Coaching Search News & Notes

by Nestor on Dec 27, 2007 11:27 AM PST in Football

Odysseus and whp68 are already on the story re. Walker interviewing with Tyrone Willingham on the very same day he interviewed for what his supporters claim to be his "dream job" at UCLA. You'd think, for a guy who is campaigning so hard for this "dream job," (to the point his family member is apparently out there negatively campaigning against one of the finalists), he would at least show the courtesy of waiting on his so-called back up plans and do so in a private setting without leaking/flaunting it through the beat press.

From the LA Times today:

Walker, who has been a key figure in the Bruins' recruiting success, is expected to seriously consider the Washington job if Neuheisel is hired by UCLA, a source said. He probably would also meet with Neuheisel. UCLA athletic department officials want to retain Walker, no matter who is hired.

Ooooooh what a threat. If it is not clear to Dan Guerrero by now, Walker has been playing him all along, he is not a big time Athletic Director. I remember earlier during the football season I called out DeWayne Walker as a shameless backstabber. I took a lot of heat for calling out Walker as a backstabber, but the way this Walker saga has played out to me it seems fairly reasonable to speculate that he has been plotting to be the head coach at UCLA even while he was serving as the DC for Karl Dorrell.

Apparently, there was so much plotting going on during the regular season when Walker was working for the only man who ever gave him a shot to be a coordinator at a major D-1 program, that rumors were flying around on the boards that Walker had an OC lined up (rumors has it it was Al Borges, the former fired OC from Auburn), if he were to take over as the HC at UCLA. This has Lavin/Harrick scenario written all over it. And I will not be surprised if years from now we hear about how Dorrell and Walker are no longer on speaking terms.

And then, of course, there has been the recruiting angle to this sorry story in which Walker supporters (including family members) have advanced an argument with racist undertones that apparently only individuals like him and Scott can enable UCLA to recruit from city schools in Los Angeles. And then there is the not so subtle threat of recruits following Walker wherever he ends up. Just disgusting stuff that reeks of the Todd Bozeman saga in Cal, who IIRC back in the day appeared to have backstabbed his way into the head coaching position of the Cal basketball program.

You'd think if Gene Block and Dan Guerrero have any sense of pride left, they would be turned off by Walker's move to interview with Washington the very same day they granted him the so called coveted second interview. What's funny to me is how its RN who supposedly had the reputation of being a plotter and schemer. But, if last few months have been any indication, it is Mr. Walker himself, who from reports sounds like have been doing a little scheming and plotting of his own. The difference between RN and Walker in this case being one has head coaching experience featuring bowl wins on New Year's Day, while the other has NOTHING.

The silver lining in today's coaching search news actually comes from Dohn, who might have inadvertently slipped out a pretty interesting detail re the coaching search (emphasis mine):

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach John Harbaugh has not heard from UCLA since he interviewed two weeks ago, fueling belief UCLA is trying to entice other candidates into being interested in the position.

That tidbit dovetails pretty nicely with 66's inference wrt to Golden's withdrawal. 66 speculates that Golden made a classy move by taking his name out of the process as Block made clear to him that UCLA might be heading towards another direction (ala Leach or Jones or RN).

Speaking of candidates with credible resumes, I wanted to share with you guys a list of top-8 candidates put together by Meriones based on an informal poll among the frontpagers on BN. Here is the list based on submissions from Tydides, Menelaus, Meriones, Odysseus, and yours truly. 8 points for top choice. 1 point lower for each lower choice:

1. Chris Petersen -- 37 (3 first place votes)
2. Bronco Mendenhall -- 35 (2)
3. Mike Leach - 28
4. June Jones -- 25
5. Jim Grobe - 17
6T. Steve Mariucci - 16
6T. Rick Neuheisel - 16
8. Al Golden - 6

Note we came up with that top-8 before the Bellotti news broke. But I think it gives a pretty good idea on how our candidate choices break down. Mendenhall is still high up there despite his questionable performance in the Vegas Bowl, based on the body of work he has compiled in last three years. Same goes for Petersen.

Obviously Walker didn't get a single vote. And RN is there tied up with Mariucci, and right now in place as more than acceptable choice if it becomes clear that he is the only pragmatic option available to DG.

So right now we can only hope that RN will be our guy, unless DG is waiting on some one like Leach or Jones, who still have bowl games to prepare for in next few days.

As for Walker, as O said, let him go to UDub. He will fit in perfectly there as once again he will be able to play his little games trying to succeed another head coach on the hot seat.

Lastly, notwithstanding who your first choice is, if you prefer RN over Walker please email Dan Guerrero at dguerrero@athletics.ucla.edu and Chancellor Gene Block at chancellor@conet.ucla.edu, and let them know respectfully and politely you are ready to welcome Coach Neuheisel back home. If you are an alum or student, please make sure to indicate your graduating class in your emails. As always feel free to post your email in the comment thread to share with rest of BN.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

I'm Not Upset Walker Interviewed at Both Schools

I think it's a prudent thing for him to do.

One can take it two ways:

First, that he is trying to put pressure on us by saying "Hey, I'm about to leave." I've seen that tactic backfire, often. My colleagues on the faculty, trying to shake out a bigger raise, were often told, "Congratulations. Thank you. And, enjoy your new school."

or,

Second, DW knows that his standing in the search is not strong. If so, he is doing the right thing by working on a back up plan. Nothing wrong with that.

If the latter is true, it sort of blows a hole in the PR hype that his interview with Block was great.

I continue to believe that the second scenario is the better bet.

If DW was to be hired, he would have been hired long ago. I think these interviews are a courtesy, the right thing to do -- and show no commitment to his candidacy.

So, I think it only positive that he is interviewing other places.

And, as my Dean often said to my colleagues, "Congratulations. DW, I hope you enjoy Washington."

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 11:53 AM PST 0 recs

I'm not too upset either

But, as you state it, I think it's more likely that he's pursuing option one.

My sense of DW from his tactics is that he has the finesse of a jackhammer. And I think his rather heavy handed approach (through his brother, the beat press and the players) has been facilitated by the universities (alleged) insistance upon retaining him in some capacity. If dude believes his own press mentions, he probably thinks he's negotiating from a position of at least some strength.

And that last point is why I think he's not pursing option two. Namely, that he thinks he knows Guerrero wants him back either way, so he's just trying to leverage himself into the HC spot (or, at the least, into a raise and/or longer term contract) through all the media antics.

Where I agree, though, is that the HC interview may have been a courtesy, both to buy time, and to assuage the players who are supporting Walker (just like some said Neu was getting a 2nd to assuage certain boosters a short while ago). You may well be right, if it was really just down to these two, DG would have pulled the trigger. So, hopefully, there is either someone else out there, or at least some hope of interesting someone.

by Menelaus on Dec 27, 2007 2:18 PM PST up 0 recs

..and then there was one.

You know, Nestor, in some bizarre way, Guerrero may have been egging DMW (Dead Man Walker) on by offering/providing the second interview opportunity. For example, if Walker gets offered and accepts the DC position up at Washington, we're down to Neuheisel, right? So how would you feel if you were he and, at that point, you were the only known candidate under consideration?

I mean it's kinda like that drop dead georgeous Kappa Alpha Theta you asked to go to the homecoming game and she told you she'd get back to you. Clearly, she's in the market for a face man but is just holding all options open should no one call. (Hey, I am just basing this on my pathetic social life at UCLA many moons ago.)

So, if I am Guerrero, and I know Dead Man is looking and will probably get an offer, I tease him with the second interview to hide the fact that something's still going on behind the scene.

If Rick's all alone in this race, then Dan is clearly doing some more looking but wants to keep a backup in place. Man that's gotta hurt for Neuheisel.

..anyway, remember my motto: "just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't to get you."

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 12:04 PM PST 0 recs

Hire me or I'll shoot!

Walker is clearly bringing his "A" game. Dohn is now reporting on his blog that UW is offering Walker a 2 year deal to be their defensive coordinator and, of course, a higher salary than UCLA is paying him.

Ummm; yeah. Next we will hear from several "sources" that UW is now offering to name Walker as Willingham's successor if and when Willingham is no longer the head coach. According to these same "sources," Washington is willing to offer Walker a house, a yacht, free tuition for Walker's children and grandchildren, and to rename in Walker's honor everything currently named after Don James.

Can Guerrero really be this stupid? Can he really be buying the "Hire Me or I'll Shoot Myself in the Head" ploy being played out by Walker?

Until now, I was narrowly holding on to the belief that Guerrero has another candidate that wants the job, but is prevented from going public because said candidate wants to coach his team in a bowl game. The longer this goes on though, and the more Walker spins his case, the more concerned I get that we will end up with yet another horrible hire.

I am afraid that Guerrero really has made this into the mess of a search that everyone is screaming about.

by Koach Karl I on Dec 27, 2007 12:17 PM PST 0 recs

LOL

Looking at Doh's posts does one get the feeling DeWayne just calls him up and goes like, "Hey Brian, I got something for you."

It is freaking comedy.

by bluestreet on Dec 27, 2007 1:56 PM PST up 0 recs

What I hear from a UW fan and friend

is that plan on going after Gary Pinkel of Missouri next year. They are pretty confident Ty Willingham will coach his way out of that job all by himself.

I don't see them looking at DW as a pontential HC for them either.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Dec 27, 2007 2:12 PM PST up 0 recs

Put down the gun and step away from the vehicle..

While I don't disagree with your description of the situation, I do not think we can cast too much blame on Guerrero for the behavior of Walker.

I mean, Walker is a wing nut and all that, but Guerrero does not have much control over him at this point. Sure he was hired with Guerrero's approval and all that, but that was a couple of years ago under a different paradigm.

We don't know what Dan Guerrero is doing because he has made no public utterances since the firing of Dorrell.

When his coaching hire is finally announced, he will be judged ex post facto and it is the fervent hope most of us on this site (and those in enlightened places elsewhere) will applaud this selection and attribute the wisdom of Solomon to old Dan.

One thing is becoming a tad less murky and that is that Dead Man -- as you have correctly inferred out -- is not nearly as agile as Dan at conducting his affairs in a clandestine manner; the phrase "college kid in a whore house with a credit card" comes to mind. What also is becoming apparent is that Walker is beginning to receive the signals that he will not ascend to the head coaching position and is beginning to act accordingly.

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 3:07 PM PST up 0 recs

Bingo!

In poker, we call that a bluff. I say DG calls Walker's bluff and raises the pot. Walker will fold, no doubt. It'll be he who ends up with nothing for getting greedy.

by OutOThsWrld on Dec 27, 2007 12:23 PM PST 0 recs

Could you imagine Coach Howland doing this?

If being the HC of UCLA Football is DW's "dream job" then why in the hell is he doing all of this BS that just distracts and damages the UCLA name? I get the impression that for DW, it's not about UCLA Football but about "me me me."

by mark the bruin on Dec 27, 2007 12:44 PM PST 0 recs

Did he actually say it's his dream job?

I missed that.

I thought his dream job was in the NFL.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 1:25 PM PST up 0 recs

That depends

on who he's talking to at any particular moment.

Let's not underestimate DG, who is playing with cards that we haven't seen and about which we can only speculate...

If RN or DWW were the only ultimate candidate then the announcement would have already been made...this conclusion has been hashed out here in many, many posts. I suspect that several of you are right and that DG is only waiting until next Tuesday because he has his eyes on someone else, specifically Leach or Jones, both of whom have games on Tuesday. Otherwise, why the wait? Now, just because DG is interested in either of those gentlemen doesn't guarantee that a deal can be worked...or perhaps it already has and DG's only waiting for the dust to settle before making his announcement.

The fact is, despite Dohn's propagandized shilling for Walker, and the other bits we glean from various blogs or news sources, we don't know diddily.

What scares the hell out of me is the recognition that the divide between those on BRO and those of us at BN is seemingly AS GREAT as the divide that exists between Bruins and TrOJies. Will that divide be able to be repaired, or will those who scream out their support for Walker actively root against the new coach if he isn't to their liking?

All of this gives new meaning to the Beach Boys' "Be True to Your School," doesn't it?

UCLA - the finest public university in the world

by SecondGenBruin on Dec 27, 2007 1:43 PM PST 0 recs

I wouldn't worry about Skippy

He wants this job and will wait. He also knows he is having a hard time landing a gig because of the bad press. Skippy will come home no matter what - he is the perfect backup option.

If Walker is hired, I will become a fairweather fan. Meaning, Walker needs to win a lot of games and play in a couple of Rose Bowls to bring me back to UCLA Football. I am tired of devoting so much love & pride to UCLA Football and getting nothing in return. Our games are painful to watch and I am tired of bearing the brunt of ridicule directed to our team - I am the only UCLA Alum at my office and lots of people at work like to make fun of our football team. If Walker is hired, I will quietly remove my UCLA gear from my desk. While our basketball team is awesome and we have the 100 championships, college football is king in my office and I do not want to be the UCLA rep with Walker as our leader.

by bruinliv on Dec 27, 2007 2:11 PM PST 0 recs

college football is king, period

Somebody once said a football team is a university's front porch. Meaning the people inside it will be judged by what others can see from the street.

I remember when USC was a joke both on the field and off it. Then Pete Carroll took over, and while academics (or lack thereof) have not changed a bit, the public perception is that USC is a good school once more. Go figure.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Dec 27, 2007 2:20 PM PST up 0 recs

Herm Edwards?

Herm Edwards is still getting questions about the UCLA job (see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/sports/football/27edwards.html?_r=3&ref=sports&oref=slogin &oref=slogin&oref=slogin)

If DG interviewed him in KC (while there to interview Norm Chow), maybe DG is waiting for the Chiefs's season to end this weekend before making any announcement. Carl Peterson, the Chiefs's GM, is a UCLA alumnus.

Also, Jon Embree is on HE's staff; he has a UCLA coaching background and could return to UCLA with HE.

Thoughts?

by gobruins89 on Dec 27, 2007 2:45 PM PST 0 recs

I am definitely in the minority on this

but I don't think Edwards is a particularly good coach. I know he's a passionate guy. I know he is highly regarded by both Peterson and Tony Dungy, and I respect the opinions of those to guys a lot. Still, his records just haven't been all that great - he's under 500.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 3:28 PM PST up 0 recs

Coaches Hot Seat Blog talks about UCLA

Here are the real problems at UCLA and with its coaching search

What it comes down to, in their opinion, is that (a) UCLA is disconnected from its alumni and fan base; and (b) is disconnected from reality in what it actually costs to live in LA and to be a big-time college football powerhouse.

I just don't understand how we can play our games at the Rose Bowl, be located in the nice part of Los Angeles, only several miles from the ocean and Hollywood, and still not have big-name coaches knocking on DG's door wanting to coach for us... unless it all comes down to the $$$ or the lack thereof for a head coach.

by mark the bruin on Dec 27, 2007 3:42 PM PST 0 recs

Coaches hot seat comments were interesting

But the fact that they think we should hire Walker over RN is silly. But everyone should read it.

by Odysseus on Dec 27, 2007 3:44 PM PST up 0 recs

Yes, LA is Expensive

But, somehow, UCLA, on the academic side, attracts the best and brightest faculty in the nation at salaries that are but a small portion of what we pay football coaches.

When people want to be excellent, they go to a place that will give them the opportunity to be excellent.

Of course, the market is a bit different -- but not too different. UCLA attracts some of the best people in the world, the people who are number 1 in their fields -- and can attract offers everywhere.

For the right coach, UCLA will be Nirvana.

RN clearly sees that and I hope Leach does, too.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 3:55 PM PST up 0 recs

I have to agree with the article

Recently one of my classmates had his 30yr birthday and his celebration becmae something of a UCLA reunion for us.

I was telling one of his former roommates about my current career path, in which I am transitioning from corporate broadcast operations to actual television production, Studio Camera Operator and Technical Directing. He asked about "the union."

"the problem with the Union," I told him, "is that you have to pay a LARGE lump sum up front. Then as you work, you pay more dues." But they don't in anyway help you get a job."

"So it's kinda like UCLA." He said.

As much as I have to admit it, it is the truth. One of my career goals is to take over the film school and make it a lean mean production machine. I would base my reformations on the dissapointments my classmates have felt with their post studies experiences.

I actually have great hope that alumni involvement in websites like BruinsNation and Dump Dorrell is changing the way alumni participate with our alma mater.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Dec 27, 2007 6:20 PM PST up 0 recs

Great conclusion

It is UCLA's choice, and it will be mighty interesting to see what direction they move in, because more than the future of the football program is on the on the line here, the future success of UCLA as a great university as well. If you don't take your biggest sport and largest public face seriously, then what else are they not taking seriously at UCLA? That is a hell of a question, and one that must be answered at UCLA, and soon.

Also what they say about paying for a real coach is that they'll make back the money, and more, with a successful football program. Not to mention the public perception that a winning football program brings (do you think all the people walking around in $uC gear are alumni?)

by Tommy Bruin on Dec 27, 2007 4:04 PM PST 0 recs