BREAKING Hacksaw reports Neuheisel is hired

by Odysseus on Dec 29, 2007 1:05 PM PST in Football

2pm Monday news conference. Comment away.

UPDATE, 1:08 pm -- M ESPN ticker during the Kentucky BB game is saying that "UCLA names Rick Neuheisel as new head football coach."

UPDATE II -- T Statement from Neuheisel from our official site:

"I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater as its head coach," said Neuheisel. "UCLA is a special place and I want to thank Dan Guerrero and Chancellor (Gene) Block for the opportunity to come home. We are going to build a program our supporters will be proud of, both on and off the field. I can't wait to get started. I made some mistakes earlier in my career and I take responsibility for those mistakes. I have learned from that experience and I would never do anything that would reflect negatively on UCLA."

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Just broke on ESPN as well

During the bowl game.

by Tydides on Dec 29, 2007 1:08 PM PST reply actions

ESPN's game crew announced it about 5 minutes ago

as did the studio

by bruinhoo on Dec 29, 2007 1:09 PM PST reply actions

Welcome home, Rick

Make us proud.

by Sweetbreads Bailey on Dec 29, 2007 1:09 PM PST reply actions

Indeed! In Deed!

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

by MexiBruin on Dec 29, 2007 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

OUR LONG (BRUIN) NATIONAL NIGHTMARE IS OVER!

This is great!!! I look forward to winning seasons, competitive teams year in and year out and BCS bowl wins!!

by Seanny Rotten on Dec 29, 2007 1:10 PM PST reply actions

Story also posted on UclaBruins.com

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122907aae.html

by CrouchingBruin on Dec 29, 2007 1:11 PM PST reply actions

About Freakin' Time . . .

Now, put down that geetar and get to work, Skippy. You've got a mess to pick up.

GOOD DAY to be a Bruin again.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Dec 29, 2007 1:11 PM PST reply actions

You're getting what you deserve...

Cal undergrad and UCLA grad. I've been reading this blog for a long while without commenting and you guys are going to get what you deserve. Dwayne Walker will walk and your recruiting class is going to disappear. Slick Rick won't be able to do all of his old tricks like calling recruits from his car while outside the kids house. And since UCLA has the WORST rep when it comes to recruiting the inner city, expect USC to continue to dominate in that area. And yeah, Cal will take their share of this year's UCLA commits. When it comes to UCLA football, UCLA never gets it right.

by OskiBaby on Dec 29, 2007 1:12 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for your input.

We'll see, won't we.

by Sweetbreads Bailey on Dec 29, 2007 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

As VP Cheney said to Senator Leahy

Nahhh, on second thought, really LOVED That Cal Program this year. IT was fantastic, wasn't it? You're in a fine position to throw rocks, mate.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Dec 29, 2007 1:17 PM PST up reply actions

My God! Calling recruits from outside their house

I'm sure the war crimes trial will be starting soon.

by Offside on Dec 29, 2007 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

Right, because cal knows football

cal hasn't sniffed the Rose Bowl since Jesus was born and we're supposed to believe that you and your ilk know what it takes to get there? Banned.

by Tydides on Dec 29, 2007 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Retard

Get lost now. Thanks.

by BlueReign on Dec 29, 2007 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

To the Cal guy...

I seem to remember beating Cal this year with our terrible team????

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Dec 29, 2007 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

A bit of a complex, eh?

Pretty pathetic that you read the Bruin blog regularly, but I guess everybody likes to read about winners. Can't say that we care about Cal sports.

I would bet you dollars to donuts that we keep at least 16 of the recruits in the current class, and that we replace the ones we lose, if any, with comparable players. Why? If these guys were willing to play for Dorrell and his .560 winning percentage and impotent offense, they'll play for a guy who's gone .680 and scores points.

by BruinsRule on Dec 29, 2007 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

From the UCLA press release

DG on Neuheisel's past, which of course was a key issue to many Bruins, and outsiders with interest in the search.

"I know there are some issues in Rick's past that concern our constituency. We have discussed those at length with Rick and have investigated those issues with the NCAA. It has been at least five years and, in some cases, more than 10 years since the incidents occurred. We believe Rick has learned from those incidents and that he is more mature and experienced in the areas of compliance."

by bruinhoo on Dec 29, 2007 1:14 PM PST reply actions

link

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122907aae.html

by bruinhoo on Dec 29, 2007 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

Great News

And, I don't think we'll lose many of the recruits.

There is no reason to say we will, except the playing of a race card that reads that an experienced head coach, with great successes, charisma galore, from a superb school can't recruit or hold people of color.

That's crap.

Welcome home RN!!!

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 29, 2007 1:16 PM PST reply actions

Finally!

On the UCLA website!
Yipee!!!!!!1
http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/ucla-m-footbl-body.html

by BruinFam on Dec 29, 2007 1:20 PM PST reply actions

GOOD SPIN -- 5 years/10 years

Note how the official statement from DG mentions that RN's prior viuolations were 5 years, or in some isntances, 10 years ago.

The ESPN in-studio B-team also mentioned the 5 and 10 year line. Even Rece Davis, who started the segment on RN's baggage, closed it by saying RN is an aggressive recruiter.

Also, the in-studio panel mentioned that $C ahd reached a saturation point with too much depth ('6 or 7 guys ahead of you') so why not go to UCLA with the exciting new hire with the NFL connections.

I'll admit, RN was NOT my first choice... but he may end up being the BEST choice.

Let's roll with the Neu, Nation!

ROLL WITH THE NEU.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Dec 29, 2007 1:35 PM PST reply actions

Not my first choice either

But he's a much better choice than Walker.

Let's see if Rick can't turn things around.

by mcbruin on Dec 29, 2007 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

waiting for the other shoe to drop

How long before we bring in Chow?

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

by MexiBruin on Dec 29, 2007 1:46 PM PST reply actions

At first I was skeptical of skippy...

...but I'm glad we have someone here that wants the job. I believe that he learned from his mistakes in the past and that he won't screw up at his "dream job". Here's to ending the reign of uncle Pete at Figueroa tech!!

GO BRUINS!!!

by bruingreaser26 on Dec 29, 2007 1:47 PM PST reply actions

If Walker Walks...

What about going after Ken Norton Jr. if DEEwayne leaves?

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Dec 29, 2007 2:07 PM PST reply actions

HOLY EFFING COW ...

right when I leave for the day, the news pops. Just my effing luck. But OUR MISSION IS ACCMPLISHED!!!

IM READY TO SING HELLELUJAH!!!!

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Dec 29, 2007 3:06 PM PST reply actions

Happy Us

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DG, I NOW HAVE A MAN-CRUSH FOR YOU!
RN, DOUBLE THAT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR (AND MANY TO COME)!!!!!!!!!!

BruinsNation (and hopefully DD with a new name) will give us all the amo we need against the haters who are sure to surface (especially when we beat them)!

Now the fun will be seeing who we get for OC and DC!

It's like Christmas, and we got to open the big present first, but there's still a few more . . . assistant coaches, recruits, etc.

by BruinFam on Dec 29, 2007 4:24 PM PST reply actions