Work Ethic: Dorrell v. Howland

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2007 4:43 AM PDT in Football

A giant HT to trojan killing greek guy for making this connection.

So by now everyone has read this comment following the Utah game, which I think will be one of the defining quotes of Dorrel’s failed tenure at UCLA (emphasis added throughout):

"I sleep well at night," Dorrell said. "I did everything I could."

Compare that to what we get from the other major athletic program at UCLA:

Long story short, UCLA played Memphis twice in 2005-06. The first time was in November in New York, the second time was in March in Oakland. I was courtside for both, and in the first I watched Memphis totally dominate the Bruins, score 88 points and win while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. It was an impressive performance, the kind that suggested Memphis would control any future meeting. But Howland stayed up the night before the second showdown studying film from that previous game and others, and -- depending on who's telling the story -- he watched 12, 14 or 16 hours of the stuff. Either way, it was an insane number, and it led to UCLA holding the Tigers to a season-low 45 points.

Did you get that?

Given the chance to prepare and adjust, Howland nearly cut Memphis' offensive production in half. Granted, some of it had to do with the Tigers missing shots they normally made, but casting the dismal effort as nothing more than "one of those days" would be naive. Simply put, Howland coached his ass off, and that was the biggest factor that contributed to UCLA avenging an earlier loss to advance to the Final Four. The guy is really good. Really, really good.

Simple really.

One guy coaches his ass off, the other sleeps his ass off.

GO BRUINS.

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Will Dan Guerrero

please come out of hiding and say something about all this?

by Barnes2JJ on Sep 20, 2007 6:25 AM PDT reply actions

You cannot deny KD his beauty rest

He has to look sprite and spiffy for the media, in his well-pressed attire, both in practice and in games.

If you cannot coach worth a damn, and you cannot speak worth a damn, the least you could do is look well-rested and well-dressed.

Howland looks tired and frumpy all the time, even though he has two final-4s to his name. But who needs that?

Looking good...that's where its at. Being trounced by Utah? Hey, at least he looked good on the sideline.

KD, the worst coach in UCLA history, but the best dressed.

by bluegold on Sep 20, 2007 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd be willing to bet...

Dorrell watches more golf than game tape.

The difference between the two main sports programs at UCLA is simply stunning. I'm 100% certain that if you gave Howland a year to learn the game of football, he would be a better coach than Dorrell.

by norcalbruin95 on Sep 20, 2007 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Howland needs only a week...

the rest of us, maybe 6 months.

(Shoot, give me one day and I'll learn how to lose to Utah 44-6.)

by bluegold on Sep 20, 2007 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Dan Guerrero can't

say anything because it would be undermining his own coach. I know that all of you will jump on me for this, but I don't think Guerrero should say anything at all about Dorrell while he is still the coach. Guerrero should treat him respectfully and give him room to coach the team. That way, when he's looking for a successor in 3 months, coaches won't be scared away from having Guerrero as a boss.

by truebruin on Sep 20, 2007 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I believe KD

I really do think he did everything he could. If he stayed up all night, it would not have done any more good.

by BobTheBruin on Sep 20, 2007 8:43 AM PDT reply actions

You believe Karl??????????????????

Enough said.

by meow meow on Sep 20, 2007 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Which game was it...

that we lost in basketball last year, by two points? I think it was at Stanford, where Shipp took a 3 pointer at the buzzer and missed, rather than drive and go into OT. Afterwards, Coach Howland said something to the effect, "It was my decision, and a bad one. I wanted the win. I take full responsibility."

Go Bruins!!!

by JKNaka on Sep 20, 2007 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

I don't remember the final score

but that ending sounds like Oregon.

As usual, any comparison between Howland and Dorrell turns into a non-comparison. One man is a Coach. The other is The Sleeper. You think Howland would ever think that "warning" his players how tough the NCAA tournament is gonna be is the end of his work?

by Tydides on Sep 20, 2007 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Whereas, KD would have said

"that was not the play I designed, it was his decision to take that shot...and that is why I can sleep well at night..."

by bluegold on Sep 20, 2007 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Great pick up

I remember that game vividly and it was at Oregon. Schipp had an easy drive to the basket to tie it but didn't take it. It was a disappointment and I remember thinking what was Schipp doing? Why was that play called? Here's how it went down:

UCLA worked the ball around over the final seconds and instead of going toward the basket for a chance at tying it, Josh Shipp's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was short, setting off a celebration on McArthur Court.

And you are right, this is what Howland said:

"The last play of the game was really my fault. I wanted to go for the win," Howland said. "I thought we would be able to penetrate and kick out for a 3, and it wasn't there. We were really tentative and did not get a good shot at the end of the game."

Howland never shies away from responsibility. As the article points out Oregon students rushed the court after the win (setting off a rash of similar celebrations elsewhere in college basketball all season). That is how esteemed our basketball team is!

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

by BruinCore on Sep 20, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

for the citation. I'm sure you probably know that the school year is starting. This Monday is the official start of the quarter and there will be a massive amount of students all up and down Bruin walk. It would be very beneficial to get some DD or BN reps out there to spread our cause.

Go Bruins!!!

by JKNaka on Sep 20, 2007 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Oregon students

Don't they always rush the court after beating UCLA? It certainly seems so... Not to mention they're known to throw some cheap shots at the players while they're trying to get off the court.

by UCLA4Life on Sep 21, 2007 3:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Being Cruel to Karl

I don't believe, for one moment, that KD isn't working hard. In fact, I know one of his neighbors who tells me that KD puts an incredible amount of time into his work.

The "I sleep well ... " comment is but another attempt by an inarticulate man to convey a message that he is trying and working hard -- and that his conscience is clear. It's not a statement of his physical well being or what happens when his head hits the pillow.

Karl Dorrell has not suddenly become the devil. He is what he is. A good man who is totally overwhelmed and under qualified for the head coaching job.

It is ironic that we criticize KD for not seeing the handwriting on the wall in the Utah game, for sending our starters back on the field to absorb pain and humiliation.

Isn't that exactly what DG is doing with Karl Dorrell? Sending him back onto the field, week after week, to absorb pain and humiliation.

I actually think DG is being cruel to KD.

A compassionate man would pull KD.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Sep 20, 2007 9:49 AM PDT reply actions

great point

we actually think Dorell IS doing all he can ... its just not nearly enough. So in a way you are right, Guerrero is sending a guy in to do a job he is unqualified to do and that is a bit of torture. It is an exercise in futility and humiliation, and you could clearly see the futility in Dorrell's face during the entire Utah game AND the BYU game. Dorrell was certainly not enjoying himself from the start.

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

by BruinCore on Sep 20, 2007 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

66, that's the crux of the matter

We know what he means with the sleep-well comment. But that's just it -- no coach's conscience should be clear after your team gets humiliated 44-6.

by bluegold on Sep 20, 2007 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

F Karl...

For the amount of money he makes, you could torture me. I know he does not make as much as alot of the highest paid coaches out there, but I don't feel sorry for him at all...if he truly cared about this institution, he would step down. We are losing a shitload of revenue because of him...it will be interesting to see what the attendance is this Saturday. And you know what, he chose this job...no one put a gun to his head. What is cruel is how he has nearly forced me to put my gun to my head more than a few times. Watching his press conference this week and then his, "In My Own Words" on FSN, has truly made me despise the guy. Go away Karl, you suck.

by meow meow on Sep 20, 2007 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions

what is cruel

is that we are forcing Dorrell to take a million dollars a year when its clear that he would get paid more at any other top school ...

we are so lucky he hasn't walked out on us for all the criticism we are giving him and we're also lucky that no other school has sought out his services at all.

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

by BruinCore on Sep 20, 2007 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you kidding me?

You are joking right? Seriously, we would be lucky...extremely fortunate, if he walked out. I am not too sure that other top schools would even consider him as a coordinator any longer, let alone their head coach.

You are joking right? If you are not, then I am sorry that we are "forcing" a man to take a million dollars...

This has to be a joke, just like our joke of a head football coach.

by meow meow on Sep 20, 2007 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Im an editor of DumpDorrell.com

of course Im joking

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

by BruinCore on Sep 20, 2007 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Karlavin applied for the head coaching gig

If he didn't think he was qualified or ready yet to be a head coach, he shouldn't have applied for the job. All he needed was one great day (the interview) to pretty much cement a nice fat payday. He epitomizes the old saying "Fake it until you make it."

by UCLA4Life on Sep 21, 2007 3:41 AM PDT up reply actions

How many people actually think

that they are bad at their job? He has probably fooled himself into thinking he knows what he's doing.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 21, 2007 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Basketball and Howland...

I'd like to commend BN and DD for all the research, quotes, and news we get kept up to date on and please keep up the pressure and continue your work.

BUT, could we begin looking ahead to Ben Howland and his team. Please give me updates, news, reports and anything so I can start looking forward to the only thing that makes me happy in this miserable life (a little hyperbole b/c of KD), Bruin Basketball with Ben Howland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Bruins, Go Howland, F-Lavin, and let's get rid of Dorrell....

by BruinManDan97 on Sep 20, 2007 11:48 AM PDT reply actions

Dorrell is a chip off the Donahue block

Terry Donahue's perfect season was 8-3, 7-4 with a bid to the Freedom Bowl. Donahue hated the 1988 season, and looked relieved when we lost the # 1 ranking after the loss to Washington State.

Dorrell is the same way. After the sickening loss to Utah, Koach Karl couldnt wait to start talking about the out of whack expectations and how he never thought this team was as good as outsiders were saying.

I wouldn't put it past him if this move to Pat Cowan was setting up another excuse to give Dan Guerrero... 'Hey, I lost my starting quarterback, I just need more time".

Next time we hire a coach, leave Terry Donahue and his toadie Bob Field out of the process

by BillyZoom on Sep 20, 2007 1:49 PM PDT reply actions

Stow the shots at Donahue why dontcha?

He had multiple 10 win seasons. He won 3/4 Rose Bowls, most importantly, at the same point in his career he was 31-15-2, with only one mediocre (5-6) season in the crop, 2 second place finishes in Conference, and 3 final top 15 rankings. He also had a lifetime winning record against $C. The worst thing that can be said about Donahue is two-fold (1) very conservative offensively; and (2) stayed about 5 years longer than he should have. KD is no TD.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 20, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

There were things not to like about Coach Donahue, but it is nothing like this. The current head coach makes Donahue look like a combination of Knute Rockne, Bill Walsh and Moses.

by Fox 71 on Sep 20, 2007 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Donahue versus Dorrell

Comparing the two is like comparing Millard Fillmore with Zachary Taylor. Who cares? Neither could challenge for a national championship. One would have the players and play not to lose and lose; the other does not have the players and plays not to lose and loses.

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2007 3:24 PM PDT reply actions

TD success

With an exception or two, TD had success when, let's be straight about this, Homer Smith was his OC. Homer, a former HC at Army, and devout religious person, came to UCLA to help out, being paid peanuts and not in it for the $$. His wife lived much of the time in Alabama to save $$. Homer gets passed over for credit as the man making TD any sort of success that he was. Homer was the type of coach who would have the QB's work all day on how to move the feet away from the center, etc. Sounds a bit Woodenish and he was. Great OC. Without him RN would be nobody, IMO, Steve Bono, etc. He made all these QB's.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Sep 20, 2007 3:27 PM PDT reply actions

I'm trying to think of any success that

was not linked to Homer Smith, and I can't think of any.

If I get contacted by the search committee, the first thing I tell them is that I will only take the head coaching position if Homer Smith comes along.

That man put the O in offense and the G in genius.

by Fox 71 on Sep 20, 2007 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

FYI

Homer was at Army as HC from 76 through 78, during TD's first three years as HC. TD's record in those years was 24-9-2. Not great numbers, but a sight better than 23-15 (Dorrell's first three seasons), with only one blow out loss (Alabama in the '76 Liberty Bowl 36-6).

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 20, 2007 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, Bill you just made another point . . .

... in favor of my positive distinction between TD an KD. At least the forme recognized a good OC when he saw one!

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 20, 2007 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

and actually, IIRC

I think both the Aikman years featured an offense "coordinated" by Steve Axtman. Homer bailed after '86 for a time, before coming back at least once more.

Yeah, yeah, I know, Aikman never beat $C - but at least that first game ('87) that was all about atrocious officiating. 1. Rodney Peete's facemask on (the late) Eric Turner's nearly coast to coast INT return at the end of the 1st half and Erik Affholter is STILL out of bounds.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 20, 2007 4:17 PM PDT reply actions

Homer Smith and TD

It was ironic that Aikman comes to UCLA because of the offensive flair of Homer. Then when Aikman is eligible to play, Homer leaves for two years and Axman comes in from Stanford. Axman was the king of the across the field pass and 2 yard gain. Aikman had good numbers but Axman kept him down. Don't recall throwing downfield at all during that time except out of desparation. Of course, as soon as Aikman is gone, Homer came right back and made world beating QB's out of 1 star recruits.

As BTW, in the first three years, Bruins who played at that time noted the team ran,ran,ran. The forward pass was hard to come by. I talked to Bruce Davis (senior) about that and he contended the talent was good, but the coaching was all about the run. This was all TD could do.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Sep 20, 2007 5:28 PM PDT reply actions

well, the Official story was

Aikman busted his leg as an OU freshman, then Switzer went back to the 'bone or the option. When Aikman had healed up, no place in the offense, so Barry sent him packin - recommending Aikman to Donahue and vice versa. Plus, Aikman spent part of his formative years in the Valley IIRC. Homer MAY have played a role, perhaps not.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Sep 20, 2007 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

The real problem with Dorrell

First of all, I understand why everyone's upset about Dorrell's sleeping well quote. However, I would like to echo some earlier comments that it's not the real problem. Work ethic is important, but even if I stayed up watching Memphis tapes for weeks on end, I couldn't do what Howland did. The bottom line is the Ben Howland was born to be a coach, and Dorrell was not. The most important part of all this is that Howland understands people in a way that Dorrell just does not. I remember a quote from some interview a while back where Dorrell admitted that he had originally thought that all he had to do was show his players the X's and O's of a play, and that there was no explanation involved. This is also why Howland's teams never seem to lack motivation like Dorrell's, and why Howland takes responsibility regardless of where the blame lies. The amount of talent on the football team probably demonstrates that Dorrell does in fact work hard. The trouble is that, no matter how hard he works, he just doesn't have the ability to motivate a team or inspire concentration. No matter how much time he puts in, we'll always see losses like Arizona, FSU, Utah, and all the others because his teams will always lack concentration against easy opponents.

by truebruin on Sep 20, 2007 8:58 PM PDT reply actions

Then he should resign

and become our NCAA compliance guy, the guy who keeps the towels clean and the shirts crisp. He is, at the very best, suited to be an OC up in a booth where he doesn't have to deal with anyone. And don't let him anywhere near a locker room. This guy has NO idea how to pump up football players. He thinks everyone has the same approach to football that he did when he was a player. Just do your job, study the playbook a lot, no need to get all up in arms.

by tasser10 on Sep 21, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions