Alumni Players

by bornagainbruin on Oct 11, 2007 4:28 PM PDT Comment 21 comments

Walking out of the Rose Bowl on Saturday was the worst I have felt leaving a stadium in almost a decade (I was at Miami). So it feels awkward that I'm feeling so much better about our program than I was just 5 short days ago. And it's all due to my belief that the Notre Dame game has sealed KD's fate.

Why? Well, it's mainly due to the discussions I've had with a few ex-players. As a note, my only purpose of this diary is to share some of their comments with the Bruins Nation. So, if you are the type of person who isn't interested in hearing second or third hand information, then please, stop reading.

Now, I carpool to the games with two ex-players, both of whom played at the end of the Donohue era. Neither of them think KD is any good, and both have been ready to stop going to games because they can't take it (sounds like the rest of us). So, when we all met at my car after the game (they get to go on the field), I wasn't surprised to hear them complaining about the coaching staff. HOWEVER, what I was surprised to hear was how negative the tone is from the other ex-players.

Together, we counted over a dozen ex-players my fellow carpoolers talked to; guys from the Donohue era, Toledo era, and even recent guys who had played for KD. NOT ONE guy had positive things to say about KD, and especially not the few guys that had played for KD. I hadn't realized the extent to which the ex-players (in the aggregate) want to see KD replaced. Sure, its not all of them, and you could argue that a dozen isn't a large sample size - but it's not a small sample size either. Many of these ex-players made comments about how small our team looks and how poor our strength and conditioning program is. Many of them also talked about how they hadn't been coming to games because of the "sloppy football" we were playing - and that was BEFORE the on-field meltdown. Bottom line, it's nice to see that many of the ex-players feel much like we do, even if they don't express it in the media or blog world.

There are also a lot of rumors circulating among these ex-players. Some of which I just heard today:

RUMOR from a "reliable source" in the athletic department that KD is definitely gone this year.
A separate RUMOR that he likely won't make it to the end of the season.
RUMOR that Ken Norton Jr. was contacted about the head coaching position (not sure when this allegedly took place).

That's it. Lastly, if any of you are ex-players, I encourage you to add to the discussion. I understand that you don't want to say anything that could jeopardize your good standing with the alumni group, but you can post anonymously and state your thoughts in a way that wouldn't be considered "bashing".

Go Bruins!!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Wow

Strong post. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by any of that.

For the good of the current program, for our future, and to respect the former players who gave their all in the past, we need to clean house.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 11, 2007 4:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Two years ago I had dinner with an ex-player

He wanted KD gone immediately following the '05 sc debacle.

by UCngLA on Oct 11, 2007 4:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am good with 1 and 2

3 will not fly on BN.

Thanks so much for sharing this take. I have heard some stuff that echoes your point no 1. Let's keep the pressure up.

by Nestor on Oct 11, 2007 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why Ken Norton?

Even Dorrell had more experience than him.

by SuperBruinMan on Oct 11, 2007 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wikipedia!

I had to look up Ken Norton on Wikipedia. I'm not OK with Mr. Norton as a HC for UCLA. I really think we need to go tried and true like Steve Muci.

Victory or until next year!

by ncrpz2 on Oct 11, 2007 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dewayne Walker

To my knowledge, he has more experience than Norton. Not that Walker is my ideal choice for Head Coach, but I would see him moving up into the position long before the AD hiring Norton from southern cal.

by bruinhoo on Oct 11, 2007 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ROFL @ Norton as HC

That Benedict Arnold mofo is dead to me.

by Ajax on Oct 11, 2007 8:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So what about Henry Bibby?

He learned under the best Coach ever. What about taking a chance on a basketball guy as head coach?

by Fox 71 on Oct 11, 2007 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ken Norton is Not Benedict Arnold

I will continue to defend Ken Norton Jr's honor.

He only went to sc AFTER KD could not find any space for him at UCLA.

IIRC, Norton would have volunteered.

It's interesting that people are upset with Norton and not KD.

In addition, people here have no problems with making others who have coached at sc coaches here -- notice the Norm Chow contingent.

I don't think KN is qualified to be our HC, but I don't think he can be attacked for working at sc AFTER KD slammed a door in his face.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 12, 2007 5:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I have to respectfully disagree 66

I am with Ajax on this. Someone who puts on a Trojan uniform is dead to us. I don't want to see Norton around a UCLA program ever again. I don't care how KD might have screwed him, but that doesn't mean he had to go coach for a scumbag like Carroll. There is no excuse for it. I don't want any part of Norton at UCLA ever again.

by Nestor on Oct 12, 2007 5:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's be realistic about this

This man is an adult who was looking to break into his career of choice. KD wouldn't give him a job so he took the one that was offered at sc. At some point a man has to rise above college rivalries and look at that job as a very wise career move and as a means to support his family. From a professional standpoint it was a wise choice for KN; he got experience, exposure, etc.

We could all look at our professions and find a scenario in which we would choose to work at sc if the job (not the school, mascot, etc) was the right fit. If we say we wouldn't, well then we are either lying or we are stupid.

Having said that, there is nothing I have seen in KN that makes me think he would be the choice for HC. I want someone who has already been a head coach. A successful head coach.

by UCngLA on Oct 12, 2007 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with ng

I don't think we can harp too much at Ken Norton for what he did. I fully blame KD. Much like Lavin, I think he was afraid to bring him on out of fear of being exposed and so that he would be able to keep expectations low, considering Norton's championship background.

That being said, I don't think Norton is worried about "supporting his family"...he's pretty loaded after playing for the 49ers and the Cowboys in SuperBowls...but, as a career move, definitely acceptable in my book. He is not putting on the U$C jersey, he is coaching. My rowing coach from UCLA is now the head coach at U$C. I have no hard feelings. They pay him a nice salary whereas UCLA didn't give him squat. And he was a Bruin who won championships when he was on the team.

by tasser10 on Oct 12, 2007 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

He gave UCLA first shot and was willing to volunteer for UCLA while USC was offering to pay him. KD turned him down. I hold nothing against Norton for this...what I do hold against Norton is his actions at USC, notably the Brian Price incident last year.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 12, 2007 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't work at justsc

I'm not lying and I'm not stupid (or at least I don't think I'm stupid.) I just couldn't do it. I could never put myself in the position of having to be loyal to that place (and an employee owes a duty of 100% fidelity to his employer.) So I would never put myself in the position of having to take a job at justsc.

I have repped a lot of different persons and entities in 33-plus years. But I've never repped justsc, or any employee or student of justsc. I have defended people who were being sued by justsc people, and felt pretty good about that.

Anyway, the issue of whether I would take a job at justsc will never come up, because I could not take a job there. It is inconceivable.

by Fox 71 on Oct 12, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neuhiesel/$c Connection

He never wore a trojan (uniform), but IIRC he went to $c law school after he graduated from UCLA. Does that rule him out too?

by Bruin77 on Oct 12, 2007 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is completely different

We are talking about someone who made his name as a UCLA football player. And one of the hallmarks of UCLA football program is our rivalry with Southern Cal.

I know two of my best friends who went USC Law School, but never for a second compromised their loyalty to UCLA. They always wore UCLA shirts, gear while going to law school over there, and always maintained their sole loyalty to UCLA athletic program.

If Norton wanted to promote his coaching career he could have gone somewhere else. There was no need for him to go to Southern Cal, and then not just promoting Southern Cal, but actively doing it at the direct expense of UCLA football program.

That is completely different scenario when a UCLA grad go to Southern Cal for grad school without compromising their ultimate loyalty to UCLA and more importantly without hurting UCLA's programs.

F**k Norton.

by Nestor on Oct 12, 2007 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Went to the USC Law Center

as did some of the strongest Bruin fans on this board.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 12, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poor strength and conditioning?

That's reeeal interesting, considering the products of Howland's workout programs. Just seeing some of his players around campus, they really look like they could be football players (besides their height).

by jaffa on Oct 12, 2007 12:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Doc Kreis

One of the comments I heard (forgot to post it above) is that Doc Kreis is way too old school and really doesn't understand the linkage between nutrition/nutritional supplements and lifting. One ex-player, who graduated in the last 3 years, said Doc's answer to questions is to just "do another 30 reps." Of course, that's a third hand comment, so don't put much weight into it, if you wish.

by bornagainbruin on Oct 12, 2007 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha, its true

Back in the day, Doc would walk around and just say "more weight" when guys were lifting.

by Nars on Oct 12, 2007 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Entirely plausible

I just find it interesting the comparison between the two teams. Whatever's going on in the basketball section is working - maybe it's all the other guy listed as conditioning coach alongsde Kreis for basketball.

by jaffa on Oct 13, 2007 2:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs