Football News & Notes

by Nestor on Jan 9, 2008 4:42 AM PST in Football

Just as we speculated before the Norton to UCLA speculation is not dead yet. From Brian Dohn in the Daily News on Norton and UCLA:

Where Norton fits into the landscape of Neuheisel's staff is uncertain, but it could be contingent on what happens with Bullough. Fitzgerald received permission from Neuheisel to speak with Bullough, and the two met during the ongoing coaches convention in Anaheim.

Northwestern has an opening for a defensive coordinator, but Bullough said that was not part of his conversation with Fitzgerald.

"I don't see that happening at all," Bullough said. "I'm excited to be at UCLA."

Bullough was born in East Lansing, Mich., and played at hometown Michigan State. When DeWayne Walker agreed to remain as UCLA's defensive coordinator last week, keeping Bullough was part of the agreement, and he was given a raise.

However, sources close to Bullough said he has a desire to return to the Midwest.

One possible scenario is for Bullough to leave and Norton Jr. to move back to his alma mater to be UCLA's linebackers coach and assistant head coach.

As mentioned before we will know more by the end of this week as the NCAA coaches are having their convention (in Anaheim) which is supposed to end on Friday. Speaking of which Painter had some interesting info on DN blog (HT ’street) indicating how Coach Neuheisel is going out of his way to help former Dorrell assistants look for other jobs. Again a class move by CRN (compared to how the previous regime went through transition (to put it kindly) in their coaching staff).

Also as expected CRN’s enthusiasm is energizing the current players (HT OutOThsWrld):

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel held his first team meeting this morning. I ran into several players on campus today, and each one came away smiling and stoked at Neuheisel's energy and attitude in the meeting. They told me it was a direct 180 degrees from Karl Dorrell's approach.
Also, I was told the next few weeks will consist of voluntary conditioning and weight lifting programs before the mandatory stuff gets underway Jan. 22.

And making "very good impression" on our recruits:

The recruits. I'm hearing many of them are thrilled about DeWayne Walker remaining on staff, and Neuheisel is making a very good impression. From what I'm hearing, the class will remain mostly intact, although there could be one to get away here and there.

None of this is of course a surprise to us. As Dohn noted I am sure we will lose a recruit or two here and there. But CRN will make up for them by brining other blue chippers who will be better fits for our program. We are going to win either way with CRN in charge.

GO BRUINS.

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We Need to Thank Dohn

for all the strong support he gave RN during the selection process.

Oh, he didn't? He denigrated him?

Gee, it seems like they are BFF's now.

We will never know what would have happened to the recruits if DW had left. Dohn will always lead a "retention" paragraph with Walker but he grudingly has to acknowledge RN's very positive impact on the "class".

My sense is that RN would have held them on his own. He really is doing a great job.

Focused energy and talent. Great combo.

sjh

PS. Anyone else think Jill Painter did a better job with the Blog than Dohn does?

Maybe he will work to meet the standard she has set.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 9, 2008 5:36 AM PST reply actions

What A Shot Of Energy!!!

And this program has it now with RN at the helm. I'm so freaking excited I can't stand myself!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Jan 9, 2008 5:36 AM PST reply actions

I hear you

I wolfing down every possible morsel of info regarding RN staff and developments.

by brewinz on Jan 9, 2008 7:25 AM PST up reply actions

RN Retaining Recruit Class W/O Walker

My take is different from yours, Class of 66.
To wit: "My sense is that RN would have held them on his own."

I believe that many of the inner city L.A. players of color recruited by Walker and Scott were sold by Walker and Scott on playing under Walker/Scott and an African American head coach.

Without Walker's staying on, I think RN would have lost most of them.
I do not blame the kids for feeling that way. If I were African American I would feel the very same way.

(We'll have to agree to disagree, since as you pointed out, there's no why to ever know for sure.)

I just never felt that losing even the heart of one pretty good recruiting class was sufficient reason to elevate someone without extensive experience to be our head coach over the opportunity to hire Neuheisel

by scarecrow on Jan 9, 2008 7:51 AM PST reply actions

I think you're partially wrong

I think you may be right when it comes to defensive recruits. I don't think that it's just the fact that Walker is African American that attracted them, I think those recruits also wanted to play in Walker's system.

As for offensive recruits, I don't think it would have mattered. To them, RN and an exciting offense would be more influential than having an African American coach who really won't be dealing with them much since he's the DC. Now maybe they are still coming for Eric Scott, but I will say this: any decent recruit with ambitions of playing professionally would be an idiot if he based his commitment on the race of a coach as opposed to his ability.

by tasser10 on Jan 9, 2008 8:21 AM PST up reply actions

We will agree to disagree

on the race issue.

I find no support, anywhere, that "white" coaches cannot recruit players of color or that people of color cannot recruit white players.

This stereotype is dangerous and can only hurt the careers of coahces of all colors.

I have had extensive experience in both serving a cross cultural, cross class clientele and in training professionals to serve in cross cultural cross class areas.

This is not a proper subject for discussion on BruinsNation, but my experience is that the greatest divides in this country are those of class, not race.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 9, 2008 8:32 AM PST up reply actions

Well said 66...

Through my experiences, income bracket too tends to be more of an indicator than skin color if one wants to generalize.

by bruinhopeful on Jan 9, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

I agree

But I would say it depends where you live...

by tasser10 on Jan 9, 2008 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

Daily Bruin complaining about CRN's phone calls

http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2008/jan/09/iucla-athletics-shouldnt-advertise-phonei/

Several of the students are complaining about CRN's phone calls. The whole college experience includes football & basketball, especially if you are going to a Div 1 school. Why else go to UCLA if you only want to study?

by mark the bruin on Jan 9, 2008 8:31 AM PST reply actions

Several students?

I just saw quote from one student. That's one. And if you count the writer we have a total of two students bitching about the call. DB can put out a lot of worthless crap. This is a classic example.

by bluestreet on Jan 9, 2008 8:36 AM PST up reply actions

Ken Norton

The Dohn article says: "One possible scenario is for Bullough to leave and Norton Jr. to move back to his alma mater to be UCLA's linebackers coach and assistant head coach".

I can't imagine that "assistant head coach" thing would sit well with DeWayne Walker.

by kiriba on Jan 9, 2008 9:23 AM PST reply actions

"Asst Head Coach" - sounds screwy

I saw that too and thought there must be something screwy with this story. I was actually relieved that RN had not tossed in the Asst HC title to DW to retain him so I'm very surprised he'd give that title to a DW subordinate.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 9, 2008 9:36 AM PST up reply actions

DW subordinate?

I am not sure if Norton came in he'd be subordinate to DW. Will he work with DW on defense? Yes. But the guy in charge of this program is RN. And Norton would ultimately only answer to RN.

by bluestreet on Jan 9, 2008 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks Street You're On Point

Many of us didn't want DW to stay didn't want him to stay for exactly this reason -- confusion as to some as to whose team this is.

This is RN's team and he is in charge of everyone and he gets to determine who stands where on the field and communications chart.

That said, DW has done nothing to indicate he is confused about whose team this is.

At the end of the day, DW did not seem to have a better option than to stay with RN, improve his D, and hope to get HC offers in the next year or so.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 9, 2008 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

of course he's subordinate

The positions coaches on offense and defense are subordinate to the coordinators, unless it is a figurehead OC, like Norvell was in Nebraska.

Why in the world would a head coach hire a position coach and not have him report to the DC? It would create an incredibly disfuntional situation.

RN isn't stupid. Ultimately, everyone reports to RN, but funtionally, the position coaches report to their respective coordinators.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jan 9, 2008 10:29 AM PST up reply actions

assistant head coach

It's a title without substance, and would only be used to pry Norton from USC with a "promotion." Norton would still report to DW on the defense. If I'm not mistaken, calling him AHC would make this a promotion for Ken instead of a lateral move, and that might prevent Pom Pom from not granting permission for Neuheisel to speak with Ken. In any event, that's a rule in the NFL (that is, you can't deny permission if it's a promotion with the other team). I understand that college is more lax, but Pom Pom would be viewed as justified in denying pemission on a lateral move.

Recall that Rocky Long was DC but Bob Field was DB coach and AHC in 96 and 97 because Toledo and Field agreed that whoever didn't get the HC job would have the figurehead title. This is not a slap in DW's face but a relatively meaningless way of getting a good assistant to join the staff.

by BruinsRule on Jan 9, 2008 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

Whoa

If DW is developing the defensive scheme that the linemen, linebackers and DB's execute, it would seem logical to me that the LB coach would take direction from DW. Certainly the buck stops on RN's desk but I would think he has delegated the day to day supervision of the Defensive organization to DW, which would include oversight of the defensive asst coaches, no?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 9, 2008 10:01 AM PST reply actions

We don't know

We don't know how the chain of commands have been set up. Programs like Oklahoma and Florida have assistant coaches in the defensive staff who have titles of Co DC/Associate Head Coach/Assistant HC etc.

My assumption Walker had to know that RN was deeply interested in bringing Norton in. Walker's main concern was keeping Bullogh and Howard on the staff. If Bullough is looking to leave that will allow RN to bring KN in staff. And whatever it takes to sweeten the pot a bit for Norton w title etc, RN will do it. And Walker will have to work with Norton and other coaches. Sure Walker is in charge of devising the defensive scheme. But he is not the dictator of our defense. RN is the main guy in charge.

by bluestreet on Jan 9, 2008 10:05 AM PST up reply actions

Blogging. Sometimes more HARM than good?

Instigatin'.
Startin' trouble.
Pickin' a fight.
Startin' mess.
Wow.

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls...

We just hired THE BEST POSSIBLE FOOTBALL COACH for the UCLA Program. Most of us agree on that much. Please tell me:

Why can't we GIVE RICK ROOM and allow him all the space he needs to hire HIS OWN STAFF
in the way HE see's fit?!?!?!!!!

MUST we nit-pick every possible scenario.
MUST we speculate on why/how/when/where the ASSISTANTS come from? Damn.

PERSONELL DECISIONS are personal.
Who you or I might feel is the BEST POSSIBLE CANDIDATE for this job or that job has NO BEARING WHATSOEVER with how comfortable Rick feels about any particular individual.

When I was the principal of a private elementary school, the first thing I did was INTERVIEW the existing staff, FIRED ON THE SPOT several of the teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, kitchen crew and janitorial services. WHY? I wanted an ELITE school. I wanted a school that was going to be "among the best". I didn't give a rat's a** about how "popular" any particular person was. I only cared that they were going to be COACHABLE BY ME, and committed to helping me make our school among the best in our community. The LAST THING I probably needed was some internet blog weighing in several times a day about how I didn't like Ms. Parker's attitude so I FIRED HER, and hired Ms. Grayson instead. (Yes, Parker had her fans!)

LET RICK NEUHEISEL PICK HIS OWN CREW!
Let HIM title or not title anyone he wants.
Let HIM deal with all the internal politics and personality issues that exist or don't exist.

We accomplish NOTHING, we HELP NOTHING by getting into these kinds of issues. All we do
is STOKE IRE, INSTIGATE, and START MESS within the Bruin Community. "Hey DeWayne, according to Bruinnation, you're gettin punked, boy! Yeah, man... it's ALL OVER DA WEB!" Good grief.

C'mon guys... YOU KNOW WE (bloggers and blog participants) HAVE A VOICE. You know we are heard. Shouldn't we exercise SOME restraint?
Don't we have SOME responsibility to HELP the common good? Or... is this just a part of "freedom of speech"?

Sorry. I am very, very uncomfortable with nit-picking, slicing and dicing, every single move of the new head coach, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. It's BASKETBALL SEASON! Let Rick get ready for football season in ANY WAY HE SEE'S FIT! Yeesh.

by class1984 on Jan 9, 2008 11:39 AM PST reply actions

Don't think it matters much..

..what we say here with respect to staff titles or positions; Neuheisel's going to do what Neuheisel's going to do.

UCLA was probably aware of the massive discontent with the football program under Dorrell and probably did pay attention to the blogs and public opinion at some point.

But RN ain't gonna do that. Any head coach/manager/CEO that runs his internal organization according to public opinion is most likely doomed to failure.

Besides, it's fun. It's why there are fantasy leagues, why pro football and basketball drafts are televised, and off-season baseball trades are talked about.

..and, besides, I kinda liked Ms Parker.

by whp68 on Jan 9, 2008 12:04 PM PST up reply actions

right on.

my bad.
non-issue.

Upon further review, I've decided that this stuff is primarily for "entertainment" purposes.

I'm cool now.

by class1984 on Jan 9, 2008 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

It's hard to hold back

We've been beaten over the head by KD and his confounding hiring/firing of assistant coaches, so you'll have to excuse us for looking at these hires and nitpicking. Don't worry, as the hoop season heats up, this will let up a bit...but we are all on the edge of our seats. Glad you can take it with a grain of salt.

by tasser10 on Jan 9, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Benefit of the doubt

Yes, Ms. Parker was HOT!!

That being said, I think we must remember that, unlike CTS, CRN has experience as a head coach. He proved at CU and UW he knows how to put together a staff. DW has said all the right things and given absolutely no indication he is going to try to undermine Rick. We owe it to Rick, to the UCLA program, to believe in Rick Neuheisel and give him the benefit of the doubt. It's going to be a long off-season, and I think we should concentrate on the positives, not the negatives. If trouble surfaces later, then it will be time to nit-pick and turn on the pressure.

In Rick Neuheisel we trust. Go Bruins!!

by Herschy on Jan 9, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

From what I understand...

A blog community is an arena for public opinion. Sure, I may disagree with some of it, but as a public arena it is my right to partake or ignore as I see fit.

The laisse-faire concept to which you refer seems better fitted elsewhere...not on an educated community of bloggers and contributors who--in my experience--keep me an informed, rabid fan.

If you are "very, very uncomfortable," perhaps you should use your personal rights and peruse/troll elsewhere. I'm here to read published MSM news that can be found on other outlets, but I prefer to digest that with a healthy dose of commentary from brethren with whom I share a common interest--the improved health of UCLA Athletics as a whole.

by bruinhopeful on Jan 9, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply actions

Class of 84

I agree 100%. Let's all back off, take a deep breath, and at least wait until the new staff is hired to comment. This is all noise, and the new HC is busy.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jan 9, 2008 3:17 PM PST up reply actions

WTF are you talking about?

Am I too old to understand?

BN is the place where the majority of posts have always wanted to give the greatest amount of deference to RN in his hires -- including freeing him from "legacy" hires from the past regime.

I have no idea what you rant is about.

Can someone help an old man out?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 9, 2008 12:02 PM PST reply actions

I think

his rant is specefic to the comments on this post only (not other posts). If you read some of the posts above, you'll see there are some people quarreling over whether or not KN should be brought in, and why RN would give KN (if brought in) the asst. HC position instead of DW.

by OutOThsWrld on Jan 9, 2008 1:06 PM PST up reply actions

It's getting HOT in here!

Let's all take a collective deep breath!

by bruinelder on Jan 9, 2008 12:36 PM PST reply actions

My advice to all

Start drinking heavily and then....Oh what the hell, have another drink.

This site does have it all contrary to what the Dorrelian's would have you believe. I get quality information, well crafted opinions, some not so well crafted (I can sort the fly.... from the pepper) and any other news I need about the Bruins. I get to read different perspectives that I may not have thought of. I also get to laugh at the comedic stylings of Fox71 & Class of 66 (to name a few). That in itself is worth the price of admission to this site. Wait....it's free, even better. One stop shopping so to speak.

Enjoy the site for what it does bring to the table, I do.

by artybruin on Jan 9, 2008 1:57 PM PST reply actions