Coaching Search/Football News & Notes

by Nestor on Dec 15, 2007 11:07 AM PST in Football

Let's get back to what is on all of our mind: the coaching search. Per the OC Register someone from Morgan Center (DG?) was around my neck of the woods (well about an hour away) yesterday to interview Rick Neuheisel:

The UCLA coaching search caravan was in Baltimore on Friday for a meeting with Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel.

Neuheisel's name also figures prominently in the LAT story on coaching search this morning:

The search for UCLA's next football coach may enter a new phase next week, as athletic department officials could present a list of finalists to Chancellor Gene Block by the end of the week, a source familiar with the search said.

UCLA officials added former Washington and Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel and Philadelphia Eagles assistant John Harbaugh to the interview list for this weekend, sources said. A meeting with Norm Chow, the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator, had already been arranged.

DeWayne Walker, the Bruins' defensive coordinator and interim coach, was interviewed Tuesday.

Other candidates are expected to be interviewed, but the process of trimming the list and arranging meetings with the chancellor could begin early next week.

Neuheisel's candidacy has been strongly pushed by some influential alumni and former players, though his past troubles had athletic department officials unsure whether to interview him. The NCAA put Colorado on two years' probation, with some of the violations occurring when Neuheisel was coach. He was fired from Washington for his involvement in an NCAA basketball betting pool, though he later won a $4.5-million settlement from the school and the NCAA.

I will just disregard the Harbaugh angle because the whole idea of hiring some coach because of "bloodlines" is just beyond absurd. Going back to Neuheisel, I have to tell you I am genuinely conflicted over him. I am not all that worried about his alleged transgressions in Washington. It turned out that it was Washington Huskies who screwed up. As for his recruiting violations at CU, there were not repeated in Washington despite him having a constant target on his back. Moreover, I doubt he will make them at UCLA, given our compliance officials are some of the best in the country to make sure our coaches operate within the parameters of the NCAA rules. What I am ambivalent about his how his team in both Colorado and Washington didn't fare well in his later years. Still, there are aspects of Neuheisel that can get me excited. I have written my thoughts about him extensively here and here.

Right now what I know for certain is that I will take Neuheisel over Walker or the CHOKER any day. I think Neuheisel has strong enough personality and support within the Bruin family that he would be able to check the Walker tools within Morgan Center who will always be plotting for his ascension as the next head coach. And another point on all the Neuheisel stories, BruinBlue made to me in an email earlier today:

I have one little ray of hope here: The fact that Neuheisel is getting play helps us, because there are several alumni and even boosters who want him. If Guerrero ignores that and just hires Chow, they will be upset, because after all RN has the head coaching experience. So this COULD impel Guerrero to pick someone who is currently a head coach, because then said boosters really couldn't complain.

That makes a lot of sense to me as well. Given Neuheisel's interest in this job, it would be extremely imprudent on DG's part to go with Walker or CHOKER, and piss off not just us, but football alums and boosters who sway around Morgan Center. That would make it easier for us to exert influence should DG makes a monumentally stupid decision of going with either a self promoting hack or well traveled OC who is so desperate and insecure for a job that he is willing to take it in an arrangement in which someone else will function as the real field general of the football team.

And on that point DumpDorrell.com flagged a really interesting comment from Dohn's Q&A this week:

Does Walker have the ultimate say in OC if he's the head coach? or can DG step in. I don't know, but why would Walker take the job if Guerrero was going to over rule him? That doesn't mesh with Walker's personality.

Interesting that you say that Brian. If that is the case does it make sense why would coaches like June Jones (who have experience taking their programs to BCS bowl game) would want to work in a situation in which DG dictates to him who his DC should be? Pretty hilarious. Isn't it?

Speaking of hilarious, Dohn reports Bob Field, who was the clown who formed the finalist list of Dorrell, Robinson, and Riley is apparently still involved in this search process:

Guerrero and Field, who is UCLA's associate athletic director of football, are expected to meet with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow today in Kansas City, where the Titans play Sunday.

Guerrero could bring several candidates to campus next week for a second round of interviews, which would include meeting with the school's chancellor, Gene Block.

I sure hope Field is doing nothing more than carrying DG's files because that is all he is really qualified to do.

I will finish this Saturday roundup with a team note. Walker has named Olson starter for next weekend (from Dohn's notes as well):

"Ben's the starter, Pat is still trying to get healthy and Osaar (Rasshan) will be in a backup role," Walker said. "We're going to bank on Ben right now."

But will it be a one-man show, or will Rasshan play?

"There's always a chance," Walker said.

Olson said he was less than 100percent, but was looking forward to playing. He has not started since injuring his left knee Oct. 6 against Notre Dame, although he played in relief in the final two games of the season.

"I'm healthy enough to play, and that's the big thing," Olson said. "It's kind of frustrating not being full speed, but the situation is what it is, and I'm excited for the opportunity to get out there and get some bitterness out of my mouth, and I know our team is, too."

Sounds good to me. We will have Olson backed up by Rasshan. Markey should be healthy backed up by Moline. Our receivers should be healthy and the most AWESOME defense in the country coached up by the most AWESOME DC in America should be ready t go. Although this one game should have absolutely no bearing on whether or not Walker should be our HC, I am expecting a Bruin blowout in Vegas over a BYU team, it already beat earlier in the season. After all last time we were being "lead" by Dorrell and this time we are leading by the bestest, most awesomest coach (hey I am just borrowing from Dohn's vocabulary) head coach in waiting in America. So I am expecting a blowout of more than 21+ points.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

The HC search seems like a joke

because I am reading that next week DG is ready to submit finalists to the chancellor. Uh, what finalists?

Thus far, I understand that only Harbaugh, Walker, Chow, and Neuheisel are the interviewees.

So, this ambitious search, to find the HC that will lead UCLA to national prominence, complete with an outside consulting agency, comes down to picking from these 4?

This would be an absolute joke.

by bluegold on Dec 15, 2007 11:23 AM PST reply actions

Noticed that too

There better be some other names on that list. That's all I can say for now.

by Nestor on Dec 15, 2007 11:25 AM PST up reply actions

There are 2 more names

who will likely be on that final list that nobody in the MSM is mentioning so don't get too down on what you're hearing. From the little I know, the search is going slow, but is pretty thorough.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 15, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

And

those names are?

by Menelaus on Dec 15, 2007 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

You read my mind

Granted, no one has been selected yet, and there are still "others" expected to be interviewed, but the early process has the stench of prior underwhelming, head-scratching search processes for football HC.

Neuheisel is the only viable candidate on this list, and with some of the other names mentioned (Mendenhall, Leach, Bowden, Mora Jr., Mariucci, Jones), even he should be a "second tier" back up choice if all the others can't be hired. It is bothersome that none of these other names have been reportedly interviewed as of yet.

I'd have to say my outlook has turned from cautious optimism to nervous trepidation.

"This is not a place for just any coach" Dan Guerrero

by godblesstyus95 on Dec 15, 2007 11:31 AM PST up reply actions

espn confirms rumors on harbaugh

yes, i know. "confirming a rumor" sounds strange but...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3156001

by bruinbunz on Dec 15, 2007 11:33 AM PST reply actions

You just have to wonder...

what in the name of God are we doing even taking phone calls from a nobody like John Harbaugh - a 3rd rate NFL OC with 0 HC experience and no support or accolades anywhere in the sport.

Somebody called in a favor and we have to oblige... which is why "trepidation" is INDEED the Word of the Day.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 15, 2007 11:47 AM PST reply actions

Harbaugh reminds me of

that other guy .. what was his name ... ends with ORRELL.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Dec 15, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

Leach, Mendenhall, etc May Not Need

in person interviews. They are the strongest people on the list. A phone may have been sufficient to put them on the finalists list. And, many of the 1st tier are coaching, every day.

Or, they may be scheduled for interviews.

Or, the list of finalists may not go to Block next week.

Again, it's time to trust DG more than we trust the rumor mills.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 15, 2007 11:48 AM PST reply actions

The one thing that gives me some comfort

Is that the A-list of candidates are preparing their teams for bowl games. Perhaps DG is taking the high road and not publicizing who is on the A-list so as not to distract teams, especially BYU.

But hell, WTF is up with interviewing Harbaugh?! I can only hope it's for a secondary coaching job.

by bruinbabe2000 on Dec 15, 2007 4:39 PM PST up reply actions

I have the same concerns

regarding Neuheisel as you do N. The NCAA issues mean nothing to me, but it is his actual coaching that worries me. By the time he had his own recruits in at Colorado and Washington, they were mediocre to above average teams, nothing special.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 15, 2007 11:52 AM PST reply actions

on another note

I just don't see a 21+ pt blow out of BYU in Vegas. Not with a Norvell offense.

by gorams77 on Dec 15, 2007 12:08 PM PST reply actions

Maybe..

..Nestor was being sarcastic? Sure hope so!

by whp68 on Dec 15, 2007 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

Harbaugh

Jeez!!! I didn't even know that Jim Harbaugh had a little brother in the NFL. So now we are interviewing losers with bloodlines? WTF? What happened to June Jones, Mike Leach, Mooch, Bowden, Mendenhall? Let's interview the coach at Appalachian State who just won his 3d national championship. This whole thing has gotten outta hand. Let's focus on winners. I'm starting to see the hand of Scary Terry Donahue in this now. He totally destroyed the storied 49er franchise and set a culture of losing, settling for field goals and accepting 6-7 win seasons at my glorious alma mater. We strive for excellence and championships in every sport at UCLA, except football which is the biggest money maker. This is sad. Now I hear Danny G is relying on advice from Bob Fields??!! Fields was another disciple of Scary Terry and he was directly responsible for the hiring failure of Dudrell. OMG, I'm too sick. Does anybody know if John Robinson is still alive? If he is, I'm gonna call him. Maybe he would come to Westwood and get revenge on Mike Garrett and Pete Carroll.

by bruin75 on Dec 15, 2007 12:20 PM PST reply actions

Robo-Fat is a loser . . . his last coaching stint

was at UNLV, and like anyone reading this, nobody knows what ever happened to him thereafter.

by charnaw on Dec 15, 2007 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Robinson

He's now Madden's spotter on Sunday night football. They grew up together in the Bay Area.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 18, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Rumors

I'm not going to get worked up by rumors, most of which seem to start and end with Doh! (He's leaking on himself - I mean to himself.)

Years ago, when I was with TWA (better known by its full name "Financially Troubled TWA") the guys in my department started a rumor that TWA was going to be bought by Winchell's Donuts. That rumor caught a little life and lasted probably as long as the rumor about Jim Harbaugh's neighbor's pool guy's brother's pal.

Frankly, the longer the rumors and the wealthy and influential alumni aren't talking about the real names on the list, I'm content. There are other schools looking, and it could be that DG doesn't want to telegraph who his real targets are.

Just keep this in mind - if the rumor started with Doh!, or passed through Doh!'s little blog, or comes from Doh!'s wealthy and influential alumni friends, it's probably Grade A baloney.

by Fox 71 on Dec 15, 2007 12:55 PM PST reply actions

whoa...

Hey Bruin Nation, I see you share the great wit that only an UC eduction brings. You guys are smart and snarky but can back it up. Must be some UC "bloodlines" or something.

That said, reading the UCLA football coaching hiring blogs here is a bit scary. I know you guys like winning (who doesn't) and are use to it...but man, you guys read like an SEC school with some academic credibility.

Dude, turn it down a notch. You guys still own the outright total of NCAA championships in all sports and Troy will dump once the Bush hits the fan.

by CalBears on Dec 15, 2007 12:59 PM PST reply actions

OK. Sorry

Where do I send my stuff to have you edit it before I post it? I sure don't want to get CalBears riled up. (Quick question: Have my posts riled up each and every CalBear, or just one CalBear who speaks for every single solitary CalBears?)

Or we could handle it another way, CalBears. You can pay attention to the things that pertain to Berkeley, and leave the real world to those in the Bruins nation.

One more quick question: Is it just the Bruins Nation, or are you lending your assistance and counsel to other schools as well. Don't stretch yourself too thin.

But really, thanks for your help. I knew something was wrong here, and I'm glad you dropped by to straighten things out. (If this is OK, let me know and I'll hit the "post" button.)

by Fox 71 on Dec 15, 2007 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

You, Oski and Tedford can go to ****!

by charnaw on Dec 15, 2007 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

Guys

Relax. I think he was actually kind of funny. And like the fact that he (or she?) thinks we have the same level passion for our team as SEC fans. I will take that as a compliment.

by Nestor on Dec 15, 2007 2:13 PM PST up reply actions

Me, Too

I keep trying to find something offensive but I just can't.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 15, 2007 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

You're right

I just can't stand Oski! :)

by charnaw on Dec 15, 2007 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

I'm sort of offended it an outsider comes

in and tells us to cool down or heat up or anything else. And Berkeley guys are sometimes a bit too smarmy for me.

I really didn't need some Cal guy injecting himself into things.

by Fox 71 on Dec 15, 2007 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

Another candidate?

Oski has obviously been around a lot of football games. I wonder if he(she?) can coach. On the other hand, do we want a slick bear? And there are those other rumors about violations with the Fish & Game Commission.

by Offside on Dec 15, 2007 2:50 PM PST reply actions

CalBear

CalBear was kinda funny but that "who cares" attitude is gonna send Tedford to a real football factory. Berkeley doesn't realize they are on the edge of longterm success because they won't cut down those damn trees in front of Memorial Stadium so that they can expand the stadium. I guarantee you that Bob Stoops or Les Miles would be out there with chain saws if it happened at their schools--and they'd cut em down with the hippy protestors in the trees. What's my point? There is a reason why the Morgan Center bears J.D. Morgan's name. He wasn't afraid to take a chance and make a great hire like Tommy Prothro or Dick Vermeil. Look what Arkansas just did. Although I think Bobby Petrino is a slime ball, that was a ballsy move by the Hogs. There are plenty of big name coaches out there that aren't as slimy as Bobby P. Danny G just needs to act a little more like JD Morgan and who knows... they might just name a building after him.

by bruin75 on Dec 15, 2007 4:01 PM PST reply actions

Smokescreen?

I am a little worried that the reason for floating out the Harbaugh name is to help make Walkers' resume look comparable or better. If you have finalists of Walker, Harbaugh and some other unknown OC or DC without HC experience who's going to get the job? Why else would we be messing around with someone as nondescript as Harbaugh?

by Xcel on Dec 15, 2007 5:43 PM PST reply actions

Same thing crossed my mind

by Menelaus on Dec 15, 2007 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe not, but still doesn't make sense

IMO, both Neuheisal and Chow both have significantly better resumes and both are known to really want the job so I really don't know how you could spin Walker over either of them. Especially since MSM has even run with these both of these candidates.

I am not saying I prefer either of these, but rather what I think would happen from a PR perspective. However, Harbaugh getting an interview is the most illogical thing ever. It HAS to be a favor to someone. Maybe he shares an agent or something with a real candidate.

by kidro2001 on Dec 16, 2007 12:03 AM PST up reply actions

where do we stand???

Well, we clearly do not have a slam dunk candidate available to us, or rather one that we are going to be willing to pay for....Since apparently Rodriguez from WVU is open to looking, that would be nice, but it would take $3MM per to get him to take a look.... No way we can compete with Michigan, and quite franky, although WVU is not inherently a "better" job, it is a better job right now, largely b/c of what he has done there. all of our candidates have flaws, some worse than others, but ultimately I'm thinking DG goes with the one which is most justifiable, which worries me, because of DW being the internal candidate.

Jones and Leach- Could be labeled "system" coaches, which I am not convinced as bad things since there systems seem to work year in and year out. Why is Leach not being taken as seriously as perhaps he should, otherwise? Not sure, but I think this may be a mistake.

RN- flaws are obvious, but I think that he is a decent enough coach. Alum status is a positive, albeit we will always now look back on that being one of the ultimate reasons that KD was hired, which ruins it for everyone else going forward. His years 3/4 will be a mystery, but given his alum status, I think that may be overcome with solid recruiting- After all, recruiting has not typically been are problem- our head coaches have been unable to execute- if we build it, they will come.

Chow- No charisma/personality and no HC experience? 61 years old, and merely serves a bridge to the unmentionable. Why is he a candidate again? He shouldn't be.

Harbaugh- no comment even necessary. Probably just soemone in his camp trying to bring up his name so that he seems a viable candidate for a lesser HC job.

DW- Even if we don't love him, he still should be a candidate ( I think), just not the winning one. Doesn't make my top 3. or 4.

Mariucci- I am still confused why he is seen as such a viable candidate, and would welcome anyone's illimunating that for me. 6-6 in his "season" at Cal. Mediocre at best in the pros. Lots of knowledge, but that is not a rare quality. Very pricey- some folks are just better up in the commentary booth- can we please leave him there?

Final list:

RN or Leach- Give another Bruin a shot, or go with a proven HC.
Jones- proven HC, albeit I still think that it is a ploy to get better facilities in HI.
Howland- why not go multi-sport as a coach? I'd love to see DC and RW running "go" routes, and Love would make for a bruiser of a tight end.

Go Bruins!

by DallasBruin on Dec 16, 2007 7:37 AM PST up reply actions

Love

would be a great quarterback I think. He has the highest completion percentage out of anyone on campus.

by Tydides on Dec 16, 2007 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

Is anyone looking in to the LAT story?

Any ideas/info out there on the veracity of the "source familiar with the search"? At first I thought it might be another DW ploy; what caught my eye was the word "finalists." It could be interpreted as a way to make DW's competition think this isn't a done deal and thus encourage them to actively pursue other offers (like Michigan). And why would DG present more than one nominee to Block - is that how it worked with Howland (not rhetorical, I don't know)?

But if this Deep Throat-ish LAT source is legit it suggests DW is out as an HC candidate. Why would DG present names to Block BEFORE the Vegas bowl game next weekend? If DW were indeed one of the candidates, it would be prudent to see how well he can improve the team's performance against an opponent we've already faced this year.

Interesting. Anyone? Bueller?

by East Coast Bruin on Dec 15, 2007 6:00 PM PST reply actions

I know exactly what all this Newspeak means

The "source familiar with the search" is Doh! His familiarity with it is because he read in Perelman's blog that DG is searching.

This is just keyboard exercises to keep the fishwrap covered with letters. It's meaningless.

by Fox 71 on Dec 15, 2007 6:40 PM PST up reply actions

what fires me up about Neuheisel

Is that I know he has a LOT of personal history with the former regime at Morgan Center and will be 150% motivated to kick ass and win so he can have the last laugh (and/or give the finger to) Donahue... er, I mean old Morgan Center personnel.

Is he the best coach in the country? Of course not, but I want a pissed-off, highly motivated coach. I know RN will be that.

Oh, I also know that he is a tireless coach and SERIOUS recruiter.

by greatgymnasticschool on Dec 15, 2007 7:33 PM PST reply actions

That's one intangible

I think Skippy has that no other candidate has: motivation. He has more reason to want to succeed here than any other guy on the board. That could be worth something.

by Tydides on Dec 15, 2007 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

he would also bring a "presence" that we sorely need right now, and would work his ass off recruiting.

I'm just not sold on his coaching ability, however.

"This is not a place for just any coach" Dan Guerrero

by godblesstyus95 on Dec 15, 2007 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

Yup

Years 3 and 4. The big question mark. I'd rather not immediately dismiss him because of this, as I'd rather see some observations of why his later seasons were not as successful as his first couple of seasons.

by Tydides on Dec 15, 2007 9:37 PM PST up reply actions

Agree

w all the points in this sub-thread.

by Nestor on Dec 16, 2007 8:35 AM PST up reply actions

Ken Norton and Neuheisel

If we take SNUheisel, any chance he'll bring KN, Jr. back into the fold? Maybe as DC? Just a thought.

PS My only (slight) concern with Slick Rick also has nothing to do with his recruiting antics but the drop off after an initial spike in the win-loss record at CU and UW after he got there. With Howland, we had an upward trajectory at each of his previous schools.

by ocbruin1985 on Dec 15, 2007 8:30 PM PST reply actions