Spaulding Roundup: Jim Mora’s First Day in Westwood Is A Productive One
by Nestor on Dec 14, 2011 4:00 AM PST
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Yesterday was a busy day for the UCLA football program as new head football coach Jim L. Mora was officially introduced to the Bruin Nation as the head coach of our football program. If you have not seen the highlights of the presser, you can catch it here. You will have to bite your lips when you hear Chianti Dan waxing poetic about "searching far and wide" for our new coach. We will get back to him in other post.
Let's get back to Mora. He taped his first video Q&A with Ralph Irvin from the official site which you can view here. Honestly, there is not a lot to take away from his public pronouncements from yesterday. He served up the right points about UCLA being a "sleeping giant," with a beautiful campus and incredible university that should be competing for Pac-12 championships on a regular basis. We like hearing all of that. However, I liked it that he didn't make any brash pronouncements, knowing full well how much work has to be done to deliver results - immediately.
Mora did get a good amount of work done in his first day with some great results. More on that after the jump.
Mora passed his first test as the head coach of the program. Per Jon Gold Mora passed a mandatory recruiting test for NCAA coaches, enabling him to engage in recruiting right away starting last night. So that was good news. Also, UCLA was able to get the "dual staff waiver" from the NCAA, which will help Mora and his new staff (as they get assembled) to get started on the recruiting trail right away. Again, from Gold:
Every new coach added during the next few weeks will mean one less current coach who is allowed to recruit, and with Mora's addition to the staff, that already begins.
Speaking of staff, reports came out last night that Mora has already added two ace recruiters Adrian Klemm, OL coach from SMU and Steve Broussard, the WR coach from ASU to his staff. He will probably plug them into our recruiting efforts right away. You can read Gold's posts on these two here and here.Not bad at all.
Mora is also zeroing on another ASU assistant - Noel Mazzone. Doug Haller shared the Arizona angle on Mazzone and Broussard in the Arizona Republic. Getting both of them would be great gets. If you haven't see AHMB's thread on various assistant coaching prospects, you should check it out here.
One additional note on the staff. Pete Yoon from ESPNLA reported that Marques Tuiasosopo, former Washington Husky superstar QB who was serving as an intern in Rick Neuheisel's staff has been promoted to QB coach for the interim:
Tuiasosopo, who before the promotion served as an intern, apparently brings a rejuvenated approach to the position. There were limitations, per NCAA rules, on what he could and could not do as an intern. Now there are no restrictions, and Tuiasosopo has embraced the freedom.
"I'm able to be with the quarterbacks in the meeting room, and I can give my 100 percent coaching them," Tuiasosopo said. "I have no stipulations. It's been a great opportunity for me."
The quarterbacks praised the job Neuheisel did as their position coach and haven't noticed major changes between the two. Tuiasosopo, a former second-round draft selection of the Oakland Raiders, was a quarterback at Washington while Neuheisel was head coach of the Huskies.
"Coach Neuheisel, he was the head coach, so he had to be paying attention to other things," redshirt junior Kevin Prince said. "Coach Tui' is focused on us all day. The only thing he cares about is the quarterback position, so he's a lot more attentive to the little things we're doing."
Tuiasosopo, 32, said he knows newly hired coach Jim L. Mora "pretty well" from his time at Washington, and that he "would love to stay" as quarterbacks coach past Dec. 31, when the Bruins take on Illinois in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.
Given the Washington connection between Mora and Tui, could be interesting to see if Tui remains as a bridge from the Neuheisel staff to Mora's crew at UCLA.
Mora also met with the players for the first time in a closed door meeting yesterday. Per ESPNLA he received a "standing ovation." More interestingly, Mora told the players "not to tweet about school":
"He walked in and got an ovation from the whole team," junior quarterback Richard Brehaut said. "I think every one of us looks forward to getting to know him over these next couple of months and moving forward with him as a program."
Mora, according to one player, asked the team not to tweet about the school. A handful of UCLA players used Twitter last week to voice their displeasure about an issue with the distribution of their bowl checks.
"There's going to be some changes," Brehaut said. "He's going to hold guys accountable for every action -- whether it's on the field or in the classroom -- everything is going to be accounted for. Competitive greatness is something we're going to strive for every day.
All that is good to hear. However, I think Mora and UCLA should be thoughtful about implementing a team wide social media policy for the program. I am not sure outright ban is way to go. I think there are strategic ways to develop smart and sensible rules around Twitter and Facebook posting issues, without compromising underlying discipline issues in the program. We will see how it plays out. If this is a start to bringing some much needed discipline and organization into the program, so be it.
Speaking of organization and discipline, Mora talked about a "culture of accountability" while chatting with Gold:
"You have to create a culture of accountability. Not only accountability to your institution, to your school, but to your teammate and to yourself. There's really not a lot stronger than peer-to-peer accountability. I have a saying that I like, and that's, 'Count on me.' You have to earn the right, first of all, through your actions, to say to somebody, 'Hey, you count on me,' and have any merit. Once we get a culture where each player knows beyond a doubt that they can depend on the man next to him to be there for him as hard and as long as they can, then we'll be going in the right direction. That's not easy. That's not easy to create. But that's what we're going to create. We're going to create a culture of accountability. We're going to have very high expectations and we're going to push to reach them and we're going to be proud of them."
All that sounds great but we also heard a lot about the need for culture change from Rick Neuheisel too. So we will wait to see how this all works out. Ultimately both on and off field performances of this program will be indicative of whether Mora's approach is working.
As for the team Yoon posted some quick notes from Tuesday practice here. MLB Patrick Larimore reportedly had a thumb surgery, but should still be ready to go for the bowl game. The practice was reportedly fast paced and a little chippy featuring scuffle between Datone Jones and Brett Downey. Guess a little bit of intensity is always a good thing. Let's hope they can sustain it and get us a win to close out the season.
GO BRUINS.
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Eager for less gum flapping and more action.....
…I am glad he seems to be setting the right tone. I think the players, students and alumnus will give Mora a fair shot.
While he is mentioning accountability and the importance of building trust – too bad he didn’t use DG as an example of the opposite.
It's a good start.
One of my biggest concerns has been addressed already and that is the recruiting side of things. I like the idea of of keeping Tuiasosopo for his ties to the Samoan community and the fact that he has full access to the QB’s.
Can anyone tell me what the heck I am doing up at this hour?
Been a Bruin since birth
Just saw this Tweet
Brandon Huffman (BrandonHuffman):
Hearing there is a very good chance UCLA defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield will be retained on Jim Mora’s staff…
Also good for recruiting. I am liking this.
Been a Bruin since birth
Not sure about this move
Not from a recruiting standpoint, but this group has greatly underachieved this season.
+1
Was supposed to be a strength and was not.
Some may say it was scheme but I don’t think group showed strong fundamentals.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Dec 14, 2011 8:36 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Way too much dancing at the D-Line this year
We saw way too much Stunt, Spin, Stunt, Spin, no penetration, all the while, the opposing QB is going about his business picking us apart.
Yeah, could be a problem
Brekterfield did not seem to have our D-line executing well this year, and Mora is more a DB guy than a DL guy, so he may not be able Brekterfield with the more subtle technique issues etc.
Recruiting bump is debatable
But his coaching has to be under question. Our DL looked looked horrible when it was supposed to be a strenght.
Go Bruins!
I would chalk that up to Tresey, frankly.
Rushing four down linemen against five (or more) offensive linemen is not going to get penetration unless you have a big advantage in talent, a la Brian Price. You need to add rushers to create confusion and mismatches on the line, allowing guys to break through to the QB. On top of that, you need good protection on the receivers and halfbacks and Tight ends from your linebackers. We definitely did not see these two things this year, all of which added up to a piss poor pass rush.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I'll let CJM decide
But I do agree that this unit was atrocious. Whether that was due to scheme, personnel, etc. I’m not sure. However, I didn’t see much improvement technique wise that I was expecting which was a huge disappointment.
Look at their technique
it was atrocious. They just bull rushed all day and the group didn’t get better as the season went along. There are plenty of great recruiters on this staff now, hope he let’s inoke go.
I was hoping for an NFL quality DL coach.
"A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it." Miles Davis
by milesdavis93 on Dec 14, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions
I was looking at it from a recruiting standpoint.
Cannot disagree on all other counts.
Been a Bruin since birth
Marques Tuiasosopo
I think adding Marques Tuiasosopo is a good addition to the staff. Still remember well when his Dad, Manu, was a terror on defense for us back in the late 70’s.
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Dec 14, 2011 4:28 AM PST reply actions
My wife remembers Manu
She was a library school student working on the reference desk at what was then URL, when this giant of a man approached. After he gave his name, she looked up bashfully and asked, “Could you spell that for me?”
When she told me the story later, I roared. Of course, we both followed his pro career enthusiastically. And regretted that Marques went to UW.
Here's another one that is interesting from Huffman
Brandon Huffman
New UCLA head coach Jim Mora called and spoke with Scout’s #1 prospect Arik Armstead this evening…
Been a Bruin since birth
I copied this from his Twitter header.
National Football Recruiting Analyst & West Regional Recruiting Manager for FOX Sports/Scout.com.
Been a Bruin since birth
He is
one of the top recruiting experts in this area.
Wow
Talk about hitting the ground running. I am finding it hard not to like the guy so far. He seems to be hitting at the big stuff as well as the small stuff. My status has been upgraded to cautiously hopeful.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
Jim Mora clearly wants to be successful.
I, we want him to be successful too. The cost of success, however, will be the continuation of the Guerrero (“see-I-told-you-so”) Regime. Mora’s momentum may also bring long needed facilities upgrades, and additional needs addressed too. Dan is also under extreme pressure that this thing works out. Go Bruins!
U-C-L-A Fight, Fight, Fight! Go Bruins!
Go Lakers! Go Dodgers! Go Angels!
Chianti Dan
He is going to be under pressure for hoops. The pressure is not going away any time soon.
Is Guerrero or Howland under pressure for hoops?
I understand that Guerrero is clearly at fault for the garbage arena we are playing our “home” games in this year, the sub-par plans or the Pauley renovation, and the epic fail on the fund raising campaign, but none of these areas are responsible for the basketball team’s performance on the court over the last 3 years. I’d argue that Ben Howland’s seat is hotter than Guerrero’s when talking about basketball.
by rgalloucla on Dec 14, 2011 6:48 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Well
Ask yourself this if you are a donor who is pitching in millions for Pauley renovation? Would you trust Guerrero to make the next hire for UCLA hoops?
That's a disgusting thought
by bornagainbruin on Dec 14, 2011 7:26 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Good point
DG may think he’s bought himself some time as football goes into a relatively quiet period but can anyone see MBB … rebounding (sorry) as the season heats up? Good grief, we’re in a bad spot.
I’m encouraged by Mora’s first steps. I really do want him to prove us wrong.
Guerrero....
….and his removal as UCLA AD is my focus. I will not stop. everyday until he is fired.
I want the coaches and teams to succeed in spite of DG’s incompetence. I am confident they will.
+1 also- Paging Dr. Block
We need a Dan-ectomy, and we need it stat !
If Mora works out (so far so good), it will mean DG is is lucky, not that he is competent.
We don’t want a lucky Dean of Medicine. We don’t want a lucky AD.
Dan has to go regardless of next year’s football record.
Can't help feeling upbeat
simply because there is a change Westwood, a breath of fresh air for now. We’ve been here before and I am done with hope but change is good.
Mora gets an A+ for day 1, IMO
Hiring Klemm and Broussard fills an immediate need for recruiting prowess. Hopefully, he can keep the momentum going with his OC and DC hires.
I also liked Mora’s comments about instilling a “culture of accountability”, which should extend to the entire athletic department. Mora made specific comments about upgrading the facilities, and I hope he is the guy willing to challenge the Morgan Center.
Formerly AllHailMightyBruins
recruiting
Mora’s first recruiting class will be HUGE for his overall success in Westwood. If he can lean on the (impressive) assistant coaches he’s pulled in thus far, a solid class would go a long way toward establishing himself as a college coach (and not just a pro retread). /crossing fingers
by South Campus is for Lovers on Dec 14, 2011 8:41 AM PST reply actions
Anothre coach might be added
Per Biggins
@GregBiggins Greg Biggins
It’s being reported that # UW DB coach Demetrice Martin is headed # UCLA. If so, another HR hire, top DB coach/recruiter in the PAC 12
Go Bruins!
More on Martin
With UW DB coach Demetrice Martin going to UCLA, that gives the Bruins a good strong recruiter in the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley.
Liking that Mora is hiring staff who are strong recruiters and have some solid experience coaching in the college game.
by Westwood Wizard on Dec 14, 2011 8:56 AM PST up reply actions
Yup
It could be a result of not being able to put pressure on the QB, or just the Nick Holt effect. But it’s hard to tell if he’s a good coach or not…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Mora's area of expertise so perhaps recruiting ability trumps coaching ability for this hire
by bornagainbruin on Dec 14, 2011 9:37 AM PST up reply actions
Good point
Still curious to see who the DC will be.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Yeah, a nice influx here would help.
Only so much scheming you can do against Oregon and the likes. At some point, just want better talent to just crush them.
Used to coach at Mount SAC too.
Would be a nice recruiting in-road to have.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
Klamm is a HUGE get. Ranked #1 by Scout.com in the field.
So far so good. Recruiting is key, at least 50% and maybe more. It might just work out. Who knows?
I'll give him a shot...
I think we were all a little hard on Jim Mora, because it was DG’s choice…CJM is starting off great and it’s a good sign and I like it…CJM has a big hill to climb because we are all little tired of losing and mediocrity…Now UCLA has to start upgrading facilities and CJM should ask and push hard for it…and if DG really cared about UCLA footbal/athletics he would give half of his 700K salary to help upgrade the facilities.
by Trojanswearskirts on Dec 14, 2011 9:04 AM PST reply actions
If Chianti Dan wanted to win some hearts
he’d make a significant donation to the Wooden Fund, from his bloated salary.
Here’s a questions: if someone came and told Dan “I will donate $100 million to the school if you leave”, do you think he would? I don’t think so.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
+1
Lol, I definitely agree with that. Plus, I would love to see that happen. I just hope UCLA starts to show they care a lot more about their sports than they do now, otherwise they will never get back where they once were!
by Trojanswearskirts on Dec 14, 2011 9:18 AM PST up reply actions
That would preclude him getting a pension.
Which means you already answered your own question.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
It doesn't matter
If he’s such a good AD, from the best athletic program in the country, he can get a job anywhere, right?
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
UCLA just got a 2013 commit.
Dashon Hunt, a CB from Westlake high. I’ve watched some of his games and he is explosive. He is considered a top ranked CB in the West Coast. And Jim Mora will have an in home visit with Arik Armstead on Saturday.
didn't he commit a few months ago?
is this just reaffirmation with the new staff?
by Kenneth Powers on Dec 14, 2011 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
Bowl Game
You can watch him play running back and cornerback in the California Open Division High School State Championship Bowl game on Saturday night against De La Salle. Channel 700 on Time Warner Cable. Go Warriors!
by Josh Brinkenhoff on Dec 14, 2011 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Hunt is great!
I coach near Weslake HS, and have heard rumors he was waffling during the coaching change. Any solid news of his reaction to Mora?
+1
Seems like a better foundation is being constructed. Also…anyone else notice that the Players gave Mora a standing O when introduced to the team? Now why would they do that? It’s not like they even know him!!! Was it a referendum on RN’s tenure??? Looks like the UCLA team is ready and welcoming the new regime too! No big deal…i just found it curious that’s all.
These kids and UCLA FB has gone through a very tough period. For the sake of them i hope Mora is the real deal.
I dont think
its any sort of referendum on RN’s tenure, after all the players did carry him off the field his last practice as coach. The players are no dummies, they hear the outside chatter they know that whatever coach is coming in is coming in at a very tenuous time for the program. I think they realize that like it or not Mora is their coach and you might as well make the new guy feel welcome.
My take
For all the preseason talk about this team being together, there was/is a chasm on our team where you have some guys who really care/are serious about FB and the others not so much. This was the year that UCLA was to make that jump. I’m sure the players knew/felt this as well. With what transpired, I’m sure the ones that care are sick and tired of being mediocre at best.
There is deep division within the team
to the point where they have almost thrown down in the locker room. You could also tell from the bowl check fiasco. And Randall Carroll has pointed to it several times.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Yeah, great divide.
Players like Coleman, all heart. Some of the others, not so much. Not going to mention names at this point.
Sorry if someone has already has said this.
But Mora just said our facilities are going to be upgraded! I thought I heard DG would only upgrade them if Petersen came, but I am mistaken.
sweet.
it would be irresponsible of a new coach NOT to make that demand. good to hear.
by Kenneth Powers on Dec 14, 2011 9:28 AM PST up reply actions
hopefully by facilities
he doesnt mean just the water fountains and vending machines…why do i feel like that would be considered “upgrade of facilities” to DG haha
Training Table
Vending Machines. Accepts Credit Cards.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
A reporter asked him after his press conference.
It is not for sure, but he said they wanted to. Sorry I should have been more clear.
I want to see plans
Otherwise that’s just Chianti whispering fake promises to his new hire to try to placate the fanbase. This isn’t a renovation thing. Our facilities need a complete overhaul. That’s why I want to see concrete plans.
oooohhh....
So we’re getting new goal posts and maybe they budget enough for a higher wall around Spaulding.
Go Bruins!
He also scheduled
An in-home visit with Arik Armstead for this weekend. Wow
This is all excellent news....
No matter what people have said about Jim Mora, he’s now our coach. And from his actions on day 1, he’s obviously trying his best to succeed and make UCLA a winner.
All bashing is officially reserved for Chianti Dan from here on out.
It's not Mora's fault we hired a guy with his track record
It’s Chianti’s. Futhermore, if Chianti does nothing to give Mora every chance to succeed, that, too, is on him. You don’t throw 2+ mil a year at someone no one else wanted and then sit back and relax and expect everything to work out. That’s just pissing money away.
Mora is more cunning than most think.
DG may have hired him, but if Mora was pulled into a sidebar conversation with the right group of people who asked him: " what do you think if we oust DG?" he’d probably smile, like the Grinch that stole Christmas. It’s change the culture time at UCLA. Time to Win!
Mora’s understands that competing with U$C and Ore, etc, will require immediate upgrades to the facilities. If DG gets in the way of that in any way, shape or form, the powers that be will slide DG right out the door. Funny thing is Mora will cross this bridge, a lot sooner than later. Lastly….
He must, for all of us: hire top flight OC and DC’s.
Nice post
I like what im hearing so far from Mora. I disagree with BN opinion on no tweets. I know we want to hear things from the inside but coach Mora needs to control this until he feels the players will be responsible.
was recruiting ever the problem though?
wasn’t it getting the most out of that talent and maximizing it on the field? We’ve had great recruiting classes before but little of that translated to wins on the field.
Getting great recruiters
is also a way to convince good OCs and DCs to come to UCLA.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I think Mora's emphasis
has more to do with his own opinion of his weaknesses. He has zero recruiting experience, but he’s evaluated talent and he’s coached players, so he knows what he’s looking for, he just doesn’t have experience selling a program. It remains to be seen how well these recruiters coach and improve our team.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Dec 14, 2011 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
Agree
CMJ is building a formidable staff for recruiting purposes. However, I don’t know if these guys can coach. We lack discipline, fundamentals and just plain football smarts. If CMJ and his staff can develop and transform this team, I’ll be quite pleased.
Spring and Fall camp reports are going to be sunshine pumping as usual. I’m encouraged thus far but I’ll wait until I see the product on the field. I’m crossing my fingers that this works out because I’m tired of the losing and even more, the way we lose just like everyone else.
What about S&C coach
Does Linn need to go? It seems like we are getting mixed results with him. I have seen certain guys do well, like Prince, others seem to regress….
He should be one of the first
to be shown the door.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
At least Klemm & Broussard both have experience
actually coaching. Hopefully any deficiencies were due to lack of talent in the players and not lack of coaching skills.
I'm guessing Coach Mora, Jr.?
Of course, he’s not actually a Junior (different middle names).
by Westwood Wizard on Dec 14, 2011 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
Not keen on keeping Breckterfield as DL coach.
IIRC, last year was his first year as a full-time assistant at the FBS level. Plus, as others have mentioned, our DL did not execute well and rarely got penetration.
Throw in that Datone was apparently out of position most of the year (DE vs. DT) and our speed guys like Owa did not get much time until the 2nd half of the season, and I’m not sure he’s ready for it.
If having a D-minded HC like Mora helps his development and Brecketerfield is a recruiting asset, then keeping him could be fine, but I hope we don’t have too many newbies as position coaches.
"It's not who you are underneath. It's what you DO that defines you."
by Meriones on Dec 14, 2011 10:03 AM PST via mobile reply actions
My concern as well
CMJ is getting top notch recruiters so if IB can’t coach, he is worthless IMO. Our DL had enough talent but their performace was beyond crappy. I’m sure Tressey’s scheme played a part but I didn’t see much discipline, football smart/saavy or technique from this unit. That falls directly on the shoulders of IB IMO.
Mora's more of an X's & O's guy so...
he needed help with the recruiting side which he got.
Neu was a top recruiter with a supposed “good football mind” but was not regarded as a great X’s & O’s type of guy. I think Neu would have been successful if his coordinator’s were better & could coach up the talent Neu recruited (and if we didn’t have the most injuries in the entire universe). Norm Chow can plan an offensive with good players (like he did at $C) but never could coach up our guys.
If Mora can get a top notch coaching staff around him (who all happen to be star recruiters), this can definitely work. I’m thinking he’s not making $3+ mil per year so a good amount of $$ can be used for solid assistants.
BTW, nice post Nestor.
Any news on Palcic's plans?
He was a keeper IMO but it’s hard to argue with Klemm.
Checked Gold's posts on Klemm and Broussard - the more I read, the more I like.
Relatively young, playing AND coaching AND recruiting experience. As much as I respect Palcic and all he did with what we had here, I couldn’t help but think our pass protection abilities stagnated, even as our OL got older and more experience.
"It's not who you are underneath. It's what you DO that defines you."
by Meriones on Dec 14, 2011 10:42 AM PST via mobile reply actions
*with playing AND coaching AND recruiting experience.
"It's not who you are underneath. It's what you DO that defines you."
by Meriones on Dec 14, 2011 10:43 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Just signed Noel Mazzone as OC
ASU had a pretty good offense last 2 seasons. We are actually running a spread now! Mora is ON FIRE
He is making very strong hires
Credit where credit is due.
Very happy to see this
Pac-12 is all about putting points on the board especially with Leach and RichRod now coaching.
by Waitingfornumber12 on Dec 14, 2011 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
He has produced quality offenses at ASU
In both of his seasons as OC for ASU, he produced offenses that were ranked 29th and 26th in the nation in Total Offense. His Passing Offenses were in the top 15 in both years. Only blemish were his Rushing Offenses, which were ranked 78 nationally in both years. Considering he runs the spread, this isn’t that surprising.
by Kerckhoff405 on Dec 14, 2011 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
I'll reserve judgment until I see results on the field
I’d like to get excited about these moves from Mora, but until they translate into individual and team progress, and as importantly, wins on the field, I’m going to be reserved. I’ve gone through talks of culture changes, pledges of accountability, and hopes of passionate recruiting before, and have been burned. Let’s see how this plays out on the field.
I’d also like to see Mora go out and get a new S&C coach. The lack of push on our lines and constant injuries can be due in part to conditioning (or lack thereof). Just don’t think Linn has produced enough quality results to be retained.
I love that he's not wasting any time
Two coaches from ASU…wonder if we could get any of their recruits to flip.
by Westwood Wizard on Dec 14, 2011 11:26 AM PST reply actions
Good chance they will
especially with the new coach they just got…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
The majority of ASU's recruiting class are committed because of these 2.
Some of the big time guys(5* Murphy from San Clemente. 4* Adams from Oaks Christian) are going to flip from looking at ASU and SMU to UCLA. I like what Mora has surrounded himself with.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
S&C
I am a big S&C aficionado and I really believe our strength coach Mike Linn must be shown the door. First, look at the injuries this team has suffered, that falls partly on the S&C staff for not properly physically prepping the team. Compare the amount of injuries we have suffered compared to other teams in the conference, its astounding. Second, the guys that RN brought in were part of top ten recruiting classes, the lack of development is partly attributable to the S&C coach. For example, Aramide Olaniyan redshirted his freshmen year, normally in that year red shirt year players make huge jumps in weight as they are in the weight room full time like an off season program and they eat at the training table under the eyes of nutritionists. Yet he has only gained about ten pounds now entering his third season!!! Are you telling me that you cannot get a 19 year old with testosterone through the roof to put on more weight than that!?! He is a talented player but playing OLB at 212 just will not cut it in the Pac-12. This is the type of lack of player development that we are seeing.
Comparing Mike Linn to guys like Tom Moffit at LSU, or Mickey Marotti at Florida or Tom Cochran at Alabama and you see just how inept Linn is. S&C is so important in college football and is key to developing 4 and 5 star recruits into first round draft picks. This is a huge need that needs to be addressed and I am hoping that Mora brings in a top end S&C coach.
by jwher on Dec 14, 2011 11:36 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, we've talked about this too
We think Mora should be allowed to bring in an S&C guy if that’s what he wants.
Geez, I sure hope his face is photoshopped
by bornagainbruin on Dec 14, 2011 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
It isn't
But I don’t think I get it…is this supposedly our S&C coach now? That’s hilarious.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
I know some ppl (can't say who)
that are throwing his name out there for the S&C position!
Mike Blasquez from Cal
I personally would love it if we could poach Mike Blasquez from Cal. However, given his recent promotion to S&C for their football program, I don’t think it would happen. In addition to overseeing Cal’s entire S&C program, he is also involved in the strategic planning and development of their new Student Athlete High Performance Center, so he’d be instrumental in helping us improve our facilities.
He still works personally with a lot of his former college and high school players now in the NFL, including Maurice Jones-Drew. Before his years at Cal, he spent 11 years as S&C coach for De La Salle High School during their 151-game win streak. Again, probably won’t happen, but I can dream, right?
by Kerckhoff405 on Dec 14, 2011 12:25 PM PST up reply actions
You know what I like about these hires?
They seem to protect the program in coming years. These are guys that are going to make an immediate impact on THIS recruiting class. A program can afford to have a year like last year every once in awhile, but to have two in a row would really kills us down the road. If this group can get UCLA back into the top-25 this year and top-15 next year, we’ll be back rolling again with good talent coming in the door.
The great thing about Neu was that he left our talent here well stocked. It looks like this group will help continue that.
ya, but
lets just try to be watchable before top 25 and top 15 even start to enter the conversation, theres a long way to go before that happens.
by uclabruin34 on Dec 14, 2011 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
I meant
recruiting classes, not on field performance. Sorry that wasn’t clear.
With Mazzone as OC and UCLA running a spread offesne
Who is our QB next year? Do you go with the strong thrower in Brehaut or the dual threat in Hundley? Tough call
Personally
I think we should give Hundley one more year to learn. From practice reports I’m hearing, Brehaut is still clearly the more accurate passer.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves
I think Mazzone will make that evaluation and I’m pretty comfortable with that.
My prediction... 1) Brehaut 2) Hundley 3) Prince
We simply have to elevate our passing game.
Yup
I’d say Brehaut wins the starting job and they bring in Hundley in some special packages to get his feet wet and let him grow from there.
Go Bruins!
Keep in mind the spread generally
and Mazzone specifically will use the zone read.
You're right
our depth chart at long snapper is a lot more fun to talk about anyway :P
I'm hoping that Brehaut is the starter at the beginning of the year
with situational packages for Hundley. Hopefullly Hundley will get better as the season goes on and his packages/playing time can be expanded
This is all wonderful...blah, blah, blah
Lets talk about the REALLY important stuff…
Is Jr. gonna fix the g’damn shoulder stripes!?
Coaches we have left from CRN's staff
Brekterfield, Lea, Johnson (if he stays as WR coach). Am I missing any? I think we need a couple of veterans with Martin being young and inexperienced. Clark Lea is an enthusiastic guy, but I don’t think our LB core improved at all this year… if anything it regressed. Dline same thing.
Ah yes
I think he just got the TE coach position… Strange, because I don’t think he’s ever coached that spot before.
A good coach can coach any position
And the TE’s will work with the OL and WR’s so those coaches will help him till he is comfortable. And he can learn alot about coaching QB’s from watching Mazzone
wanted to keep Tui on staff to learn the offense
but since Mazzone was OC/QB coach, Mora gave Tui the TE coaching spot to keep him
"The true athlete should have character, not be a character."- John Wooden
"Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation."- Michael Jordan
twitter:@GGolden87
Mora's professional reputation.
He must be well respected to be signing these coaches so quickly.
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