Neu Revival

by Nestor on Jan 12, 2007 6:45 AM PST in Football

Rick Neuheisel is still one of my favorite Bruin. I will always be grateful for what he did as a player and what he did as an assistant coach. It's not much of a secret Donahue stabbed him the back after 19995 Rose Bowl, when instead of promoting him to offensive coordinator, he brought in washed up/fired OC from Texas A&M (who despite being a mediocre coach used the available talent to run off a 20 game winning streak). I was a student at UCLA at that time. And I still remember the stories in talk radio (back then we didn't have the internets to get our Bruin fix ... lol) about how Coach Donahue brought in Toledo because he was insecure about having Neuheisel in his staff.

Anyways ... Neuheisel went on to became a HC at Colorado where he won 10 games in each of his first two seasons.He was the guy that many of us wanted when Donahue retired at the end of 1994-95 season. However the facts that he had only been at CU for two seasons as the head coach (after the school had taken a chance on him) and that Donahue had passed over him to hire Toledo as the OC, probably kept him from taking the job at UCLA. He turned us down and we went on to settle for Toledo (after striking out with Glenn Mason (Kansas), Bill Snyder (Kansas State) and Gary Barnett (Northwestern).

Anywa, Neu left an 8-4 Colorado team in 99 to take over Washington, where he won a Rose Bowl in his second season. Lot of you guys know the story. He was fired for filling out his entries in March Madness pool. But it turned out later that it was actually Washington University compliance department that totally goofed, actually sending out memo to its employees that the type of pool Neuheisel was participating in was actually allowed in that department. From wiki:

Neuheisel was fired in the summer of 2003 from the University of Washington for playing in a neighborhood pool for the NCAA Basketball Tournament. However, the gambling case became a local sensation when it was revealed that he had received an internal University of Washington memo which authorized this type of gambling. Analysis revealed that the NCAA rules were ambiguous and inconsistent (the NCAA website itself was found to have old versions of its rules by posters on the "dawgman.com" website) seeming to allow gambling within certain contexts, and it became apparent that the NCAA violated its own rules when questioning Neuheisel about the gambling.

Legal proceedings enabled Neuheisel to collect a substantial settlement and essentially clear him of wrongdoing as the NCAA and University of Washington were forced to abandon their case.

Oh and remember all those stories about Neuheisel being such a bad influence that Gary Barnett's chronies were spewing after he took off for Washington. Well given how Barnett's regime at CU turned out, I am not sure if Neu was actually cause of the institutional problems at Boulder.

Neuheisel moved on. He is now quarterback coach for Baltimore Ravens, one of the feel good stories in this NFL season. And Neuheisel has become a big part of that feel good story, as he is being credited for the revival of Steve McNair and once stagnant Ravens' offense. From the Washington Post today:

Neuheisel, formerly a star in the college coaching ranks, has found contentment in tutoring Steve McNair, whose career rebirth has coincided with Neuheisel's. While he awaits another head coaching opportunity, Neuheisel is happy to contribute to a playoff team in a role for which he would have been overqualified before his fall from the top earlier this decade.

"I'm glad it has turned out the way it has," Neuheisel said recently. "I had to go through the other stuff before tasting this to realize that football is, from a macro scale, the same. Whether you're coaching Pop Warner kids or you're coaching in the NFL, when there's a connection amongst the team, when the chemistry feels right and when you can put the pieces together and everybody kind of knows their role and enjoys their role, then it works."

When McNair, 33, joined the Ravens in June looking for a fresh start after an acrimonious departure from the Tennessee Titans, he met Neuheisel, 45, whose rejuvenation had begun more than a year earlier. But unlike McNair, who came to Baltimore seeking to prolong his prolific career, Neuheisel arrived hoping to heal his wounded reputation and return to coaching at a high level.

On Jan. 1, 2001, Neuheisel coached the University of Washington to a victory over Purdue in the Rose Bowl, and the Huskies finished the season ranked No. 3 in the country. But 2 1/2 years later, he was fired for his involvement in an NCAA men's basketball tournament pool and for allegedly lying to NCAA investigators.

Neuheisel filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the NCAA and university, and in March 2005 he received a $4.5 million settlement after it was revealed that the university's compliance office had sent out a memo that permitted the type of pool in which Neuheisel participated.

"In this business, perception is so important, and you have very little chance to affect your perception when you're not out there," Neuheisel said. "Ultimately I got some measure of vindication, but . . . you're never going to get it all back."

Well it is good to see Coach Neuheisel doing all right. Look I am not sure if Neuheisel would be my top choice, if Karl Dorrell fails to win the Pac-10 this upcoming season.

However, if there are talks about Neuheisel taking over at UCLA, I think it would be intriguing. He could be a natural fit in Westwood where he would be able to use his charisma and enthusiasm to lure in recruits from one of the richest recruiting hotbed in the nation. And given how Donahue reported stabbed him in the back, his arrival in Westwood could give us an welcome relief from the influence of Donahue mafia, which still celebrates and supports mediocrity in the form of Karl Dorrell.

Just something to think about.

GO BRUINS.

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Slick Rick!

I want me some Slick Rick as UCLA coach. Play those Beatles tunes on the old acoustic, hang out with the players, call some trickeration on offense.

Neuheisel would be just fine in my book.

by Sweetbreads Bailey on Jan 12, 2007 7:40 AM PST reply actions

I can see clearly now

This all makes sense now. If Donahue is indeed the backstabber he is purported to be, then it makes absolute sense.

DONAHUE IS SABOTAGING UCLA FOOTBALL SO THAT HE CAN REMAIN THE "BEST" COACH THAT THE SCHOOL EVER HAD.

Do you see it now? He is worried about his legacy. You see, if everyone after him is mediocre, his record will look great. OK, a little too much conspiracy theory but it's not that far-fetched.

I don't know if Neuheisel is our guy either, I still have doubts about alleged recruiting improprieties that he may have committed. But I think he is far more passionate about UCLA than Dorrell, and I think he would be a great fit as a head coach. He deserves a shot.

by tasser10 on Jan 12, 2007 7:49 AM PST reply actions

Personally...

For reasons I won't go into, think he would take the job, be really grateful and kick ass.

And if I remember correctly, UW went to the Rose Bowl that year despite having one loss (to Oregon) AND having beaten one loss Miami head-to-head. That Miami team beat Nebraska to win the BCS. The Pac 10 getting screwed AGAIN by the BCS.

And I WANT A NEW COACH NOW!

by greatgymnasticsschool on Jan 12, 2007 7:57 AM PST reply actions

Neuheisel Destroyed Two Programs

At Colorado, he took a program that had finished in the top 20 for 6 consecutive seasons, including a national championship, and was 11-1 the year before he took over, and went 13-10 in years 3 & 4, when he had his players.

At Washington, the three seasons prior to his arrival, they went 23-13. (.638) Not great, but better than his 15-10 in years 3 & 4. (.600)

Currently, Washington sucks so badly because Neuheisel couldn't recruit. His last 3 recruiting classses produced only 2 All Pac-10 players. On this year's team the 4th & 5th year players were his, so the cancer is almost gone in Seattle.

Plus, In both places, he got the school in NCAA trouble with recruiting violations. (not even talking about the BB pool)

UCLA is way better off with him in Baltimore.

by McCloskey on Jan 12, 2007 8:05 AM PST reply actions

shady dude...

Yup, those are my doubts as well. I don't think either school was put on probation but it was really close. As far as recruiting, however, I wonder if he would do better now with his NFL experience and cachet, and you can always bring in someone who is a good recruiter, like Eric Bienemy was.

by tasser10 on Jan 12, 2007 8:16 AM PST up reply actions

In both cases there were NCAA sanctions

Colorado:
Penalty Summary:
Public reprimand and censure; two years of probation; limit the number of grants in the sport of football to 20 (instead of 25) for either the 2003-04 or 2004-05 academic year; limitation of expense paid visits to 51 for the 2003-04 academic year; the number of football coaches permitted to recruit off campus any one time shall be reduced by one until July 31, 2003; show-cause provision for the former head foot ball coach at his employing member institution; annual reporting.

Washington:
Penalty Summary:
Public reprimand and censure; extension of the probationary period until February 9, 2007; the number of expense paid visits to the campus in the sport of football shall be limited to 48 for both the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years; the university shall be prohibited from using water craft as transportation or entertainment for recruits during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years (the institution had proposed this penalty for only the 2004-05 year); annual compliance reporting.

Skippy is a cheater and he's bad news.

by McCloskey on Jan 12, 2007 8:28 AM PST up reply actions

Legit concerns

I think the concerns you bring up are legit. That is why I am not completely sure whether Rick would be the right fit. However, that said I think it is worth taking in consideration the fact that given the natural advantages Neuhisel would enjoy at UCLA, he would have no problem recruiting at UCLA. Even a donkey can bring in good recruiting classes at UCLA w/o cheating.

Moreover, UCLA has a compliance department (led by Rich Herzog) which is more stringent and vigilant than any other athletic departments in D-1. Rich is one of the best. So, those are things to think about when considering Neuhisel prospects at UCLA.

by Nestor on Jan 12, 2007 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

Slick Rick

He must have picked up the "Slick" at SC Law School.

by mcbruin on Jan 17, 2007 10:55 PM PST up reply actions

Please No Slick Rick

Skippy is a Bruin as is KD so I don't want to make this too personal...but the man destroyed two programs.
To me Skippy is the "Eddie Haskel" of college football. On the surface he appears as he knows what he's doing when he wins with other coaches players, but when it comes time to recruit and bring in his own talent, he along with his program crumbles -
Griffin1

"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail"

by Griffin1 on Jan 12, 2007 9:26 AM PST up reply actions

No Neuheisel

Just... let him be.

by laertes on Jan 12, 2007 9:33 AM PST up reply actions

I'd Take him in a Heartbeat

When I watch the replays of those old UCLA-USC games on Fox and see him on the sidelines with TD I always wonder why he has not been our head coach for years now.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 12, 2007 8:09 AM PST reply actions

Could be Great, Could Be Bad

I think all the posts here regarding Rick Neuheisel reveal why he probably shouldn't be the next coach of UCLA. Maybe he was driven out at UCLA, and sure, there is a chance that he could be a fabulous head coach at UCLA. But there are also real question marks around him, especially given past alleged NCAA violations (smell smoke, look for fire). My point is this, he is the kind of RISKY hire that I don't think we can afford at this point.

I don't want a RISKY Guy, I want a SURE THING Ben-Howland-type-of-guy. UCLA shouldn't have to create a great coach, or hope that a head coach becomes great at UCLA (see Karl Dorrell). We should expect (and don't we deserve?), an already great coach.

by rfirpo on Jan 12, 2007 8:41 AM PST reply actions

Neuheisel = Dorrell

I lived in Colorado through Neuheisel's tenure, and I can tell you his performance was remarkably similar to KD's at UCLA. He was clearly underprepared for the job and made an ass of himself on and off the field. Once they took his guitar away from him, he even had the same deer-in-headlights look during press conferences. He drove a very strong program into the ground and it has never recovered.

His performance at Washington was not much better on the field and even worse off. We are soft-pedaling the gambling issue by describing it as "playing in a neighborhood pool." Has anyone else here ever been asked to pony up $5,000 to get into a friendly tournament pool? That is gambling on college sports and shows horrible judgment no matter what memos he got.

Say what you want about Dorrell, at least he hasn't mired the school in scandal and NCAA investigations.

by vanaaron on Jan 12, 2007 9:30 AM PST reply actions

UCLA won't pay for the SURE THING in football...

Anyone notice Saban's contract? (4mil a year for 8 years GUARANTEED). Good luck getting that at UCLA. There would be anarchy on Bruin Walk, with every interest group on campus protesting, and probably a lot of sitting-in going on... Guerrero won't even get rid of a proven loser coach, you think he's going to tell the UC board of regents he's going to pay a coach even 2mil a year?

Which is a reason why we might have to look at someone who isn't ideal but has Bruin history, history of success and FIRE.

And don't Blame Neuheisel because Willingham can't win with his players at Washington. Willingham is EXACTLY like Dorrell, TERRIBLE except for one okay season in 2002. And look how Stanford has enjoyed his handywork -- I hope that isn't a sign of what we have to look forward to in Westwood when Dorrell bails out of the mess he's created. (unless Guerrero does his JOB first).

And for the sanctions... maybe if UCLA used watercraft in recruiting, we'd get some 5 star guys!

by greatgymnasticsschool on Jan 12, 2007 9:45 AM PST reply actions

I'll take Rick

I don't equate Dorrell and Neuheisel. Neuheisel always seemed to me to be a winner (although the numbers listed above have caused some doubts in that regard.)

But at least RN is active. I don't think I've ever seen KD participate in the game at all on the sideline. Sure, he's got a headset on, but he is apparently listening to Mantovani's Greatest Hits.

I have no problem leaving KD on the staff as NCAA Rule Coordinator and Integrity Coach. He has done a fine job keeping us clean. Now I want a coach who can WIN. (I'm not talking Al Davis "Just Win, Baby. There's plenty of that across town where any parolee and thug is welcome. I mean win within the rules.) Rick has experience as a winner. And he is certain to have a better recruiting base here than at Colorado and Washington.

Bear in mind that someone (I think Nestor) has demonstrated over and over again that we are experiencing the worst coach to grace the Bruin sidelines since WWII. I am not pleased at all with the concession by so many that he somehow deserves or is entitled to another year to mess things up. He is a lousy coach. There is no reason at all to think he will get better next year. Let's get rid of him NOW. Not after another mediocre season. KD is NOT entitled to another year to solidify his record as the worst coach at UCLA since the 19940's.

If Rick is available, let's get him in here. (Heck, if Donahue or Toledo were available, I would prefer them to KD. Where is Larry Smith when you need him? There are plenty of good high school coaches who know how to run a program.

If I sound hysterical, I think I'm entitled to be. As are many Bruins.

by Fox 71 on Jan 12, 2007 9:52 AM PST reply actions

You don't sound Hysterical

You just sound sane, which is a dangerous thing for your health as a Bruin football fan!

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 12, 2007 1:52 PM PST up reply actions

Just go watch Neuheisel

in the 83 Rose Bowl and tell me UCLA doesn't need a little bit of that.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Jan 12, 2007 10:33 AM PST reply actions

Enough with the grassy knoll hogwash already!!

Facts, people:

Donahue is the winningest coach in school history.
He's pretty down-to-earth, very conservative,and at times made people nutsy with his "well Oregon State really is a tough opponent and we'll have to really work hard . . . " during game weeks.
Donahue DID screw up by giving us the "Doughboy" in 1994 instead of Skippy as OC and heir-apparent; on the other hand, Skippy's ethical challenges - no doubt occasioned by his "Studying" Law at $UC - fell upon the Buffs and Dawgs. Perchance he's learnt a lesson or two by now.
Skippy's Rose Bowl breakout was 1984, not '83. That one was all Tom Ramsey. BTW, 3 RB wins in 4 years then, anybody wanna slam Donahue over that one? How Many RB wins did the Doughboy get? Hell the only way that Chance the Gardner Karl gets to a RB is if he buys a ticket, even with next year's reasonably light sched.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Jan 12, 2007 11:44 AM PST reply actions

You lose credibility

when you insinuate studying law at Southern Cal somehow compromises someones ethics. That is just a ridiculously stupid take. I hate Southern Cal as much as anyone. However, they do have solid grad. programs and I know plenty of Bruins who went their for graduate school. We have this discussion ad nauseum that your graduate affliations/allegiances doesn't matter. It's where you go for undergrad. That's where the royalty lies.

And spare us the garbage of Donahue being the winnigest coach. He was a loser whose team always choked when it really matter and he left the program in bad shape. And he also played a big part (along with Yorks) in destroying the Forty Nines, a team lot of us love.

Screw Donahue. He was a clown.

by Nestor on Jan 12, 2007 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

"Loyalty" not "Royalty"

LOL That's hilarious though Nestor! And I completely agree about grad schools...thank goodness because the NYU Violets are not exactly lighting up college sports! Except in fencing...

I have already shared my thoughts about Donahue. He succeeded because local players didn't stray from the area. And he is sabotaging the program to keep his "legacy" intact as the "winningest coach".

by tasser10 on Jan 12, 2007 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

aaaaaaaargh

Sorry about the typo. We really need to have edit features in our comment section. I love this SBN scoop platform, but that's one feature I wish we can add. Perhaps in the next version/upgrade that will be probably be coming out in coming months (or may be next year).

by Nestor on Jan 12, 2007 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

re: "Donahue is the winningest coach

in school history"

He also the "losingest coach in school history". That's because he coached for 20 years. His overall winning percentage however, is nowhere near the tops. In fact, he's 4th; behind Sanders, Vermeil, & Prothro.

Donahue's conference record is 98-51-5. Divide that among his 20 seasons it's an average conference record of 4.9 - 2.6 - 0.25

Anybody here think a 5-3 conference record is some kind of mighty achievement? Because if Donahue was a great coach, then Ted Tollner was elite. His average was 5.3 - 2.5.
(21-10 in 4 years) Somehow I don't there's anyone across town defending that record...And it's better than Donahue's.

by McCloskey on Jan 12, 2007 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

I gotta tell you I love your statistical approach.

But, then you have to discount my opinion because I got my law degree at the USC Law Center.

Your posts call bullshit on rhetoric and ad depth to every discussion.

Thanks.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 12, 2007 1:50 PM PST up reply actions

Donahue...Dorrell...Neuheisel...meh.

I've gone to UCLA games (basketball and football...hell, volleyball, too) since I was ten years old, through junior high, high school and college...basically for the past 30 years. I went when Donahue coached (too conservative), Toledo (too nutsy), and now Dorrell (too green)...I now live in Seattle and was here during the Neuheisel drama. Look, Donahue told Neuheisel he needed to get some extra-bruin experience...basically do the prodigal son thing. Fine. He brought in Toledo, though, who was as not as unethical as Harrick, but not exactly in control of his program, either. Neuheisel was shifty in a Clintonesque way. Was weasely. I'm not sure how good a coach he was, though, considering that his record got worse as his tenure got longer...which is a bad sign (shows you are surviving on someone else's recruiting.) At one time I thought maybe Dorrell should contact Neuheisel to be his O.C. but now, more and more, I think they should find someone like Howland, someone to whom coaching at UCLA would be their dream job, but also someone who has already proven their salt and turned around other programs. Someone like Urban Meyer a few years back. Who is that person now?

by smayhew on Jan 12, 2007 2:38 PM PST reply actions

Exactly.

by rfirpo on Jan 12, 2007 2:50 PM PST reply actions

Peterson

The Boise State coach is pretty good and not scared to take chances when it means something. With this recruiting hotbed, recruitng would be a snap for this man.

Just my opinion (not based on one game).

by artybruin on Jan 12, 2007 5:20 PM PST reply actions

Peterson would be great

I would love to have him as our new head coach, but there are a couple of impediments. One, no one seems to be able to wake Guerrero out of his coma to fire KD. And two, can we put together the kind of package it would take to get a guy like that as our head coach.

Item number two simply has to wait until item number one is handled. Someone go in with the paddles and apply them to DG's chest.

by Fox 71 on Jan 12, 2007 6:49 PM PST up reply actions

Half the schools in the US

Have probably contacted Peterson...

He can have any job he wants, you really think he's going to take a job in LA, for low money, with USC next door, no on-campus stadium, (a stadium with green, not blue turf!) and take on the huge job of trying to build a long time mid-tier program with apathetic fans - but with huge expectations - into a championship contender? Believe me, I hope he does, but it's unlikely.

Dorrell make less than the average for D1 football coaches (which is $950,000 - I think Peterson will make around 700k this year) You think Peterson's next job will be for less than 1.5mil a year? You think UCLA will come up with that money?

We have to consider other options, people who are hungry and want a shot, of which there are plenty.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Jan 12, 2007 7:39 PM PST reply actions

It doesn't have to be Peterson.

Let's implement item one on my list, then we can realistically look at item two.

by Fox 71 on Jan 12, 2007 8:22 PM PST up reply actions

Amen...

I really want to know what Guerrero's plan is. Like any corporation, he must set goals and have performance reviews with KD. I think it's reasonable, as fans / supporters / check writers, to know what those are.

I think I'm going to call his office and ask.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Jan 13, 2007 12:03 PM PST reply actions

DG and KD

Due to the long term contract, I am guessing it will take more than DG to fire KD, at least now. This will have to be thought thru with the whole administration, I believe. And part of the deal would be, IMO, going into the markeplace to find a coach who has already been a HC and won. Figure out those salary $$'s and DG will need approval to offer that. Not straight-forward.

RE: Donahue. He was a winner when he had Homer Smith and maybe one other season out of 20, but check the data and you will see he had to have Homer to make things right.
When Homer retired the first time, and Aikman came up to start, he hired Axman to be OC. Aikman had an OK career throwing across field and ahead for 2 yards on play after play. SC kicked our axxxs. As soon as Aikman left, Axman went too and Homer came back. All of a sudden, QB's who you had never heard of were throwing for 300 yards and the offense became, again, imaginative. TD always had thin skin, so those around him had to be non-threatening. Homer was ready to retire to Alabama, so he could be relied on and all knew he would never become HC.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jan 15, 2007 3:01 PM PST reply actions

Homer, the Norm Chow of Donahue's offense

I'd forgotten about Homer Smith. All true. He was the genius behind the offense. I remember one time, it was Bruin night at Disneyland, and the whole team, coaches, admin and family were at the park. Homer spent the entire time in a little spot off Main Street diagramming plays. He would probably have stayed on, too, but his wife wanted to get back to family in the South.

by smayhew on Jan 15, 2007 4:05 PM PST up reply actions