Coaching Search News & Notes

by Nestor on Dec 14, 2007 4:33 AM PST in Football Comment 33 comments

First let get the bad news out of way. Dohn's post on June Jones gives us the impression that someone may be tampering with the coaching search process because of DeWayne Walker:

One thing I was told about Hawaii coach June Jones was he would want to bring his whole staff to UCLA, and the Bruins brass are doing everything they can to keep defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker on board. I was told that was a point of contention, and could keep Jones out of the mix.

Again if this is true, the so called "Bruin brass" (Dan Guerrero?) is either crazy or just incompetent. We are hoping and praying this is not true but just info that is being filtered out either by Walker or his lackies within Morgan Center, who are trying to influence this process. This kind of leak will not help the search process at all, and it gives the impression that Walker and his supporters are trying to manipulate the process in every way they can to eliminate every candidate but him or Choker. One wonder if this is the kind of nonsense that is keeping offensive minded coaches like Petersen away who may be looking to come but only if they can come with folks they are comfortable with instead with some self promoting hack who has worked as an assistant coach for couple of years.

The good news is despite these kinds of posts that can give one the impression of shameless tampering on the part of Walker camp, there are other names that are popping up the search. DumpDorrell.com has two more names:

As we have been saying here for almost 2 weeks, Lane Kiffin is interested in going back to the college ranks. And we told you a few days ago, UCLA is in his sights. Apparently, UCLA is interested in Kiffin as well, according to NFL.com's Adam Schefter (in video format). Schefter in an interview with Rich Eisen also put another interesting name into the mix: Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards. We have been hearing rumors of Edwards for a couple of days now but did not believe it. Now one has to take his name seriously. What is great about all this is that UCLA football is being talked about again, and current and former NFL coaches are being talked about. Many good names have come up. And Brian Doh!n would have you believe that NO ONE wants this job (therefore Hire Walker!). UCLA remains important even though we suffered and were embarrassed under Dorrell.

I definitely don’t want Kiffin at UCLA. He may have head coaching experience, but experience at some joke NFL franchise doesn’t really count. Besides he was a terrible OC at Southern Cal. Herm Edwards? I just don’t know what to say. I have no opinion.

And today in the Daily News report, Dohn himself injects a new name into the discussion:

(Philly Eagles assistant John Harbaugh, brother of Jim Harbaugh) Harbaugh, 45, is the secondary coach in Philadelphia. He does not have head coaching experience, but comes from impressive bloodlines.

His father, Jack, was the long-time coach at Western Kentucky, and his brother, Jim, was a long-time NFL quarterback before coaching at the University of San Diego. He finished up his first season at Stanford this fall.

John Harbaugh spent nine years as the Eagles' special teams coach, before moving to the secondary this season.

"John wants to be a head coach some day and maybe a defensive coordinator," Philadelphia coach Andy Reid is quoted as saying in the Eagles' media guide. "This gives him a different responsibility. It gives him a professional opportunity to step out of that special teams mode and it strengthens our staff."

Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami of Ohio and was a candidate for the Western Michigan job in 2004.

It was uncertain when Harbaugh's interview would take place. The Eagles play at Dallas on Sunday, and Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero will be in Kansas City this weekend to interview Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow. The Titans play at the Chiefs.

Dohn also suggests that Neuhisel is gaining some traction:

He is 66-30 in eight years as a head coach at Colorado and Washington. But the Buffaloes were forced to forfeit five wins because of use of an ineligible player while Neuheisel was there.

The NCAA also put Colorado on two years probation for rules violations, many of which stemmed from recruiting improprieties during Neuheisel's tenure.

However, that was nearly a decade ago, and several people close to Neuheisel said he is more mature, and understands he made mistakes.

There has been a surge of support for Neuheisel in regards to UCLA, with former players and alums calling and emailing the athletic department on his behalf.

Neuheisel interviewed for the opening at Georgia Tech. He was beaten out by Navy coach Paul Johnson for the position.

"He would be the perfect guy," said a former UCLA player, who requested anonymity. "He would love to go against (USC coach) Pete Carroll. He would be the charismatic guy UCLA needs. He would definitely give the program energy."

Again at this point I am taking all the info coming from Dohn with a grain of salt. However, what I can sense for sure that despite attempts by certain people (including Dohn himself) to make it appear that UCLA job wasn’t an attractive one, it sure looks like there is a hell lot of interest. And it will be absolute unacceptable on the part of DG if he ends up selecting Choker or the shameless self promoter himself as the next HC, despite the interest in this job from all over the country.

GO BRUINS.

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PLEASE - Not Norm Chow!

Just saw on ESPN's "College Football Live" last night that DG was getting set to interview Chow (I see in an earlier post that DG will indeed be in KCITY this weekend). I just don't want this guy for obvious reasons. I have nothing against his age. Rather, he just doesn't seem like the kind of man who would be a good fit at Westwood. Herman Edwards; I just don't know. I always had a ton of respect for him as a player but I don't think he's the right pick either.

I do hold out hope for Chris Peterson; I'm not ready to give up on that just yet. I could go for Mooch as well. Now, I'm beginning to think that I should personally ease up on "Slick Rick". He's definitely not my first choice but with the shameless DyNoMite and his army of hacks milking this for all it's worth Neuhisel is definitely the lesser of the two evils.

Was good to see that UCLA is getting the kind of attention it should in this process, though.

GO BRUINS!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Dec 14, 2007 5:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Neuheisel

I have wavered a lot on Neuheisel but at this point I feel pretty strongly he would be a great fit. Lots of (winning) experience as a head coach, more mature, vindicated by the UW gambling mess, connections in NFL and recruiting pipelines, charisma, and I am sure he desperately wants the job.

by paulucla on Dec 14, 2007 6:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Heard on Today in LA this morning

That Neuheisel is going to be interviewed. Those local morning news shows get most of their news from the print media, but they didn't give a source, and I didn't see it in the LAT this morning.

by Westwood Wizard on Dec 14, 2007 7:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A new criterion emerges - Impressive Bloodlines

How about Tony Dungy's pet cat? He's got impressive bloodlines, which apparently is good enough for Dohn. "He does not have head coaching experience, but comes from impressive bloodlines." I now believe I have read the stupidest thing ever to come forth from the pen of man. In my opinion, Dohn has just claimed permanent possession of the Bill and Ted Memorial Trophy.

Not even the ubiquitous three wealthy and influential alumni came up with "impressive bloodlines."

I propose a moratorium on any reference at all to Dohn. There is a minumum level of credibility that should be maintained here at BN, and Dohn has sunk way below it.

by Fox 71 on Dec 14, 2007 6:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a firm believer in bloodlines.

In fact, let me go talk to my friends that all agree: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Eli Manning, Luke Walton, Jeff Bowden and many more.

Argh! I can pull my hair out!

Fox, you're right, pedigree is a poor reason for hiring and it can never replace actual experience.

by lunabruin on Dec 14, 2007 7:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hear Prince Charles is available

and he has GREAT bloodlines!!

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

by silverlakebruin on Dec 14, 2007 8:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bloodlines are ALWAYS talked about in sports . . .

. . . usually by the guys slamming their programs on their knees as they carp about the fresh losing exacta tickets in their pockets.

And let's not forget those delightful experiences we all have as parents watching Little League and Pop Warner games where the geeky sons and daughters of the coaches gobble up the playing time while they bobble the ball or they hobble the fields.

And no more talk about MOOCH or Kiffin, please. Ick.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Dec 14, 2007 8:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In that case....

find out who the nearest surviving relative of Bear Bryant is, and offer the job immediately. Dohn is making an ass of himself. As for Neuheisel, I'll take him over Chow and Walker, but watching the Baltimore Ravens on Sundays still makes me doubt that our offense would be that great under this guy...then again, the Ravens are an aging team. Either way, I think Mendehall or Jones would be better if we can get them, but Rick would be fine as well.

by sbizzy57 on Dec 14, 2007 7:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Brace yourselves

The whole "DW" thing is hurting this entire search. This is solely on DG's shoulders. I'm not enamored with June but if this was a sticking point on why he may be losing interest, this is NOT GOOD. I mean, who the hell is DW to garner this type of respect over a HC? I wouldn't take a job unless I was able to do it MY WAY with MY GUYS. I can't begin to describe my frustration but I should've known better because UCLA always does illogical things when common sense would dictate otherwise.

by BlueReign on Dec 14, 2007 8:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No one else will say it, so I will

This whole DW thing has affirmative-action ramifications written all over it, in one form or another.

To put it another way, if DW were some white assistant assoicated with a fired coach, he would be totally out of the picture in the search for the replacement coach.

by bluegold on Dec 14, 2007 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong!

Come on, everything can not be blamed on affirmative action. Walker is in the mix for a number of credible reasons: he turned the defense around from awful to merely adequate, he was the key architect of UCLA's biggest win in the Dorrell era, he appears to be a very good recruiter and he is the only remotely credible candidate on the existing staff. Additionally, there are a group of passionate fans and a group of current players that support Walker.

While none of these reasons make him the best candidate, and I believe he should only be considered as the very last resort, making him part of the process is not just reasonable, but it is the right thing for Dan Guerrero to do. If affirmative action were the reason for him being considered, then Training Jay and the other African American coaches on the current staff would also have to be considered. I believe Guerrero is giving Walker the same opportunity he would give any coach, regardless of ethnicity, under similar circumstances.

While we probably agree that at this time Walker is not the right coach for this job, bringing up affirmative action as the rationale for him getting an interview has an underlying tone of racism.

by Bruin77 on Dec 14, 2007 8:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am not talking about DW being HC.

I am hearing about UCLA/DG trying to coerce HC candidates to retain DW as an employment requirement.

If this is true, I am asking why should DW have such an influence over the new-coach selection process? He's a holdover from the previous coaching regime, one fired for being incompetent.

If DW were a white coach, and my opinion only, he would be long gone along with the fired coach. He would not be around being a monkey wrench in the HC selection process.

As a DC, statics show that his performance has not been stellar by any means. He is not irreplaceable. He is not elite. But he is black. What other explanation is there for the hiring process (again, based on what I am hearing) to revolve around the issue that DW must be retained by any new coach?

I'm just concluding that affirmative action or socio-political issues must be a factor under this scenario.

by bluegold on Dec 14, 2007 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily...

There could be non-racial factors at play.

Maybe Walker developed a personal relationship with DG over the course of his 2 years at UCLA, and Walker made it clear to DG that he would like to be considered for the job. So, out of friendship, DG may have granted Walker an interview even if he has no intention of hiring him, just for old-friends sake. Try telling a friend "no" to his face, we usually play along with our friends and give them a passive/aggressive rejection when decision time comes (like calling up at the last minute and saying "sorry I can't make it, I have to wash my hair tonight").

Or, maybe Walker befriended some influential people who are telling DG to give Walker some consideration.

Maybe pressure from Dohn is forcing DG's hand to grant Walker an interview.

Maybe DG likes Walker's body of work, and he is seriously considering him as a candidate.

There are many possibilities, and we do not have adequate information to make a definitive conclusion about what is going on behind the scenes.

by 01 Bruin on Dec 14, 2007 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

keeping walker

that would be like the new coach telling DG he wants to hire the next assoc. ad and fundraiser and the next softball coach whoever takes a job under those circumastances is nuts! because if walker doesnt get it what kind of underlying things will he be doing in the background?

by JOHN GRAY on Dec 15, 2007 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Please Expand Your Thinking

As I tried to bring up in my previous post, there are a number of reasons other than ethnicity as to why Walker is a credible, but hopefully only secondary, candidate. These are the same reasons why many would like to see Walker retained regardless of who is going to be the next coach. The influence being attributed to Walker over the hiring process is from rumors only. What evidence is there that Walker is involved? He has support within the UCLA community. Those supporters may be driving the rumors. I believe the same situation would be in play if Walker were not African American.

Also, you stated that if Walker were white he would be long gone. Again, not true. First, UCLA still has a game to play this season. Second, it would be unusual to fire the entire coaching staff because the head coach was let go. I don't expect any decisions on the coaching staff until after a new head coach is hired.

So far, there is nothing that smacks of racism in this situation. Arguments against Walker should continue to focus on his qualifications for the job, not extraneous and potentially inflammatory issues for which there is currently no credible evidence.

by Bruin77 on Dec 14, 2007 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just don't see it

Remember, there is a very vocal minority who fought tooth and nail to the bitter end to keep an awful coach like KD. Is it really that far fetched to assume that many of these brain dead enablers of mediocrity would hitch their wagons to the most familiar name on the board? Dorrellistas and Chokeristas are risk averse, that much is obvious, and they'd rather settle for the crappy mediocre name they know than go with the unknown scary big name with potential that they don't.

by Tydides on Dec 14, 2007 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I can also see your scenario

It's just that the DW battle cry of "...keep DW in order to keep the recruits..." is wearing thin on me. Because I am assuming that the recruits they are trying to keep are also black.

If so, then the above battle cry in itself has racial overtones.

by bluegold on Dec 14, 2007 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that the recruits argument is ridiculous, because they act as if Walker leaving will make each and every one of our recruits decommit, which would be unprecedented, and just reeks of unsubstantiated FUD. That they use a reason with so many unknowns and uncertainties as one of the centerpieces of their argument to keep Walker is really a very good reason why he should NOT be head coach. Most other candidates have clear and definable positives and negatives. All Walker supporters have is "this and that might happen". Weak.

by Tydides on Dec 14, 2007 10:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dumb question about Dohn

Is he an idiot?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Dec 14, 2007 9:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

DG Is Not So Stupid as to Ram DW

down a great candidate's throat.

Of course, Dohn is going to report with a slant to showing how committed Dg is to DW.

Dohn for a while made it seem that no one else wanted the job. Now there are other names, great names -- and he's polluting the search by raising the DW comes with the deal specter.

No real coach will take the job not being in control of his staff.

Coaches know that they get fired if their assistants fail. KD, in part, lost his job because of DW's failures against Utah, WSU, FSU and others, and Norvell's failure against everyone.

DG knows that it is not fair to put a new coach at risk by forcing him to accept a coordinator he does not want.

So, have some faith in DG, don't trust Dohn, and stay positive UNLESS DG, not Dohn, says something that indicates he is forcing DW into the mix.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 14, 2007 9:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I hope you're right

but I got a funny feeling that we are being taken for a ride.

I don't get why we are having all the recruits come in this weekend. Why? There is talk that UCLA is trying to keep them together but I see this as a smokescreen. Don't you think this meeting would be better served when we actually have a HC so that each recruit can decide whether they wish to stick with UCLA or look around? This has DW promo written all over it. Have the recruits come in and work them to pledge their allegiance to him as opposed to UCLA. You known BRO, Dohn, etc. will have bits from recruits written. Would DG fall for something like this? Unfortunately, it wouldn't suprise me one bit. That is the sad part of this all.

by BlueReign on Dec 14, 2007 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Walker uses this

as some sort of "pull the rug out" trick on DG, he should be fired immediately. "Commit to me instead of the school" = Treason.

by Tydides on Dec 14, 2007 10:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Intersting thing in Dohn's article

Is that DG is going to Kansas City on Sunday to interview Chow. Guess who else will be in Kansas City on Sunday...

by Odysseus on Dec 14, 2007 9:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm... would that be...

... Herm Edwards?

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Dec 14, 2007 9:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Herm = WCO

Before BT was fired Herm Edwards was a fast rising assistant under Tony Dungy and what I thought a perfect fit for UCLA. It wasn't until he was with the Jets and hired Paul Hackett as his OC that I realized he was no better than KD when it comes to running an offense. Can you imagine the fear we'll strike into opponents with a new and improved version of KD's WCO - YIKES. Hopefully DG enjoys some KC BBQ this weekend and doesn't come back with a head coach.
Based on what's floating through the rumor mill right now I'm ranking Bronco #1, RN #2 and Mooch #3 with a dark horse candidate of Chris P. or Brian K.

"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail"

by Griffin1 on Dec 14, 2007 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WHY John Harbaugh???

Never been a HC anywhere.

Never been a COORDINATOR anywhere.

Hasn't coached in the college ranks in almsot a decade.

Has been on the East Coast for that long.

Another former DB coach.

Why are we even GIVING him an interview??? Touting him as a candidate is a very Lavin-esque kind of move -- "Hey, if his brother/ father was good, then he MUST be good, right???"

Ugh. Pass the Maalox.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Dec 14, 2007 9:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Source: Dohn Reaction: Nonsense

He drank too much Karl Aid this year and has lost his mind.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 14, 2007 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doh n

I'd take Dohn with a hell of a lot more salt than just a grain. All that stuff that came out earlier in the week (Walker approving candidates, Chow offered the job) was totally false, so I am guessing this is.

Actually, I am guessing its not - I think there are losers in Morgan Center who want to keep Walker but I don't think Dan is thinking any of it. He will hire someone and let them pick their own staff.

by njbruin on Dec 14, 2007 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

In Tom Clancy novels...

... there's a mention of something called a "canary trap." The idea is that, to protect the confidentiality of a classified report, 3 or 4 versions fo it are generated. All have the same info, but uniquely "eye-catching" and dramtic language are put in each separate report. Something described as "an unparalleled shift in policy without recorded precedent" in one version may be described as "a protean change in policy with unprecedented ramifications," for example.

That way, if a particular tidbit made it into the media, the top brass could figure out which report was leaked to whom, and the leak could be better tracked.

The more paranoid Bruin fan in me is starting to wonder if DG is feeding various interns, assistants, and mid-level type staffers some false leaks along with legit ones, and then checking to see who's leaking stuff out of Morgan to Dohn or to others.

Yeah, I might be nuts... but not more so than the idea of interviewing JOHN HARBAUGH for our head coaching gig.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Dec 14, 2007 10:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Could be even more arcane than a Clancy plot...

...it could be that DG has or will make his decision well before the consolation exercise in LV. For all we know, Guerrero may have already agreed in principle on a deal with June Jones or June Cleaver, and is only going through these motions to keep the press off balance while his hiree is busy during the bowl season.

I'd be really surprised to learn that DG gives any serious creedence to what Dohn, ESPN or even BN says. I certainly hope I'm not wrong, but short of the KD hire - which was essentially foisted on him - he hasn't made any disastrous decisions...yet.

The one thing this exercise has brought me is the opportunity to hang with a bunch of other Bruins who, apparently, also seem to have a lot of time on their hands...LOL.

UCLA - the finest public university in the world

by SecondGenBruin on Dec 14, 2007 3:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

John freakin' Harbaugh

We've gone from discussing candidates like Steve Mariucci, Mike Leach, etc. to freaking John Harbaugh???? If he turns us down, then will we be looking for Peyton Manning's Pop Warner coach? In typical UCLA fashion, we'll probably overpay him relative to his experience as well.

Any UCLA fan who thinks that UCLA is doing a good job with this coaching search has clearly caught a case of Stockholm Syndrome. Meanwhile, this coaching search is starting to resemble the Titanic heading towards the giant, frosty iceberg known as DeWayne Walker. I feel sick.

by ytumamatambien on Dec 14, 2007 4:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Guys - take a deep breath and let it out slowly

Relax.

It seems to me that the source of all the news items that are getting people worked up is Doh! Doh! has proven himself to be a very poor source. He seems to have a constitutional inability to be accurate or truthful.

Who says DG is going to KC this weekend? Any verification of this? Isn't this factoid from the same guy who said that Chow was going to be Morgan Center getting interviewed, and then had to disprove his own story when Mrs. Chow said he hadn't been in LA?

Think of anything that has actually happened in the past several weeks. Then think of what Doh! said about it? Who has floated the Steve Harbaugh or Billy Harbaugh or whoever Harbaugh? Doh! and only Doh! BRUINS - HE'S MAKING THIS STUFF UP. He wants hits on his website and letters to the editor and anything else to show his editor that he's the real deal.

You are running around looking for confirmation of the stories in the National Enquirer. Remember - Doh! is not a real journalist.

So relax. Don't waste your time commenting on what Doh! says is going to happen.

by Fox 71 on Dec 14, 2007 8:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Gotta Believe

Guys, I gotta believe that the Dan Guerrero that smelled success with the Howland hire and is still basking in its glory is looking for another feather in his cap. I have to believe that he can't be serious about these names like Walker, Neuheisel and Harbaugh. If Howland taught him anything, it is that you don't shoot arrows in the dark like with Dorrell but you go after someone who has proven himself. Surely, he can't have missed the lessons of both previous hires. By the way, I used to get depressed with Donohue going 8-3-1 every year. That is until Dorrell came on the scene. OMG, I can't believe that man was coaching a major program in College. It gave me nightmares of Steve Lavin all over again. I want to be proud of my Alma Mater on Saturdays. DG better do the right thing.

by reedasimon on Dec 16, 2007 10:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs