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From a Dorrell supporter

Bumped. We all appreciate these kinds of posts where Bruins (who I will not confuse with certain Dorrell cultists) are manning up and making this an unified Bruin Nation. We need everyone's voice at this point to make our chorus for change in Westwood louder and stronger. GO BRUINS. -N

[My first post here - I apologize in advance for the length and thank you all for the bandwidth.]

A few years ago I went to an event where Dan Guerrero was present (being honored for being named by SI as one of the most influential minorities in sports, iirc) and without going into details found myself sitting next to him after dinner at a table with a bunch of ladies, i.e., I basically had a one-hour one-on-one conversation with him.  This was shortly after he had fired/hired coaches for our two biggest programs (football and basketball) and we spoke mainly about basketball, Coach Howland, and of course Coach Wooden.

With respect to hiring Coach Dorrell, Mr. Guerrero was very pleased with the selection - he needed a class individual to get control of the program, didn't have the salary to offer to a truly 1st-tier coach, and felt fortunate to hire not only a former Bruin from a successful era but also a person of color that would highlight the (then anyway) very diverse nature of our university.  And I don't think anyone can deny Coach Dorrell brought the program under his control and has presented a positive face for the program.  Mr. Geurrero was under no delusions that Coach Dorrell wasn't in over his head from the get-go, but felt he could do a solid job recruiting and was very hopeful that he would grow into a first class (in the tactical sense) head football coach.

With the realities that were present at the time, hiring Coach Dorrell was a solid decision.  Deferring to our AD's insight, I understood that patience in Coach Dorrell was necessary.  I had no tolerance for Linda Lavin's tenure as head basketball coach (I thought he was likely one of the best coaches in America - had he been an assistant) but I could give Dorrell time.

As we stand five years later, it is clear that Coach Dorrell has not grown into an effective head coach as most in the program had hoped.  In my eyes, I allowed for him to learn on the job, every year hoping that he would grow into the job.  And every year something would happen during football season that would make me look forward to basketball season.  To say that Coach Dorrell did not make progress would be inaccurate; but it simply has not been nearly enough, not by a longshot.

I ran out of faith last year in South Bend.  Ultimately, the philosophy of "bend/don't break" and "playing not to lose" (vs playing to win) are Coach Dorrell's undoing.  The contrast was so damn plain as day at the end of the half last Dec 2nd, when UCLA had the ball near mid-field with about a minute and a half left, and Coach Dorrell was trying to run out the clock to go into the locker room DOWN rather that going for a score.  WTF?  The coach on the other sideline was calling timeouts, trying to get the ball back with any time left on the clock, even knowing that he would not have good field position.  As y'all will recall, a pass to a tight end - and his ability to break a tackle to pick up first down yardage - allowed Dorrell to run out the first-half clock.  Some measure of success, eh?

This type of attitude permeates our football team.  Dorrell's incarnation of the "West Coast Offense" seems to be to try not to make mistakes.  So many short passes without a chance for real success unless players can somehow break numerous tackles - how many times must we witness completed passes on third downs that still result in punts?  I think I can speak for all Bruins in saying that I'd rather see my team lose while giving it their all, rather than luck into wins while playing it safe.

Our last game was particluarly pathetic.  The defense seemed quick as would be needed but always chasing air, running the wrong way.  Confusion seemed to be the norm on offense.  Their QB had plenty of time to throw, ours never enough.  For some reason the coaches decided to try to establish the running game once we were down by three touchdowns.  And once the game was truly out of reach they left in key players, which for many reasons (risk of injury, gaining experience for others - why did Dorrell travel with so many players anyway?, sending a message to the starters,) was just poor.

When our team has had success it appears to have been in spite of the coaches.  The highlights of the Dorrell era for me will be the comeback win against Cal two seasons ago and the 13-9 win last December.  Plus any inspired performances that may come this season, although at this point that's tough to foresee.

I believed what was being written in the papers before the season began, hoped our high ranking might be justified, and was looking forward to a great year.  But the Stanford win did not look nearly as good as the scoreboard indicated, and the BYU win was strategically very ugly.  We were soooo set up for a big fall.

I will still be at the Rose Bowl for every game, and will be hoarse every Sunday this fall (yes, I yell at the TV, too).  And I hope our kids can overcome this staff and win every upcoming game (although as a realist I can't see that happening).

I thought the win over 'SC was going to buy Coach Dorrell two more seasons in Westwood, and I really hoped that he would somehow change his approach.  But this tiger's stripes have not changed and apparently cannot, and I now have no doubt that this will be Coach Dorrell's final season as Bruin head football coach.

I appreciate the opportunity to vent.

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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A fair, reasonable statement...
... still expressing dissatisaction with the current coaching situation.

It seems that once the smoke and venom and fire and brimstone of Staurday night dissipates, all we are left with is reason -- reasonable people giving their logical reasons why a change must come.

Props to the new guy for coming in with this thoughtful post.

M

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

by Meriones on Sep 17, 2007 3:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

As long as you bleed blue & gold
You're a more patient person than I am.  I loved the hire as well.  I loved the fact that a progressive university such as UCLA would hire a minority HC who happened to be a former Bruin with pro experience.  I still remember the press conference where all those former Bruins came in support.  I really believed that I was going to witness something special.  

The whole Manny thing at Colorado just befuddled me.  I chalked it up to an oversight but I kept on seeing more & more signs.  I jumped off that train a long time ago.  Like we've said before, KD is a good guy but he is not fit to lead our team or this program.  It is painfully & obviously clear.  

Hang in there buddy.  The program will be back in due time.  We just hope sooner rather than later.  

by BlueReign on Sep 17, 2007 3:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Very nice post
and welcome.

You make the key point that Dorrell has not grown into the job.  That is why we need to make a change.

This was going to be The Year.  20 returning starters and a very favorable schedule.  Next year is going to be a beast.

Not everyone is cut out to be a head coach.  I know I am not qualified.  Unfortunately, Dorrell has not shown any improvement in my eyes.

by Barnes2JJ on Sep 17, 2007 3:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

HEAR HEAR
Your experience eerily tracks with mine. The ND game was a watershed moment for me, though I too, thought he'd gained a respite and turned a corner of sorts with the break of the $C streak.  

He's a nice man.  Ditch the cliche-machine, and he's a very well spoken guy. He's got "judicial temperament" which works great in the courtroom, but on the football field . . . not so much.  

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 17, 2007 3:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Great first post!
It would be stating the obvious for me to say I am not as patient as you ... but your candor and reasoning are hard to argue against.
editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Sep 17, 2007 4:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Eliqintly put.
My sentiments exactly. I have been fustrated many times the last five years with KD's conservative coaching and playing not to lose instead of playing to win. If they would have fired him after the Notre Dame fiasco I would have been satisfied, but then came the SC game and the team played focused and with determination the whole game. KD showed passion, and looked like he turned the corner and coached the team to one of the most epic victories in UCLA history. After finishing with four straight wins I thought he deserved one more year to prove he has grown into the position and learned from the mistakes. Then came the Emerald Bowl, and instead of building on the big win they regressed to play the same way as before. Coming into this season my feelings were unlike most on BN. I did not see the point in calling for KD's head before the season started. To me this was the season that would determine his fate. With the retuning players, and the favorable schedule, everything was aligned for him to succeed. Now three games into the season I think he has determined his fate. He has not learned from his mistakes. The team is not getting better. In fact they have gotten progressively worse every game. The next and bigger question is where do we from here? I do not see DG getting rid of him any time soon. Thanks for letting get that off my chest.

by wizardofoc on Sep 17, 2007 4:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Says it All.
What's real, BN? It's been a while (thanks for reinstatement). The greatest thing about this write-in was it's ability to capture emotions I'm sure we've all felt at some point since KD's arrival (though hard to reconnect with after so many years of disgust). As a former student, AA (can I be the first to coin a new "person of color" acronym, pleeezzeee!?!?) and live-and-die Bruin Football supporter, I was done with KD the first time I got a look at his piss-poor sideline demeanor (attitude is everything).  But like most, I went against my instincts and gave his weird, timid approach a chance or three -- until Wyoming. Every soul-crushing hit since then has been equivalent to those last, brutal headshots you take on the way down to the mat... you don't even remember it.

I also deeply appreciated the insight into DG's thinking.  I needed SOMETHING to cling to regarding the unbelieveable amount of tolerance he's been shown. This past weekend, soaking myself in Grey Goose and olives, I learned something truly disturbing from a lifelong SC brother (it happens).

Can anyone else here in the BN/DD space verify the truth about the "emotional management" courses our boy is taking? Maybe I missed it (like I said, it's been a while), but i have some very reliable 2nd party information that I'd love to have validated by anyone with staff/faculty ties about this.  What I learned was a true condemnation.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Sep 17, 2007 5:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Your story sounds familiar
I think we've all had some variation on this story, so just know that you're not alone. The timing of that turning point is really all that differentiates many of us. Throughout KD's first and second season, I was ready and willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But oddly enough, season 3, his "most successful" season, is what turned me. His comeback wins while exciting, just didn't meet the eye test, and the way we ended that season, at Arizona, and 19-66 needs no further explanation.

by Tydides on Sep 17, 2007 5:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Please end this
affirmative action experiment.  DG himself confirmed that it was an affirmative action experiment. Please end it now.  UCLA deserves an elite program.  Unfortunately, KD cannot event spell elite, nor know what it means.

by bluegold on Sep 17, 2007 5:42 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So well put
"I'd rather see my team lose while giving it their all, rather than luck into wins while playing it safe."

I have been unsuccesfully trying to express these feelings and you chose the perfect words. I've been saying how some coaches get by with brains and others with balls. A good coach obviously has the right combo of both. Dorrell's problem, unfixable problem, is that he lacks both.

Now as much as it hurts and it feels like turning on the program I can't support you in being present at the games. This offseason when the ticket-office solicited me to buy season tickets I refused. I told them I didn't care about how many returning starters we had, I didn't care that we beat sc. I would not be out to support our football team until there was a coaching change. I love the Bruins and will always support with my heart. But right now, the best support I feel I can give is to withhold my little bit of money and physical presence. I won't be an enabler of this abomination!

by TCbruin32 on Sep 18, 2007 9:12 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Enablers
That says it all.  

by Fox 71 on Sep 18, 2007 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Curious
What did the person asking you to re-up your tickets say when you told them you would not re-up because of the head coach?

I am preparing myself to tell UCLA that I, too, will not re-up my season tickets until Dorrell is gone (actually, I already did tell Guerrero this, but I am sure the ticket office will be calling at some point).

by Barnes2JJ on Sep 18, 2007 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He tried to pitch the seniors to me.
This was obviously before the season.

I was thinking about getting a mini-plan so I could go to the ND game, same thing I did last year for sc. But they weren't offering any mini-plans. Thats when I told him it was super ballsy to solicit me with an entire season package under the current coach. Basketball I could understand, but not the current football program. And that's when he tried to sell me on our sc win and returning experience.

by TCbruin32 on Sep 18, 2007 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
For me, it's cut and dry.  Get rid of the coach and I will re-up.  Otherwise, get lost.

by Barnes2JJ on Sep 18, 2007 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Make your stand!
Hope the message makes its way to the right people!
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny" - Boss

by TCbruin32 on Sep 18, 2007 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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