To Celebrate or Not To Celebrate, That Is The Question

I view the celebratory comments today as a cathartic release.  The subject of Dorrell has become a hot button issue for Bruins.  While there were some here that wanted Dorrell gone before this season began, many drank the preseason kool aid (myself included) and waited to see what the "show me" season would bring.

Unfortunately, it became clear very early this season (around the second half of the BYU game IIRC) that concern began to rise that this would not be the break out year that was expected. Then came the Utah debacle. That was enough for me.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to seal Dorrell's fate.  The season plodded along and we witnessed Notre Dame, Washington State and Arizona.  Of course, those losses did not deter some from continuing to argue that Dorrell was still the right man for the job. So, in response, the anti-Dorrell Bruin fans continued to apply the pressure.  Sure, some posted comments that were personal attacks on Dorrell, but, for the most part, the arguments were well thought out and included empirical data.

Dan Guerrero did nothing to quell the debate, so as the season dragged on the vitriol on both sides continued to grow.  Now that a decision has been made, those that wanted Dorrell gone feel vindicated.  Are some of the comments inappropriate, of course.  Are they unexpected, no.  We live in a society that focuses on winning and losing.  Today, the winners in this debate are celebrating.  I hope they are not celebrating that someone lost there job, but are celebrating that the outcome they desired has been achieved and change is coming.

Unfortunately, the debates about Bruin football are not over.  Today's decision put an end to the question of will Dorrell be fired, but it has probably not put an end to the controversy surrounding UCLA football.  There will groups of fans that will have problems with the process to select the next coach.  Short of Knute Rockne, Grantland Rice, or even Red Sanders rising from the grave to become UCLA's coach, there will be some that will not be satisfied with whoever is selected.  We can also expect the Dorrellistas to make regular appearances when next season, and possibly, many seasons to come, UCLA has a less than perfect game.  The controversies will go on for years, unless the next hire turns the football program around as quickly as Cheaty Petey did at $c.

While DumpDorrell.com may be going out of business, BN still has an important role to play in the exchange of issues and concerns surrounding UCLA sports.  As fans we may not have a direct involvement in the decisions that are made by the UCLA Administration, but we do have a vested interest.  The commitment, mostly emotional, but also financial for donors and ticket buyers, gives us the right to an opinion and BN gives us a place to share it.  I hope the next big issue does not divide the Bruin Nation like the Dorrell controversy.  But, we are talking sports, which along with religion and politics are the most controversial subjects around.