Neuheisel’s Delusions Re. "Progress" Exacerbating Bruins’ Apathy & Ambivalence

by Nestor on Nov 21, 2011 10:00 AM PST in Football

I haven't wasted much time taking on Rick Neuheisel's "brave" public comments since the Arizona debacle. They are empty coach speak that no one takes seriously except for reporters who are looking to find a easy to fill their "beat reports." Reporters like Chris Foster who will serve up tone deaf comments like this:

"Well, in my mind, from my vantage point, there has been lots of progress," Neuheisel said. "I understand the frustration of the fans out there. They may not be able to see it because they don't come to all the practices and they don't sit where I sit."

It's not that difficult to refute silly claims of progress from someone who thanks to a beat down of hapless Colorado now has an overall record of 21-27, needing to go 14-0 to catch Karl FREAKING Dorrell. For the sake of quick reminder (because apparently people have short memories) here are the cold hard facts on Neuheisel's "progress":

Only two of Neuheisel's 27 losses by less than a touchdown. Six of 27 losses by less than 10 points.
20 of 27 losses by two touchdowns or more.
15 of 27 losses by three touchdowns or more.
Neuheisel's Pac-12 record is an abysmal 12-23, which includes a 0-3 record against Southern Cal.
UCLA total road record under Neuheisel is 5-17, for a .227 winning percentage.
UCLA's conference road record under Neu is 3-18. Those 3 wins came against a winless Washington team, a horrific Washington State team and this year's terrible Oregon State. Those 3 teams have a combined record of 3-30.

So unfortunately for Neuheisel, not only we can "see" what has been happening on the field, we also "see" the big picture of his floundering program that has completely lost its way and will not be salvaged if it somehow pulls together miraculous wins to close the regular season.

Also, on the note of "seeing things," many of us saw an ugly sideline exchange between Taylor Embree and Rick Neuheisel during Saturday's game. Embree and Neuheisel got into a huge sideline spat, which resulted in Embree walking away, while Neuheisel appeared to be screaming, "don't you walk away from me." What we saw (video after the jump) was a player who had tuned out his head coach, even though his head coach have haplessly leaned on him to activate his pathetic playing not to lose mindset the entire season.

Here was the exchange:

You can see how Embree just completely disregards Neuheisel and walks away from him while Neuheisel asking him to get back. May be Neuheisel doesn't "see" how bad this all looks, but to rest of the world even including the Buffalo fans the exchange was pretty clear. If Neuheisel has any sense of control and authority over his program, he would have wasted no time in suspending Embree for this weekend's game against Southern Cal. However, he doesn't have that courage because doing so will handcuff his ability to coach with the mindset of playing not to lose.

Right now there is a massive sense of apathy and ambivalence (you can also call it "confusion") among the UCLA fan base who are sick of factually demonstrable under-achievements of last two seasons. They sick and tired of the schizophrenic, weird vibe from this football program. UCLA has no one except it's administrators and head coach to blame, create this sorry state of confusion in what is supposed to be the most exciting week of a UCLA football season.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Those numbers you put up are really revealing

That should be the ultimate reminder of how little progress has really been made. Winning 2 straight games before getting blown out by an inferior team is not an improvement over winning just 1 game then getting blown out. No matter how much “success” we end up having this season, it doesn’t change the fact that Rick’s teams have regularly not been ready to play in nearly half of his games as coach. And no matter what happens Saturday and beyond, that fact will not change

by bucknellbruin on Nov 21, 2011 10:14 AM PST reply actions

Most telling # is losses by more than 3 TDs

Shows how far we are from being competitive in the current CFB landscape. Playing not to lose doesn’t work in 2011!

by 99von on Nov 21, 2011 10:19 AM PST reply actions

Embree wasn't the only one that disrespected Neu during the game.

Shaq Evans laughed while Neu was trying to scold him for the excessive celebration penalty. I don’t have a video, but it was clear as day.

Formerly AllHailMightyBruins

by AHMB on Nov 21, 2011 10:26 AM PST reply actions

Huh

I totally missed that. Wow.

by Nestor on Nov 21, 2011 10:27 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I saw that too. Evans' body language was like "whatever".

U-C-L-A Fight, Fight, Fight! Go Bruins!
NBA: Where Greed Happens. RIP 10/10/11.

by Bruins78 on Nov 21, 2011 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

I believe I heard another play tell Shaq Evans...

“now go get chewed out” after returning to the sideline. And then Shaq got a scolding from Neuheisel, and then walked away smiling.

by youseeellay_brewin' on Nov 21, 2011 11:24 AM PST up reply actions

That's what I saw and heard also.

"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen

by IE Angel on Nov 21, 2011 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

progress

That is pure comedy. There’s been lots of progress, we just can’t see it. Ha. And in other news, did you hear that the emperor has new clothes?

by RealisticBruinFan on Nov 21, 2011 10:29 AM PST reply actions

I hear they're made of donuts.

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. ~ Vince Lombardi

by MexiBruin on Nov 21, 2011 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

Sadly

we are one step closer to bowl-eligible even if 6-7. Miami announced yesterday that though they are now eligible they will not go to one. If 6-6 teams cannot fill the available spots, bowls can reach lower into the dregs of mediocrity.

Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.

by KSBruin on Nov 21, 2011 10:29 AM PST reply actions

This really is starting to feel like a bad break up.

You know that period, when you can’t even look at them without getting angry? What about how everything they say instantly pisses you off for no good reason? It just reminds you of all their other negative characteristics.

The only problem is that in the real world, you can look them in the eye and declare, “this isn’t working. It hasn’t been working for some time. It’s time we packing things up and decide what belongs to whom.” In our case, we are stuck in this position until someone else, (The Rick, or The Donut) makes that decision for us.

One guy isn’t going anywhere. Like a mental Ex that thinks she can still fix it. The other doesn’t have either the balls to have an unpleasant conversation; nor the vision to realize what needs doing.

FML.

by MexiBruin on Nov 21, 2011 10:45 AM PST reply actions

WOW

…they clearly don’t respect him. And this is during the “best” game they’ve played this year…We are so Fucked as a Team, as Fans, as a Community.

by Bruin Bro on Nov 21, 2011 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

Reprimand me if you must but...

This sounds like classic “Slick Rick”. Neu tries to make lemonade out of rotten lemons, but it we won’t drink it. Sounds like what he will say at his meeting with Dan for coffee and donuts.

by 1970 on Nov 21, 2011 10:48 AM PST reply actions

2-19

Before this year, Neuheisel’s UCLA record against teams that finished the year with a winning record was 2-19. After this year it will be something like 4-23.

by 82bruin on Nov 21, 2011 10:48 AM PST reply actions

Definite progress

by charnaw on Nov 21, 2011 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

progress

Averaging 100 yards in penalties in two games is not progress
RNs SC game scores of 28-7,28-7,28-14 is not progress. Maybe this year it’ll be 28-21, the Trojan 12th man Dan Guerrero would probably call that progress on his moronic blog.

by Strathmore&Gayley on Nov 21, 2011 10:48 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions

Not a chance

There is no way in hell the final score will be 28-21. the douche bags have a great team this year, I am predicting 47-10.

by cyberdbk on Nov 21, 2011 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

I realize that a W is a W

But I’d be curious to see the slim margin of victory stats as well.

by ucla717274 on Nov 21, 2011 10:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Voila

Margins of victory
1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 10, 14, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 36, 39

Margins of defeat
4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 14, 14, 14, 17, 17, 19, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 25, 25. 26. 28. 28. 29. 35. 36. 47. 59

by Fox 71 on Nov 21, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

Hey

at least we pull out the close ones…that’s a sign of a team that really knows how to win! LOL

by bucknellbruin on Nov 21, 2011 1:01 PM PST up reply actions

Thx, Fox

That’s half of the victories with a ten point or less margin. And many of those were crappy teams as well.

by ucla717274 on Nov 21, 2011 1:08 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

How can a guy making $1.25 million call this record progress?

After 4 yrs likely 6 and 6? A probie team with sanctions is 9 and 2 and ranked in top 10! We got NO bump from SC problems, and next yr they are back. KD had one good yr and had 13-9.
14 and 0 to catch KD is sickening. Everyone hated him.

by 1970 on Nov 21, 2011 10:59 AM PST reply actions

SC will be in worse shape next year, not be back

Next year is when then gets hit. The scholarship reductions – which is what really will affect them – begin next year through 2014. The bowl ban really shouldn’t have affected them much at all

by bucknellbruin on Nov 21, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

I juat saw that clip...

That is really bad and what an embarrassing scene! Rick has no control of this football team. He is not respected by his players. That is very bad! Anybody have the Shaq Evens laughing at Rick while being scolded?

by carlodibi on Nov 21, 2011 10:59 AM PST reply actions

My theory is...

When players dont listen to their head coach it is because they simply do not respect the coach. They do not look up to Rick as a higher, smarter and hard working role model. Either Rick is doing alot of things incorrect or he is not putting enough effort and the players see it. WHAT A SHAME.

by carlodibi on Nov 21, 2011 11:06 AM PST reply actions

Also this is not the first...

There were other players I recall in the past where they ignored Rick while being scolded. Im positive about that. This is horrible!

by carlodibi on Nov 21, 2011 11:08 AM PST reply actions

Taylor Embree

Took total control of the scene and rick couldnt do anything about it. What a joke!!

Translation of Embree walking away: “hey rick i know more football and work harder than you” “so stfu”

by carlodibi on Nov 21, 2011 11:12 AM PST reply actions

Dude

Get your thoughts in order here a bit. Instead of just spamming the threads … take a breath … organize your thoughts and then share them coherently. Thanks.

by Nestor on Nov 21, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

Delusional...

CRN sees a W and that means to him UCLA makes progress. Not the case in most of our eyes we see the same team, just playing against an inferior opponent …Please CRN resign make it easier on all of us and take Donut Dan with you!

by Trojanswearskirts on Nov 21, 2011 11:23 AM PST reply actions

We haven't even competed in nearly 75% of our losses.

Well over half of our games have been losses. I think that statistic says it all.

by BruinMW on Nov 21, 2011 11:56 AM PST reply actions

Don't think this is going to end well

Neu is already working the PR machine. Although there were some positives (ie recruiting), his tenure has been a disaster. Neu can only talk about patience, passsion, potential, etc. for so long. His time is up and he knows it. I think Neu is working the PR machine so that he doesn’t walk out with people despising him. Neu has disappointed and pissed me off to no end but I harbor no ill will. However, if he keeps on spin doctoring “victim” vibes, I’m going to sour on him very quickly.

As someone mentioned, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. The team is tuning him out as dead man walking. Neu failed to establish an identity for his program and the “UCLA Way”. If he would have done this, something like this would not happen.

by BlueReign on Nov 21, 2011 12:00 PM PST reply actions

I don't harbor any ill will either

I wish he was smarter about what he has been saying in public. I thought he’d be given his educational background. He should be focusing this week on the next game and next game only. He shouldn’t be engaging in any revisionist history of “making progress” that requires any reasonable person to suspend reality while analyzing his program.

by Nestor on Nov 21, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

It's bad that even after a win

I get more depressed about the program. It’s such a bizarre state to be in. After almost all of my UCLA spirit was ripped away from me after the Arizona game, what’s left is still slowly seeping away, even after wins. I fear that Neuheisel will still be around and, even if Neuheisel were let go, Guerrero will most definitely still be around. And that just destroys my spirit. I feel helpless, doomed to be associated with a program that will be mediocre, at best, forever.

by SonOfWestwood93 on Nov 21, 2011 12:17 PM PST reply actions

Neu is playing us...

The lower he drags the expectations, the more wiggle room the Administration has to be passive and keep him around. He stays for sure if he wins out, and is probably safe anyway even with an embarrassing loss to U$C.

Sadly, I see the same cancer with the basketball program. I guess it’s the combination of the two that has sent me into such an emotional tailspin.

by waters96 on Nov 21, 2011 1:02 PM PST reply actions

I didn't even bother to tune in.

Because there was no upside, only downside: I knew that a loss would have made me miserable or angry and a win wouldn’t have made me happy.

“Well it’s too late baby, now, it’s too late, but we really did try to make it….”

by Seth Chandler on Nov 21, 2011 1:17 PM PST reply actions

Delusional

Neu makes a case for progress and we should buy it because we do not sit in his seat?
Are you kidding me? This arrogant patronizing drivel infuriates me.
The audacity to destroy a program and then tell us that we are not smart enough to assess what we see every week (for 4 yrs now) is amazing.

by SPNB on Nov 21, 2011 1:27 PM PST reply actions

I would like to invite CTSS to a debate

I’ll bring a 3 × 5 card with a few notes. He can have his multi-volume set of Bartlett’s Familiar Cliches. We will go at it mano a mano until one of us blinks. I don’t see how I lose with my trump card – “CTSS, you have to go 14-0 to catch CTS. That means a national championship next year. Do you guarantee that?” “And if you do, are you willing to sign a resignation letter now, to be effective the next time you lose a game?”

by Fox 71 on Nov 21, 2011 2:19 PM PST up reply actions