I Can't Even Get Excited for the SC Game

This sort of feels like the first AA meeting...

I have been a Bruin fan since the early 60's, graduated from UCLA in '78 and have been a football season ticket holder since '82.

Like all of you, I eagerly awaited this season. We had 20 returning starters, a soft schedule and a solid defense. This was to be the year we have been patiently awaiting.

The season ended for me on 9/15 when we lost to Utah. Since then I attended only the ND and Cal games, electing to give my tickets to friends. The only game I watched in its entirety was the WSU game, a most agonizing experience.

I believe KD was hired because he (a)is a Bruin; (b)is African-American; (c) came cheaply; or (d) a combination of all three. Why else would a school with UCLA's athletic tradition hire a coach with no head coaching experience and relatively little asst. coaching background? I accepted it and, like the rest of us, hoped he would grow into the job.

During the first year, I sensed a flaw in his game coaching. He coached not to lose games. To establish an offensive attack that relied on safe plays and a defense that typically played it straight up. Nothing was left to chance...there were no risks to be taken. This proved to be the wrong approach as evidenced in many games but none greater than last year's ND game where we needed one first down -- one goddam first down!-- to pull off one of the greatest wins in Bruin history. Everyone saw ND pack 10 men into the box. A simple play-action pass would have easily netted six or more yards on first down. But even that was too risky for KD. Three running plays up the middle and wake up the ghosts. I'll never forget walking out of ND Stadium, with the roar of the crowd ringing in my ears, and encountering several disgusted Bruin fans who were calling for KD's head. On the bus ride back to the parking lot, several Irish fans, noticing our shell-shocked faces, attempted to console us by mentioning the names of Bob Davie and the other Irish coach, whose name I can't remember, that brought shame to their program. They knew a shitty coach when they saw one.

A month and a half later, we witnessed 13-9 and he was off the hook.

This year, coaching not to lose has reared its ugly head in almost every game. The punt on 4th and 1 in the Cal game still rankles me. Why do coaches play it that way? Do they lack confidence in their players to execute, fearing that a mistake will blow the game? Are they fearful of unbridled criticism for taking a chance that fails? I simply do not understand. To me, it sends the wrong message to the players that are heavily recruited and nurtured through the program. How can those kids have confidence in their coach if he does feel confident they will execute properly?

Don't let me get started on lack of preparation. As JRW says, failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Just ask Ben Howland.

I am somewhat ashamed to have abandoned this team. They deserve my unmitigated support. They deserve to hear us screaming for the defense on a key third down play. But I really don't care anymore. There -- I said it. Shame on me? No, shame on my school that did not care enough to hire a coach who would not coach not to lose and would have his team fully prepared every Saturday. Was anybody noticing Steve Lavin?

Between 1965 and 2002, I attended every SC game. Not this year. I broke my string of 38 consecutive games in '03 when I chose not to go to the Mausoleum to witness an ass-whooping. Three minutes into the game, I knew I made the right call. I feel the same way this year. Of course, I hope I'm wrong and we find a way to beat those mfer's.

I trust that DG will heed the call and end this charade. UCLA's legendary athletic tradition demands a team that is well-prepared and plays hard every Saturday..not just when it's back is up against the wall.

F**k SC and GO BRUINS!!!