A Looming Disaster

by Guest Blogger on Dec 10, 2007 11:01 AM PST Comment 57 comments

BB offers up a rapid response to the UCLA/Chow rumors. We are in total agreement wrt to his concerns about a Chow/Walker scenario. That will not work for BN. GO BRUINS. -N

Well, I had written what I had thought was my essay for the week, and thank you for the always thoughtful responses I have seen thus far. But I am compelled to write another one right on its heels. because I think we are at crisis point.

As I had already indicated, no one knows for sure what is going on. But there are now enough credible sources to be able to say with reasonable certainty that we face a really serious danger of what I see is a nightmare scenario occurring. That is the hiring of Norm Chow as head coach, with the explicit approval of DeWayne Walker, and then the guarantee to Walker that after a few years, he will be the successor. I would not have believed that Guerrero and UCLA could have been so foolish, but I now think that it is definitely possible. And though some may of course differ, I do see this as an absolute disaster-in-waiting.

First, we well know that Norm Chow has never held a head coaching position. He has been a very well respected offensive coordinator for around 30 years. He is known as a technician, whose favorite spot is the press box, where he can look down and scheme against the opponents's defense. He is well known as not being a "people person," not being that comfortable with those kind of interactions. That is surely the reason why in all these years, Chow has never been offered one single head coaching position. Not at BYU, where he had coached for years, not at woebegone Stanford, which was desperate to find a coach. Not in the NFL, where there might be a spot for a tactician only. Nowhere. And now UCLA strongly considers hiring him as its head coach? Why? Because they know about him, since he was OC at USC? Because in some kind of misplaced idea taken from a fantasy movie, the fact that it is well known that he and Pete Carroll had a falling out means that he will be "out for revenge!" against Carroll and the Trojans? (If only it were as easy as that). Because--and don't take this lightly--he is one of the few coaches whom the omnipresent DeWayne Walker has "vetted" for the head coach job?

It has been bruited about that Walker is taking an active hand in these proceedings, at least to the extent of telling Dan Guerrero which coaches he would be willing to work with. How absolutely inappropriate is that? Why in heaven's name would UCLA be so amazingly obtuse as to listen to an obviously self-interested Walker as to whom they should hire? How in two years did Walker get to a position where his retention is seen to be a sine qua non of the whole process? What kind of road is UCLA committed to traveling for the next twenty years? Because after Chow, we will certainly be forced to hire Walker. That is four or five years of Chow and ten or so of Walker. That will make six straight football coaches we have hired without one iota of head coaching experience. I absolutely shudder to think of it. Could it all work out? Sure, there is always a chance of anything working out. But the odds are very greatly against it, as I'm sure most of you will agree. How and why does UCLA always take this wishful thinking road, even to the extent of committing itself for over a decade to seeing what happens? We are always told to be patient and see what happens. We have had twenty years or more of seeing what happens. What happens is damn near nothing; but we are taken down the same road again and again.

As I write this, I am now hearing rumors that Norm Chow has already been offered the job. If that is true, I am through with all of this. I am sure that UCLA and UCLA football will go on well without me. I will still watch the basketball of course, at least until Howland leaves. But I cannot support a program which has not the slightest clue as to how to conduct a coaching search and how to hire a football coach. All those names we had heard and speculated over: Petersen, Mariucci, Leach, Johnson, Mendenhall, Jones, Grobe, Kelly, Mora. And this is what we are going to get? Please, tell me that the rumor is wrong; that Dan Guerrero is smarter and more patient than that; that we are going to end up with a highly respected proven coach; that we are not going to be committed to five years of the Norm Chow experiment followed by ten years of the DeWayne Walker experiment, followed no doubt by ten more years of some other awful experiment, all in the name of "Bruin continuity," and "keeping the guys we know around," and, "he's a great guy." Please tell me. Because I feel sick.

- Bruin Blue

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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Patience

Waiting for the announcement on who will be the next coach has a very familiar feel. While most of us were pretty certain after the Utah fiasco that Dorrell was toast, BN was full of what ifs and doom and gloom that the firing would not happen. Reasonable voices rose to say, be patient. Then came Notre Dame and the demands for Dorrell's head increased to a fever pitch. Again, nothing from Guerrero to calm the Bruin faithful. It wasn't until there were four games left in the season that Guerrero made the statement about looking at "the full body of work." Now it appears obvious that was his code phrase for, wait until the season is over. Sure enough, right on schedule, last Monday Guerrero pulled the plug on the Dorrell experiment.

Now we fret over who will be the next coach. Just based on the postings here on BN, there is no clear consensus pick, with the possible exception of Chris Petersen, who has stated his lack of interest. There have been a lot of well reasoned arguments on what traits UCLA should look for in the next coach, with previous head coaching experience the key prerequisite. This explains the high volume of posts whenever Dwayne Walker, Norm Chow or some other career assistant coach's name is mentioned. There has also been a fair amount of concern that the search will take too long when one of the individuals on the possibilities list gets hired somewhere else.

All I can say is relax. Enjoy the ride. Like with any personnel decision, hiring and firing is kept close to the vest. Those are the decisions that make or break a boss. So while the process of hiring a football coach is open to far more speculation, there is no AD that would make it an open process. No sense in getting too worked up over rumors. Sure it is fun to speculate. I also appreciate the great research many of the posters on BN do to vet potential coaching candidates. I have learned so much about coaching potential candidates from BN. I am now certain that there is great potential to upgrade the football program from the mediocre performance we have seen so far in this millennium. Every time I read about a potential coach I ask one key question, is he better than Dorrell? So far the answer is almost always yes. That gives me great optimism for upcoming seasons. Sure someone who looks good could turn out to be a dog. Then we will all get inundated with the return of the Dorrellistas. Ranting and raving how Guerrero, under pressure from the Internet bloggers, threw away UCLA's best chance at success. Nothing is certain, except Dorrell's time had come. I know I am opening myself up to criticism with the Dorrell comparison. Of course we want to do better, but I take comfort that it is very unlikely we will do worse.

One final comment to hopefully help allay the fears that we will end up with another pretender: remember $c's last coaching search. Their first two choices turned them down. They settled for an NFL reject. The fans were upset. Now all they do is gloat. The moral of this story, let's not be too upset, no matter who is ultimately selected, sometimes things just work out. If they don't, we get to go through this all over again.

by Bruin77 on Dec 10, 2007 11:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What if DG hires Chow?

to keep Walker? What will your reaction be then?

by bluestreet on Dec 10, 2007 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Still Better Than Keeping Dorrell

If that's the price we pay for sending firing Dorrell, I am willing to pay it. However, I would be surprised if that is where Guerrero ends up except out of necessitity. Also, while that combo of coaches is not be my favorite choice, I will withhold judgment until I see the product they put on the field.

Of course, if the Cjow/Wlaker scenario dose play out, I will enjoy reading all the commentary about how the Bruins missed an opportunity, settled for less, made a new commitment to mediocrity, etc., etc., etc

by Bruin77 on Dec 10, 2007 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Too many typos, let me try again...

If that's the price we pay for firing Dorrell, I am willing to pay it. However, I would be surprised if that is where Guerrero ends up except out of necessity. Also, while that combo of coaches is not be my favorite choice, I will withhold judgment until I see the product they put on the field.
Of course, if the Chow/Walker scenario dose play out, I will enjoy reading all the commentary about how the Bruins missed an opportunity, settled for less, made a new commitment to mediocrity, etc., etc., etc

by Bruin77 on Dec 10, 2007 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And how will that be enjoyable?

Those are the exact same things we've been saying the past 5 years and none of it has been enjoyable.

by Tydides on Dec 10, 2007 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Substitute "insightful"

for "enjoyable." You are correct. Reading everyone's pent up frustration is not really enjoyable, but it is educational.

by Bruin77 on Dec 10, 2007 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Chow makes USC shiver...

One, Chow isn't just a very well-respected offensive coordinator. He's probably the greatest offensive mind college football has seen in our lifetimes.

Two, no one really knows why Chow didn't get the Stanford job, other than that their AD is a buffoon. You think Chow would have done a worse job than Walt Harris?

Three, Chow would get recruits. How many kids wouldn't want to play for him?

Four, tell me there's another potential hire out there that would make USC fans worry as much as this one. They know how good he is. They know that USC hasn't been the same since Chow left.

"We play some ball on the West Coast."

by haoledave on Dec 10, 2007 11:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Uh No

SuC will LOL at our stupidity if we hire Chow. This guy couldn't sell himself to Stanford and we expect him to sell UCLA to recruits? Yeah right.

by Nestor on Dec 10, 2007 11:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's that kind of attitude

that breeds "as long as we beat SUC, it's a successful season".

Who the hell cares who SUC does or does not want us to have?

One, being a coordinator isn't the same as being a head coach.

Two, why hasn't he had any head coaching job? He could have started at some smaller school in his 30+ year career and has not.

Three, how would he get recruits if he dislikes recruiting?

Four, once again, WHO THE HELL CARES?

by Tydides on Dec 10, 2007 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care if SC is scared

if all 9 other Pac 10 teams are scared, MAYBE I'll care then.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Reassure me, Dave

Remind me that Chow has experience as a head coach. I've lost track of what his W-L record is as a head coach.

Maybe we should hire John Barnes as coach. justsc certainly should fear him. Or better, how about Cade McNown as head coach. He beat them four years in a row. Or the two guys that wrote the book that could get them sanctioned. They would make justsc shudder with fear.

Just like if Wazzou hired Walker. I wouldn't even bother to show up for that game if Walker were coaching them. He certainly makes me afraid.

Dave - this is sarcasm. I am being sarcastic because I don't see any factual evidence to support your points. Show me the evidence and I might change my mind. But just saying things like "Chow is the greatest offensive mind college football has seen in our lifetimes" without facts to support that notion does not convince me.

by Fox 71 on Dec 10, 2007 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Allow me to retort

Well, I can't remind you that he has experience as a head coach -- he has none. But neither did Bob Stoops, Jeff Tedford, Mark Richt, Barry Alvarez, etc.

My opinion of Chow's offensive genius is based on the national titles his offenses won at BYU and USC, they way he elevated a virtually all-white, Mormon school into a perennially potent offense, frequently against teams with much better talent (BYU's win over Miami in 1990 remains etched in my memory). He was at NC State for one year, and turned them instantly into an ACC contender. When he came to USC, he retooled Bob Hackett's players into an offensive machine, and then helping get guys like Leinart, Mike Williams, Reggie Bush, etc., to come play for USC. There's the Heisman awards for a couple of his QBs, the coaching tree he established... aw hell, you can read about his accompishments.

I believe that Chow did as much to re-establish SUC on the national level as Coach Pom-Pom did. Without hiring Chow, that program wouldn't have elevated as fast and as high as it has. USC's offense hasn't been the same since he left.

Now, I keep hearing about how Chow's personality is the reason why he isn't getting any head coaching jobs. But can anyone back that up with facts? Has anyone spoken with the ADs at Stanford and Kentucky and BYU as to why he was overlooked? Sure, everyone loves rah-rah-rah and enthusiasm, but y'know, Jeff Tedford doesn't strike me as having much of a personality, either. By contrast, Coach O was a great recruiter and had tons of personality, but the guy was a lousy head coach at Ole Miss.

Chow, or any head coach UCLA hires, should be free to pick his own staff and not have to rely on holdovers if he doesn't choose to. I don't see Walker staying around if he isn't hired as coach (and I don't think he should be, but he might turn out to be a fine one down the road). So this weird Chow/Walker fear that's going around just seems like a bunch of unnecessary worrying.

And think about it: if you're a fan at USC, or any school, for that matter, and you hear that Norm Chow is going to be UCLA's head coach, what would be your reaction? "This guy's a joke, UCLA is going to keep sucking ass," or "Holy Shinto, UCLA might be a good team, again."

"We play some ball on the West Coast."

by haoledave on Dec 10, 2007 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How about

his own admission that he dislikes recruiting? Straight from his mouth. It's tough to win when you don't have good talent.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

The other argument goes that he can just "find assistants who are good at recruiting". Recruiting isn't a responsibility that you simply delegate. Sure, you can send your assistants out to make visits, but at some point, they need the Head Coach to sign off on it and sell the school and the program. Hmm, who is an assistant who is good at recruiting (so goes the argument): Walker.

It's all fitting in just a little too nicely here for those who would prefer a crappy lazy coaching search

by Tydides on Dec 10, 2007 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not reassured.

Let's take the most recent experience of a guy being hired at UCLA with no head coaching experience. How did that work out?

Chow's personality. I wasn't present when he interviewed anywhere, but I doubt if you were either. I haven't ever spoken to the man, but I doubt if you hve either. I don't know if he has ever sought a head coaching position, and in truth unless you've asked him and he answered you honestly, you don't either. But here is a fact: His resume has a blank under "Head Coaching Experience." He either hasn't asked to be a head coach, or he has been told no. I understand he has stated explicitly that he does not like recruiting, which seems to me to be a fairly important aspect of being a head coach.

Re Walker, I agree. If Walker stays, it should only be because the head coach wants him to stay, and not because Bob Field or someone else demands that he stay.

And last but not least, I think the reaction in the rest of the Pac 10 if we hire Chow will be that we hired a great OC, but we still don't have a head coach. I think we will remain the butt of the jokes in the league. I have no evidence of that, but I don't think you have either. If you were the rest of the league, you would of course think UCLA made the all time greatest hire since God hired Noah to build the Ark. If I'm the rest of the league, I just keep laughing at the idiocy that is being exalted as analysis at Morgan Center.

by Fox 71 on Dec 10, 2007 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Chow has the best potential of the guys out there.

Sure, the last guy we hired with head coaching experience didn't work out. But my point is that just because the last guy without any head coaching experience didn't work out, doesn't mean that the next might won't either.

From what you're saying, you would have passed on guys like Tedford, Alvarez, Stoops, etc., because none of them had head coaching experience.

Dennis Franchione had head-coaching experience, and he didn't work out at Texas A&M. John Mackovic had it, and he didn't work out at Arizona. Dirk Koetter, Walt Harris, Ty Willingham, John Robinson, etc. all had head coaching experience, and none of them worked out.

There's no obvious, big big name guy out there for us to hire away from another school. Stoops, Tressel, Meyer, Rodriguez and others aren't going to leave their programs for UCLA. Mark Richt isn't, apparently, either. So if you limit yourself to the head coaches who have experience, you're creating an unnecessary limited pool of talent and banking that one of those guys will be the right guy.

I'd be thrilled if we got Bronco Mendenhall. Satisfied if we got Peterson, Jones, Leach or Mariucci. But is that it? Are you convinced that one of those five guys or so is going to be the right guy for this program? (Not to mention, it's hard finding a more lily-white list of candidates.)

There's no guarantee that a guy with head coaching experience at one school will have even greater success at another one. Likewise, a guy without head coaching experience may be a successful head coach if he's given a shot.

I'll take your word for it that Chow said he doesn't like recruiting. You know who else doesn't like recruiting? Lots of other head coaches. I know Rocky Long doesn't, and he has to convince kids to come to Albuquerque. I know I've read of other coaches who have openly disdained it. Trying to beg teenagers to come to your great university isn't my idea of a good time.

As has been said here before, there's no "right fit" for the UCLA job right now. I'd be happy taking a gamble on an (assistant) coaching legend. with West Coast ties. Plus, Chow's schemes would work with the personnel we already have, whereas it might take a while for a Leach, Jones or Mendenhall (assuming he kept his Leach-style spread attack) to get going.

Why do you think Chow is a laugh-worthy candidate? All he's done is assemble great offenses and win and get the most out of his talent. He's incredibly smart, disciplined and experienced. Kids want to play for his offense. He turns out Heisman candidates and professional talent. And I think he's wise enough, and has enough contacts built up, to be able to find a great cadre of assistant coaches.

And, while it shouldn't be a factor in his hiring or not, it would be satisfying to have an Asian-American head coach at a school with a plurality of Asian-American students.

"We play some ball on the West Coast."

by haoledave on Dec 10, 2007 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You have a point

Let's put Chow on the list of guys to talk to after Peterson, Leach, Hauck, Mendenhall, the guy from Cincy whose name I can't recall, Mariucci, Turner Gill, Mora Jr. and 14 other better guys turn us down.

I concede he is the number one guy on your list. He is about number 20 on my list.

And keep this in mind - He's older than I am! And I'm retired. (I guess that last point doesn't mean much. CTS is retired now, or he is at least for a while.)

by Fox 71 on Dec 10, 2007 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bobby Hauck over Norm Chow?

Obviously reasonable people can disagree about who they favor the most for a coaching job, but...

You think Peterson's two years as a HC make him a superior hire to Chow?

Of the guys whose names are bandied about, I'd put only Mendenhall (slightly) above Chow, primarily because he's a defensive-minded coach. And he's just finished up his third year. I'd be interested in Brian Kelly (the Cinci coach) as well.

But you think Turner Gill has more of what it takes to win at this level than Norm Chow? Really? I mean, if Norm Chow had spurned the NFL to spend the last two years coaching U of Buffalo (and compiling a similar record), would that have satisfied you to consider him as a better candidate?

Sure, Chow is 61. But he's a year younger than Steve Spurrier, and people don't think Spurrier's over the hill. Chow's only about five years older then Coach Pom Pom or Jim Tressel. While we'd love the find a young guy who could coach here twenty years, maybe this isn't the time for that. I want a guy who can beat SC, get to the Rose Bowl, and contend for national titles. If Chow stayed for only six or seven years, I think he could accomplish all of that.

"We play some ball on the West Coast."

by haoledave on Dec 10, 2007 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Short answer = yes

I will take a proven commodity over an unknown who is going to have to learn on the job and grow into things and who will make installations and who will do moves.

There are openings in Division 2 schools where Chow could go work on his game.

But there is no way on earth that I will ever support the hiring of anyone who does not have a resume showing he has what it takes to win as a head coach. I have no doubt that Chow's resume is the best in the world to get him a job as an OC. Would I prefer him over Training Jay? 100%. But NO to Chow and NO to anyone who has not been a head coach. No more CTS experiments. Yes, I would take Turner Gill over Chow. Yes I will take Mooch or Mora over Chow. No more experiments. No more on the job training. No more of the last five years.

by Fox 71 on Dec 10, 2007 4:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

he was offfered the Kentucky job and

turned it down, because he thought he would get the byu gig when Edwards stepped down. there was an admin change at BYU before that happened and Chow felt they were insensitive to racial issues, and left. Don't know what happened at Stanford.

In regards to recruting, when you have coached 4 heisman winners, won 3 national titles, have NFL experience, and are considered the best offensive mind of your day, I imagine the recruiting will do a lot of its own work on the offensive side. Plus, you have two very, very strong recruiters already in the program.

I think Chow is our best second tier candidate.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Dec 10, 2007 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Serious question

Who are the "two very, very strong recruiters"? Walker and Scott?

by Nars on Dec 10, 2007 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Look at his collegiate career.

In 15 of 23 seasons his offense ranked in the top 10 in the country. He coached 8 of the top 30 career passing efficiency leaders and 3 heisman winners. I think the arguement can be made that he is one of the greatest offensive minds in college football. If you want to make the arguement if that measn he'll be able to run a program go right ahead. That's a valid point that we should discuss.

by makenji on Dec 10, 2007 6:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good

Then our next Head Coach should see if he wants to be our OC.

by Tydides on Dec 10, 2007 6:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm

No one is disputing the fact he put together some great offenses. We just don't see how he can be a great head coach. We are not looking for some genius in the press box who knows his "Xs and Os." We are looking for a "leader" for this program. And we haven't seen any tangible evidence that Chow has those leadership skills. And we are not ready for another "experiment" at UCLA to find out whether he has those skills.

by Nestor on Dec 10, 2007 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Bruinblue

I'm done with UCLA football if this is the hire. Stupid, stupid, stupid. What happened to that vaunted "head coaching experience" DG was looking for? And how did DeWayne Walker become Michael Corleone all of the sudden? Is this what we're going to have to suffer with a result of one game, 13-9?

by bruinmike88 on Dec 10, 2007 11:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I won't be done with UCLA football

because my heart won't let me. No matter what I try to tell myself, I couldn't quit UCLA football. Would I be upset? Hell yeah, but I'd still watch every minute of ever game, just like I have in every season since I was 4.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're probably right

I would probably get sucked back in. But damn if I wouldn't be mad.

My point stands though, this is a joke of the highest order.

by bruinmike88 on Dec 10, 2007 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mad?

I think we have a winner for understatement of the year

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where can I pick up my trophy?

I hope there's a ceremony that goes along with it, too.

by bruinmike88 on Dec 10, 2007 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A trophy AND a prize

More mediocrity for your favorite football team.

by Tydides on Dec 10, 2007 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And with that mediocrity

comes 5 more years of trips to the Toilet Bowl

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Walker and Chow

Dewayne Walker is under consideration for two reasons: under Dorrell, Dwayne Walker was the number two guy and his success in turning around a very inept defense. DW gets a look at becoming head coach because as the number two guy, you are always the heir apparent. The defense may not have been top rated, but in his two years, Walker moved the Bruins from the bottom of all D1 programs to the bottom of the top third of D1 programs. He is also credited with the impressive upset of $c in 2006.

I mention the issues regarding DW not as an argument to support his selection, but to point out that there would be something wrong if Guerrero didn't even talk to him regarding the position. He doesn't have to be a serious contender for Guerrero to at least extend the respect for his accomplishments at UCLA by giving him an opportunity to talk about his vision. Also, it also helps with the issue of interviewing minority candidates.

Now why Guerrero wants to talk to Chow is surprising. I have no clue why he would be considered if one of the prerequisites is to have HC experience.

by Bruin77 on Dec 10, 2007 11:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

100%

We can't have it both ways. The state of our defense before and after Walker's arrival made him the heir apparent. Even LESSER assistants with much LESS accomplishments (read=Lavin) have gotten the "interim" nod.

For days I've been saying to myself (and anyone that would listen) that while Walker isn't my 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice to take over, I would certainly prefer a 1Y DW contract with a performance-based extension and an eye for change over the WRONG GUY in a LONG CONTRACT.

I just sense a lot of overplayed, reactionary sentiment. We're ALLLL Nervous... but let's not all bail on DG just yet. Until further (concrete) notice, he does still know what he's doing.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 10, 2007 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how patient Walker would be?

If the above nightmare scenario (and all of its dire ramifications) plays out then I wonder how long DW would be content to wait in the wings to become a head coach at UCLA?

I mean, discounting the questionable abilities of Chow as a head coach and what success he might have at UCLA -- and spare the flames for my saying this -- even if he is only as good as Dorrell, he won't get the axe for three-to-five years. Will Walker be content to wait for that period of time when opportunities like Wazzu pass by?

Here's hoping we get a good choice for head coach. NOT Norm Chow (who makes me quake in my boots, by the way) and hopefully not DW as DC. But, if Guerrero is wed to the idea of keeping that piece of crap around, maybe DW will just flat get tired of waiting or -- better yet -- his mediocrity will not be tolerated and he will get fired by the head coach.

..now, wouldn't that be precious?

by whp68 on Dec 10, 2007 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The terrible thing is

Even if Chow is hired, we WILL improve. Considerably. But that's the legacy of Dorrell, any John Doe we hire is going to improve our standard of play. We might even break the threshold of mediocrity at times. But most Bruin fans are going to see this as progress and a sign that the right guy was hired, we're going to see it as something to be expected out of any football team and not of the standard we need. Unfortunately, I can see the Chow/Walker duo running UCLA football for a long time should this scenario play out.

by bruinmike88 on Dec 10, 2007 12:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

or

if this "experiment" doesn't work we could have a very ugly situation in which Walker and his lackies will be out in force to run around Chow and backstabbing him right off the bat.

by bluestreet on Dec 10, 2007 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right..

..as BB stated in one of his essays, 32 years is long enough to experiment with a major college's football program.

by whp68 on Dec 10, 2007 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rumors

DG said he would interview Walker, that hasn't happened yet. He said the search firm would come up with a list, that hasn't happened yet. Chow was in Tenn last night, when did he interview? DG said head coaching experience was important, why give that up right off the bat without looking at others? There are a lot of little pieces that make me want to say "wait this might not be true".

It's not like DG would force Walker on Chow, and there is no reason to think Chow would give a time-line on when he would leave and turn things over to Walker.

Something doesn't smell right with this rumor.

by nikeu on Dec 10, 2007 12:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The search firm

has been hired and whether or not DG has a list is up in the air. With all these rumors flying around the only thing we know for sure is that the majority of these "reports" are false and only DG really knows the status of the search.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hope you are right

But Chow doesn't have to be in Westwood to meet with DG. But good catches on your part.

by bluestreet on Dec 10, 2007 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The trainwreck that is UCLA football

I DON'T like nor approve how this HC search is being conducted. The best example is DG wanting Walker back. I don't have a problem with that but you CANNOT conduct a genuine search like this. The new HC must have the freedom to build his own staff. If DW is part of it, then so be it. However, you cannot impose DW as part of the deal. I mean, who the hell conducts a search like this? This my friends is a microcosm of UCLA Football. We'll see what happens. If something stupid like this is done, all the goodwill DG built with me is gone.

by BlueReign on Dec 10, 2007 1:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think

it's tough to either approve or disapprove of the way the search is going because we don't really know how it's going. DG is keeping everything hush hush and any report you're basing facts on have a better chance of being false then true. I think all of us, me included, are getting way too worked up over reports that likely are false.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 10, 2007 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta trust DG

It's hard reading all these stories and not reacting, but I'm still saying that we need to relax and see how the process goes. Aside from our pretty unanimous opposition to DW, we don't seem unified behind one candidate. DG got us Howland and Savage, so he has earned my trust. This is such a wide open field right now that we need to let DG do his job.

So I will keep saying that we need to have a little patience, and a little faith in DG.

(and I hope I don't end up looking like an idiot when this is done...)

greg in denver

by gbruin on Dec 10, 2007 1:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Chow interview

If he is interviewing it has to be early this week while the Titans have off day/days. But I hope we are not confusing interviewing with job offers. I did read he had been offered but with the hysteria going on in the blogosphere, there could be thousands of fans who would equate the meet-and-greet with an offer.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Dec 10, 2007 2:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just Asking..........

I've asked it before and I will ask it again. When did DG say that DW has to be part of the package for any new HC to be hired?

by artybruin on Dec 10, 2007 2:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

comments...

I would like to comment on something that is in relation to who is picked up as the next head coach.

IF UCLA hires a head coach who has head-coaching experience and UCLA loses a few games and stumbles here and there the coach will get a few reprieves. Much like Howland gets with UCLA basketball.

IF UCLA hires a head coach that has never had HEAD-COACHING experience and UCLA loses a few games and stumbles here and there the coach and the AD will get drilled hard by the fan base (those of us that are smarter than the average bear) and the media (those not named Brian Dohn)

It is human nature. The people that want D. Walker would just like the "DD"s and "BN"s to go away. It isn't going to happen. These are passionate fans and alums. We all want success on the field.

Many people that I know have been calling me and when they see me the first thing they say is that I got my wish (Dorrell Fired.) I tell them all that the job is only half-way done. Many people in the Fullerton area know me as the big-time Bruin guy in town.

I have tried to make people who are not as keen to this as most of us that we ARE passionate fans, not haters as they would like to equate us to. Even compared to Islamic Fascists by some idiot. Of course the fascist blog censored some but not the likes of him. Well, that's for another blog.

by FullertonBruin on Dec 10, 2007 2:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

New Dienhart Article

New article from Dienhart, detailing why UCLA needs to wise up and spend $$. Nothing really we don't already know, but hopefully DG understands the point.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=ArKbn.nasPUjFeja7GB8lCQcvrYF?slug=uclafootballmustspendbig&a mp;prov=tsn&type=lgns

by kidro2001 on Dec 10, 2007 2:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BOOOOOOOOO!

That's all I have to say!

by bruinelder on Dec 10, 2007 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

DW

Is there any chance Chow can be hired without Walker being thrust on him?

I am more open to him than most here, it appears. He's amongst the leaders in my second tier behind Petersen, Leach, Mendehall and June Jones.

Also, I don't think this rumor passes the smell test for reasons that have already been stated (when was the interview done?, etc.).

by Raisin on Dec 10, 2007 3:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Another hypothetical

IF DeWayne Walker is the person on whom Guerrero settles as the head coach, who do you think would make a good offensive coordinator, and who would be the defensive coordinator?

Norm Chow was successful as Offensive Coordinator because he got to spend a lot of time with the offense and the quarterback. As head coach, he won't have that luxury, he will have to do all the other things too! I think he may get frustrated...

by tasser10 on Dec 10, 2007 3:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Chow wouldn't be the OC too, would he?

Wouldn't Chow hire an OC, someone who would be one of his disciples?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Dec 10, 2007 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone look closely at the headline

that accompanied the story on the EDSBS web site? It said, "Your Overheard, Specious Coaching Rumor of the Day."

"Specious" means something that appears to be plausible but is really untrue. The introductory paragraph said, "we present to you the specious, fact-esque coaching rumor of the day..." Not only is "fact-esque" not a word, but it has the connotation of something made up.

Is it possible -- I don't know this, I'm just asking -- that the original posting was nothing more than a put-on?

by bruinfollower on Dec 10, 2007 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good point...

and I honestly don't think it's logical to believe that Chow, a candidate with no HC experience, was offered the job the day after DG hired the search firm. I'll stick to Deinhart's timetable of Chow being interviewed today, Leach tomorrow and Mariucci Wednesday. There's still plenty of interviewing to be done and I have faith in DG to do the right thing.

by sevascisum on Dec 10, 2007 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

Dienhart has it right though - if we want the best, we have to be willing to pay for it. We'd all love to have a steal of a hire but that's just now how the world works...

by blinkshot on Dec 10, 2007 4:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Uh...

its because of people like you that UCLA lost to Notre Dame. Be a Notre Dame fan, UCLA doesn't need you.

You probably see Chow and Walker as some sort of dangerous rainbow coalition. If you are that small minded, you don't belong at UCLA.

by 2pacalypse on Dec 12, 2007 12:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great contributions, 2pac

You have posted three times as of now. Each of your posts was simply drivel, with a combination of insults and non-analyses. It is inconceivable that you are now or ever have been an actual student at UCLA with the writing and analytical skills you have displayed here.

I still think Nestor should create a "Bruins Nation Lite" board where the children could play. Then as long as you didn't break things, you could play all you wanted and you wouldn't disturb the grown-ups.

by Fox 71 on Dec 12, 2007 5:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm...

The post by the OP makes no sense with his argument against Chow. So if Chow shouldn't be given a chance cause no other college has wanted to hire him, then that's a moot point cause Chow has been offered HC oppurtunities before but has turned them down.

by dana on Dec 14, 2007 2:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs