Neuheisel (Over DeWayne): A Clear Break From Status Quo

by Nestor on Dec 26, 2007 5:14 PM PST in Football

So DeWayne apparently had his second interview today. And his shills haven't wasted any time talking up how the interview went great. He must have worn the same suit that Dorrell used to dazzle Carnesale and Guerrero five years ago.

While UCLA was wasting its time giving a second interview to some interim head coach, who never graduated from a real college, SMU of all places was pulling off a clandestine interview with June Jones.

DumpDorrell.com has the update on the latest state of (sad) affairs:

So we are left with Neuheisel and Walker, as far as we know. Walker had his interview this morning Brian Dohn is reporting. Walker's camp was immediately out on the boards saying it went great, quoting Chancellor Block no less. The battle lines are drawn. If these are the 2 candidates under consideration then it will be clear what UCLA thinks about its football program depending on who they hire.

If we hire inexperienced unproven Walker, with his prancing PR and thugs, we will be signaling once and for all that at UCLA football isn't a priority. We will hire another cheap inexperienced hire in a long line of cheap inexperienced hires over 40 years. Champions Made (Near) Here. Walker has also said many times that he wants to be a head coach in the NFL. Now, he is pimping the line that he wants to stay at UCLA and in LA. Right. He also has brought back thuggery to the program as we have already pointed out. Odds are that arrests and on-field and off-field incidents will soon follow.

If UCLA selects Neuheisel then at least we will have chosen for the first time in 40 years an experienced proven winner ... who came a BCS vote away from a national title game at Washington. Neuheisel has coveted the UCLA job for decades as both a former player and assistant coach. He wants to coach at the college level. When he says he wants to be at UCLA, it's actually true. But he carries baggage that could hinder his success. The pro-Dorrell, pro-Walker beat press will be so soured by losing their 2 picks for head coach that Neuheisel will be an easy target of bias. There will be little to no goodwill given to Neuheisel ... and the love and fluff pieces of the kind they gave loser Dorrell all the way through this 5th pathetic season of his.

Let me repeat again what I have said before: hiring Walker as the UCLA head coach, will prove Dan Guerrero to be a big fat liar. If he goes that route, not only will that result in a total loss of confidence in his leadership of this athletic program, it will bleed support in terms of ticket sales and financial contributions that will have a ripple effect on other parts of the athletic program.

It is just astounding to me that after twelve years of Lavin and Dorrell, we are even thinking about going the route of hiring another head coach with zero experience of leading a program.

Moreover, this is also about having a clean break from the misery of last several years. As articulated by mike87 in the comment thread:

[W]e need to ERASE the last several years from our program's collective memory. We need to turn away, decisively, from the Toledo/Dorrell/Walker era. An era characterized by lowered expectations, and excuse making. Every loss to a weaker opponent is blamed on injuries, or the players (!) not showing up. Every underachieving season is blamed on the "highly competitive" nature of the Pac-10, and the need for a little luck. Every recruit not landed is blamed on the "impossibly high standards" at UCLA. Yeah, yeah, blah blah. You make those excuses long enough, they start to sound reasonable, and they become the status quo. And when underachieving, and losing, become the status quo - it's time to blow things up.

Notice I don't say we need to turn away from the Donahue era. I respect everyone's frustration here with his ill-advised consulting, but the fact is his teams in the 80's won, and won consistently, and I always felt a measure of confidence going into the season or a bowl game. Those teams understood winning. They didn't make excuses. They were tough, and tellingly, the number of players who went on to the NFL - not just drafted, but excelled - was impressive.

I'm not a Walker basher. I think he did improve our defense, and for the first time in years, I actually looked forward to watching our D play. As a former linebacker, I love seeing kids hit, and these kids hit. That said, he is NOT a HC, and even if he might be one day (I actually think he will) his ties to the Toledo/Dorrell era disqualify him in my opinion. In my business, when things are stagnant, when you're losing for an extended period, when you've already tried making 'adustment', you bite the bullet and clean house. It's tough, but it's what winners do.

Rick N is not my first choice, but I'm a lot higher on him than most. The more I read about his past, the more I'm convinced he is/was a loud, charismatic personality who probably confronted and pissed off the decision makers, and they grabbed the first chance they could to embarrass him. The Rick N I'm enthused about has all the things I think we need most right now: he's won big, both as a player and a coach, and knows how that feels; he's enough of a personality that I think he'll improve the perception of our team to potential recruits and those covering the program, and I also believe he'll relish the chance to go jaw to jaw with Pete, something the program needs. But most of all, he NEEDS this job, and he NEEDS to succeed. It's one thing for a man to WANT to succeed. That's often a sign of potential success. But when a man possessed of skill and training NEEDS to win - he usually does. Rick NEEDS this. And our program desperately needs someone like him.

We are going to know soon enough which way DG will turn. May be he will turn to somewhere else besides RN or Wallker. If it is down to those two, you need to make your voices heard NOW.

If you prefer RN over Walker please email Dan Guerrero at dguerrero@athletics.ucla.edu and Chancellor Gene Block at chancellor@conet.ucla.edu, and let them know respectfully and politely you are ready to welcome Coach Neuheisel back home. If you are an alum or student, please make sure to indicate your graduating class in your emails. As always feel free to post your email in the comment thread to share with rest of BN.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Are there only two choices?

I am happy to reiterate my concern (I already sent one letter to DC and Chancellor) about hiring Walker. However, in saying that we should send the message that we want RN over Walker suggests that these are the only two choices.
As Class of 66 and others have opined, perhaps the search net actually is wider and the rumor-mongers at Morgan are not in the loop. If this is the case, then saying "we want Rick" could work to short-circuit what would otherwise have been a more extended search.
The message "we don't want Wayne" should be sent loud and clear. The "we want Rick" message may not be so obvious.
For what it is worth, I think that RN would be a great choice, because he has won at the BCS conference level and he apparently wants the job (rather than using us as a stepping stone). However, I sense from other posts that he is not a clear-cut #1 for all of us, hence the suggestion that we might want to consider the alternate message "we don't want Wayne".

by islandbruin on Dec 26, 2007 5:34 PM PST reply actions

Walker can't be explained away

DG would never be able to explain how we fell so far off the mark with that hire. He would fail to win, fail to excite, fail to lead, by the time it was over we would be looking up to U of A and Stanford in the standings, calling for Chuck Long or Mike Price to "bring us back to respectability"

by Bear on Dec 26, 2007 5:41 PM PST reply actions

Write about no longer donating to UCLA Fund

Done. I sent my letter to both of them in support of RN if those are the only two options. And here's my last paragraph:

Also note that I have stopped donating to the UCLA Fund until Karl Dorrell was fired. I will NOT donate if DeWayne Walker is either (a) hired as the head football coach, or (b) kept as defense coordinator even if the new head coach does not want him.

College Football is about $$$. If they will not provide a product that I can be excited about and enjoy, then I will not pay for that product, nor will I donate to a place that supports a losing mentality.

The whole "First to 100 NCAA Championships" is a huge joke with our football team can't even win the Pac-10!

by mark the bruin on Dec 26, 2007 5:45 PM PST reply actions

Rose Bowl 1984 Rich Neuheisel pictures

I was looking to see when was the last time we won the Rose Bowl and that was back in 1984 when RN was our QB! I did not know that. Anyways, here's a link a recap of the 1984 Rose Bowl along with some old school pictures of Rick.

by mark the bruin on Dec 26, 2007 5:51 PM PST reply actions

The last time

What about 1986?

by rick.2012 on Dec 26, 2007 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

yeah, 1986

Oops, my bad. But those were all before my time. :-)

by mark the bruin on Dec 26, 2007 11:14 PM PST up reply actions

My Second Letter to the AD and Chancellor

Gentlemen,

This is my second letter to each of you.

To return to excellence on the football field, the same standard of excellence that governs all of UCLA's activities both in the class rooms and on the athletic fields, we need an experienced head coach.

You recognized that when you announced the criteria that would be applied during the search.

I assume that you have continued to hold to those standards as the search has progressed.

Consistent with those standards, I appreciate the fact that despite some pressure from the main stream media, you have not -- and hopefully will not -- make an offer to DeWayne Walker. Simply stated, he does not meet the standards you have set for the hire, and their are better choices available. He has not been a head coach.

I strongly prefer Mike Leach. The more I learn about him, the more I like him. My latest research has been on the academic success rate of his players. If I understand the statistics, his graduation rate is quite good -- in fact better than ours.

I am intrigued by June Jones.

Slightly below Leach and Jones I rate Rick Neuhiesel. Not only is he an experienced head coach, he is passionate about UCLA and this job. In many ways, in terms of "desire", he reminds me of Ben Howland. I want a coach who dreams of leading UCLA to greatness.

I appreciate the fact that you have performed this search quietly, in a manner consistent with the protocol used by academic departments when searching for Deans and Department Heads. As a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin Law School, for more than 30 years, I was on search committees. I truly understand the importance of a "quiet search" particularly when one is interviewing candidates who are currently employed by other institutions. It appears you are doing it right and I applaud your efforts.

Finally, because you are doing it right, the process is surrounded by rumors. Only one really troubles me -- it has been reported that you are demanding that all candidates make a commitment to keep DeWayne Walker as their defensive coordinator. I trust that is but a rumor, but I feel strongly enough to weigh in. Like a CEO, the head coach is only as good as his staff. Both CEO's and head coaches are at risk. Because of that great risk, they need the freedom to surround themselves with the people they want and trust. A good portion of Karl Dorrell's problems were caused by the failure of DeWayne Walker's defenses in games like FSU, Utah, and WSU. I worry, if we push DeWayne Walker on potential coaches, that the best candidates will turn down the job rather than take the risk that continued failures of the defense will undermine their chances to turn our program around.

I look forward to an announcement of the hiring of a head coach who meets the standards espoused at the press conference. When that occurs, I will, once more, contribute to the various UCLA fund drives I used to support.

Best,

Stephen J. Herzberg
Professor Emeritus
University of Wisconsin Law School

UCLA Class of 1966

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 26, 2007 7:01 PM PST reply actions

I should have known

I could never place it, but now I understand why when you get mad at me it is the exact same feeling I had in Law School when the Dean would yell at me. Yet I always found your posts well thought out and already battle tested. Your not just some grumpy old Texan, you are a Law Prof, it all makes sense now....

by Bear on Dec 26, 2007 9:44 PM PST up reply actions

Jones Not Going to SMU

ESPN just reported a Jones statement he isn't going to SMU.

They mentioned the 3 big openings, felt WV was a better bet because they had better talent. That's probably true. We've graduated a lot of players this year.

Also, that Tommy Bowden was after that job. That makes sense. He has roots there. Glad we didn't get deeply involved with him before WV opened up. (Of course, maybe we did.)

Leach, Jones, RN -- my choices, in order.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 26, 2007 7:16 PM PST reply actions

Me too!

And I used to slam June Jones! But so much has changed in so little time.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Dec 26, 2007 8:57 PM PST up reply actions

I don't like either one

Do we have to choose between Walker and Neuheisel? Please tell me there are other options, because both of those guys have problems.

by joeb @ Bruins Nation on Dec 26, 2007 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Letter to Dan

Dear Mr. Guerrero,

Thank you for bringing us John Savage and Ben Howland! As an alumnus, current high school teacher and coach, I love the respect it has brought to our fine institution.

Please continue this success on the biggest stage of all - football. I have to believe you are doing just as you said in taking time to find a proven coach that will be a great fit for UCLA. I think many in the community were pleasantly surprised with how vigourously you pursued a top-flight coach like Bellotti. I appreciate that you have attempted to maintain the integrity of the search by keeping it out of the mainstream media as much as possible.

I believe there are still great candidates that would do quite well at UCLA, including Mike Leach, Chris Peterson, Bronco Mendenhall, or June Jones. I believe Rick Neuheisel is also a great coach, perhaps made even better because of his loe for UCLA (a la Ben Howland).

Please do not settle for another inexperienced coach. UCLA deserves quality, so I implore you to go for it. Open the pocketbook and pursue the best!

Sincerely,

by BruinFam on Dec 26, 2007 8:48 PM PST reply actions

Go with Rick

Neuheisel wanted the job when we went with Toledo. He still wants the job! He is a dedicated alum, who has the ability to take us to the next level. As was mentioned in another post, he is outspoken and probably did get people pissed at him, if DG can handle this then RN is the man. I, too, would like a Stoops etc., but are we going to put up $3M+ to get someone like that? No. We could do better, but we could do a lot worse (DW).

by bruinblue85 on Dec 26, 2007 9:01 PM PST reply actions

Hoping for Rick...

Rick wants to coach at UCLA. This IS his dream job. It is not a stepping stone for an NFL career. It is not a stepping stone for another school. This is a job he wants and will want more anything to succeed in.

I believe, he can be, the Ben Howland for football. Give him a chance, I think he will do great things to this football program.

by dproduct on Dec 26, 2007 9:19 PM PST reply actions

Political correctness

I still believe the only reason DW got the second interview was to maintain consistency between the three public candidates - DW the status-quo option, Golden the clean sweep re-builder, and RN the high-profile replacement. Interesting that Golden's "no longer interested" announcement coincided with DW's second interview today. Why the pressure for him to say anything until the hire is complete - especially when it's being done by someone he has personal ties with? I can only think this is all scripting to keep a vocal fan base and the MSM engaged/distracted while the real work is going on behind the scenes.

I think the recruiting issue is what really needs to be addressed with DG and Chancellor Block. I agree it's a very shallow argument that if we don't promote/retain DW we will be crippled in SOCAL recruiting - and I may be way out in left field but it seems to me the HC should not be overly involved anyway (and if he is, there's likely a problem). If we are really going to lose a bunch of recruits because DW isn't the new HC someone needs to find out what unofficial deals were made with these kids or their parents. Could this be one of the things DW learned from his $c experience?

by East Coast Bruin on Dec 26, 2007 9:53 PM PST reply actions

ITS NOT RICK ITS NOT WALKER

Maybe I am wrong but there is no reason that we could not have hired either of these two already. The fact the Golden took himself out just makes it clearer that UCLA has not found their man and is going in a new direction.
RN may be the backup, and he will wait in the wings, he has no other options at the moment and Walker, well lets just leave it at that.
If I am right we would have hired RN, DW, or Golden, had they been the fit for UCLA, but something has mucked up the works for each candidate. Our search has now left us within four days of the last game of the NFL season and within one week of any bowl game that could have a coach we covet, so why make a decision now?
Is Kiffin in play? Sunday is the final game of the season, he fits all of DG's qualifications and he is young and can recruit SO Cal. He is pissed of at his current employer and wants more pay and control over players. Leach seems to be a perfect fit, wants to be here, puts up 500 yrds a game with 2nd tier players we can only imagine what he would do with top shelf recruits. (its scary) Jones who wants to bring his whole staff, (hey Duh Whine don't let the door hit you on the way... ooops too late) Quite a list, much better than last week, in fact I am going to sleep much better tonight.

by Bear on Dec 26, 2007 10:18 PM PST reply actions

ROFL at Kiffin suggestion

I don't want some joke OC from Southern Cal who is now posing as a glorified HC for Al Davis as our next HC. Take that thrash somewhere else.

Kiffin? ROFLMAO.

by Nestor on Dec 26, 2007 10:22 PM PST up reply actions

last week you didnt want Rick

I didn't say had to have him, just said pull your head out of the sand and look around at what might be going on. BTW joke SC has been kicking the shit out us for years or are you blind. We are the JV. You hate just to hate, had you been writing this blog for SC when Peety came along you would have blistered them for hiring a two time loser.

by Bear on Dec 26, 2007 10:33 PM PST up reply actions

Good post, Bear, with one HORRIBLE exception

Please don't talk about Lane Kiffin. It makes my stomach hurt. He had no real experience when The Genius of Oakland hired him to be the head coach of that alleged team. Trying to lead that group and deal with Adolph Davis (he's the one watching from the bunker with Eva Braun) doesn't qualify as coaching experience in my opinion. But he does have bloodlines, being the son of Monte Kiffin. Hey - is Monte Kiffin in play? He has lots of experience, and has bloodlines (his son is the coach of the Raiders.)

Hey, Bear - let's leave the Kiffin family alone this time around. If Lane still has his sanity when he's fired from Oakland, he can go become a head coach somewhere else, then try out for UCLA. But not now. Please.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 5:18 AM PST up reply actions

And I forgot

Nestor, you're just a hater. If you disagree with anything I say or anything that I think, you're a hater. Either that or you're from outer space and are an alien hater. Something like that.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 5:20 AM PST up reply actions

Again

I am just bored of talking about the same old same old, we should be trying to figure out what/who is next. Why are we always blindsided? Don't we have any leaks, info, of our own? All we do is react to old info, I was just suggesting that moves A and B point logically to C or D. I wasn't pushing Kiffin, merely suggesting that his that his name might pop up on Monday and he fits the DG bill. Nestor has a hard on for all things Raider and SC. I'm a life long Raider fan and hate it when he takes shots at Davis.
I just think we are going to have new names next week, Block and DG are not incompetent men. The press has nothing to write so they make the search a JOKE, but nothing that happened at Virgina was ever a joke, and DG has not repeated the Dorrell hire and has done a great job since. Block and DG know what is on the line, they don't care what some hack beat writer or blogs write they care about their place in History. They want buildings named after them, not Kiosks.

by Bear on Dec 27, 2007 5:53 AM PST up reply actions

UCLA Head Football Coaching Search

UCLA POLITICAL SCIENCE 1979

Mr. Block,

As an alum, I would like to add my two cents on the search for a head football coach.

If the lessons of Steve Lavin, Karl Dorrell and Ben Howland have taught us anything it is this: Guys with proven head coaching experience that have had winning records succeed. Guys with no head coaching experience mire us in fits of frustration and embarrassment. It is enough to make one not wish to donate to the University.

I am sure you want to repeat the home run hiring of Coach Howland and not repeat the dank, dark, dismal low of the Dorrell and Lavin hirings.

UCLA is a Big Time Program and needs a big time coach! Giving the job to someone without head coaching experience is not something that a person that has the best interests of the UCLA Community at heart would do.

Sincerely,

Reed A. Simon
reedasimon@hotmail.com
480.917.0268
602.625.6525 Cell.
480.626.0774 Fax.

by reedasimon on Dec 26, 2007 11:23 PM PST reply actions