Chow-UCLA Talks Heat Up

by Nestor on Jan 16, 2008 4:46 AM PST in Football Comment 16 comments

As expected, the Titan's firing of Norm Chow has really heated up the Chow/UCLA discussions in the local media. From the LA Times:

UCLA wants to talk to Norm Chow, and the chances of a significant conversation between Bruins Coach Rick Neuheisel and the veteran offensive coordinator increased dramatically Tuesday when the Tennessee Titans fired Chow after three seasons with the NFL team.

Chow, who interviewed to become UCLA's head coach in December, acknowledged Tuesday night that UCLA had contacted his oldest son, Carter, who is his agent. Chow, 61, has two years left on a contract that will pay him more than $1 million a year. UCLA is believed to have between $300,000 and $400,000 available for an offensive coordinator.

Asked if he was interested in joining the Bruins staff, Chow said, "At this point in time, I'm going to sit back and stay home and walk the dog and think about some stuff. My wife and I have been apart for three years and we're going to enjoy being together."

It is more than understandable on Chow’s part for wanting a little room for reflection. However, reading today’s stories, it certainly sounds like CRN will make a full court press. From the same article:

Neuheisel had said he would call Chow after being hired on Jan. 5. But Neuheisel was holding off on naming an offensive coordinator this week until he had a chance to talk to Chow, a source familiar with the situation said. Neuheisel is believed eager to make a hire in a short time frame.

If Chow were to take another job, the Titans would only be responsible for the difference in salaries.

Neuheisel was considering Jedd Fisch, former Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach, and Rip Scherer, the Cleveland Browns' quarterbacks coach, for the job.

Chow, the offensive architect during USC's recent national title runs, was fired by the NFL's Tennessee Titans, setting up the pieces for the Bruins to land the long-time offensive coordinator.

Chow still owns a home in Southern California, where his family remained even while he worked in Nashville. Also, sources said family members are encouraging Chow to take a strong look at the UCLA job.

Chow's interest level in UCLA is uncertain, and messages left at his home were not returned. But early in the day he told the Tennessean, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm disappointed. I didn't see this coming."

Again, the thing to keep in mind is that money is not going to be an issue in this scenario. Also from Dohn in today’s report:

Chow has two years remaining on his contract with the Titans, paying him approximately $1 million annually. Any salary Chow made in the next two seasons would be subtracted from the salary Tennessee owes him.

According to sources, UCLA is contemplating approaching Chow with a back-loaded multi-year contract that would enable Chow to collect much of his salary from the Titans over the next two years, then be paid most of his money from UCLA in a possible third year of a contract.

However this scenario turns out, we can count on CRN giving an all out effort. I think we should also consider that if CRN’s wasn’t patient during the process of assembling his coaching staff, UCLA wouldn’t be in this position to have any discussions with Chow. If CRN hastily named an OC early in the process, we wouldn’t be having these discussions today. And I think we have to give him credit for having the vision and moxie to think big when he got here saying right off the bat that he would make a pitch to have someone of Chow’s caliber on the Bruin staff.

It may not all work out in the end. Chow may decide to just take a year off (remember, because of his severance package, he can collect his millions without working) and do that proverbial recharging the batteries thing. But, in the meantime, you have got to admire CRN for having the vision and self-confidence necessary to dream big and pursue a dream scenario of Chow to UCLA. Plaschke certainly took note of the signs we have been seeing ever since CRN arrived in Westwood. The game is changing little by little in LA.

GO BRUINS.

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The only bad thing is the timing...

... as in the Titans only fired him YESTERDAY, and with signing day coming up, the window may be a VERY narrow one.

If the Titans had done this even LAST week, I think our chances of signing Chow would be that much better. At this point, I am not advocating that we just sign ANYBODY -- Chow is that great and that proven of an OC that it's worth making a full, last-minute, Shaq-level-in-1996 push to sign him as a free agent, because getting him for even 2-3 years would be HUGE for recruits.

MAJOR props to CRN for even trying. Not saying this as a dreaded moral victory, but it's nice to know that CRN will take a risk on proven talent and experience for the good of the program.

How many coaches, with barely 2 weeks until signing day (is that right?), would risk keeping recruits in limbo for one more week to chase a guy who not only was one of the architect's of the archrival's return to success, but at this moment is contemplating comfortable retirement with the wife in the South Bay (which, let's face it, is something that would look good for all of us)?

Go get 'em Rick. I want my Kirk-Spock-McCoy triumvirate of Rick-Norm-DeWayne...

Space... the trophy goes here...

These are the continuing voyages... of this Bruin football enterprise...

Our continuing mission... to win more and shock the world...

To prepare our kids for life... and end the Trojan occupation...

To boldly go where no Bruins have gone before."

"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 Jan 16, 2008 6:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And, of course...

Pete Carroll as Khan -- except, unlike Ricardo Montalban, he might need to wear a prosthetic chest.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Jan 16, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Need help from contract attorneys

Assuming UCLA has $400,000/year to pay Chow, for 3 years. That totals $1.2 million.

Assume for the first 2 years UCLA pays Chow $1 per year, thereby Chow receives $999,999/year from the Titans. Chow gets his $1 million/year for the 2 years.

Then in the 3rd year UCLA pays Chow the $1.2 million (OK, less $2 if you're technical).

From Chow's point of view, he works at UCLA for 3 years: $1 million/year for years 1 and 2, and $1.2 million in year 3. And he retires and passes the torch to his successor.

Is that how it might work?

by bluegold on Jan 16, 2008 8:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Really

What you're getting at depends upon the answer to a different question: whether or not there is a provision in Chow's buyout with the Titans that reduces payments by whatever Chow makes in the future.

Of course, there is such a provision in Dorrell's contract, such that we'd all be happy for him to immediately obtain gainful employment. But, as it stands, I don't know whether there is one in Chow's or not.

If there isn't, then, under your scenario, Chow makes. 1.4 in year one, 1.4 in year 2 and .4 in year three (or 1/1/1.2).

by Menelaus on Jan 16, 2008 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And, by the way

Yes, I know that Dohn's report suggests that there is such a provision in the contract; I'm just not sure if he's just assuming that, or if he really knows.

by Menelaus on Jan 16, 2008 11:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Additional incentives

While the money calculations might be on target, I get the distinct impression that other factors come into play. Norm said he and his wife have been apart for three years (he's been living in a hotel room in Tennessee) and he just want to come back "and walk the dog" or some such as that.

While there's conjecture that he might want to just sit and comtemplate the sunsets in Manhattan Beach for a year, I suspect otherwise. I get the feeling that a role with a local team offering a backloaded contact might be just the ticket for him. While we are all hot and bothered about the missing the opportunity to have him come on board, he might just be thinking the same thing; this is a very good opportunity for him as well.

Let's face it, he'd be working for a major university with a dynamic new coach in West Los Angeles. Even with traffic, not far from the South Bay and much more desirable than trekking out the 10 and up the Harbor freeway to Figueroa. Add to that the possibility of sticking around for three-six years if things work out. Remember, $3-400,000 per year is nothing to sneeze at on the back end. It's a living and, in your sixties, you definitely are motivated to consider a comfortable commute and a decent place to work in lieu of a high salary and a backbraking out-of-town job.

by whp68 on Jan 16, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Other factors

I pretty much agree. I was just playing with the numbers part of it, as I have heard conflicting things about how Chow's buyout works.

That said, I'll try desperately to take my UCLA hat off for the next part.

If I was Norm Chow, I think I'd jump at the chance to come to UCLA. I love the South Bay, and living there with my family would sound fantastic. It would probably have sunk in to me by now that a head coaching gig at a major university wasn't in the cards. I would have had a long and distinguished career, and if I didn't have a ridiculously comfortable retirement ahead of me (including at least 2MM coming in), I'd have to shoot my investment guy.

At that point, I would have a decision to make. Take a year off? Hang up my clipboard and putter around? Or take the job just up the street where a exciting new program with lots of unrealized potential is coming together to challenge my old boss? I suppose this comes down to a personal decision for Norm, but if it were I, it would be pretty easy.

He doesn't need the money. He doesn't need the fame. He doesn't need a stepping-stone to something else. He just needs something that is enjoyable and gratifying. I've got to think that UCLA fits the bill.

by Menelaus on Jan 16, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

Extremely well put. In fact, considering the situation pre-december 3rd (just prior to KD being let go), UCLA was in a world of hurt and the general concensus (though not on this site, too many smart people like you here) was that there were fools at the helm.

Now (see posts below about Dorrell), it seems like some very adroit people are pulling the strings: we get Chow at a discount, he gets a job that is probably perfect for him, and Dorrell gets a job with Denver saving even more buckaroos. A lot of this may be luck, but luck favors smart people.

..I am so-o-o-o-o excited, I could just sh**t!

by whp68 on Jan 16, 2008 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Everyday

I get added confirmation that CRN was the right man for the job. We haven't taken the field yet but he has revived a moribund program and put the spotlight on it both locally and nationally.

by BlueReign on Jan 16, 2008 8:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

RN comment

Somewhere the question was asked, "Why pursue big names?" RN's response, "Because they had big accomplishments"..... Not sure I heard any of this type of talk the past 5 years... seaching my memory bank... nope!!!
Go CRN, and kick some axx across town.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jan 16, 2008 8:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

UCLA Football Roller Coaster Rides

UCLA Football has become an amusement park and I mean that in a positive entertainment way. First we rode the ups and downs of the football season. Then the we got on the Will KD be Fired ride. After that it was trip on the Coaching Search. That was a great ride, with more ups and downs than anything at Magic Maountain. Then, before the thrill from the end of Coaching Search had settled in it was off to the Dewayne Walker ride for more twists and turns. That ride was a little longer than expected and turned out to be more successful than anticipated. Now Bruin fans have to choose between the Norm Chow and Retaining the Recruiting Class. Is this a great off season or what?

And as soon as we get off the Football Rollercoasters it will be on to Basketball Madness. Right now we are just going up the big incline to the top of the first hill, the question on this ride is, will there be a big drop after the long ride up, or do we stay at the top and get off?

UCLA sports is an e-ticket. Those with heart conditions or do not meet the minimum height requirements should not take these rides.

by Bruin77 on Jan 16, 2008 8:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

A Coup...

For whatever we all may have thought about the individual candidates for head coach, it would be a remarkable coup for UCLA football to get 3 of the candidates for the position on the same staff, working together.

That would be impressive.

by Quickhands on Jan 16, 2008 10:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

A double coup

D'Oh!n (we can still do that to him, right?) reports that Denver may hire Dorrell (and thus letting UCLA off the hook for some $$), to replace Mike Heimerdinger, who apparently is a front-runner to replace Norm Chow.

Hence, Tennessee's firing of Chow may send him to UCLA and at the same time save UCLA over 6 figures in cash. Not bad.

by godblesstyus95 on Jan 16, 2008 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if this happens

We could use some of the money saved on Chow himself, no?

Keep your fingers crossed, Bruins!

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

by MexiBruin on Jan 16, 2008 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Make it happen!

This could have a tremendous impact, both with coaching and recruiting. Please make Chow a back-loaded offer he cannot refuse!

by cabz on Jan 16, 2008 11:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

HOORAY FOR RN

He's already made a significant impact on the attitude of this team and has proven to be an astute judge in bringing together a staff. Several players have settled back into the fold and are excited about the new direction. Particularly interesting is the impact of the change coming to the weight room. Many of the players have been unhappy about their progress in the weight room. It had degenerated to the point players were racing to see how quickly they could complete the assigned workouts. Lack of intensity had become startling. Now comes change.
I can't tell you how happy I am about the hiring of a new strength coach. No offense to Doc, he's had a great career, though somewhat tainted by scandle in the past. But he was on the downside of his career and unable to get the gains we need. Only the players that had no prior lifting experience were showing any gains. That will now change.
One player had been mulling over a UFC offer until RN was hired and he's told me he is really excited to how the weight training will change things. Go Rick!

by kauwildman on Jan 16, 2008 11:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs