More Signs of "Culture Change"? Mora’s "Strike System" for UCLA Football
by Nestor on Jan 27, 2012 5:00 AM PST
in Football
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PrintCulture change has been a big topic here on BN since the arrival of Jim Mora. He mentioned how the "culture of UCLA football needs to change" when over the wall nonsense happened during bowl preparation week. He pledged to stop that BS by declaring it "completely unacceptable" and not part of UCLA. Then on his first official day as the head coach he sent another strong signal by kicking out couple of players for "violating team rules" from the program and letting go of another due to academic issues.
It appears Mora has installed some new team rules in attempt to establish much needed sense of accountability with the program. In recent days from tracking tweeter conversations among current and former players, we have pieced together information that Mora has installed a "strike system" at UCLA.
From what we understand here is how the strike system works for team. If the players miss class, tutoring or any other program set out by Mora and his staff that is considered a "strike." If they are late to class, meetings or practice that is considered a "strike" as well. If strikes pile up for a player, he (and his team-mates are disciplined) in the following progression:
- 1 strike equals "5 am punishment" (which we are assuming 5 am workouts) for the violator.
- 2 strike equal "5 am punishment" TWICE for the violator.
- 3 strikes equal "5 am punishment" for the violator's position group. So if the violator is part of running back crew, all the running backs will be mandated to partake in 5 am workouts.
- 4 strikes equal "5 am punishment" for the whole side of the ball. So if the violation is part of the running back crew, the entire offensive unit will be forced to partake in the 5 am workouts.
Needless to say this kind of disciplinary system will raise the stakes for everyone. This way every member of the team will have incentives to make sure not only he is abiding by team rules, but also keeping an eye on his peers from his respective position group and side of the ball to ensure, they are not repeatedly getting in trouble. We will have to see how the strike system plays out under the new regime.
Bringing about "culture change" was also a big topic during the early months of Rick Neuheisel as well. We heard that phrase a lot. We have heard all the talk about "vastly different" offseason stemming from the so called culture change. This was also the theme during early years of Karl Dorrell when we heard the term how he and his staff were cleaning up the "underbelly" from Bob Toledo's program.
So many of us who have been around for a while following our program obsessively are at mindset of haivng been there and done that. Despite our skepticism though we do appreciate what we are seeing from Mora. We hope this kind of measure will bring much needed sense of discipline in this underachieving program.
From what we have heard from few folks Mora has always been an intense coach who believed in almost militaristic discipline. While his approach may have rubbed off some millionaire primadonnas in the NFL the wrong way, it could potentially work really well at the college level. We are hoping that will be the case at UCLA.
What we really want to see from Mora's steps to instill discipline among our players is that they will help him build a program of group of talented players, who are fundamentally sound, well coached, and play up to their potential on game days. In other words we'd like to see the rhetoric and welcome measures to instill discipline off the field result in a successful season on it.
GO BRUINS.
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Pleasant news
This form of holding players accountable is exactly the kind of thing this program needs to start heading in the right direction. A lot of kids will probably thrive from this type of system. With real discipline across the board, we should see real results. They screw up and then pay the price and are ultimately held accountable as a unit and team. “..this kind of disciplinary system will raise the stakes for everyone.” Break them down and build them up together. Makes me think of the UCLA is a sleeping giant article. Nice write up.
DGB
Howland could have used this
This approach could have worked very well with players such as Drago, Nelson, and Gordon.
Mora Football, Mora discipline!!!
by cyberdbk on Jan 27, 2012 6:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions
The problem I see is....
….DG, GB and RT still run UCLA. They will counter any changes that do not personally benefit them.
Would be great if there was a “strike” system for these administrative heads: DG would be in better shape and GB would learn the benefit of athletics first hand. What UCLA students and some alumni do not realize is that everytime DG screws up – we are all forced to work harder to preserve the UCLA brand and value. GB and RT don’t see it this way and are willing to sacrifice UCLA.
It seems that Mora may march to the beat of his own drum and will ignore the UCLA administrative circus clowns.
Coughlin and discipline
This strike system reminds me of Tom Coughlin’s approach to discipline.
He doesn’t mess around or bend rules. We’ll see if Mora is equally hardcore.
After Taylor’s car flipped four times and hit a guardrail, the injured players were so fearful of Coughlin’s wrath that they had a team security official take them to the meeting before they received medical attention. Coughlin fined each player $500 for being late. The next day, according to several witnesses, Coughlin lit into Banks in the locker room when he informed the coach that his injured back would prevent him from playing in the game.
“To me there was only one issue—two young kids had a chance to learn a lesson,” Coughlin says. “If they would’ve been smart enough to leave early for the meeting and not have to rush, it could all have been avoided.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017072/2/index.htm
Best reporting to date on the Mora era
I don’t recall any reporter using sources plus social media to put together such an informative piece. Congrats.
We still know so little about that first team meeting. One senses that some unpleasant issues were discussed. And by discussed, I mean Coach Mora probably laid down some serious law. Over time, we should find out find out more.
Encouraging
Of course, it doesn’t mean anything until we see these athletes on the field, but we’re pointed in the right direction as far as I am concerned.
by DoubleTroubleBruin on Jan 27, 2012 8:42 AM PST reply actions
There is a difference
Between words and action. This seems to be a step in the right direction
by glassbruin on Jan 27, 2012 8:43 AM PST via Android app reply actions
+1
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Jan 27, 2012 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
I think this is a step in the right direction.
I like how Mora has handled everything up until now and I hope it translates onto the field.
My dream is that he gets enough clout that he starts pressuring DG into actually becoming an AD or even pressuring GB to fire him.
Until then we just have to maintain the heat on Chianti et al.
First guy to get 4 strikes is gonna be in a world of sh*t...
Who’s it gonna be? :)
I've been through this type of situation
Albeit with a group of women, I had a mess to clean up and one of the measures I took was following them all on Facebook. Cleaned up things real quick.
by AnteatersandBruins on Jan 27, 2012 9:22 AM PST reply actions
I'm totally in love with this!
While Neu and KD were always talking about culture change for UCLA football, I think this is the first time I’ve actually seen some sort of actual steps taken place. Does anyone recall Neu or KD saying HOW they would change the culture of UCLA, or were they just letting us know UCLA needed a culture change.
Regardless, Mora is for sure on the right track! I’ve been in Flagstaff for last 3 years, and haven’t been able to go to many UCLA game, I’m ready for my triumphant return back to SoCal and to the Arroyo Seco in the Fall. Hopefully, I’ll be able to call UCLA home again when I return as a graduate student.
Go BRUINS!!
by BruinBabe4ever on Jan 27, 2012 10:06 AM PST reply actions
Good first steps.
I wonder how many kids this will weed out of the program in the first year?
OT
but according to scout placekicker Fairbarn is still committed to UCLA. So far it’s a good newsFriday :]
Mora and the NFL
As you mentioned above, I could see this approach backfiring big time in the NFL. This stuff seems way more suited to college, where even on the very best teams only a handful of guys will be going pro. Most just want to play out their careers and win some games.
This discipline attitude is what reminds me of Saban. Perhaps we have that to some degree here. Saban was a bust in the NFL but now he walks around alabama with people calling him Bear Bryant.
It's almost impossible to get culture change...
if you have been part of the culture. Dorrell and Neuheisel were Bruin family hires. They knew the Bruin culture which was supposed to be a positive when they were hired. Even if by accident, Mora comes from outside the Bruin culture and brings a professional mindset to a program way too accepting of mediocrity and dreams of going “over the wall.” Now, if this staff can coach and develop the talent, we may see something worth watching on the field come September.
Carrot And Stick
What’s encouraging to me is that it seems this toughness is in place at the same time benefits are being enhanced. Think of the new training program put in place by our new S&C Coach – as well as positive changed at the training table. Fauria has recently been tweeting about improvements in the food — “breakfast burritos!”
Players may be getting the picture that this is a program serious about their development – in all phases. And that’s a program worth fighting for.
by Markpav44 on Jan 27, 2012 12:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Carrot & Stick 2 + "Money Ball"l
Same words came to me earlier.
I see the stick part here. I would like to know more about the carrot other than breakfast burritos…
Look, I’ve had coaches (8th grade, in particular) high on discipline and running our a$$es off and was in the best shape of my life.
But, the first thing I thought when reading about this 3 strikes program (or however many), is that it is motivation by punishment.
Does that ever really work for people in a long-term sense?
I find it very unimaginitive and old school. I would rather be inspired and incentivized to achieve.
I agree we need toughness and discipline (and this may work for awhile), but I wish I was seeing something more creative and inspirational than “we are going to kick your ass if you f-up”.
Is that what inspires you in your daily life? Striving NOT to screw up?
This exactly who I thought Mora was, and while it may be a step in the right direction, I certainly don’t think it’s the only or best way.
Reminds me of all the knuckleheads sitting around in the movie “Moneyball”. They thought they knew everything about scouting. I’m not going to give away the storyline, but it’s about outside vs. Inside the box thinking.
Give me inspiration and creativity. Give me Dick Vermeil
(Can’t argue with the recruiting success thus far…)
by Geronimo21 on Jan 27, 2012 2:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
It's not punishment.
It’s accountability. It’s discipline. It’s team building.
Culture change normally requires new, outside leadership. You may be divorced for thirty years, but if you run into your ex, he or she still has your number.
So far this is good, all good.
Can’t wait to see it translate onto the field.
I agree it's old school...
and might agree it’s unimaginative. But, I feel he is instituting this program as a way to deter those with the lazy attitude we saw on occasion…for example, who was the guy that failed the drug test three times. Yes, it should be punitive for hammerheads like that.
But, I’m not so sure I agree that punishing teammates, even if not right away, is a great idea. I’m still mulling it over trying to put myself in the position of the teammate that would have to go to a 5am session because of what someone else does.
I suppose coach Mora would keep those who might be affected apprised of their impending consequence if the perpetrator continues to screw up, which would create some peer pressure. Can you imagine the ‘pressure’ if this happens to either line? On the other hand, what if it happens within the kickers ranks?
Now, as to incentives, the positive kind, we really don’t know if any exist, or will come spring, so I think it premature to assume there will be none.
One message seems clearly sent…If a player is not fully into what coach Mora demands, there won’t be tolerance nor much playing time.
Hmmm...maybe I'm missing something here...
Why is Mora getting involved in “policing” class attendance. I thought he was the football coach. Shouldn’t someone else be in charge of academic monitoring. I realize that if a player becomes academically ineligible, it hurts the team. Oh well, the next guy better be ready to step up. If you don’t perform on the field or in the classroom, you lose your job (playing time on Saturdays).
Wouldn’t that be enough incentive?
Perhaps it might be more forward-thinking to set individual goals for each player and work from that standpoint. The way this “strike” system seems to be set up (and I realize this is information gathered from player tweets), seems rather backwards to me. It seems very basic and unimaginative. I’m not saying that it won’t generate results. I just don’t find it motivational in a positive way.
I realize that I am going against the general consensus of comments here and I am not writing this to be contrary or argumentative. I am just writing how I honestly feel and sharing another perspective which did not seem to be considered in previous comments.
It seems like the coaching staff is already treating them like criminals before they have committed a crime. People generally live up or down to the expectations you have for them. This strike system strikes me as having low expectations.
And another thought…the coach who has to attend the 5 a.m. workout is also being penalized/punished for the student athlete’s infraction. Now the coach has to get up at 3:30 a.m. to be at campus by 4:30 a.m. to punish a kid, group, side of the ball which didn’t go to class, meeting, practice or whatever.
Why not just sit their ass down on Saturday….let the guy who puts in the work in the classroom and on the practice field play. The player who gets demoted will either step it up, accept where he is, or quit. Either way, he’s not playing.
Let me put it this way. Say you have a company that is under-performing. You decide to bring in a motivational expert to motivate the company players. Do you think that motivational expert is going to motivate by punishing or by providing incentives for success?
I don’t get paid $2 million a year to figure out how to motivate this team, so I’m not going to invest the time to figure it out. I’m just saying that I bet I could do an internet search on positive motivation techniques and come up with something much better than this in about 15 minutes…
Maybe motivation is not Mora’s strength, just like recruiting isn’t. Perhaps he should hire an expert in this area to teach him as he has done with recruiting. That seems to be working out well. Or, here’s another idea. Maybe DG could get off his backside and hire a motivational expert or team to work with all UCLA athletes in all sports so Mora doesn’t have to think about it and he can focus on actually coaching football…just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
If someone want’s to pay me 10% of cjm’s salary, I can really start putting some thought into this…I just don’t see this strike system as something revolutionary, unique, creative or something to get fired up about.
If Mora was so good, don’t you think we would have heard about it already…Instead, most of the knowledgeable writers on this blog were all saying what a terrible hire he would be…“please don’t hire this guy”…losing NFL record…no college coaching experience, D grade hire by outside reports…
He’s an outside hire? Really? You don’t think that after DG got done wasting our taxpayer dollars running around the country going after sub-par and unavailable coaches that he didn’t ring ol’ Terry up on the phone and say “Bail my ass out! What do I do now?” Donahue’s response: “Well, Dan, there’s this guy Jim Mora whose out of a job right now. I think he’ll take the position. Here’s his number…” Good job on the recruiting…not going to get carried away and give him a pass on everything…GO BRUINS!
Put another way...
Let’s say you have a race horse that loves to run…that horse gets so much joy from running fast, but you want that horse to run faster…so you beat the horse to run faster…the horse responds to the pain and runs faster for a while, BUT the horse then loses his natural joy to run…now the horse only runs because he’s afraid that if he doesn’t run, he’s going to get beaten.
I’m saying that motivating by fear is not sustainable in the long run and that, if we are honest with ourselves, we would much rather be inspired than beaten down… unless you have a thing for being beaten down…which I don’t.
Mora will likely get results with his militaristic disciplinary style for a while and everyone will say “See, it’s working”. All I am saying is that that approach is one way to do it. Maybe there are better ways…I think we can all agree that positive change is needed in the program. Can we also agree there may be more that one way to go about it and maybe Mora doesn’t have all the answers in that area?
Humiliating losses on national TV didn't motivate them to do much better, either.
I think it’s a mistake to assume this is a strategy for the “long run.” Anyone who’s on a “strike three” and dragging his teammates into it probably is a candidate to go the way of Wesley Flowers and Raymond Nelson.
And if you want to talk about race horses, look no further than what happens when breaking a horse. The horse rebels initially, but that horse isn’t winning any races unless he learns to obey the rules.
The failure seems systemic
and getting blown out on national TV did seem to have a positive impact…the next two games were wins vs. Cal and #19 ASU. The winning just wasn’t sustained as we got blown out in horrible conditions vs. Utah…I do think the embarrassment did have a positive impact. You would have to be inhuman not be affected by that UofA blow out…
I don’t understand why it is a mistake to assume this is a strategy for the long run. Mora is known for his militaristic disciplinary style, isn’t he? Why would he change?
You’re right about race horses…maybe I should just stick to human behavioral models. Let’s just hope you are not standing behind that horse when he snaps.
I think you are misunderstanding the principle behind the strike system.
It’s about accountability. Not fear.
My college coach has a similar system. The 5 a.m. workouts are insanely effective. I’ve had to go twice in my 3 years in college. Once for being late to a meeting and once for getting caught missing a class. There is going to be one day a week, usually Wednesday (conveniently enough the day we had 7:45 AM scheduled team lifting), where all of the guys who have violations go through the workout. Ours were usually flipping tires up and down the sideline for 30 minutes and then conditioning. You get the message very quickly.
General policy that if you have to attend a 5 AM session, you miss the first series of the next game. On all sides of the ball, including special teams. Not only are you hurting yourself, you are hurting your teammates by not following the rules and not doing what you should be. That is message this sends. I am pretty confident that Mora will use a similar method in season.
This takes the whole process a step further because at a certain point you actually punish your teammates by breaking rules. Not by losing you on the field, but by them having to be physically punished along with you.
And I don’t get why you are against the “academic policing”. Every player is a student-athlete. The coaches are all coaching student-athletes, not athletes. They are just as responsible for the team’s academic success as they are their success on the field.
What reason is there for a student-athlete who is getting a college education 100% paid for not to attend class, without notifying the teacher? I’d say more than 50% of passing any class at any level of schooling is simply showing up. If the players go to all of their classes, they will pass most of, if not all, their classes. Then we won’t have as many players ineligible.
There isn’t a downside to that.
I will firmly be in the “Prove it on the field” camp before I buy into Mora. But this policy is only a positive. We’ve all seen how well zero-accountability has worked in the past 10 years.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I think I understand the concept behind the strike principle...
as I have been on teams and other groups that have instituted punishment for failing to do something. Been there, lived it, done that. And, I agree that it can be effective. I’m just suggesting that there may be other, more effective ways to motivate people. I would like to see players self-motivate and give them incentives for doing so…maybe I am too idealistic and giving to much credit to the student-athletes.
It’s like you wrote, your college coach had a similar system, my coaches had a similar system…What I’m saying is it is basic, standard, status-quo, nothing to get up all that excited about him implementing.
You’ve done it.
I’ve done it.
I would venture to guess just about everyone on here has been a part of that type of discipline. There is nothing revolutionary or inspiring about this move. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be accountability. I believe there should be. I’m just saying that I believe cjm might consider (with his $2 million a year salary) something we haven’t all seen, done and been a part of before. Think outside the box. Come up with something inspirational and new and lead with that instead of busting someones nuts out of the gate…I’m sure Oregon doesn’t do things in a ordinary, everyday way. I’m looking for revolution…not just moving the needle.
As far as the academic policing goes, I guess I’m more for self-accountability than someone breathing down my neck as a motivator. And I don’t see why the football coach is responsible for a student’s performance in the classroom any more than a professor is responsible for an athlete’s performance on the field.
I 100% agree that it isn't a revolutionary system. Mora shouldn't be put on our shoulders and praised for this.
But it is a major improvement (at least on paper because it hasn’t been shown yet) from the previous regime’s discipline levels, IMO. It wasn’t the status quo at UCLA. And it was something that needed to be addressed.
There is a reason why we have all had bosses or coaches that have displayed that type of discipline though. It has been a productive motivator for as long as it has existed. Just because something isn’t revolutionary, doesn’t mean it isn’t a great solution.
And, for your last point, I completely see where you’re coming from and I was always self-motivated with school too.
But I have also always been taught in sports that:
Everyone is a student. Only a few are student-athletes.
You have to be held to a higher standard than regular students because, like it or not, people focus on a student-athlete’s life on and off the field.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
You said it yourself
“maybe i am being to idealistic and giving to much credit to the student-athletes.”
Bravo to CJM for taking this direction. It is needed and will make this team tougher which I think we all agree this team needs badly. Successful programs are not soft handing there players. They are giving them specific direct expectatioons. This was not happening the last few years and was very clearly displayed on the playing field. No one can argue that.
Re Striving NOT to screw up?
Joe Montana has said many time that the fear of losing is what motivated him more than anything else.
Striving not to screw up has motivated me for decades.
I always prepared more than other lawyers for even the simplest things because I did not want to be embarrassed by not asking the key question or not knowing some goofy fact that the judge thought was important. My operatic avocation is all about knowing the words and the notes, and not wanting to be the guy remembered for screwing up.
Our first astronaut, Alan Shepard, was getting ready for his first laundh, did not know that he had an open mike, and duirng a hold in the coundown uttered the famous Astronaut’s Prayer: “Dear God, don’t let me f**k up.”
Striving not to screw up is a powerful incentive, in my opinion.
I hear you, Fox.
Being motivated by striving not to screw up is essentially being motivated by fear, isn’t it?
I’m sure I have been motivated in this way as well, many times. I’m just wondering if this Is this the only way to be motivated? Is this the most enjoyable way for us to be motivated? Does it produce an inordinate and unnecessary (avoidable) amount of stress? Is there a better way?
That’s funny about Alan Shepard. Never heard that one.
I just wonder if that’s what’s going through Kobe’s mind as he’s taking the game-winner, or Tom Brady or any big-time closer. “I hope I don’t f**k up.”
O.K. - 30 second internet search on "Motivation"
Motivation Strategies
To some extent, a high level of employee motivation is derived from effective management practices. To develop motivated employees (insert “football players”], a manager [coach] must treat people as individuals, empower workers [players], provide an effective reward system, redesign jobs, and create a flexible workplace. [emphasis mine]
two things:
I just wonder if that’s what’s going through Kobe’s mind as he’s taking the game-winner, or Tom Brady or any big-time closer. "I hope I don’t f**k up."
1. Are you suggesting that Kobe and Brady were inspired to their greatness by coaching? I suppose it could be that — I haven’t read anything to suggest it isn’t because of that — but I have my doubts.
2. I suspect that the drive Kobe and Brady have to will themselves to success is the same kind of drive that would keep both of them well clear of Mora’s doghouse.
Answer
I am not suggesting in the slightest that coaching has anything to do with their greatness.
What I am saying is that I don’t think they are motivated in those critical moments by negative self-talk. I think it is self-confidence and a positive mindset that helps them achieve in those moments.
I don’t know where they learned it. I just don’t think they are inspired to win by the concept or thought of not screwing up. I think it is their desire to achieve and be the best they can be and that it comes from within, not from without.
I agree with your second point.entirely.
re Coaching
I do think that Tom Brady has had some good coaching, though. I don’t know much about Belichick or the Patriots coaching staff, other than that they almost always seem well-prepared and win a lot. So, it would seem they are pretty good at what they do and that must help Tom Brady win.
I think Kobe has not received that good of coaching and seemed to lack a lot of fundamental skills (probably due to zero college coaching) and got by on shear talent… I never thought PJ was that good of a coach and wished that once, just once, he would have someone set high screens on the opposing point guards…just to keep their head on a swivel, if nothing else. Tired of seeing Laker pg’s blown out on high screens REPEATEDLY. But then this is a discussion for another forum.
But I don't think you need to consider the "critical moments"
What I am saying is that I don’t think they are motivated in those critical moments by negative self-talk. I think it is self-confidence and a positive mindset that helps them achieve in those moments.
Those “critical moments” happen when the lights are on and everyone’s watching. That spotlight cannot be replicated in practice, and in this way practice (and other forms of preparation, like workouts, etc) are a separate exercise entirely from the actual playing of the game.
True self-confidence (as opposed to mere arrogance) and a positive mindset comes from knowing what to do and knowing you have the ability to do it.
Talented people whose practice habits are poor and undisciplined do not have that kind of self-confidence — they have arrogance. They need to be divested of their bad habits. I’d suggest that is what Mora is trying to do.
And each and every step in Mora’s strike plan is entirely avoidable with the right self-discipline and approach. In this way, and in my opinion, the strike plan places everything on the student athlete — isn’t that “empowering workers”?
I agree
with your definition of where self-confidence comes from.
I just wonder if Kobe, Tom Brady, and all the other high level performers are motivated primarily by the “I hope I don’t f**k this up” mentality. Do you think they are?
I’m not sure I agree with the spotlight not being able to replicated in practice. I always heard it said that you need to practice like you play. If that’s the case, then game conditions should be replicated as much as possible, right?
I understand that the opposing team won’t be there and neither will 55,000 fans, or the pressure. But we should try to replicate those conditions as much as possible, right? Well, I think we can all agree that just isn’t going to happen on Spaulding.
Talented people whose practice habits are poor and undisciplined do not have that kind of self-confidence — they have arrogance. They need to be divested of their bad habits. I’d suggest that is what Mora is trying to do.
Agreed…I agree that is what Mora is trying to do…just suggesting his methods are very common and nothing earth-shattering. I’m glad to know what’s going on and appreciate Nestor taking the time to post, just offering food for thought on alternative methods.
isn’t that "empowering workers"?
I’m not so sure that’s what the author had in mind. I suppose it is one way of empowerment, though.
And to make sure that I am never, ever taken seriously on this blog, allow me to bring up . . .
Zombies.
Suppose you’re being chased by a zombie. While they are certainly effective and convincing eaters, they are clumsy and not at all agile, and your brisk walking pace easily separates you from the ravenous zombie. Eventually, overcome by the need for attainable human flesh, the zombie will give up his pursuit of you, find himself a curb, and gnaw on his own ulna until another potential meal comes along — that is, so long as you continue moving forward, focused on what is ahead of you rather than what is behind you. That zombie need only be considered if you are a malingerer.
But let the malingerer be aware: if he should dawdle while being pursued, distracted by such things as a tantalizing bong or a piquant wall, maybe — then and only then must he concern himself with dodging the pitfalls that are behind him.
What lies behind is irrelevant, so long as you are constantly striving to better yourself by moving forward. That can be an effective message, and a positive one, and that the “fear” factor need not even be a consideration, but only for those who remain unfocused on what lies ahead, and undisciplined as to how to get there.
OT - re Lumberjacks...
I see you follow them. Are you in Flagstaff, too? I saw that BruinBabe was here as well and am thinking about getting an alumni group going…
NAU undergrad
some time ago . . . Still make side trips to Flag when visiting friends or family in AZ — great city, but a lot different than when I was there.
Appreciate your thoughts...
You have some very valid points. We seem to be talking about one particular incentive, if it can really be called that, program. We simply don’t know about any others that may be in place now or in the future. That brings me to my main point…this may not be the only incentive program for coach Mora.
Consider this…that coach Mora is drawing a line in the sand. He is asking his players who wants to participate in the UCLA football program to meet a minimum standard. I choose to believe that the minimum standard is relatively low.
Of course, we don’t know where that line is, that is what deeds will cause one to suffer the consequences of the the 5am workout. There is the crux of this matter in my opinion. Where is the line, what does a player have to do, or not do, to earn the 5am workout.
Is it missing the team bus or not putting the shower towel where in the laundry bin. Yeah, I know, extremes, but I do that for dramatic effect.
I believe these measures, the low bar if you will, is set to weed out those who want to go over the wall leaving the dedicated players to compete. I just can’t believe this is the only incentive program coach Mora has or will institute.
I have to believe coach Mora has more than just one methodology to induce motivation.
kevb
Wrote a response to your comment, but it has since disappeared…maybe for the better. Thank you for acknowledging what you consider my valid points… Rec’d your comments…valid points as well.
You don't see the carrot?
How about returning UCLA football to national prominence? Bringing UCLA football back from the dead and having a killer season for the first time in 13 years? The respect and admiration of your fellow teammates, coaches, fellow students, the whole Bruin Nation, and the other teams and players against whom you compete? The local and national media not treating UCLA like the joke it’s become?
How about knowing that you had your teammates backs’ and vice versa, that you all as a unit took winning seriously and didn’t fuck up in the classroom or on the field, that you did everything in your power to be the best you could be, gave 100% 100% of the time, and helped to build a new tradition?
If UCLA football wasn’t at rock bottom when they fired Neuheisel, it was about as close as you can get. Over the last several years there’s been too many players who didn’t care enough about winning, about being accountable to themselves, their teammates, their coaches or the program. They’ve had it easy and, with few exceptions, haven’t seen any kind of real consequences for their bad actions and decisions.
Mora’s “strikes” plan is the first baby step in a long line of things that need to happen to get UCLA football back to where we want it to be. Yes, it’s basic and unimaginative, but it’s also exactly what this team deserves, and exactly what they need right now. The proverbial free ride is over, time to put up or shut up.
What exactly are you looking for, anyway? Free burritos from Jose Bernstein’s when the whole team makes it to practice every day in a week? Discounts on Bearwear for not skipping class? Extra gatorade for not going over the wall?
Wasn’t anybody more creative or inspirational than Neuheisel, and look where that left us.
At this point, any player wanting or needing a “carrot” beyond the things I mentioned above has no place on this team.
uclahy has it exactly right: accountability, discipline, and team building. That’s what Mora is trying to instill right now, qualities that have been sorely lacking of late. Get these things in place and that will serve as a solid groundwork for truly changing the culture.
Get the kids to buy into it, and they will see results. And once they get a taste of winning, I guarantee they won’t need the strikes anymore…
by Somerichs on Jan 27, 2012 11:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
ageed
as much as we’d love to see a more “positive” reinforcement system in place, there is probably limitations on what can be done within the NCAA regulations. somerichs may be joking, but i’m guessing a free burrito from jose bernstein’s or even a free cookie from diddy riese would constitute as illegal benefits…
Toledo Again?
Can someone answer why Bob Toledo is portrayed so badly by UCLA representatives? I’m not a fan of his and he did deserve to get fired but he also took us closer to a national championship then any other coach, including Terry Donahue. I remember him beating some big teams. Was “handicapgate” the worst thing he did? Pale compared to $c and Ohio State. His pictures been removed from programs, murals, etc. You would think he was Reggie Bush!
I hate group punishment.
Listen, I love the idea that our new coach is going to try to apply new accountability to the team. But let’s define accountability. Accountability is holding a player responsible for his action. And guess what? 5am work outs don’t do it. Neither does punishing a guy who is doing his part for someone else skipping class. That just breeds dissention in the ranks.
I know someone above said, “I use group punishment and it works really well!” Great for you. Never happened. From my high school to my career in the Army, the only thing that changed individual behavior was individual accountability. So if Mora cares about implementing “accountability”, here is how he should change his strike system.
1. Late to class, meeting or practice, don’t start the first game.
2. Second offense: Miss the first half of the next game.
3. Third offense: Miss an entire game.
4. Fourth offense: Lose your scholarship and are off the team.
Do that to one starter—ONE—and the discipline issue is solved. All this nonsense about 5AM workouts seems like it is being disciplinarian without really being a disciplinarian. If you keep making a guy who routinely misses practice come in for early work outs, but don’t take away the one thing every guy cares about—playing time—then you aren’t solving anything.
Michael C
www.onviolence.com
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