Uncertainty in Dorrell's football program ...

by Nestor on Jan 6, 2006 6:22 PM PST in Football

While the basketball program is shining and the Bruins Nation is celebrating the glorious choke of those classless condoms on Wednesday, news/rumors coming out of Dorrell's (mediocre) football program are not so promising. So far here are some of the rumors that are being propagated by faceless, nameless, Bruin fanatics via the internets. We report (the rumors), you decide how bad it really is:

Kerr is staying?:First here is the most disturbing rumor coming out of Westwood. Apparently KD is retaining Larry Kerr, our defensive coordinator, who is such a pathetic joke that we don't have to provide links showing how he probably is one of five worst DC in D-1A college football if not the worst. Everyone wants this loser gone. KD is apparently rewarding Kerr for that 19-66 ass raping in the hands of USC, by bringing him back for one more year. In other words, if this turns out to be true, then it will only show KD is allright with UCLA's reputation getting embarrased, humilated, and destroyed turning it's defense into one of of the longest running jokes in the comedy circuit of college football. Pathetic.

Eric Bieniemy leaving?: Rumors are running wild on message boards (and keep in mind some of these sources are Trojans) that UCLA's best football recruiter may be leaving Dorrell to take an NFL gig with the Vikings. How important is Coach Bieniemy to Dorrell's football program. Well he is the not only the best recruiter in his mediocre coaching staff, he is one of the best recruiters in entire country:

Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach/recruiting coordinator, UCLA: The former Colorado star and Los Angeles native has significantly boosted the Bruins' efforts in inner-city L.A. since bolting Colorado in 2003 (not coincidentally, the Buffs' SoCal pipeline has dissipated since his departure). Bieniemy was largely responsible for landing star tailback Maurice Drew at UCLA and current Wisconsin standout Brian Calhoun (formerly of Colorado).

So yeah, not good at all if this is true. Let's see how it unfolds. BTW, did you note the EB-MJD connection in that CNNSI blurb? Speaking of other half of this past season's 2LIVEDREW...

MJD is gone: Lastly, as A posted below MJD is gone. There will be a press conference tomorrow in which he will make it official. We wish Maurice nothing but luck in the NFL. But his decision is interesting (if not a little bizzarre), and it can certainly lead one to ask questions, whether MJD has any confidence in Karl Dorrell, and the direction of UCLA's football program under his mediocre leadership.

All I can say - thank God for Ben Howland and UCLA basketball. GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Rumor mill

It's a grand tradition this time of year, isn't it?

I don't fear uncertainty- change is part of life, especially in college football. My specific comments, in order, are:

Dorrell failing to fire Kerr would threaten my modest support for him going forward. I know they have good coaching camaraderie, but for Christ sake, this is a no-brainer. One of Dorrell's pluses, prior to this, has been the willingness to hire good help at appropriate times (Cable, etc.). Don't fuck this up Karl.

I'm happy for Eric. He's worked for it and deserves a promotion. I'll be sorry to see him go, but I love to see merit rewarded. This has been a long time coming, and if it actually happens this year, so mote it be (bonus points for anyone who catches the reference).

A sad farewell to Maurice. I think the injury during the Sun Bowl put the fear into him, and now he doesn't have his grandpa around to talk any sense into him. Hope he can overcome being picked in the third round.

Let us savor the days of Howland. 90% of our lives will be spent disappointed with this coach, this player or that. Relish it my friends.

by brewinTK on Jan 6, 2006 6:57 PM PST reply actions

Howland

I can say this for O and A - three of us when we started this whole thing - we all have been through the Lavin years together - and all of us have a special appreciation for Howland. And that is why we are so frustrated that it seems like we are living through another recurrent Lavin nightmare of an inexperienced (on the job training) coach through Dorrell. Firing Kerr is no-brainer. It must be done. If KD fails to pull the trigger, it will tell us a lot about his (loser) mentality as a head coach. Really pathetic if this turns out to be true.

Again, like I said up top - THANK GOD FOR HOWLAND.

by Nestor on Jan 6, 2006 7:01 PM PST up reply actions

The only thing KD seems committed to ...

is coasting through mediocrity (playing it safe Donahue style). The guy is just a loser.

by bluestreet on Jan 6, 2006 7:07 PM PST reply actions

Not coasting

Say what you want about the guy, but he's not "coasting." By all accounts, the guy busts his ass everyday, working ungodly hours, etc. You may think he lacks talent, intelligence, experience or judgment, but that's a different matter.

Also, what's up with something lame like saying he's "just a loser." Do you know that? He's not a loser based upon this year's record. Has he been a loser in the past? Not as a player. Before college? I doubt he was a loser then either.

Name calling is no substitute for a well-articulated opinion, though it's easier, so I guess I can understand, at least, why you see it so much in comments sections.

by TJay91 on Jan 6, 2006 7:22 PM PST up reply actions

busting his ass?

Really? Do you have any evidence of KD "busting his ass," and "working ungodly hours" every day? Good for him ... if he is working hard. lol Yeah, I have heard another executive saying something like - gosh guys - give me a break - "(fill in the blank) is hard work!!" Doesn't matter how "hard" KD is working - when all of his "hard work" is not doing much to bring UCLA out of mediocrity. Besides ... there are lot of not so sharp students who "work hard." Doesn't mean they get the best grades in class. KD is no where close to getting the best grades in class. He is as the post says above - mediocre.

by bluestreet on Jan 6, 2006 7:35 PM PST up reply actions

Typical

First off, my sources are a number of national publications, including the LA Times, and other sources that are reliable. If I have time later, I will try to find links, but your speel isn't worth it now.

Second, congrats for doing what most people do when someone points out the BS they have to spout. They change the subject, or alter their argument. You said he was coasting, suggesting he wasn't working hard (which is false, from what I understand). That's different than what you reply with. Of course, you have to respond that way because what you said to begin with was full of it.

I wasn't saying he wasn't mediocre. I frankly think he's done well, but just above average. I was, however, saying that your specific claim was false and unfair. Which it is.

by TJay91 on Jan 6, 2006 8:24 PM PST reply actions

National publications & LA Times?

Are you suggesting just because some blowhard journalists/columnists like Maisel or Plashkey who embody the lazy journalism of MSM, pen some gushing reports on how hard Dorrell works ... we are supposed to believe that? News flash ... all these national publications thought Lavin was doing a great job taking UCLA to Sweet-16s, while it was the UCLA fans who were being unreasonable. These clowns in the MSM are not the guys I would base on to figure out what is really going on in college football. These idiots are clueless.

by Nestor on Jan 6, 2006 8:28 PM PST up reply actions

MSM

I share your suspicions re the MSM. But, since I don't spent much time in Dorrell's office or living room, I have to rely on someone. Now, I could refer to the knowledge provided by the magical Dorrell fairy, but I lost out on that just after I told my daughter that Santa Claus doesn't exist.

You have to rely on something, and, if I recall correctly, what I read seemed credible back when I read it.

Also, I think a published report, however suspicious, is at least as credible as some blow hard (not you) in a comments section who makes claims completely without support.

by TJay91 on Jan 7, 2006 3:48 AM PST up reply actions

Like I said ...

Go ahead and rely on Plaschke or Ivan Maisel, who have been gushing about Dorrell's "Football 101" and how the team is headed towards the right direction because he is spending quality office time with his players over M&Ms.

And some of us don't need to be "Dorrell's fairy" to figure out what is exactly going on down in Morgan Center. I think you are somewhat right to dispute the notion that Dorrell is "coasting" as if he is not "working hard." He may be working hard. That is all good. But I can tell you there are lot of anixiety even within UCLA camp whether he is competent. Judged by how he did in the money games - that is up for debate. And rumors/stories like keeping Kerr despite last two disastrous years in defense - only adds to the perception that this is a guy who really may be over his head in terms of managing (what is supposed to be a) big time football program. And, I always lol whenever I hear supporters of some politician (and college head coaches are just that - politicians) making excuses like - guys this is "hard work." It makes me think of a certain executive, who is ... never mind ... I won't go there.

by Nestor on Jan 7, 2006 6:38 AM PST up reply actions

He's basically right

From all I've heard and seen (and I go the Fall and Spring practice every year), Dorrell is working hard. So, I think TJ is right to dispute the notion that he's coasting.

I guess the way I look at is- if you're in the anti-Dorrell camp, you have a bunch of arrows in your quiver: he's inexperienced, had a bad game plan against SC, he lost an AU game he shouldn't have, etc. With all that, why go and blast him for something untrue?

That's one of the side effects of having a personal (seemingly) or at least deep-seated hatred for a guy. The guy can't do any right. So, if even if he's working hard, he must be a bumbling idiot like our president (not exactly my my opinion, but I bet it's yours; and no, I'd rather not go there :) ).

Having said all this, I can't help but think of the SNL skits with Will Forte, with him looking dumbfounded, and saying "It's hard work." It makes me chuckle. A fine show, in not it's best years though.

by brewinTK on Jan 7, 2006 8:18 AM PST up reply actions

lol

Yeah ... I think we are almost in agreement here in Brewin. Like I said I think it is ok to assert that Dorrell is "working hard," and that coaching is "hard work." But at least for me it creates all kind of troubling impressions of Dorrell as the CEO of UCLA football. To me it gets the impression that he is a bumbling, stumbling, clueless idiot (talking about Dorrell).

by Nestor on Jan 7, 2006 8:26 AM PST up reply actions

One more note ...

And here he sure like he is placing "loyalty" over "competency" by not firing his clueless, incompetent Secretary of defense [again talking about Dorrell. ;)]. GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Jan 7, 2006 8:28 AM PST up reply actions

Heh

The parallels are uncanny. Too funny- though I will not take the political bait this time either ;)

by brewinTK on Jan 7, 2006 8:30 AM PST up reply actions

One attribute about Dorrel I like

I think he is a decent and honest person. He is a good guy. No disputing that. I like him as a person. I just don't think much of him as a head coach.

by Nestor on Jan 7, 2006 8:33 AM PST up reply actions

Idea

I suppose we can settle this once and for all if you'd just do us the favor of moving to LA and start nailing Dorrell secretary. Then you can tell us all exactly what time he gets into the office every morning and when he leaves. Who knows, she might even be cute.

by TJay91 on Jan 7, 2006 4:03 AM PST up reply actions

Not only that

His secretary might even be a woman, which would also be a bonus.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

by uclawarren on Jan 7, 2006 2:51 PM PST up reply actions

Working hard

I don't doubt that KD is working hard. Maybe he doesn't have the skill, but that is a different topic. Unless one of you actually knows something concrete, I don't think it is fair to say that he doesn't work hard.

As for Bienemy, I haven't really seen much in terms of him getting defensive linemen. One of our biggest problems is that we play many small defensive linemen. Dragovic is only 256, Morgan is 264, Lombard is 268. Unfortunately, most of the O-linemen we go against outweigh them by 50 lbs. I don't know if this is the problem, or if it is the coaching, but it seems like our defensive line gets pushed around (like against USC where the O-line pushed us off the line every time, giving their RBs huge holes to run through). And like I have said before, Kerr can't be out there tackling for them. The debate always rages about talent, but I have seen many talented players who can play for a crappy team and at least do something (Havner, Chillar), or at least get recognized individually for it, but it's not often that our defensive linemen do much to be recognized or eventually drafted. Either way, I would like to see some 5-star Defensive linemen come to our school.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

by uclawarren on Jan 6, 2006 11:50 PM PST up reply actions

Not fair

There are probably more, and please spare me the quibbling about the details re this article or the author, but the point is that many published things I found on google in just a couple minutes say basically the same thing: he works hard. Now, believe what you may re whether or not those efforts have paid off, but your claim was, in fact unfair. As most statement tend to be when they are made despite having no facts to support them.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/abox/article_861413.php

by TJay91 on Jan 7, 2006 4:01 AM PST up reply actions

Let's drop this one guys...

This is just a forum to voice our opinions (fact-based or not). I think the original poster was just using the term "coasting" loosely. Most everyone here concedes that the guy probably "works hard", the point of contention, is whether he knows what he's doing out while he's at work.

Regarding Bieniemy, I think this is a big loss, but I don't think it'll be as bad as we think. Even though ANY Blue chipper would be starting right off the bat at UCLA, we're still having problems getting any 4 and 5-star recruits...

Let's hope we snag at least one today during the US Army Bowl.

GO BRUINS!

by norcalbruin95 on Jan 7, 2006 9:19 AM PST up reply actions

Let's drop this one guys...

Regarding Bieniemy, I think this is a big loss, but I don't think it'll be as bad as we think. Even though ANY Blue chipper would likely compete for starting time right off the bat at UCLA, we're still having problems landing any 4 and 5-star recruits...

Let's hope we snag at least one today during the US Army Bowl.

GO BRUINS!

by norcalbruin95 on Jan 7, 2006 9:23 AM PST up reply actions