James Washington: A Coaching "Candidate" CRN Needs To Turn Down ...

by Nestor on Feb 14, 2009 8:32 AM PST Comment 12 comments

... respectfully.

Former UCLA All-American safety James Washington is interested in filling the latest vacancy on Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel's staff.

An opening surfaced Thursday when safeties coach Tim Hauck left to become an assistant secondary coach with the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

"I would love to be a part of Rick Neuheisel's staff," Washington said.

Washington, who won two Super Bowl titles with the Dallas Cowboys, would give the Bruins a strong inner-city recruiting presence. He played at Jordan High in Los Angeles and remains an integral part of the community.

Washington operates a Shelton 37, a non-profit program to teach kids life skill programs. He also helps with youth football camps and has relationships with many of Los Angeles' inner-city prep coaches.

Through his connections with the Cowboys, Washington also has a strong relationship with many Texas high schools, which could also benefit in recruiting.

Washington, 44, played eight seasons in the NFL, five as a starter, and made 17 interceptions. He's worked in television the past four years, during which he was a frequent visitor to UCLA's practices, serving as a mentor to many of UCLA's defensive backs, often talking to them about technique and preparation.

Despite all the connections James Washington brings to the table, I don't think right now he is the right fit for UCLA's coaching staff.

Right now Neuheisel needs to fill the defensive staff with some experience. He has already hired a DC who previously didn't have experience as a DC. He also brought in Carnell Lake, who we are all excited about to the staff.

I think there could be potentially room for Washington in the staff couple of years down the line, once the current staff is little more established and not to mention the program is on even more solid group. But for now I don't hiring someone like Washington makes sense. I hope Washington understands that and if and when he gets turned down, doesn't behave like Petey's Poodle. I don't think he will because from listening to him it sounds like he is committed to being part of Bruin Family ... for life.

GO BRUINS.

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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Is there an interim position -- an assistant or something like that?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 14, 2009 10:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why not now?

I know what you’re saying about not taking on too much inexperience at this point, but who knows what the landscape will look like in a couple of years. Chow might be gone, who knows? We need talented recruits now. It’s not like J-Dub doesn’t already have relationships with the current players. He also has pretty impressive credentials as a pro-bowl DB. That means something to kids. They’ll listen to somebody who’s won at the highest level and seems to care about them. Who knows what kind of X’s and O’s he is, but then again, it’s not like we’re making him the DC.

by kballs on Feb 14, 2009 12:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

JW will be an asset--in the future

I love JW and his devotion to UCLA. He brings bigtime NFL credentials and should be able to go toe to toe with Petey’s Poodle—Kenny in the living rooms of America. He has no coaching experience. He could be like a volunteer assistant for a year and then if he does well, bring him in full time. That’s what Petey did with Kenny. We cannot lose another UCLA alum to the crosstown crooks.

by bruin75 on Feb 14, 2009 1:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

CRN will know

Fox (always) raises a good point. You cannot teach experience. If we still had an experienced DC, then bringing in guys like this would almost certainly be a good play – meshing their enthusiasm and playing experience and willingness to learn the coaching role with the tutelage of the experienced coordinators and head coach.

As for whether Washington is a good fit in the current coaching scheme, I will watch what CRN says and does. He knew enough to get and keep experience in NC and DW when he first came aboard. He will know whether Washington has the goods to contribute to the staff.

Also, and though I have no empirical data to support this, I’m willing to bet that football alumni with Super Bowl rings make good recruiters, and his community work should also catch parents’ attention.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Feb 14, 2009 2:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

respectfully disagree

given the position he is up for, db’s coach. he doesnt have “coaching experience” but he has experience in everything a coach does, which is evaluating talent and technique and breaking down film. plus his assets as a recruiter are awesome. i’d get you if he was up for dc, but it’s a positions coach, if he fits with the program and crn digs it, i say it do it

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Feb 14, 2009 2:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Those are good points

I am with you rb in terms of the assets JDub can bring to the program. But I hope you understand my apprehension comes from the fact that right now we need to inject some experience in the defensive coaching staff given some of the changes we have had in recent weeks.

by Nestor on Feb 14, 2009 3:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's why I'd Like the Best of Both Worlds

An experienced DB coach AND JW on the staff.

I doubt JW needs the $$$ of a big time position and I think we should give him an entry level job.

He has real credentials, is a very knowledgeable commentator and, unlike TBS, has character.

At the time I was upset with CTS for not giving TBS an entry level chance. I think Bruins owe Bruins that opportunity IF they are qualified and won’t break the bank.

JW is qualified and so long as he does not demand to be “the” position coach and so long as his salary needs don’t break the bank, I’d love to add him to the staff.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 14, 2009 4:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

CRN can bring Washington into the program and work him in like CTS did with Eric Scott? The difference here is Washington will not come with all the baggage. Not sure if this is feasible but could be an idea if Washington is open to it. I still would like to see an experienced DB coach.

by Nestor on Feb 14, 2009 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

(well done mgmt)

(thanks)

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Feb 14, 2009 3:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

JW is an asset

as stated by others. He can bring a lot to the table IMO. However, Bullough is a new DC and we really don’t know what we’re going to get from him. I’m confident in his abilities and reports are that scheme-wise, there isn’t much difference. However, I think it’d be prudent for us to establish the defensive side of the ball and then bring in JW in the future. Lake whom I’m high on is also new as well. Don’t want to handicap a new DC with inexperience. Like the idea about a grad asst. but note that Tata is first in line right now. I say, continue the work with Fox and in a couple of years, there may be a spot.

by BlueReign on Feb 14, 2009 5:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I really like the idea of JW ...

I totally understand Nestor’s concern on the experience issue, but I say bring him on board in some capacity… At the end of the day, I’ll support what Coach RN decides.

Easy money and faithless women, red-eye whiskey for the pain...

by rich87 on Feb 14, 2009 9:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re-airing some comments that have already been made.

I like JW for the position based on the description cited from the Daily News. I see no drawbacks. Experience was critical for the DC position. This is a position coach we’re talking about now.

When I first read the title of this Fan Post I expected to read some disturbing background information much like Eric Scott’s. Having read nothing to that effect, I have to give JW my thumbs up.

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

by MexiBruin on Feb 14, 2009 9:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs