Catching Up With UCLA LB Coach Clark Lea

by Nestor on Sep 30, 2010 5:25 AM PDT

I have been waiting for this for a while now it's here. Was hoping Ralph would catch up with UCLA LB coach Clark Lea sometime soon this year and looks like he did just that this week:

As Ralph mentioned in the video in just four weeks all three of our LBs have been recognized either at the conference or national level for their play on the field. No doubt Lea's coaching has been a factor in their early success individually and collectively as a unit.

Akeem Ayers after getting off to little bit of a slow start (not in terms of production but more in terms of staying within his assignment) in the first game, has been playing at another level. Patrick Larimore is now flying around like a heat seeking missile and Sean Westgate has been really flourishing in our nickel defense. If these guys continue to develop at the rate they have been going last few games, it's exciting to think where our defense will end up towards the end of the season.

BTW note how Clark gave a shout out to UCLA's S&C program under Mike Lyn for our guys early success on the field this season. It's been a theme in a lot of the post game interviews we have been hearing last few weeks.

As for Clark, another thing to note (which we did previously) is that he is one of the most intense recruiters on CRN's staff. Last year as grad assistant he was the point person in reeling in Aramide Olaniyan from Virginia. Really excited to see how his career unfolds in Westwood. If he continues to emerge, let's hope CRN hangs on to him for a while at UCLA.

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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A of opportunity for improvement ...

I like the way our coaches are looking forward, rather than backward. We have three linebacker “honored” performances in two weeks, we win two big games, and the coaches keep level heads, acknowledge the efforts, and talk about improving.

I had forgotten that Lea moved up from a Grad Asst post. To be honest, I always wonder whether we ought to be taking anyone who is not “seasoned” with “real” experience. I’ll have to reconsider that position.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Sep 30, 2010 6:39 AM PDT reply actions

There is something to be said for promoting from within

While I certainly applaud our efforts to bring in experienced assistants (ie Palcic, Chow), I really like that CRN has also looked within the program to fill vacant positions. I think it creates a good working atmosphere and continuity…not just with the other coaches, but the players as well. I remember when we had a different OC for 4 seasons in a row. Not surprisingly, we struggled on offense for most of that time. It’s good to see Lea and Bullough showing they can develop our players (so far).

by hicalliber on Sep 30, 2010 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions

It's about balance

This staff badly needed some recruiting-buff youth, and Lea fit the need precisely. (Some would argue we need even more, say at the WR coach position). Ideally you would have all seasoned teachers with balls-out recruiting energy, but that’s rarely feasible. I don’t mind promoting from within in specific cases where at least one major skill — recruiting — has been proved.

My personal preference is still for great teachers, but with other LB coaches already on staff this seemed an opportune promotion.

by bluebland on Sep 30, 2010 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions