Let Optimism Reign

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 6:08 AM PDT in Football

It's here. Training camp starts today and finally we have UCLA notes in all the major Southern California papers even including the LA Times. The theme of the day seems to be how difficult it is to get all the new coaching staff in sync even though Dorrell has had almost half a year and the entire spring practice to get it done.:

When UCLA opens training camp today fourth-year coach Karl Dorrell doesn't expect everything will run smoothly. Perhaps there will be some confusion in the secondary, communication issues within the offense.

But it won't be all with the players. Dorrell said his overhauled coaching staff, which includes six new assistants and three holdovers in different roles than in 2005, will take time gaining cohesion and continuity in training camp.

"I think it's harder than putting in an offense," Dorrell said. "You have a melting pot of coaches with so many different backgrounds. They've been doing things certain ways. You've got to mold it into this style here. I think that's hard."

Coaching is "hard" work? Who knew?

Luckily for UCLA, our players are not making excuses like the head coach. Junior Taylor in the LA Times:

Because UCLA's Spaulding Field was scheduled to be renovated in late March, the Bruins began spring practice under their revamped coaching staff less than two months after the Sun Bowl, the earliest start among Pac-10 schools.

The quick turnaround helped the players and new coaches get to know each other better.

"They came in and we haven't skipped a beat," Taylor said. "Each coach came in and established himself right away. Everything just clicked.

"As a team, we were looking to see who would fill the void left by Cable and Bieniemy, not just them as coaches but also their personalities. I think we have everything and more with this new staff."

I had to lol reading this in the Times report on new OL coach Jim Colletto:

UCLA can only hope that this latest staff shake-up is as successful as when Dorrell replaced offensive coordinator Steve Axman with Cable in 2004. Under Axman, the Bruins ranked 110th out of 117 I-A schools in total offense. Last season under Cable, the Bruins had the nation's seventh-highest scoring attack.

That's why Dorrell's hire of Colletto was so important. With 11 years of experience as a college head coach and a Super Bowl ring as line coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2000, Colletto provides a veteran presence who knows how to win

Yeah Colleto was such a "winner" at Baltimore that the Ravens fired him, and he sure left a great impression at South Bend when he was coaching the ND offense. From our chat with BGS:

Ahh, Jim Colletto. One of the Irish faithful's favorite whipping boys during Bullet Bob's reign of error. We made fun of him while he was facing off against us at Purdue and then -- doh! -- he became our offensive coordinator. To say his offenses were inept and stupefying would be a massive understatement. But he actually has a fair reputation as a line coach, so as long as Dorrell keeps him out of the offensive war room you should see some benefit there.

Anyways we will hope for the best and hope that Dorrell has Colletto just focused on OL (even though he got fired from his last gig with the same job description) and take Dorrell's at his word for now that he is working "hard" to come up with a "productive" season whatever that means. Let optimism reign!

On the other side of the ball OC Register's Robert Kuwada has a report on the new "attitude" and "focus" for Bruin defense:

The Bruins' mind-set and attitude were more of a focus - stoking, not salving, a defensive unit that often was just along for the ride during an improbable 10-2 season that included stirring comebacks and victories in which they allowed 40 points to Cal, 41 at Washington State, 35 to Arizona State and 38 to Northwestern in the Sun Bowl.

And when UCLA opens its fall practices today, Coach Karl Dorrell, Walker and the defensive staff are likely to find that much at least stuck. Bolstered by the promise of a more aggressive approach, the Bruins' defense is looking forward rather than back.

"The attitude has really changed for our defense as a whole, our mentality has changed," said junior Trey Brown, a returning starter at left cornerback.

Aaah the feel good vibes of change in "attitude," the stories of being a more "focused" defense. Haven't we heard all of that before during the first year of Nick Alliotti, Phil Snow, Larry Kerr or whoever came in to fix this defense since Rocky Long left Westwood. None of this BS is going to matter if the team follows the "10 win" season by meeting the reasonable expectations for this season.

Let optimism reign.

GO BRUINS.

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Colletto vs. Cable

Colletto doesn't seem nearly as imaginative and bright as Cable was (probably due to his age) but with age comes experience, which could be a plus. They were both pretty uninspiring as college head coaches and both were fired (though I dunno how much you could blame Cable for getting canned... playing second fiddle to Boise St. isn't going to intice many recruits). Purdue got much better after Colletto left, which isn't a great sign.

Logically one would think Colletto's NFL experience has made him a more effective position coach, but that doesn't stop me from missing Cable somewhat. However, it seems more natural for an OL coach to just hold OL coach responsibilities and not be an Offensive Coordinator/OL coach. Cable was a pretty solid recruiter and brought in some quality lineman while he was here. So long as there isn't any dropoff with Colletto in terms of recruiting quality lineman, I think we'll be fine overall.

by ucla21 on Aug 7, 2006 7:31 AM PDT reply actions

Cable v. Svoboda

I have to say I am intrigued by the idea of Svoboda at OC. He did have a great impact on the DO. And if the off-season indications are right, then he may open the offense even more with BO putting in shotgun formations etc.

He also comes across as someone who is ambitious. His offense at the previous program (eventhough it was D-1AA) was prolific. So who knows our offense may be fine under him.

I am not worried about as Colletto as much. What I am worried about is our D. Can we hold the opposition to something less than 24pts a game?

by bluestreet on Aug 7, 2006 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Our Defense & Offense

Considering our track record with defense and the fact that we play in the Pac 10 (the offensive juggernaut of all BCS conferences), I will be very happy if our defense gives up ONLY 29 points or less. If it's 30 or more like last season, then it's fair game. You can only win so many shootouts. And if our offense runs into a stingy defense, we're screwed. Right now, my main concern remains on the defense. I firmly believe that our offense will pick up right where we left off last year. Everybody says the loss of D. Olson, Drew, and Lewis will reduce our offensive production. I disagree. Those three players will no doubt be three of the greatest Bruins all time, but I believe we have replacements who I think will meet and exceed the numbers put up by those three. Ben Olson may start off rusty after being away from football for four years but if he is as good as he is hyped up to be, we have a Heisman candidate on our hand. Chris Markey and Khalil Bell will more than compensate for the loss of Maurice Drew as demonstrated in the Sun Bowl. The loss of Lewis will definitely hurt us this year as BO will not have an oversized target to throw to but I believe our unheralded corps of wide receivers, led by Taylor and Cowan, will step up to the plate.

by bruinzete on Aug 7, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Colletto is too OLD.

I know this sounds a little bit immature , but I know older people and they have shorter fuses than someone younger.

He doesn't have a great reputation like the future Hall of Fame O-line coach who's name is not popping up in my head right now. He coached the O-line for the REDSKINS and ST. LOUIS Rams. He was a very old coach, but got the job done everywhere he went. Colletto is no longer in the NFL, this is the only hire that I did not like from Karl Dorrell. Colletto has to become a freind and a mentor to his players they are just "kids" who are still finding themselves at this age , not pros that are all BUSINESS.

Hope he gets the job done ,but he "is the weakest link...goodbye!"

by dodgers05 on Aug 7, 2006 8:16 AM PDT reply actions

Jim Hanifan

I believe you are referring to Hanifan who was an incredible OL coach.

My favorite is still the former Niner Bob McKittrick. Bob McKittrick is probably the best OL coach ever to deal with WCO.

I will try to be generous on Colletto. Perhaps just focusing on OL will keep our O humming. If we can score in the 30s and not fold when it really matters, I will be happy. But had to laugh when the Times reporter made him sound like a great 'winner,' given his track record in Baltimore, Notre Dame and Purdue doesn't merit that praise.

by Nestor on Aug 7, 2006 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions