Dorrell's new coaching hire - a child abuser/wife beater?

by Nestor on Feb 16, 2006 1:56 PM PST in Football

So the LA Times has a little story on Karl Dorrell's latest hire for his coaching staff - John Wristen:

John Wristen joined the UCLA football coaching staff as tight ends and special teams coach Wednesday, two days after Brian Schneider, who previously held that post, left the team citing personal reasons.

Wristen, 43, has 16 years of college coaching experience, including the last seven as an assistant at Colorado.

"John has a great track record with tight ends and special teams and has great experience with our offense," UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said

Just exactly what kind of "track record" Coach Wristen brings to Westwood. LA Times forgot to mention this criminal past about the new hire of Karl Dorrell:

Lafayette police arrested Wristen six years ago for domestic violence, and Hagan was arrested for drunken driving in 1997, according to police and sheriff's reports.

Wristen swatted his 4-year-old son's thigh and elbowed the child in the chest area, according to a police report. He then put his wife in a headlock as she tried to leave, according to the report.

Police arrested Wristen on suspicion of four misdemeanor charges: harassment, child abuse, false imprisonment and third-degree assault. In a deal with prosecutors, Wristen pleaded guilty to the assault charges, according to court records.

He was ordered to take parenting classes and receive domestic-violence counseling, the records show.

At least Dohn referenced Wristen's shady past in his report yesterday (although I don't recall Dohn mentioning the little detail about this guy elbowing his 4 year old).

So let me get this straight - a wife beater/child abuser is now roaming as a football coach in Westwood at UCLA under the eyes of Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Karl Dorrell - individuals who have spewed so much BS in the past about building a clean/classy program in the mold of Stanford. What we have have instead a program buing in built in the mold of USC, Miami, and Tennessee - programs who have deplorable character/issues off the field. Nice job Karl Dorrell and Dan Guerrerro. Way to make Bruins proud.

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six years ago

Hey, six years ago, I did some pretty dumb stuff myself, but I don't think any of those things reflect on who I am today. I think that the coaches that have come on board this offseason are going to do great, and will return UCLA to the "football powerhouse" you all claim we once were.

by spaldo79 on Feb 16, 2006 3:12 PM PST reply actions

Child abuse apologist

Wow. Sticking up for the wife/child abuser, huh? That's pretty ridiculous.

You know, I did some stupid stuff six years ago too- but that involved mostly having a few extra drinks, etc., not beating up on a 4 year old kid.

I understand sticking up for the little guy, but the little guy here appears to be this a-hole's 4 year old son.

by BBear94 on Feb 16, 2006 4:08 PM PST up reply actions

I don't think any elite team should have...

a guy who elbows his own 4-year old child and then puts his wife in a headlock. That's simple common sense, and I think it's pretty clear that this was an emergency hire as spring practice is around the corner.

What's next, are we going to hire Bill Romanowski to be our conditoning coach??

I think we're in for another mediocre year, and another 'SC ass-whoopin. I hope to God I'm wrong, but with all the coaching changes and our swiss cheese defense..

by norcalbruin95 on Feb 16, 2006 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

1997 Was Long Ago

Wasn't 1997 the same year McNown beat USC for the 7th straight time in the middle of UCLA's 20-game win streak. That was a LONG time ago . . .

by charnaw on Feb 16, 2006 3:44 PM PST reply actions

Correct except for one thing

"What we have have instead a program buing in built in the mold of USC, Miami, and Tennessee - programs who have deplorable character/issues off the field."

The only difference is that those programs get results. They win conference titles and national titles. That's never going to happen at UCLA with Coach Dullard running the show. Can we just scrap the football program before this loser digs us any deeper?

by Bruin Roar on Feb 17, 2006 3:00 AM PST reply actions

Thanks Roar ...

thats exactly what I meant to write.

by Nestor on Feb 17, 2006 5:35 AM PST up reply actions

Correct about maybe only one thing

You may be right that UCLA won't have the results of USC, Miami, Tennessee any time soon- for a lot of reasons, including that UCLA frankly doesn't have the football tradition.

I think you're both wrong to liken UCLA to these teams in terms of rules/discipline/compliance though. Sure, this hire was borderline retarded, but, to be fair, Dorrell has run a pretty tight ship in these departments, and I think you both know that. Hell, I'd almost like to be suspicious about a little payolla or something if I thought it would improve things.

by TJay91 1 on Feb 17, 2006 9:32 AM PST up reply actions