UCLA Football Recruiting: Coach Jim Mora’s Plan
by Nestor on Jan 26, 2012 10:00 AM PST
in Recruiting
Email
Print
UCLA has been rapidly climbing the recruiting ranking charts in recent weeks since the arrival of Coach Jim Mora. As of right now UCLA sits at the number 10 spot in Scout.com rankings and at number 18 spot in Rivals.com. Considering how this class was shaping up during the last desperate and desolate weeks of the Rick Neuheisel, the turnaround is nothing short of remarkable.
I am sure there will be more up and down as we head towards national signing day. I think it is important recognizing a key factor in Mora's success in recruiting because it touches upon lot of the big picture discussions we have had around out athletic program here on BN. The easy explanation for Mora's early success is to point to his 25 years of experience in the NFL. However, for those who follow UCLA program at a deeper level, they know that the key to Mora's success has been his ability so far to execute on a smart, strategic plan he had before taking over the Bruin football program.
It became pretty apparent to us in Mora's early weeks that he was able to hit the ground running because he already had a plan to address his most glaring deficiency as a college football coach. From Steve Megargee at Rivals.com (emphasis added throughout):
The makeup of Mora's staff addresses his own lack of college experience. Although defensive coordinator Lou Spanos and strength coach Sal Alosi primarily have pro backgrounds, the majority of Mora's assistants come from other college programs.
Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who arrived from SMU, was the only assistant coach who didn't work at a major-conference school or Notre Dame to get selected by Rivals.com as one of the nation's top 25 recruiters last year. Running backs coach Steve Broussard is a former all-Pac-10 running back who most recently worked at Arizona State and Washington State.
Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone held the same position at Arizona State last season. Mazzone's arrival helped persuade three-star quarterback recruit TJ Millweard to switch his verbal commitment from Arizona State to UCLA. Defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin coached Washington's secondary in 2011 and also has a reputation as a strong recruiter.
"The thing Mora's done that's really intelligent is that no recruits really know him, but he's surrounded himself with assistants from across the country that everybody knows," Adam Gorney, the West Coast recruiting analyst for Rivals.com said. "These are assistants they've already built relationships with. These kids have probably never met Mora before. If they have met him, it's their first time. But they've known these assistants for a year.''
This staff has done an impressive job of flipping recruits who had been committed elsewhere.
Impressive indeed. You need to read rest of the piece here.
Going back to Mora having a strategic plan, he alluded to this himself when he was asked about searching for a potential DC (following John Pagano's decision to remain with the Chargers as the Bolts' new DC):
"I'm still working on it," Mora said Thursday night. "I've had a Plan B, C and D. You don't come into one of these things without an alternate plan."
I think it is reasonable to assume that Mora has been taking the exact same approach while going after his recruiting targets (and communicating with the current commits) in recent days. The result has been apparent in last few days. Now what will get the Bruin Nation really rocking if Mora can translate his plan into on field success through teaching and coaching next season. He will also prove many of our skepticism about Mora during the hiring process moot.
Still there is also the obvious contrast in Mora's approach and the ones from Chianti Dan and unfortunately Ben Howland. Unlike Mora, Chianti had no freaking plan in place when the football program was tanking this past season. In Chianti's mind he still wanted to stick with Neuheisel even after Bruins got humiliated by Arizona on national TV and more unbelievably right after 0-50. The difference between the two approaches couldn't be more stark. It is just one reason while Mora is off to a solid start, Chianti will not get any pass from here for his joke hiring process and his total bungling of our major revenue programs during his failed tenure.
Mora's approach also stands out from Howland and his coaching staff that have been hopelessly flailing around the recruiting trail with no strategic plan in place for last 4 years. Without someone like Kerry Keating on his staff, Howland recruiting approach has been rudderless, resulting in a program that has not been able to bring in a legit point guard for last 4 years.
Anyway, let's get back to the happier topic of football recruiting. I will leave you with this tweet from uber recruiter OL coach Adrian Klemm:
We can't wait.
GO BRUINS.
48 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The quality of assistants seems to be much higher than we've ever had.
Hopefully the recruiting level of intensity continues all the way through actual games.
Mora recognizing his own weaknesses bodes well for him
We see that glaring lack of self scouting and self awareness in our other major revenue sport and in the rest of the athletic department and it goes a long way to explaining the rampant dysfunction we see. Mora had a plan B, C, and D. Chianti (and Howland) say “what the hell is that?”
I worry
Knowing Chianti, should our ace recruiters close hard on signing day, that this gives Dan the space he needs to kick back, prop his feet up on his desk, and declare his job done. IMO, this is where Mora needs to step in, raise hell, and demand better from his employer. Our guys may be able to sell this year’s class on a vision of better times ahead, but it will be a hell of a lot easier to make that argument to future classes if the AD would get off their ass and show a path forward and a plan that says “football matters to us”. An 80 yard practice field and crooked uprights do not make that statement. The worst facilities in the conference do not make that statement. Canning Chianti would definitely make that statement.
I fully expect
the team to win 7-8 games next season and Dan Guerrero taking credit for the hiring of Mora and how much the team has improved. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the program should realize 7-8 wins should be an absolute gimme for any coach next season. The team is more experienced and almost won 7 games this past season, after all.
by SonOfWestwood93 on Jan 26, 2012 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Good point
The team was 6-6 last year with inconsistent play at QB, a lame duck coach and the worst DC in the country. Seven wins should not be celebrated next year. But I totally see Strap on waxing poetic about how a 7-5 team has totally turned the corner and re-established themselves in the conference. What this translates to in strap on code is that I saved my own ass and don’t have to do jack about improving facilities.
REALLY?
I don’t think you know you are talking about. when he says(Mora) i have a plan B, C, and D he’s referring to the potential option of coaches to be if on guy says no to Mora offering him a coaching position, he goes to plan B meaning the second guy he has in mind for a coach job,and etc. And i don’t know why your complaining bro. didn’t you just read this article we are ranked 10 in recruiting in scouting poll and 18 in another poll. we haven’t had this good of recruiting since the Cade B. McNown days.
You know, when everyone else understand what I'm saying
And you don’t. Maybe you should have figured out that the problem is you.
Oh, and by the way. Recent years that we’ve been ranked at or better in recruiting than this year: 2008 (10), 2009 (5), 2010 (8). Cade McNown years, indeed. Your reading comprehension needs some serious work, "bro".
AND this was your first post?
Sweet Fancy Moses that’s embarrassing for you. Here’s a tip: Lurk more, speak less.
Wrong
We actually had this good of recruiting just 2-3 years ago when Neuheisel was hauling in top ranked recruiting classes in Westwood.
You don't know what you're talking about, N
Here, let me explain to you what having a “Plan B” means and watch me get my easily researchable facts completely fucking wrong.
The hilarious thing
He is citing Scout.com poll for our current no. 10 ranking which could slide down in coming days. All he had to do was to use the scroll bar and find out about the top-10 classes in back to back years in 09 and 10 for UCLA. Just embarrassing.
Funny how fast people forget the great incoming classes from 2-3 years ago.
CRN made national signing fun again as a Bruin. Now see how Mora’s crew closes out, hopefully with a few big catches.
Gee what a funny thought
more $$ into the program+better coaches+better players arriving+better teams=more wins
WoW!!! It only took Strap on Dan the better part of a decade to figure this out!!!
I don't think he has gotten that message yet
At least not in the areas that actually require effort on his part. Until we start seeing plans, drawings, and other such publicity rather than statements about “feasibility studies”, you have to think he’s the same lazy, incompetent boob.
To be fair
Although this was not a needed incentive, the fact that the new TV money may be flowing already, or at least close enough that UCLA is able to loosen the purse a bit, has to be a major part of this. More money for assistants, more money for the HC, perhaps actual plans to upgrade the facilities (will believe this one when it happens). The AD just happens to have the timing right, from bumbling ixxxx to genius, due to a first TV check cashing…??
Mensgym
delenda est Guerrero
This may be off-topic, but when I read this post it seems clear that the window for canning Chianti may be short. Mora seems like a man with a plan, and with the staff he has assembled (and the returning talent) he may be a success quickly, seemingly validating the man who hired him. If we do well next year, the broader community (outside these virtual walls) may lose their appetite for regicide.
However, perhaps a “hire Dan Guerrero” campaign should be launched at the NCAA to complement the “fire Dan Guerrero” campaign launched at Chancellor Block? Our odds of promoting him out of our department might be better than firing him….
Not a bad idea
But don’t forget about hoops. Hoops is not going to give Chianti any kind of respite.
that's true
any warm and fuzzies about Mora’s success will dissipate if the basketball team continues on its current trajectory (and the casual UCLA alum cares more about the basketball team’s success, I would guess); but the timing is so crucial, as to whether Howland or Guerrero gets canned first.
by VeniceBruin on Jan 26, 2012 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
BN is a place where the hardcore assemble.
Outside of this community, it’s getting harder and harder to paint DG as someone responsible for failure. All of us Bruin fans are so starved for success that some of our memories are quite short – nobody here, of course. With each Mora success, Guerrero looks better, as Venice said. Are there enough people out there that will be angry with the failure of our MBB program to produce a deep tourney run every year, while our FB team gets its act together (really, this time!)? I think the masses will look to FB’s success, should we have some, credit DG for “a shrewd move in hiring Mora”, allow him to can CBH and hire another MBB coach. Football being the juggernaut that it is, I fear that for many, it has the potential to take the wind out of the sails of the Fire DG movement.
Maybe another school or the NCAA will look to the Mora hire and say: “Wow, we want him! Let’s pay him $800k!” Not likely, eh? We’re doing it…
Man
if anybody gives any credit to DG for the Mora hire, or anything that happens with the football program from here on out, they have to get their head examined. It was dumb luck to get Mora after a folly of missed and stupid jabs at other coaches. People even still criticized the Mora hire, it just happens to be that he did an excellent job of getting a grasp on what needed to be done immediately. It only took DG three freaking times. He had to get lucky once, no? All the credit goes to Mora and zilch to DG.
Mora hasn't won a game yet.......
…Hasn’t beaten $C…
….Hasn’t won a PAC-12 championship….
….Hasn’t put the Bruins in a BCS game….
What credit is there to take?
Some fair points
However lets keep in mind that if Mora does produce on the field than he will have more sway in getting things like facilities upgrades. RN didn’t have a lot of equity so to speak because his teams were not doing well. If Mora wins on the field he will have a lot of influence with alumni and the Bruin community. He can take his demands to the people rather than talking to strap on behind closed doors.
Glad Mora is so organized. I feel like the Scout ranking is a bit misleading though.
It seems like Scout emphasizes number of recruits over quality of recruits. If you look at our average star, it’s well below everyone else in the Top 10.
True but you have to qualify some of this
I think its a bit of a mistake to live and die purely by star rating. Do you honestly know what the difference is between a 3 and 4 star rated prospect? In many cases it could be razor thin. Look at Nate Iese, he’s only rated at 3 star but schools had been tripping over themselves to sign him. Colby Cyburt is a 3 star OLineman and he had an offer from Stanford, and they recently seem to know how to bring in top O line guys.
My point is that UCLA is recruiting FOOTBALL players not just kids that are great athletes, there is a big difference. Nelson Rosario, 4 star prospect and freakish athlete in high school, what kind of football player is he though? Same holds true for Randall Carroll, 4 star prospect and super freak athlete, but did it translate to the field?
You are also right
but we’ll also never know given that our previous staff did not develop any players at all…it takes the stars plus the right coaches.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Plus, the ratings are for the present day...
for kids playing at the high school level. I don’t believe all kids develop physically at the same rate and therefore some will standout relative to the universe of players. Some of these guys may be close to their peak while others have a ways to go.
Remember what Klem said about foot size? It shows, well sometimes, if a kid has more growth potential. Because physical maturity develops at different rates for kids at this age, Klem also says one is lucky to hit 50/50 when picking recruits.
Stars say nothing about potential, it is a snapshot in time. A snapshot that can look vastly different just a couple years down the road.
Exactly
The star system isn’t meant to be an indicator of the final product, just a designation for the prospect’s current status. It’s just intuitive to believe that a 5* athlete has a higher ceiling and is more projectable at the next level. It’s a flawed system, but everyone works with it. I liked the insight Coach Klemm provided about how he evaluates linemen because it demonstrates the nuances of evaluation, which go beyond tangibles.
Traditionally there are more 4 and 5 star...
prospects at the skill positions than in the OL. Lineman have to be developed as Klemm said. Given that we have a large number of lineman recruited and a place kicker as a 2 star, it skews our average down. It looks to be an outstanding class with a lot of depth. We will see come Feb. 1 what we have, but it looks a lot brigher since the hiring of Mora. The 50-0 beatdown may have been a blessing in disguise.
by WoodenMan88 on Jan 27, 2012 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
Objectively
This was a good hire by Guerrero as of right now. We will say he got lucky, but we have to be honest: DG saw something in him no one else saw. Give credit where credit is due.
That said, give blame where blame is due, too. A decade of mediocrity shouldn’t be discounted because of one good hire. He should be fired.
(But thanks for the shiny, new coach, Dan. Don’t let those things that pop up from the ground on the Strathmore entrance hit you in the balls on your way out.)
I have the Sons of Westwood on my iPod in my "favorites" playlist ...
http://sonsofwestwood.wordpress.com
by johnvely on Jan 26, 2012 12:46 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Yes, DG saw something in him no one else saw
Just like DG saw something in Karl no one else saw. Same thing with Neuheisel. We gave him a shot when he hired Neuheisel and bought his arguments. We are giving Mora a shot. But DG’s track record gets him zero benefit of the doubt.
From many accounts
Mora is the one who approached DG. Just as Howland had to be essentially put on DG’s desk before he knew what the F to do.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
And Ben Howland was a good hire
If you only count the Final Four years and none of the others. You don’t get “good hire” status for doing 20% of your job well. Rick Neuheisel was a better hire if that were the case, and for a lot less money to boot.
Ben Howland practically flew himself to LA to pounce on the UCLA gig
Chianti gets no credit for that.
by Nestor on Jan 26, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing
There is a problem if there is only one coach calling Danny boy about the job. DG has made being the head coach of our major sports undesireable.
by Gen2Bruin1987 on Jan 26, 2012 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
Um, he's being sarcastic.
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
LOL This
never gets old! “What’s wrong with doing 20% of your job?”
Dump Dan!
by bruinclassof10 on Jan 26, 2012 3:45 PM PST up reply actions
Super stoked!
traded emails with a former Bruin QB and he is excited about what Mora has done so far. Says the coaching staff is a good one and that coach Mora is bringing a toughness and an edge to the program already. He thinks discipline and toughness will be something we can look forward to this year.
Love what he’s doing in recruiting! I wasn’t too pleased when he was hired, but i am excited about what he’s doing so far. Go Bruins.
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that counts" - John Wooden.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bruins Nation
Related FanShots on Bruins Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
