Spaulding Roundup: Recruiting/Walker Updates

by Nestor on Dec 16, 2008 6:00 PM PST in Football

Some bits and pieces of football notes and news to pass on. From Brian Dohn:

As I talk to folks inside and outside of the program, I keep hearing something refreshing for UCLA fans. And that is coach Rick Neuheisel always hustling around in recruiting.
I can't say that was always the norm in years past, but Neuheisel seems to really enjoy the process rather than looking at it as a chore and necessary evil of running a college program.

I bet Neuheisel remembers all the birthdays.

Seriously though Neuheisel’s enthusiasm and fire for recruiting is showing through in the way this class is shaping up. Despite struggling through an expected 4-8 season in his first year dealing with surreal injury issues and a decimated OL, Neuheisel and his staff to date has put together the third best recruiting class in the conference (behind Southern Cal and Stanford). Currently per Rivals.com UCLA’s recruiting class is ranked number 22, and number 27 per Scout.com.

We will have to see how December and January works out as no doubt CRN and his staff are going to have to fight off competition to hold on to committed recruits such as Hasiak (OL from Hawaii) and also wait to see whether all of our JC commitments get their necessary academic course done to fully qualify for UCLA. Still if CRN is putting together this kind of class with a 4-8 record, can’t help getting excited about what kind of class we are going to see in 2-3 years when we have a viable program contending for conference championships (and hopefully more).

Meanwhile, it looks like DeWayne Walker is wisely begging off the NMSU HC position and per Dohn, LSU angle might not materialize either:

As of right now, I don't see Walker going to LSU for a number of reasons, which I've been asked to keep quiet. But I will say LSU has not reached out to Walker, according to a few sources.

Whatever happens given what is happening at UCLA, Walker is going to be all right. Sooner or later he is going to get a great opportunity. If not this year it could be next or the year after. What matters right now is that our recruiting and our program seems to be on the right track, which should set up Walker for a move up whenever he decides to go for it.

GO BRUINS.

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Look who's in the carousel

for the ISU job post -Chizik:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=889935

our old friend
“A top target could be Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, who interviewed for the job the last time it opened.”

by drebruin on Dec 16, 2008 6:31 PM PST reply actions

You know, he's always the first name that comes to mind.

Who’s the first guy who you think of when you hear of any opening for a head coach or an offensive coordinator? Come on, ‘fess up. Isn’t it always Debra Norville, oops, I mean Jay Norvill or however he spells his name.

And what exactly is a “co-offensive coordinator?” He didn’t call plays at New Braska. He didn’t call plays at least part of the time at UCLA. Oklahoma sure isn’t running the WCAO (the A is for alleged). So what is he doing? Driving the car to make sure Bradford gets picked up to be brought to the game?

My roomie in the Army went to Iowa State, so I feel a sort of kinship. They have to be able to do better than Debra Norvill – oops, there it is again. If they’re looking for a rookie head coach with a Bruin background, the should not skip past Coach Walker for Norville, for crying out loud.

by Fox 71 on Dec 16, 2008 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

ISU will go hard after Gill

He has ties to the Big-12, coming from Nebraska. There would be some delicious irony in ISU being able to replace the completely ineffectual Chizik with the man that Auburn should have hired in the first place.

by CAJason80 on Dec 17, 2008 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

Gill will stay at Buffalo this year

just signed an extension. I know we can’t always trust coaches on their word, but no way he leaves.

by bucknellbruin on Dec 17, 2008 10:00 AM PST up reply actions

Stanford?

How does Stanford get the second best recruiting class with its admission standards? Harbaugh is doing a damn good job.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Dec 17, 2008 9:39 AM PST reply actions

Heard Walker on Petros & Money Show in LA

On the drive home yesterday, Coach D-Walker was upbeat and spoke very, very highly of how he has been treated by UCLA. He reaffirmed twice during the interview when asked about SDSU and other coaching opportunities that he “was a Bruin” and expects to be one for the near future. Money and Petros where also dowsing him lots of “man love” saying how he and his defenses have been the true bright spot for the Bruins football program over the past few years.

I always view DW as a short timer after Dorrell left and even before given his talents. When he does leave, I hope its for a wonderful opportunity as a HC because that is what he truly is working towards – and at that time, I know with certainty that CRN has a successsion plan in place and that we won’t experience a drop off in coaching or recruiting talent.

by Bald Eagle on Dec 17, 2008 11:34 AM PST reply actions