Mediocrity Not Good Enough For UCLA, Art Venegas Let Go

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jul 2, 2009 6:32 PM PDT in Other Sports

In a somewhat bittersweet piece of news, it was announced today that the head coach of UCLA's men's track and field program, Art Venegas, will not be retained.

One of the nation's premier throws coaches, Venegas led the Bruins to one Pac-10 team championship and two West Region team titles during his decade as the Bruin head coach. In 2009, the Bruins placed fifth at the Pac-10 championships and seventh at the West Regional. They did not score a point at the NCAA championships last month. His contract expired on June 30.

Now, I admire our athletic department's pursuit of excellence. At UCLA, merely being adequate isn't good enough and a move like this makes that clear. On the other side, Venegas is a man who has been with the program for 27 years, the last 10 as head coach. He is also one of the nicest men you will ever meet. He is a truly a great human being, but his job was to compete for national championships and he was no longer doing that. Because of that, I believe the athletic department did the right thing here.

"We appreciate everything Art has done for the program during his 28 years as both an assistant and head coach," said Toth. "But we felt a change in leadership was necessary for the program at this time.

"Art is the preeminent throws coach in the nation. We extended an offer to him to remain on the staff to coach our throwers, but he declined."

Venegas joined the UCLA staff for the 1982 season and served as an assistant coach for 16 years before to becoming head coach prior to the 2000 season. For most of his tenure in Westwood, he coached both the men and women throwers, producing numerous Pac-10 and NCAA champions, as well as Olympians.

While I'd have like Venegas to have stayed on and coach the throwers, I can't blame him in any way for not. At the end of the day though, he just wasn't getting it done and it was time to move on. That doesn't mean I won't hope for the best for Venegas. A man who has devoted so much to the program, the sport and the university, all while being a great man is someone I will be rooting for in the future. We'll miss you Art.

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I sincerely hope

the misspelling of his surname in the body of the post was a typo. Although, the amount of misplaced letters and the similarity to an actual word lead me to believe otherwise.

If I’m wrong, feel free to correct the spelling and delete my comment.

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

by MexiBruin on Jul 2, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks for spotting that

I was watching soccer when I did it and Pete Vagenas was playing so I think it triggered something in my head when I meant to type Venegas.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jul 2, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Good deal.

I think it was the uncomfortable association of the misspelling that produced my concern. Thanks for clearing that up.

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

by MexiBruin on Jul 2, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Well said, Rye

by bornagainbruin on Jul 2, 2009 6:55 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks rye, agree

This had to be a tough move for them, but it’s good to see they want a championship-caliber team in all sports.

by gilbert on Jul 2, 2009 11:18 PM PDT reply actions

Had to happen

Thanks, Rye, for your coverage of this, as well as all the nonrevenue sports. I agree completely about the thanks we owe Coach Venegas for some of the great throwers in US history. But zero points in an NCAA is simply unacceptable for a university that was at or near the top of the sport since the days of Mack and Jackie Robinson, Rafer Johnson and CK Yang, Wayne Collett and John Smith. I hope Guerrero is able to find a coach who can get us back in the mix.

by Herodotus on Jul 3, 2009 4:28 AM PDT reply actions

I have the same feeling as I did when Gary Adams was

replaced. Thank you very much for your time, best wishes for the future, but I know UCLA can do better.

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

by silverlakebruin on Jul 3, 2009 7:01 AM PDT reply actions

Won't miss him one bit

I know this isn’t a feeling shared by a lot of folks, but I’m glad to see ol’ Art go. I know folks here are calling him a great human being, and perhaps he is, but my one interaction with him made him to look like an arrogant, pompous a**hole.

I won’t get into the gory details unless anyone is interested, but this is one Bruin who won’t miss this jackass one bit. Good riddance to a mediocre coach who was a world-class jerk to the “regular” students.

by Bellerophon on Jul 3, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

What happened?

Did he yell at you for running on the track during practice? Art was much more than just a “mediocre” coach. He has and will always be known as the premier throws coach in the world. I am curious to hear what he did for you to still hold this grudge.

by beeru on Jul 3, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Tough for Art ...

But this seemed inevitable after last couple years of mediocrity. Now it’s time to move on and go get some top-shelf talent and bring UCLA track back to the top where it belongs.

It’s Time to “restore order in the universe” in the T&F realm as one great Bruin (Walton) said recently in reference to the Basketball program.

I hope DG is thinking/gunning for some top-shelf talent.

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

by rich87 on Jul 4, 2009 4:38 PM PDT reply actions