Emotion

by Dante on Sep 19, 2007 9:09 PM PDT

Hi, I've been reading BN since 2005, but I'm a first time poster .... My decision to get a BN identity and join in on the discussions is a reflection of how Dorrell's Bruins changed me as a fan.

For me, UCLA sports used to be about emotion. Following the Bruins was about falling in love with a team - the freshman, the seniors, the benchwarmers, even the juggler.

This purely emotional approach worked for basketball. Though I did not know much about Coach Howland, or his systematic renovation of Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh, I had blind faith that my Bruins would succeed. I was rewarded by back-to-back Final Fours, by a team that does not give up, by a consistent approach and beautiful Bruin Defense.

In football, too, I was not analytical or critical ... I was just your everyday emotional fan. I would believe that UCLA would win every game ... as a fan I thought I could just will them to victory. And what broke my heart wasn't getting embarassed by Arizona or Utah, or losing to Washington State, what killed me was punting in enemy territory, falling into the prevent defense in the 3rd quarter, and - oh god - the infamous "run run pass."

Simply put, I was fed up with it. I cannot live like that kind of fan. I think in this world that blind faith is a beautiful thing, but how many times can you do the same thing, while expecting a different outcome?

So now I am analytical. I do not think Karl Dorrell is a bad man, but I think it's time for him to go. And when I can go back to being an emotional fan, when I can cheer for my team without worrying if they will be properly prepared, or if the coach will give them a chance to win ... then all will be well.

Is it basketball season yet?

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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Comments

I think KD is a bad man

Pulling a scholarship that you gave a walk-on receiver that led your team in yards.
Benching Matt Moore after he is injured, and then having him find out over a headset.
Blaming just about everyone for his mistakes. Guess what Karl. The buck stops with you. You can't say the team was prepared, and complacent. Either they were ready for a game, or they weren't.

He is not an honorable guy. I would never want to work for or play for this man.

I'm sick of all this garbage on how great a guy Dorrell is. He just isn't. He sucks. If he was a great guy, he would resign. The best thing he can do for us, is go get a job across town and ruin their program.

by joeb @ Bruins Nation on Sep 19, 2007 9:43 PM PDT reply actions

Whoa, whoa

I'm not a KD supporter or anything .... I just wanted to make it clear that my problem with him is about football, and how he coaches (not who he is, where he's from, the color of his skin, or his interviewing abilities.)

With all his shortcomings though, I have to say that his problem is not character but incompetence .... and when he does something that isn't representative of Bruin class, it is to cover his own sorry ass, not because he's mean-spirited

by Dante on Sep 19, 2007 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Let me ask you a question.

How many people on his coaching staff and players on the field does he have to throw under a bus before you will question his character.

by joeb @ Bruins Nation on Sep 19, 2007 10:14 PM PDT reply actions

That's exactly what I'm saying

He's just covering his own ass, he's not some evil mastermind .... Really, though, I think we're on the same page

by Dante on Sep 20, 2007 7:52 AM PDT reply actions

There used to be a time

when I would look forward all week to a UCLA football game. Little else would matter, except for that game coming up. I would probably skip my own mother's funeral to attend a game at the RB.

Not anymore. KD has taken away that passion. My busy life has no room for inept football. His teams win by accident. SC, LSU, Florida -- these programs are running like machines. KD's program runs like a jalopy in constant need of a tune-up.

I do not understand why KD is at UCLA and why he has so much support. UCLA deserves better. My guess is that people do not know what that "better" is. Maybe inept football is all that they are accustomed to. And they pray to their god of all ineptitude, KD.

by bluegold on Sep 20, 2007 8:11 AM PDT reply actions