Pregame Guesses: Oregon Ducks/Pac 12 Title Game Edition
by Achilles on Dec 2, 2011 10:01 AM PST
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Oh yeah, that's right.
We have a game tonight.
Winner gets Roses.
If there's been a crazier week for UCLA football fans, I don't remember it.
This week alone we've experienced the most humiliating loss ever in the rivalry series with UCLA, saw our head coach fired, then three days later watched the team emotionally carry him off the field on their shoulders in tribute and all the while our athletic director has embarked on a Quixotic search for a new head coach.
I wish I could say it's been fun, but it hasn't.
The truth is, it should never have gone down this way, it should never have happened.
Bruins Nation made the call first. In an October 21 front page post (posted under the collective "Bruins Nation" byline) titled "Clean the House: Time for Wholesale Regime Change at UCLA," we wrote (in the wake of the Debacle in the Desert, played the night before):
So after last night, no matter what happens the rest of the season, we can say absolutely, without any doubt, that Rick Neuheisel is not the man for the job in Westwood.
We've been on it ever since. In the days that followed our initial call for Rick Neuheisel's firing Bellepheron posted a piece titled "Bruin Bites: Dan Guerrero and Rick Neuheisel Must Go Edition." I followed with the criteria Bruins Nation would use to assess the next head coach and a piece we called "Checkmate for Neusheisel: On Field Results Rest of this UCLA Season Will Not Matter."
And so on.
There were reasons we made the call at that moment. It's not that we had something personal against Rick Neuheisel. In the Pregame Guesses for the Colorado game I wrote that I'd be sad to see Rick Neuheisel go and many of the commenters (including BN frontpagers) agreed. This week alone, Nestor posted about the emotional send off Rick Neuheisel got at his last practice and we all were a moved by the player's final tribute to their coach.
No, we made the call after the Arizona game because we understood that there was no point in delaying the inevitable and because we also understood that there were strategic reasons for making the move. See, no coaching search could really commence as long at Rick Neuheisel was our head coach. As long as Dan Guerrero remained committed to giving Rick Neuheisel a chance to keep his job, he couldn't start looking for Rick Neuheisel's successor.
So in the interim, we were subjected to a blowout by lowly Utah and a 0-50 ass kicking from the Trojans. 0-50 is how you describe the speed of your sports car, not the final score of your football game with a rival. And even after the USC game, Chianti Dan was hesitant to make the move. Even after we became the sports laughingstock of the city, Dan Guerrero wanted to give Rick Neuheisel a shot at redemption in the Pac 12 title game against Oregon.
This was not smart.
If we had made the move against Rick Neuheisel after the Arizona game, we would have had a month's head start on every other program looking for a coach. We could have been negotiating with Bolse State's Chris Petersen for weeks by now -- and if we had we'd know if he was willing to come to L.A. for 20 million dollars. If he was, we'd be done with this so-called search. If he wasn't we could have perhaps moved on to Mike Leach or Rich Rodriguez. Now, we can't. Leach is signed and sealed by Washington State and and RichRod is in Tucson and meanwhile Arizona State and Texas aTM are now looking for coaches and if we don't get Petersen there is no indication that there is any viable Plan B candidate.
I'm not joking when I say don't be surprised if you hear we've hired a search firm and that there is no rush to hire the next coach.
And don't be shocked if we end up with an NFL guy like Jim Mora, Jr. (who wore out his welcome in two NFL cities and is currently not coaching anywhere) or former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti (who hasn't coached in years and who played us for fools all the way back when we hired Bob Toledo to replace Terry Donahue.)
Oh yeah, we have a game tonight. We play Oregon for the Pac 12 Championship. If we win, we'll play the Big 12 champ in the Rose Bowl. We haven't won the Rose Bowl, by the way, in 26 years.
With that, here are your Pregame Guesses, Oregon Ducks/Pac 12 Title Game edition:
- Will UCLA cover the 31 point spread in tonight's game?
- Will UCLA senior Derrick Coleman score any touchdowns in tonight's game, his last conference game as a Bruin?
- Who do you think will be the next head coach at UCLA? Not who do you want, but who do you think will ultimately get the job?
Put answers to 1 and 2 in the subject header. As for number 3 use the comment space as an ongoing open thread to discuss your predictions re. the end result of the ongoing UCLA football coaching search.
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Jay, not John?
Great, a guy who was fired by the Orlando Predators of the Arena League. Wouldn’t that be fitting . . .
by orlandobruin on Dec 2, 2011 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
No, no
Here are coaches I like (listed in alphaetical order in their respective tiers). This could change.
Tier 1
Mark Dantonio
Pat Fitzgerald
Mike Leach
Urban Meyer
Bo Pellini
Chris Petersen
Charlie Strong
Tier 2:
Art Briles
James Franklin
Skip Holz
Butch Jones
Mike London
Tier 3
Troy Calhoun
Paul Chryst
Manny Diaz
Jim Grobe
Chad Morris
Paul Rhoads
Kirby Smart
These are some candidates who I think are accomplished candidates. While I have them grouped in tiers, don’t necessarily prefer one over the another in respective groups.
Mullen
Add Dan Mullen to that List, Tier 1. I think I’d cross Skip Holtz off or move him down.
You can def. make reasonable arguments to put Mullen on that list
However, I am gunshy a bit given MSU’s record last year after Diaz left him. You make a good argument to push Holtz down but have been impressed with his overall career resume.
Understood Holtz does have good career resume
I just get the sense he would not ever be elite. Although we would likely be a good/above average coach
Excellent list!
There are plenty of candidates on this list where are feasible. There is ZERO reason why UCLA shouldn’t be able to make a strong play for their services
The video is no longer available dude to a copyright claim.
But she’s crazy? That’s disappointing.
Whaddaya mean?
She’d fit right in with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!
by orlandobruin on Dec 2, 2011 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
I like Bronco Mendenhall at the top of tier 2
He seems tied to BYU, but he’s a hell of a coach.
Formerly AllHailMightyBruins
What about Mike London?
I don’t know much about him but he won a national championship at Richmond and seams to have done a good job at Virginia this year (except there last game).
agreed
he’s already on there as Tier 2 I thought
Well im dumb
I blame Dan for my lack of reading skills at the moment. Too much stress.
I blame Dan for
high unemployment
Iran’s nuclear problem
the crucifixion of Christ
and every other ill that has ever befallen the world
I went to a clinic he gave a few years ago while he was still at Arizona
Almost put all of us to sleep. By far the most boring speaker at any clinic I have gone to. But he knows his football and I learned a lot.
God, I thought you meant Al Groh when you wrote Jim Grobe . . .
Heavens no!
by orlandobruin on Dec 2, 2011 10:44 AM PST up reply actions
lololol
In previous thread someone is suggesting to put Josh McDaniel (as gb calls him “Hoodie Jr.”) on the list. No really.
Really like Pat Fitzgerald!!
But he’s very young and I think he’s waiting for the next Notre Dame opening.
What about Jack Del Rio??
by Chicago Bruin on Dec 2, 2011 2:24 PM PST up reply actions
lol, Cable is not going to be our next head coach.
Your life is still safe.
Yes Yes
(Tier 4?)
Jim Fassel. :)
Now, I don’t actually think his name will even come up, mainly just throwing it out there cos I haven’t heard it anywhere else… I know he’s old and mainly an NFL guy, but once Guerrero misses out on all the other top picks, maybe they’ll consider him…
Not a sexy choice, but they could do a lot worse…he’s got a good pedigree (superbowl appearance), knows the game, knows quarterbacks (coached Elway), has Pac-10/socal ties (coached at Stanford/Utah, HS in Anaheim, played at LB Sate) , and has integrity.
And, they could get him on the cheap. He’s just sitting out there in Vegas in the UFL, hoping for a chance to get back into the NFL. It ain’t gonna happen, so maybe he sets his sights a little lower and takes on the challenge of resurrecting the Bruins. Has the makings of a great story.
??
It's the Big 10(12)
That’s what i’ve been calling them
Yes, yes, wtf?( with chianti in charge)
by cyberdbk on Dec 2, 2011 10:27 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Quote of the week:
“0-50 is how you describe the speed of your sports car, not the final score of your football game with a rival.”
This needs to be preserved somehow. At least until next year’s SC game.
No, no, no idea
Answering the questions:
1. No
2. Yes
3. James Franklin
Yes. Yes
So disgusted with the “closed” process and all the resulting speculation going around that I’m going out on the limb and predicting:
Barney and Friends
BTW
just kidding about Franklin. I doubt if the Chianti Man ever heard of him.
NO, NO
Turner Gill
More detailed prediction for tonight: PAIN
Predictions:
1: No
2: No
3: DeWayne Walker (sigh…)
by DoubleTroubleBruin on Dec 2, 2011 10:44 AM PST reply actions
This is what I truly believe will happen
which is disheartening.
Me three : (
"Winners Then, Winners Now... Bruin in Madrid"
by uclaprofe on Dec 2, 2011 11:33 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
No, Yes, Mike Johnson
Pass the gun, Blue Me.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Do you really think
that Dan would even have the balls to offer the top salesman in all of the Pennsylvania north-east region mid-size paper companies? Dan lacks the negotiating skills to lure an employee away from Michael Scott.
Because I have as much to lose as our Bruins do tonight: YES, YES
Bellotti. (not at all who I want, but who I expect Mr. Chanti will take)
Why does everyone think its going to be Cable or Walker?
1. NO
2. Yes
3. Elvis
Wooden Fund
In regards to the stop donating to the Wooden Fund. The reason why this won’t work or Guerrero does not care is because they have $ from the the TV deal now. While we stop donating thousands, he will get millions from the TV contract. I feel like the Admin does not care about alums and fans anymore. They are so apathetic to our causes. It is really to see what is happening to our beloved University. I love UCLA but losing interest real fast.
disagree
our voice is heard and heard clearly even though action is painfully slow in response. remember, our fine university is run by egotists. they do not like being a national punchline in anything, athletics or otherwise. unfortunately, they hear the joke much later than everyone else.
by DoubleTroubleBruin on Dec 2, 2011 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
They will care ...
Especially when we lump in Wooden Fund, UCLA Fund … every aspect of Bruin fundraising … they will care.
If you think....
….the $12M or so that they get from TV will cover athletics and academics at UCLA….read the annual financial report. Donations are huge to the UC system and UCLA. Stop the flow – they will have to listen.
True but...
They could have money, but if we do not show up at the games, buy UCLA brand gear, that money will run like water through their hands. Do you think they will play in an empty Rose Bowl? Do you think players will want to play in an empty stadium? They do not care about us, well let’s turn our back on them. In the end, the principle of economics is you have a good and someone is there for it. Let’s us all join and not be for it, and you’ll see that money will finish.
"Winners Then, Winners Now... Bruin in Madrid"
by uclaprofe on Dec 2, 2011 11:39 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yes, Yes
Bellotti (not what I want) or Del Rio (sacrilege, I know, but he may be better suited for college than the pros)
So Bill Moos hired Bellotti away from us as AD at Oregon, and Leach away from us as AD at Wazzu --
Classic!
Thanks for the history lesson Achilles.
Not sure how he "hired Bellotti away from you."
You had Donahue until ’95 while Saint Mike came to Oregon in ’89 and was promoted to HC in ’95.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Dec 2, 2011 12:18 PM PST up reply actions
from the article
“4 of his 9 wins have come this year”
“team has been more competitive”
Guys - you are not seeing this
Walker is angling for “leverage” against UCLA. This is going to scare the heck out of Chianti Dan.
but Nestor couldn't he also be emboldened
and start an almighty bidding war with the almighty New Mexico State?
Perhaps THIS is the swift kick of the backside Chianti Dan needed to hire a new HC!
Dan will be too afraid
to even call him now. How can he compete with 4 more years at 363,000?
guesses
yes
yes
Karl Dorrell (per Ramona Shelbourne!)
by South Campus is for Lovers on Dec 2, 2011 11:20 AM PST reply actions
Yes, Yes, Petersen
I’ll be home for Christmas!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
No and No
This team had lot’s of reasons to “up” for SC…they just routed CU and none of them (except for one) had ever experienced victory over SC. If they couldn’t get up for that game -forget it. Make no mistake – they are going to get slaughtered tonight. Look at some of the comments coming from the players re Rick’s firing and how they think its Bull Shit. There’s clearly a culture of “no accountability” running through UCLA right now.
Re coaching, Dan’s going to blow this. My prediction:
1) Block will fire Dan as soon as Petersen announces he’s staying at BCU
2) Block will hire a temporary coach for one year (a la tOSU) and let a more qualified AD hire our coach in 2012.
It makes me sick to say this
but I hope you’re right. That would be the best possible scenario for the long-term health of UCLA athletics.
Unfortunately, I don’t think it will happen. Chanti will get his Tier 4 coach, proceed to experience another 3-4 excruciating years, and then, ultimately, Block will fire him. I just can’t see Chancellor Block caring enough to do the right thing.
Yes, Yes
Herm Edwards.
Of Nestor’s three tiers, I really like Mark Dantonio, Pat Fitzgerald (his weaker defenses seem attributable to the skills of his players, not his coaching) and Manny Diaz. But why not that guy from Wisconsin? His teams are machines.
I'm Confused
Maybe I missed something, but how did Bellotti play us for fools? Just because he turned us down?
it wasn't Bellotti
it was the AD Moos. He was at Oregon then and is at Wazzu now.
Yes, Yes
Jeff Tedford. Dan realizes he can get him cheaper than Petersen, so he figures why not put all that extra tv money to good use and buy him out of his toxic contract at Cal?!
Yes Yes
Butch Jones, because he is at UC right now and Chianti Dan is so cheap he wants to get a coach who can keep his current stationary and just adds LA to it.
by DCBruins on Dec 2, 2011 11:45 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
For the record
Yes
Yes
I honestly have no idea. Just save me the misery. I have no faith in anything with this. This is excruciating and I just want Chianti Dan fired. Please.
Guerrero's ineneptitude and indecision
This is exactly why you have to fire Rick Neuheisel after the Arizona game. It’s a proactive move that allows you to get way out ahead of other programs in a coaching search. That way, even if Petersen turns you down a month ago, you’re still ahead of the mob and have time to regroup while you move on to your other options.Maybe Mike Leach starts to look like a serious option in the harsh glare of a Petersen rejection. The point is you have time…
But Guerrero is so clueless that he actually wanted Neuheisel back for Year 5. He was telling people privately that he thought the fan base/donors were overreacting and not giving Neu a fair shake This despite the overwhelming evidence that the UCLA foootball program needed a coaching change. So he gave him an extra 6 weeks to save his job and get a “signature” win.
Was letting Rick take that 50-0 beatdown against USC worth it? I hope so, because now the situation is looking really desperate.
The last 48 hours has been a gold rush for college coaches. It’s a super heated seller’s market with a lot of motivated buyers out there with money to spend. ASU, UNC, and Texas A&M are all pursuing Kevin Sumlin with big offers. I doubt Sumlin is even a realistic option at this point.
Guerrero whiffed on Petersen, and of course has no back up plan. Typical UCLA, overconfident and didn’t even consider the possibility that Petersen would turn them down. Now the pressure is on and time is running out on Dan Guerrero to make the biggest hire of his career.
Now look at some of the names being floated today… Jim Mora Jr? Mike Martz? DeWayne Walker? Are you kidding me? That’s the joke list my buddies and I come up with for grins…
Mike Leach must be sitting up in Pullman laughing his ass off. The Wazzu program is energized, with a sense of optimism and excitement they haven’t seen in years.
UCLA? We’re waiting on Guerrero. Again.
"Even if God is dead, you still gotta kiss his ass" - Tony Soprano
Yes, Yes
A surprise, knowledgable Bruin QB of the past
U-C-L-A Fight, Fight, Fight! Go Bruins!
NBA: Where Greed Happens. RIP 10/10/11.
If Petersen was a stock I would be selling.
His market value is about as high as it’s going to get and can only go down, so if he’s considering a move and a cash grab now’s the time to go for it.
Seriously
Look at a guy like Pat Hill. A few years back after playing the Trogans close, his name was being tossed around for positions like crazy. Now, it seems like Fresno State fans are on the verge of tossing him out of town.
by Westwood is the best wood on Dec 2, 2011 3:47 PM PST up reply actions
No. Yes.
Red Sanders’ ghost . . . we got him from Vandy . . . Franklin? By the way, if any more a-holes like Ramona The Pest say we don’t have football tradition, they should be canned.
And those "student athletes" at USC that were wearing those Pac-12 South Chumpions shirts, another history lesson
The 1954 Bruins compiled a 9–0 record and climbed to the top of the Coaches’ Poll, sharing the national championship with Ohio State, winner of the AP Poll’s title. Due to the PCC’s early “no repeat” rule, the undefeated Bruins were unable to compete in the Rose Bowl that season despite being the PCC champion. Second-place USC , who the Bruins defeated 34–0, played in the 1955 Rose Bowl instead and lost to Big Ten Conference champion and eventual co-national champion Ohio State, 20–7.
excellent, thanks for sharing
and what a stupid rule, it prevented a matchup between the two “#1” teams in the country?
Even worse . . .
the one time we needed SUC to beat someone they got trounced so we split our only National Title.
1) No 2) Yes
3) I honestly don’t know, Dan will probably make a horrible hire.
Yes, No
I am hoping for this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiwtXHPwGPE&feature=related
but I am thinking we will settle for____________. (I just can’t claim to be able to know what Donut Dan is thinking and it seems Petersen is not coming)
Tonight
By the way, because SC beat Oregon, I believe Oregon will do everything they can to beat us by more than 50. Kelly will lose zero sleep by running up the score in the fourth quarter.
Seems like a good place to ask
Paul Johnson was my favorite last time around. Any chance we can get him this time or is his deal too hard to match?
Jim Tressel
My apologies if this is a dumb question but why isn’t Jim Tressel on any school’s list?
I know he was unceremoniously let go at OSU but he still seems like a great coaching candidate.
He'll soon have the distinction of being on a second list
The show-cause list.
Worse than Cheatey Petey! (Can't believe I said that).
Have you read the e-mails on the OSU scandal?!?!?!? Tressel had clear knowledge of infractions and did NOTHING. Bigger smoking gun than U$C. The difference is that OSU was free tattoos, U$C* was a house . . .
A repeat offender
He got in NCAA trouble at Youngstown State before moving up to the big time with tOSU.
formerly bruinhoo
by Patroclus on Dec 2, 2011 2:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
From an NCAA sanctions standpoint...
…shouldn’t he be in the clear. Similar to Calipari’s situation.
by Bruin Brander on Dec 2, 2011 3:04 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think it was ever proven that Calipari was involved
in any wrongdoing (LOL I know…), wasn’t Tressel basically caught red-handed with the coverup?
The presence of a bigger scandal
doesn’t preclude Tressel from wrongdoing. Want to give u$c* their scholarships back because of PSU?
No, No
Cheated Petey… Just because I wouldn’t put it past Chianti Dan to pull some dumbs..t like that.
by petrolff1107 on Dec 2, 2011 2:02 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Yes, Yes
I’ve been eagerly anticipating news about the search although I know news isn’t likely to come until we get through this weekend. My heart sank when Leach was announced at WSU and Petersen is sounding more like a longshot every day. I’ve even wondered if Guerrero had gone to Boise not to court Petersen to UCLA but to see if he could be their AD. We need a fresh start and I hope Guerrero doesn’t blow this, since it looks like he gets to make this decision. He made a decisive move in getting rid of Toledo, then hires the unproven, inexperienced Dorrell. He then replaces him with Neuheisel who is so eager to take his dream job at UCLA, he agrees to take Walker and Chow on staff. Guerrero may have felt justified in meddling with Neuheisel because Neu had to rehabilitate his image some, but it stands as a terrible misstep to begin the Neuheisel era. Guerrero needs to find the right guy, support him, and stay out of his way.
by Westwood is the best wood on Dec 2, 2011 3:44 PM PST reply actions
Yes, Yes
From most ridiculous to least ridiculous (none of it based on news, simply guessing):
1. Neuheisel (Assuming he beats Oregon in the biggest upset in history, then somehow beats the Big 10(12) in the Rose Bowl, and DG says, “whatever.” Following this, BruinsNations self destructs.)
2. Steve Mariucci. (He was a candidate last time around. And I know he violates BruinsNation criteria, this isn’t about who I want but what I think will happen.)
3. PetersEn. The reports about him being satisfied at BSU are simply BS(u) to leverage his bargaining position. With Wasserman over a barrel about losing PetersEn, the offer becomes 7 years, at 5 million a year, with bonuses. Then PetersEn flames out spectacularly a la Charlie Weis.
Michael C
www.onviolence.com
The more I see of Paul Chryst, the more I like him.
Five years as OC at Wisconsin. Coached in Pac 10. I think Wisconsin is going to beat Oregan in the Rose Bowl. Perhaps we should get him before his value skyrockets.
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