Today we leave the Bruin internet pretty darn satisfied. We accomplished what we set out to do and got what we wanted. Bruin football is in great hands now, and the future looks very bright. The excitement around our football program is as uplifting, if not more, as the excitement around our basketball program was when we hired Ben Howland. We are already seeing the benefits of the change in leadership. UCLA football is back, and we can all now go back to being just fans again.
We have to thank read more
As we head into our final day here at DD, there has been a huge change in the fortunes and perception of our football program … just as we and all Bruin fans have long hoped for. In his first week, Coach Neuheisel has put UCLA back on the national scene, appearing on national broadcasts and local broadcasts, and in papers throughout the nation, too many times to count. Big time analysts are talking about UCLA football in reverential tones again, almost giddy that UCLA is back. When was the last time we heard that?? Recruits are staying committed, a 5-star QB might transfer in, top assistants are staying, new assistants with experience are coming to UCLA, and the fan base is ecstatic. All in just one week.
We thought we'd end our time here read more
So, it's official. All the gamesmanship, posturing and rumor-mongering can finally end. The biggest pieces are in place, the biggest and bitter questions resolved. DeWayne Walker has been hired by Head Coach Rick Neuheisel as his Defensive Coordinator. Coach Neu, and UCLA football, can now move forward in building a great future! Jill Painter, Daily News: read more
In case there was any doubt Rick Neuheisel dreamed of the job he now has, Jill Painter Daily News reports the following:
Rick Neuheisel is back in Los Angeles coaching his alma mater. He was coach at Colorado and Washington before a two-year stint at a Seattle high school and a three-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens. He wants to retire a Bruin.
“Hopefully, this is the last coaching job I'll have,'' Neuheisel said.
Does anyone think any other potential candidate would have said that?? We are lucky … we have 2 head coaches of our big-time programs in basketball and now football who both have their dream jobs. Hallelujah!! Go Bruins!!
The question of who will Rick Neuehiesel keep on as assistant coaches is quickly coming to the fore. Aside from DC DeWayne Walker, who is Neu looking to keep … who SHOULD he keep? No one on the offensive side of the ball … that much is a given. Even though this team will now have their 5th OC and 5th OL coach in 6 years going into the '08 season, blame for turnover does not fall on Rick's shoulders. The sorry state of our offense demands a wholesale change and we believe Coach Neu will change it. That includes so-called WR coach Eric Scott. If Scott wants to stay on as an assistant recruiter, great. Otherwise, we need actual coaching talent at that position.
On the defensive side of the ball, it gets trickier. First, read more
Happy Neu Year folks!! We can't wait for next season, but in the meantime enjoy and be safe. Go Bruins!!
Rick Neuheisel blew our minds with his first press conference today introducing him as our new head coach. Wow!! If you have not had a chance to listen to the podcast you absolutely should. We don't have time to summarize but it was awesome. The passion, the emotion, the energy, the desire, the charisma, the humor, the frankness, the class … we are on our way folks!!! Neu is a Bruin through and through. He hit every single note like he was Pavarotti. We are lucky. Happy Neu Year!!! Go Bruins!!!
Update: Rich Perelman, LAT has a good writeup on the first Neus conference, which we will print entirely: read more
With the ink barely dry on his homecoming contract to be our new head football coach, Rick Neuheisel is already working on putting together his coaching staff. And the news is good folks! Brian Dohn, getting back to just doing his job, reports: read more
Dan Guerero and Chancellor Gene Block's choice for head coach of our football team has the nation talking about UCLA football again. The search itself, which we will get to in a day or so, had UCLA football in the news often (some good, some bad). As we said a week ago, the media is not going to give Neu the goodwill they were dying to give DeWayne Walker for 5 years. The goodwill the media gave Karl Dorrell even this past horrendous year will dwarf the goodwill Neu will get his first year. Guaranteed.
How do we know this? read more
Hallelujah!!! Goodbye Commitment to Mediocrity. We have altered our horrible 40 year history of hiring inexperienced head coaches FINALLY!! Rick Neuheisel has successful experience as head coach. Gone are the days of Toledo, Dorrell and Lavin. UCLA has now made a commitment to winning. Thank you Dan Guerrero!!! And Welcome Home Rick Neuheisel.
For 2 years now there has been a raging war in Bruin Nation read more
