Coaching Search News & Notes: All About The DyNoMite

by Nestor on Dec 18, 2007 4:51 AM PST in Football Comment 24 comments

So Dohn reports that Rick Neuheisel is getting a second interview (among ‘several coaching candidates’). But guess who continues to be the focus of Dohn’s report? Of course we are talking about the bestest, most awesomest defensive coach in the country: DyNoMite:

UCLA is poised to bring in several coaching candidates for a second round of interviews this week to meet with the school's chancellor, possibly as early as today, and multiple sources said Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel was expected to be one of them.

In a twist, though, sources said if interim coach DeWayne Walker is not hired as the full-time coach, the University of Washington will make an "intense" push to hire Walker as its defensive coordinator.

However, sources added Walker's first choice is to remain the defensive coordinator at UCLA, even if he is not the new head coach.

Uh yeah. So after hearing from Brian how the DyNoMite was a "candidate" for the WSU head coaching job (when it turned out according to subsequent that he didn’t even get an initial interview) we are supposed to believe Washington has an "intense" interest in him as a DC. Okay. Dohn doesn’t relent. He goes on:

If Walker is not UCLA's coaching choice, Guerrero has told people in the athletic department he wants to keep Walker on staff. However, there could be stiff competition for Walker's services from numerous schools, including Washington.

The Huskies fired defensive coordinator Kent Baer on Monday, and sources said Walker is the top choice of coach Tyrone Willingham, and added the school is willing to wait for the UCLA situation to play out before making a hire.

Again you just have to wonder who these "sources" are as they are only leaking this kind of stories to UCLA beat press. Surely it has to be someone with an office in Morgan Center or someone with close connection to Morgan Center. No?

Meanwhile, some one sure is engaging in a negative campaign against Neuheisel via the UCLA beat press. Kuwada actually took time to write this negative note on Neuheisel up in his report:

Neuheisel has a reputation as a strong recruiter, a plus in the coaching search. His most recent results, though, were not strong.

He had five recruiting classes as the coach at Washington — 1999 through 2003, though he never had a chance to coach the '03 group because he was fired.

There were 121 players in those five classes, and just two position players gained first-team All-Pac-10 honors in their Washington careers: wide receiver Reggie Williams and defensive back C.J. Wallace.

A third player, Charles Frederick, was all-conference as a punt returner (2003).

Since 2002, when members of the first Neuheisel class were fourth-year juniors or seniors, Washington has had the fewest All-Pac-10 first-team selections of any school in the conference with four. USC, by contrast, had the most in the conference with 46, and Cal was second with 27.

Aaah. Only if Kuwada and his colleagues applied the same scrutiny to DeWayne Walker and told their readers about his inability to stop the spread, his lack of experience as a head coach, and his defenses humiliating performances in a number of games in last two years, perhaps we would have had a more balanced coverage on this search. But right now the way it has shaped up, it has all been tilted in favor of an above average DC with only 2 years of experience, who was not called into service by anyone except by the worst head coach in the history of UCLA football. For example check out this profile of the DyNoMite in the Press Enterprise:

Having worked under Pete Carroll (USC, Patriots), Joe Gibbs (Redskins) and Bill Belichick (Patriots), Walker has implemented pieces of each of those coaches into his no-nonsense style. Believing tough love is the best love, he often speaks his mind to his players, most of whom have embraced his direct approach.

"He is very good at interacting with his players on a number of different levels, whether it's with the whole team, a group of guys or if it's one-on-one," linebacker Christian Taylor said. "He has made himself the head guy, but he also finds a way to interact with you and you can like him at the same time. He is my friend, but first and foremost he is my coach, and I've never forgotten that."

Since taking over the reins, Walker has already tweaked several things within the program. Players must sit up straight and can't eat in team meetings. They must run once they step on the practice field and hurry from station to station.

With the defense already accustomed to those rules, the offensive players have begun to adapt to Walker, who understands that changing the mentality of UCLA football is part of the challenge the next head coach must tackle.

"Players are great, but some coaches couldn't get what they needed to out of our players," Carter said. "He specifically knows how to get what he needs out of us."

Walker's name has been bandied about for several openings this offseason, including the Washington State job, but he insists that he is focused on leading the Bruins in their bowl game and wants to remain in Westwood.

Guerrero has suggested that, should Walker not get the job, the new head coach would be strongly encouraged to retain Walker.

Where exactly Guerrero has suggested that I am not sure. I haven't seen any direct quote from him on that point. Yet if you were to believe the coverage of UCLA beat reporters, that’s the guy who should be one of the leading candidates or be the determinative factor in who should be the next head coach of our football program? Tell me am I crazy or is there something colossally screwed up with this picture?

GO BRUINS.

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UCLA defense was weak ..........................

One of the most frustrating aspects of watching last years Bruins was the continual attempts by the defense to make "arm tackles" or "hug" a player to the ground. They were fast, but, lacked the size to muscle, bang or play smash mouth football in the trenches for an entire game. If what I saw from the defense of UCLA last season was the best DW could muster he should never be considered for the HC and needs a review to see if the new coach wants to keep him on staff. The defense has simply never brought the lumber to any game in the last few years............

by Count 210 on Dec 18, 2007 6:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whaaat?

Did you watch the defense play over the last 4-5 years? Considering where we were at before Walker came on board, IIRC 110th or so in total D, and then brought up to 35 and this years 34th in total defense out of 119 teams, your premise is laughable. Sure, the defense has not played well in several games over the past two years, but to claim "the defense has simply never brought the lumber to any game in in the last few years" is patently absurd.

There are plenty of rational reasons to oppose Walker as the next HC (and I find those arguments persuasive), but you don't need to make spurious claims to make a solid case as to why he should not be the HC.

by ucladj89 on Dec 18, 2007 7:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

DynoMyte

Be grateful Walker will still be around when the smoke clears. At least you will still have something to bitch about. But, a year from now you too will be glad he stuck around.

by blualien on Dec 18, 2007 6:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, for f***'s sake. Neuheisel? Neuheisel?!!!!

Neuheisel is the only candidate with head coaching experience to get a second interview?!!!

We're so effing mediocre because we refuse to hire anyone who's not a former player or who's being promoted from an assistant spot.

Maybe 40 years of mediocrity, zero championships and few, if any, top-five finishes would, to an intelligent person, suggest the need to break the mold and get in some new blood. like maybe a coach who is not resigned to -- at best -- contending for conference titles and occasionally beating SUC.

I think my head is going to explode.

by Chandler on Dec 18, 2007 7:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Correction: not a former player or being promoted.

You know what I mean.

by Chandler on Dec 18, 2007 7:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yep

Why is it that UCLA football is so much about legacy hires... if you want legacy hires go to an Ivy League! John Wooden wasn't an alumnus and neither was Ben Howland and neither was Tommy Prothro!

by njbruin on Dec 18, 2007 7:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Neither was..

..Henry Russell Sanders.

by whp68 on Dec 18, 2007 7:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Terry Bowden

Yesterday Bowden said he was very interested in the WVU job.

Now, he could just be a joker desperately trying to get back into the HC ranks but didn't he say he was interested in the UCLA job as well?

Now, my guess is he is only saying that about WVU because UCLA turned him away. And the reason I have to ask is, WHY? WVU fans are slobbering to get him into Morgantown while Morgan Center is dicking around with DeWayne Walker.

Please, someone explain this to me if it can be explained at all.

by njbruin on Dec 18, 2007 7:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

HC search has now degenerated into

choosing from the least worst.

Wow, what a great effort by UCLA/DG! Scouring coast to coast for the best candidates for a HC to lead UCLA to the BCS championship.

And after the smoke clears, we have

Chow vs Neuheisel

ABSOLUTE, FREAKIN' JOKE.

by bluegold on Dec 18, 2007 7:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

We don't know who the final candidates are

We still have absolutley no idea that RN, Chow, and Walker are all that we have to choose from.

And Bowden is a WVU alum so that is a very natural place for him to get back in the game.

I continue to reason this way: Other schools have acted very quickly when they get the guy at the top of their list. Michigan obviously wanted Miles, but when they moved Rodriguez up to the top of the list and came to an agreement there was no more time wasted.

So why haven't the Bruins already hired one of these 3? They fit our "budget" and nobody else wants them. If any one of them was at the top of the list we would have already had a press conference. Same goes for the hiring of Mooch, Bowden, or anybody from the NFL. So what does the drawn out process and the secrecy tell me? That any or all of Leach, June Jones, Mendenhall are still in play.

It is very possible that we get turned down by all three or in some other way can't come to an agreement with any of them. Then we end up with one of the currently public candidates but I still have not lost faith in DG and the search for our next coach.

"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny" - Boss

by TCbruin32 on Dec 18, 2007 8:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good Observation

I agree with you that if UCLA was really interested in Walker, Chow, Skippy or even Harbaugh the lawyers would be working on contract negotiations by now. Logic says that there are still some head coaches still in play. Furthermore, this is the most ethical approach. There is no way UCLA could announce Mendenhall before the bowl game. While the same situation does not apply to Leach or Jones, letting them finish out the seasons with their current teams is the right thing to do. I am not sure about Paul Johnson, but I read that Rodriguez will not coach his team in their bowl game. Waiting another week or two will not be a disaster, especially if UCLA can land one of these obviously successful head coaches. Remember, if all else fails, it isn't like any other teams a breaking down doors to hire RN, Chow or Walker. They will all still be available after the bowl season. Hopefully our patience will be rewarded.

by Bruin77 on Dec 18, 2007 8:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Walker to UW?

Riiigght.

Leaving aside the question of who Dohn's source is about UDub's "intense" push for DW, there's another little note that DW backers never seem to acknowledge.

Specifically, even assuming DW is, or can someday become, all his backers say, do we have even the slightest assurance that he stay around for any longer than a few years? Stay with me. Suspend disbelief for a moment, and let's assume DW is hired and is a success. If DW's prior tactics and ambition are any indication, dude is gone in 3 years to the NFL or a higher salary somewhere else.

I know, this is sort of like day dreaming about what you'd buy with your lottery winnings, but it's a huge whole in the Walker crowds logic is too rarely acknowledged.

by Menelaus on Dec 18, 2007 8:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

whole = hole?

Not a grammatical nag; just wanted to be sure.

by whp68 on Dec 18, 2007 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dohn's pills

As usual, BN beat my morning paper (which I am just now reading) with the latest in the coaching soap opera. Don't you guys ever sleep? Actually, I'm glad you don't.

Also as usual, there was a reference or two to Walker. Dohn attributes a comment to N that he learned his lesson after being "too aggressive". I certainly would have concerns about an aggressive coach spoiling our cool, laid-back UCLA image. It has certainly served us well in football.

Frankly, there are several other coaches that would excite me more than N, but he is not a horrible choice

Dohn refers to N's "past troubles" with with the NCAA. Are these troubles such a sin as ban an individual from ever again mingling with us decent folk? The NCAA is like the IRS. They have a thousand nit-picking, technical, chicken-shit rules. It seems to me there is a difference (to belabor this analogy) between a tax fraud and a guy who has one of his deductions questioned.

Imagine the shame if our football coach should ever bring down the wrath of the NCAA because his wife made fudge for a prospective player.

by Offside on Dec 18, 2007 8:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Get ready for walker

Was watching the local news this morning when the sports coverage led with (paraphrase) "UCLA needs to look no further for a head coach than their own D coordinator..." then went on to say how the bowl game was a "tryout" for him being head coach.

I've heard from sources that DW is staying. I've heard that the bowl game is big for that decision. I've heard the recruits and DW being a known commodity is a big reason. The one thing the amateurs at Morgan are okay at is controlling the media... THIS STORY WOULD NOT HAVE RUN IF DW WASN'T 90% INTO THE HC JOB and 99% into staying no matter who the head coach is.

It was hard not to hate UCLA when KD was coach, but now...

I still can't believe DG is such a fool as to name three coaches he wants publicly the first day of the search without vetting them. #1 doesn't want the job so badly he mocks UCLA in the press. #2 doesn't want the job that badly so makes crazy demands. Ucla then decides they don't want #3. This search was doomed before it started. MORE OF THE SAME AMATEUR HOUR OUT OF THE MORGAN CENTER. (I wonder if it's because they're government employees?)

It's possible UCLA is lying low because the new coach is prepping for a bowl game, more likely however there are several problems:

The coaches we want don't really want the job. Despite the objections of folks here, in the big picture UCLA is not the best HC job - it has the potential to be GREAT but a LOT of issues.

Are we really ready to come up with the money?

Can you get assistant coaches to live in LA?

No one wanting to be forced into a place with a D coordinator in place who will take your job in two years.

WORKING FOR A PATHETIC/POLITICAL/CRAZY ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT?

A band with new uniforms that look like they could only afford the jackets?

And on and on...

It's starting to look like DW is being pushed in the press, including leaks that make it look like other places want him in order to make it look like he's a good hire when it goes down next week. This is PR 101. I hope to God I'm wrong, but it's time to mentally prepare.

And if (when) we get crushed by BYU? LORD ONLY KNOWS (Chow).

by greatgymnasticschool on Dec 18, 2007 8:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Morgan Center Assholes

I hate these guys. I am to the point if BYU crushes UCLA, I will not be sad. This is what these losers have done with my spirit for UCLA football.

by bluestreet on Dec 18, 2007 8:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get that.

It seems alot of people on here root for the coaches. I mean, I root for UCLA football, no matter who the coach is. I may have my preferance of coaches, but in the end, I will root the Bruins on.

by UCLA5677 on Dec 18, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bowden

Played at WVU and grew up near Morgantown...

And Neuheisel getting a 2nd interview smells of DG covering his bases but we'll see.

by greatgymnasticschool on Dec 18, 2007 8:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

I'm sort of rooting for BYU so DyNoMite blows his "audition."

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

This is the way I look at it

I never, ever root against a UCLA team. But sometimes, there is a silver lining to a loss.

by bruinbabe2000 on Dec 18, 2007 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

UCLA will shine against BYU

I think we can all agree that one of the big problems with the team this year was
Dorrell. He was not able to inspire or motivate the team when it counted. Walker has and will inspire the team to play well. Those of you that want to see UCLA lose this one so Walker will look bad are going to be sadly disappointed. This team is ready for a breakout game, the seniors are ready to play their hearts out. This game will be no contest. UCLA wins big!

by blualien on Dec 18, 2007 8:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That would happen in my movie

The stage is set and the handcuffs are presumably off for Ben to show why he got all those raves in high school. It's hard to believe all those "experts" could be wrong.

I wish the guy well but I haven't seen anything yet to make me expect we are about to unleash a Bruin aerial circus. On the other hand, what would be more frustrating than to have Olson graduate, go to the pros with nary an All-PAC 10 honor, and then become the next Tom Brady.

by Offside on Dec 18, 2007 9:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Giving up 52 points to Utah

isn't my idea of an inspired defense. The second half of the BYU game, the very team we are going to face, did not look like an inspired performance by the defense. Getting punched in the mouth from the opening bell in the WSU game, that was not an inspired performance. Those games counted, where was the inspiration?

The only way UCLA wins big is if the 2007 underdog curse strikes again.

by Tydides on Dec 18, 2007 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bwahahahahaha!

Tell you what...how will you feel if UCLA loses big? Because I think that's what will happen, honestly. I look back at what BYU did to Oregon in their bowl game last time. They take these games seriously. Yet another pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, all of a sudden our team will start playing lights out football. Get your head out of the sand sonny boy.

by tasser10 on Dec 19, 2007 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs