Coaching changes...

by norcalbruin95 on Feb 7, 2006 1:33 PM PST Comment 23 comments

Svoboda to OC, and new Offensive Line Coach Jim Colletto.

Scout.com has the whole story.

Let's hope Svoboda can open things up with Ben next year. It would be nice to put some games out of reach early vs. having to score 3 times in the 4th quarter to win half our games. I think this is a good decision all in all.

Don't know enough about the new O line coach, but once again, we're bringing in an NFL guy (Raiders 2005).

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Good moves

For once I like the coaching moves made here by KD. Colletto seems like a great hire and I like what Svoboda's track record considering what he did with the DO. Now lets bring home 9 wins and a victory over USC - and we can rest easy.

by Nestor on Feb 7, 2006 1:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree on Svoboda. I think it was the right move

I think he was largely responsible for Drew Olson's success last year. I think it's good tha Ben Olson will continue to work under him. Colletto, on the other hand, has been fired from both of his last two jobs; Raiders & Ravens. I don't know enough about either situation to have an opinion whether he deserved it, or was a scapegoat. I do find it interesting that a 61 year old guy who has been a head coach of a Big-10 school (Purdue), and the OC of another BCS school (Notre Dame) would take a job as a position coach with a notoriously underpaying university. Can't help thinking he had zero other offers...

by McCloskey on Feb 7, 2006 3:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Purdue

Colletto had a terrible tenure at Purdue. He went 21-42 winning less than 35 percent of his football games. His over all career winning percentage as a HC seems to be even worse winning less than 33 percent of the times with a record of 38-80 which includes 5 pathetic years at Cal State Fullerton as head coach.

by Nestor on Feb 7, 2006 4:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His 2 years as an OC at ND

Colleto was an OC at ND as you mentioned. Guess who he was an OC for? None other than Steve Lavin of college football - Bob Davies. Colletto was an OC for an ND team that did play in two bowl games - illustrious Independence and Gator bowls. But ND lost both of those games respectively to LSU (9-27) and to Georgia Tech. ND had an overall W-L record of 16-9 during those two seasons (97 and 98). I wonder what an ND will have to say about Jim Colletto as their OC?

by Nestor on Feb 7, 2006 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His 2 years as on OC at Ohio State

Sounds like he was an OC under Jim Cooper at Ohio State during 1988 and 1989 seasons. Again not the seasons Buckeye fans will fondly remember. OSU went 12-10-1 during those two season losing their only bowl appearance (to Auburn by a score of 14-31) and both of their big games against Michigan. Again I wonder if Colletto contributed to a complete/monster season where his team not only racked up great offensive statistics but also had a successful championship cailber season. I'd like to see some tangible evidence that this guy is actually a winner but not some Paul Hackett like retread now just looking for a retirement gig since he couldn't find any other offer. Keep in mind he just got fired from a very bad Raiders ream.

So why is everyone smoking each other's popsicle over this hire on various message boards?

by Nestor on Feb 7, 2006 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, please...

Not unlike Joe Bugel - who was an abject failure as both a coordinator and a head coach -- he's found his niche as a position coach. He left Oakland because he didn't want to work for a new coach and made a decision to come back to his alma mater as his years he has left to stay in the coaching ranks dwindle.

Tom Cable, as we know, was a disaster as a head coach but we were happy to have him as an OL coach (I'll leave OC aside.)

It's really not that complicated.

by BlueBear on Feb 7, 2006 5:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You didn't answer the post

with any facts or statistics of course. So can you provide any tangible evidence of Colletto contributing to a complete/monster season where his team not only racked up great offensive statistics but also had a successful championship cailber season? And ... Colletto did not "leave" Oakland on his own volition. Raiders fired Norv Turner which meant his entire offensive staff was gone. And again do you have any evidence of Colletto being sought after by other big time college football progorams? If you are going to respond please provide some numbers and stats. Otherwise don't bother with your BS.

by Nestor on Feb 7, 2006 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am having second thoughts

the more I read about his college coaching background - the more concerned I am getting. That is why I am asking questions on whether anyone has any tangible evidence showing this guy is a proven winner. By the way, I do like the promotion of Svoboda to OC a LOT.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 5:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gutty Little Bruin Returns Home

Jim Colletto is an outstanding hire -- one we should be praising, not questioning.

I've lurked on this board for a year or so; the posts about Jim have spurred me to officially sign up and post a response.

Many of you are too young to remember the genesis of the term "gutty little Bruins". It was coined for Jim, and his undersized teammates (Terry Donahue and Russ Banduci among them) who -- in 1965 beat a much bigger and highly favored Michigan State team in the Rose Bowl. It capped a magic season where a seemingly undersized team "overperformed".

From that year on, "gutty little Bruins" has symbolized teams that play with heart, passion and desire.

Jim epitomizes those qualities. He was an undersized sophmore fullback on the 1963 team and led it in rushing.

He played defensive end where he routinely lined up against bigger players. Throughout his tenure he was a exceptional athlete and leader.

You want to talk about Monster seasons? He's had them as a player and coach.

Take a look at that magical UCLA season that culminated in wins over USC and in the Rose Bowl; I was there as a yell leader and will never forget the excitement and pride that team generated.

Go back and pull the headlines after Arizona State beat Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bowl. Many papers attributed the victory to Jim's contributions as an assistant coach. (Some complain about his work at Ohio State the following year; they forget to mention that he went with John Cooper and his staff to revive a slipping Ohio State program).

Or, how about the Baltimore Raven's monster seasons where Jim coached the offensive line and the team set two season rushing records and won the SuperBowl in 2000. Go look at the papers and see the credit Jim, as an assistant coach, received in the press; in fact, during the game, he was on camera and talked about more than the head coach.

You want a proven winner? You've got one.

Now, the "why would a 61 year old coach want to come here ... unless he doesn't have any other options?" question.

How about because he's a Bruin. He bleeds Blue and Gold. He's at a point in his career where he can do what he wants and, apparently, he wants to come HOME.

Jim is UCLA. So is his wife, who was a Bruin song girl.

We are lucky to have them back.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 8, 2006 6:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gutty little Bruins?

Well that is just fantastic. While rest of college football is moving on with times we are trying to turn the clock back and pretend its the 1960s. That ought to work! Not one of responses here have addressed my question or concerns about showing some kind of tangible evidence that Colleto is a good college coach. Not one. Just because he is an "NFL assistant coach," doesn't mean he will be a good college coach. After all we heard the same horseshit about Dorrell having NFL experience. Look how he turned out - mediocre and happy to be Peter Carroll's bitch.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 6:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Last time I looked, ASU was a college team.

I just read the athletic department press release. It lists the success of the position players he coached, in college.

There's a lot of information out there. I think it's positive. You may not. That's for every reader to decide.

Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised by this hire. I have mixed feelings about Dorrell -- love his integrity, question his coaching. I'm surprised and pleased that he is putting a strong, experienced coach on his staff.

Now, it's time to see how it all works out.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 8, 2006 6:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Just because its in a Morgan Center press release he must be a great coach! News for you Mr. 66 - those Morgan Center press releases made Steve Lavin look like a young and up coming coach too. You didn't answer my question on why he was so mediocre as a head coach and why we should be doing his jumping jacks over his experience as an OC in programs like OSU and ND when they had mediocre or below average teams. Just because its in a Morgan Center press release - he must be a great coach! rofl.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 6:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His ASU career (85-87)

His ASU career is kind of interesting. Sure he and his boss John Cooper went to a Rose Bowl and won it (against Michigan in 1996), but check this out - during his 3 years he (and John Cooper) didn't win a single game against ASU's arch rival/blood enemy University of Arizona. And of course they didn't beat their arch rivals in Columbus either - going 0-2 against Michigan in his 2 years at Columbus. Again - I am looking for something that shows this guy was part of a winning program that had "it" the swagger, the confidence in its ability to win the biggest game of the year. Hanging on to the experience gained under a pathetic loser like John Cooper is not something that inspires a lot of confidence.

by bluestreet on Feb 8, 2006 7:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh an his "magic work" at Ohio State

You did read the post here ... right? Exactly what did he do at Ohio State that was so impressive? And ask any Ohio State fan about John Cooper and his coaching staff - you will get the same reaction a UCLA basketball fan gives about Steve Lavin. It sounds like you don't really follow college football at national level otherwise you wouldn't come across as so uninformed.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 6:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Uninformed?

"Colletto seems like a great hire ... " Nestor16 4:42:17 PM CDT

2 hours and 20 minutes lateer: "Colletto had a terrible tenure ... ". Nestor16

This seems a very odd, quick, and total turnabout.

I don't question your motives, can understand that after the first post you did research that caused you concern, and believe that "consistency is the hob goblin of small minds and academics" -- but there is no need to end your posts with nasty comments or name calling. You said I was "uninformed". Not nice. One might look at your two posts and say the same thing about you.

Calling names does not add to the discussion.

Neither does mischaracterizing a post. I said to look at the statistics in the Bruin press release -- the core data, not the source. If the statistics are wrong or are lies -- attack them. But, facts do not lose legitimacy because of the paper they are printed on.

Nastiness and treating disagreement as a personal attack simply stifles discussion.

It does not move the discussoin forward.

I know this is your home and I am a guest here. I'm not sure what it is you want here. But, if it is a free flow of ideas, it might help to welcome differing opinions and to show some respect when disagreeing. Keep it factual. Use your informed status to quote stat's -- particularly position coach stat's.

Jim may have gone from a "great hire" to a bust in two hours, in your mind. But, not everyone has to agree.

And, truth be told, we will have to wait until next season to see.

I'm more concerned with the tone of your responses than the substance.

But, that may be a reflection of Bruin generational differences.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Feb 8, 2006 7:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It sure is a generational difference

Don't expect us to be comforted by reading phrases like how he is going to make this program in the mold of "gutty little bruins" or how he is great just because he played with Terry Donahue. And don't expect us to not question the selective data/stats being bandied around by a Morgan Center press release. Colletto sounds like a "great hire" at first brush reading his resume and references to experiences at programs like ND, Ohio State, and Arizona State. But more I learn about what state hose programs were in when he coached there and the kind of head coaches he worked for - i.e. losers like Bob Davies and John Cooper - well its disconcerting. So pardon us if we are not jumping around like little kids from other boards without asking legitimate questions about whether he really has the experience to turn around this average UCLA football program and beat SC.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 7:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I will say this...

I don't think it's fair to simply pick on his choice of using the "gutty little Bruins" phrase. Look at the language surrounding it:

"From that year on, "gutty little Bruins" has symbolized teams that play with heart, passion and desire."

You talk about how you are not impressed that "he is going to make this program in the mold of "gutty little bruins""... But don't forget, he's not a head coach. He's an OFFENSIVE LINE coach. If there's one single position where this team could really continue to use some 'heart, passion and desire,' it's the defensive line (thought I'd say OL? =P). But still, any time you're in the trenches you've got to "gut it out."

I don't know enough to be pleased about this hire. I'm really not sold one way or the other. But you seem to be really picking on a guy who, to me, seems to be a pretty big fan. Check out his first post again: "I was there as a yell leader" -- back in the 1960s. No offense N, but this guy's been following Bruin football for longer than you (or I) have been alive. Maybe the attacking mentality is a little unfair? It's not like anybody should be questioning his chops as a fan.

by Underbruin on Feb 9, 2006 9:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Terry Donahue ... lol

And we are supposed to be impressed by a reference to Terry Donahue - who left UCLA in mediocre shape and pretty much destroyed one of the hallmark franchises in the NFL? So basically its true - people are creaming in their pants over a hire of an NFL retread who didn't have any other job offers. Pathetic how low standards are for Bruin football fan these days. Sad really.

by bluestreet on Feb 8, 2006 6:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

TD reference

Am I missing something here? Wasn't Terry D. the best coach UCLA ever had? I remember him taking UCLA to RB after RB and beating USC often. I don't think you can blame him for the faults after he left the program was in good shape. He is not alone in responsiblity for the 49's fall. I remember back to the owner (Name escapes me) getting in trouble and having to leave and taking with him the true guts of the franchise.

"The best way to tell a bruin from a trojan is the smell. Better to smell like an animal than a dick"

by Brewin on Feb 8, 2006 8:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

TD

Terry Donahue some early success but his later years will be remembered for wasting away all that NFL talents he stockpiled during the 80s.

Yes Ed D'Bartolo's shenanigans put the Niners in a bad sport, but TD's total mismanagement drove the franchise into the toilet turning it into the laughing stock of the NFL.

Terry Donahue in totality turned out to be a mediocre football coach leaving a program which became more known for its underachieving seasons, and boring, stale and predictable offenses.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Donahue was a very good coach for 7 years, `82-`88

Unfortunately he was the coach for 20 seasons.
He was okay the first 6 years, '76-'81
and pretty crappy his last 7 years, '89-'95

Conference stats from '76 through '81
USC was 33-7-2 = .810 with 3 conference championships
Washington was 32-12 = .727 with 3 conference championships
UCLA was 30-13-1 = .693 with no conference championships
He was 0-2-1 in bowl games

Conference stats from '82 through '88
He lead the PAC-10 in winning percentage and conference championships;
UCLA was 40-11-3 = .769 & 4 conference championships
USC went 41-13 = .759 & 3 conference championships
Wash was 34-18-2 = .648 with no conference crowns.
He was 7-0 in bowl games

But he was mediocre, at best, his last 7 years:
Conference stats from '89 through '95
Wash was 41-14-1 = .741 & 4 conference championships
USC went 36-16-3 = .682 & 3 conference championships
Arizona was 33-23-1 = .588 & 1 conference championship
Oregon was 29-26 = .527 & 1 conference championship
UCLA was 28-27-1 = .507 & 1 conference championship
Stanford was 28-28 = .500 & 1 conference championship
He was 1-2 in bowl games

So he was about the 5th or 6th best coach in the PAC-10 for the final third of his career.

If you remember him "taking UCLA to RB after RB" you have forgotten the second half of his tenure. In his last 10 years (of a twenty year career) he was 0-1 in Rose Bowls. (losing to Wisconsin following the '93 season)

And Red Sanders was "the best coach UCLA ever had". Tommy Prothro was the next best.

by McCloskey on Feb 8, 2006 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks M

You should do a separate diary on that topic alone so that we can have a permalink and use it to display those facts over and over again.

by Nestor on Feb 8, 2006 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What about a QB coach?

Svoboda has done a good job as a QB coach? but as he will take over the job responisbility of coordinating the offense, are we going to have a coach who is just going to work with the QBs? I think it really helps college QBs when they have a coach dedicated to just them. I remember Axeman brought in as a QB Coach/OC and that didn't work out so great. So are we going to have a separate QB coach who will work under KD and Svoboda exclusively with BO and other QBs?

by bluestreet on Feb 7, 2006 2:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs