chip recruits to come to play for your school. RN for the most part employs a pro-style offense that I feel would attract many top level recruits to UCLA, much like Pete does at U$C.
If you look at Leach’s record, he has never won a conference championship and has never had a 10 win season in his 8 years at Texas Tech (even Dorrell had a 10 win season). His teams never attract top running backs and although his teams put up tons of yards, they also give up a lot of quick 3 and outs, which puts their defense on the field for long stretches. Remember what happened when our defense was on the field for extended periods of time? I do and it’s not a pretty image.
June Jones and his Run n’ Shoot is an even more volatile offensive system. Capable of putting up great offensive numbers, but even more impressive, greater peaks and valleys in the win-loss columns (look at records in 2000 and 2005). As great as Jones supporters think he is, this is the first year he has won the WAC championship outright (and he is in his 9th season at Hawaii!). I think we can all agree that the Pac-10 is a much more competitive conference than the WAC is, and Dorrell was fired partly for not getting a conference title within 5 years.
Which leaves us with our favorite son RN. Sure he has had problems but he has also had his share of success. If I had to risk handing the reigns over to someone, I would rather hand it over to a fellow Bruin who has had success at the Pac-10 and pro-level. People knock RN because Baltimore’s offense was very average this year, but Kyle Boller has been the quarterback for most of the year. Look what Rick did last year with a healthy Steve McNair (13-3 record). Let’s hand it over to Rick before he bows out and we are left with DW.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
RN will never withdraw his name. Rumor has it his time with the Ravens will be over regardless of what RN decides to do. RN is desperate for this gig. He needs us much more than we want him. My take…just cancel football and build a soccer only stadium. DG should just step up to the podium and say UCLA has never been and never will be commited to football. We will always suck. We have created our own monster by always hiring on the cheap. I’ve lost hope. If we hire RN it will end my hopes of being a contender…Good night and good luck..
December 27th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Big Dave - DG will be saying just what you wrote, if he hires DW. It’s the same statement.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
With all that is being said about our head coach hiring process I’m convinced that we need to dial up Norm Chow (today) and explain why it’s taken so long to hire him as our head coach … AND … hire him as our head coach. Along with this, keep Dwayne Walker on the defense side of the ball, increase his contract….THEN….teach our players how to pass, run and tackle before September 2008!!
Happy New Year to all!!
December 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I’ll put in another vote for Norm Chow.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Big Dave, what an insult to Sanders, Prothro and Vermeil. They were all great coaches with great teams who had heart.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I believe that the waiting is due to DG really looking to hire somebody other than RN. He’s prolonging this as long as he can, even thougha HC needs to be set in stone now. At this point don’t be surpised if you see him on the side off a Freeway off-ramp holding a sign that says:
“WILL PAY FOR A COACH!”
December 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
This looks BAD for the Program. Really BAD.