In the words of Charlie Brown: AAUUGGGHHH!!!!

by Meriones on Dec 21, 2007 12:18 PM PST in Football Comment 86 comments

Per Doh!n, Bellotti is staying at Oregon:

Mike Bellotti has rebuffed overtures from UCLA and will remain head coach at Oregon, leaving Rick Neuheisel as the apparent front-runner to become the Bruins' next football coach. An announcement is expected today.
Bellotti had met Thursday with UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero, who has been interviewing candidates since firing Karl Dorrell on Dec. 3.

This is NOT on Dohn's blog, but is on the actual Sports Section of the online edition of the Daily News.

Mike Bel-Lucy just pulled the freaking football.

^%$@#!% DAMN.

At the same time, you have to respect DG and his search committee/ firm for this: when was the last time (other than during the CBH hire) you heard of our AD's office going for anyone with anywhere NEARLY as big a name as Bellotti, huh?

Plus, the Bellotti news snuck up on us *less than 24 hours ago.* How many of us would LOVE to find out DG has another big name in the bag of tricks, along with the same big sack of cash to throw at him?

It's the time of year for miracles, folks. Who knows?

NEXT!

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So sad

I want to cry . . . but we're in the same spot we were 18 hours ago. Now what!!!!?????

by TheStick on Dec 21, 2007 12:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

In the Immortal Words of...

...Doctor Sidney Freedman:

"Ladies and Gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants, and slide on the ice."

by GemCityBruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Darn it!

Noooooooo!

by gilbert on Dec 21, 2007 12:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Is that it? We only went after 1 big name coach?

I sure hope DG has interviewed several more top-level coaches and MB was just one of them.

by mark the bruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Pray some more

but this time pray that Mendenhall gets in the mix after Saturday's game.

by bornagainbruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Petersen Back in the Picture????

If Mike B is at Oregon long term and Jim Mora Jr. is the heir apparent at UW, what happens with Chris Petersen and his dream jobs? I still contend after BSU's bowl game on Sunday, Dan G makes another push and CP will listen.
I honestly believe DG has his list of who he wants, and then there is the ancillary list with RN, Golden and DW as second and third tier options.

"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail"

by Griffin1 on Dec 21, 2007 12:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agree

If we ended up with Bellotti then CP was going to Oregon and I think we would have ended up bummed in a couple of years. I am not as torn up about this...I will be upset if it is January 3rd and we still end up with RN.

Let's not forget that Bellotti is guilty of a few of the same things we hated CTS for (and yes I HATED CTS)...

He played Dixon when he knew he was injured and ended up potentially ruining his career...and then lost every game after the injury. Didn't most of us agree that a solid to great program should have the depth to survive injuries and still compete?? Well...he didn't.

I mean no disrespect to Bellotti...he would have been a good hire...but we still have three really good coaches that I am hoping DG has on his radar...

This chain of events could lead CP to "reconsider".

by lewkay on Dec 21, 2007 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No thanks

I'm not interested in that man.

by bluegold on Dec 21, 2007 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not interested in

Petersen??

Why not?

by lewkay on Dec 21, 2007 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely my thoughts, yesterday

Thanks for expressing my thoughts, lewkay:

<<He played Dixon when he knew he was injured and ended up potentially ruining his career...and then lost every game after the injury. Didn't most of us agree that a solid to great program should have the depth to survive injuries and still compete?? Well...he didn't.>>>

Alumnus/Parent '08/ Chancellor's Associate

by BruinMum on Dec 21, 2007 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

let's be patient

there is more misinformation coming in this coaching search than we all want to acknowledge :)

i've heard from good sources that neuheisel was a done deal, then bellotti comes up, where good sources also say its a done deal, this is the way these things work and we shouldn't give up hope

for me this has reinforced that despite the misinformation coming from a lot of spaces that guerrero deserves the short-term benefit of the doubt (note the word short-term)

by glassbruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Is DG feeling like Blank, the Falcons owner?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Dec 21, 2007 12:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's a good call Griffin

I think now that Bellotti has reasserted his post at OU, Petersen might be a little more inclined to listen to us. Then again, maybe he really doesn't want to go to "that place." If this is all that's left of our search then I say bring in Rick Neuheisel. He may not be a home run hire out of the gates, but if he's hired, you just watch. He'll beat out Pom Pom for those recruits just like he beat out Bellotti and company for recruits up in Washington. And when that happens, hello Rose Bowl/NC!

by OutOThsWrld on Dec 21, 2007 12:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

By the way

Here's the link to what I believe is Bellotti's official statement regarding UCLA's offer.

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3383&SPID=233&ATCLID=1355480&DB_OEM_ID=500

by OutOThsWrld on Dec 21, 2007 12:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

To those of you who grew up before Watergate

that statement by Bellotti is a non-denial denial. It is, as LeCarre put it in several books, "Yes, repeat, No."

He did NOT say that there were no circumstances under which he would consider coming to UCLA. Read it again. He didn't say it. He sure made it clear that he had not agreed to take over at UCLA, but if he signs a deal with DG tomorrow, this non-denial denial has plenty of wiggle room.

by Fox 71 on Dec 21, 2007 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!

Geez, I hope I was REALLY wrong on this, Fox.

"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 21, 2007 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know Fox

This doesn't seem to leave much wiggle room for a change in decision:

"I have been, and continue to be, 100 percent committed to the University of Oregon and our pursuit of a national championship."

If UO was to play for NC this year, then you might be right. But clearly, his reference to pursuing national championships is a reference to the future. The "100% committed" thing seems pretty unambiguous, wouldn't you say?

by OutOThsWrld on Dec 21, 2007 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

All he has to say is

"Circumstances have changed" and he's out of there.

Let me put it this way - if I were to say, "Out, here's a ticket to the Rose Bowl this year. Go root for justsc against Illinois." You would say that there was no freakin' way you would root for justsc. That's different from saying "I'm 100% committed to Oregon right now" or whatever he said.

To me, his statement is not a "no freakin' way" to UCLA.

by Fox 71 on Dec 21, 2007 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One more analogy

The first time I asked Mrs. Fox 71 for a date, she made it clear that she was 100% committed to her other plans for that evening, which didn't include me. So I asked her again, and circumstances had changed. (I'm afraid to ask her for anything else - I fear that the circumstances might have changed yet again.)

by Fox 71 on Dec 21, 2007 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, I see

Thanks for clearing that one up.

by OutOThsWrld on Dec 21, 2007 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fox is right

And everyone thinking Peterson might now come should look at the differences in the 2 statements.

All Bellotti needed to say was "I'm not leaving" or "I'm staying in Oregon" or "there is no way I will be coaching at UCLA" (see Les Miles when he turned down Michigan a couple of weeks ago). What he did say was "great people, blah blah blah... just listened, blah blah blah... my family is so important, blah blah blah..." (See Rich Rodriguez when he said he wasn't going to Michigan).

Peterson said (paraphrase) 'I have no interest in that place' 'It's not a good fit for me' 'Throw tomatoes at me if I go there...'

Now I'm not saying Bellotti will still be coming to UCLA, just that it's a VERY soft 'no'.

by greatgymnasticschool on Dec 21, 2007 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems pretty hard to me

Here is the meat of his statement

"UCLA wanted to present to me a scenario that would offer all those things and asked if I would listen. That's as far as it ever went. I never considered it an interview, merely an opportunity for them to provide me with some information and insights into their program.

"I was approached by them on several occasions and finally agreed to allow them to come to Eugene and speak with me."

But it did serve two purposes: (1) it showed us that there's a lot of stuff going on under the radar and (2) it sure as shit showed Petersen that, if he's waiting for the OU job, he'll be playing on that blue carpet for a lo-o-o-o-n-g time.

If you look at the tenures of coaches at Oregon you will see that since 1950 they have had Len Casanova, Jerry Frei, Dick Enright, Don Read, and Rich Brooks. Brooks came in around the time Vermiel was at UCLA. So if I am Petersen, I'm getting used to the blue rug and the weak conference.

Also, you might be interested in a little gossip about Bellotti's wife getting sauced and going ballistic over his kids' DUIs.

Man, this is fun!

by whp68 on Dec 21, 2007 1:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Master Play....

How genius would it be for DG to go after Belotti PUBLICLY as to force Petersen to realize the Quacks job ain't opening up anytime soon to convince him to come here...!

Grasping at straws, maybe just a tad..

by kidro2001 on Dec 21, 2007 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Take

What's puzzled me is why Bellotti is the only person we are pursuing in which there seemed to be UCLA acknowledgment of the play. All of the others have been under deep cover, and the candidates have not been allowed to mention that they were interviewed.

Your thesis may have merit. And, if you are right, we have a very sophisticated and tough DG doing our bidding.

You out Bellotti, freeze him in place, to get the more promising Pedersen.

Good thinking kidro. If we didn't do it this way, we should have.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like

Paying for the bride. A noble enough concept, except that I still want her to love me.

It's a great game of chess (provided we're right), but the LAST thing we need is a coach who doesn't want US.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 21, 2007 3:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Quote

He says a little but leaves a lot unsaid. Coaches do this all the time.

He says "That's as far as it ever went." (Yesterday, that was all that happened. Who knows what the future holds. I'm not saying anything about that.)

"I never considered it an interview, merely an opportunity for them to provide me with some information and insights into their program."

(But I did not rule out interviewing with them in the future. I also am not commenting on whether there was an offer or whether I am mulling it over. So that you'll all go away and allow me to think.) By the way, this "never considered it an interview" is crap. What was it, a tea among friends? It was an interview, but it sounds like it was the common type of interview where the employer has made the decision and is trying to reel in the big fish. Still an interview.

by BruinsRule on Dec 21, 2007 2:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

(meant politely)

Why don't we forget the over-analyzation of Belotti's comments. He met with the OU AD, they had a discussion, and one has to believe that the question was asked him in clear, unambiguous language: "would you entertain any offers from UCLA?". Based on the statement of the AD and the comments by Belotti, he is staying. Period. Whether he will get more dough from OU, or they'll fix his kids' DUIs, or they's send his old lady to the Betty Ford Center on the Oregon Taxpayers' tab remains to be seen. But -- read my lips -- he is staying at Oregon and will remain their head football coach.

I got a sawbuck that says Guerrero did this to flush Petersen out of BSU. If Chris doesn't take the bait, then we can go talk to Neuheisel or Leach or whomever.

Hey, Bronco, baby, sweeetie, this is Danny boy. When you're done down there on the field, why don't you stop by my luxury box for a little gnosh and a kibbitz?

..but it shows everyone that Guerrero just had to buy a new jockstrap to house those huge garbanzos he's grown. And, if I were Walker, I'd be sprucing up my resume because some fire-breather is coming to town and mama don' 'low no backstabbin' roun' here, y'all.

Now may we get on with the process of kicking ass and taking names? Thank you very much.

by whp68 on Dec 21, 2007 2:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Taken politely (and with laughs)

I agree on DG's beans. No more need to parse the statements, it is just a part of the denial phase of grief (though I have seen guys wiggle out of much stronger statements than Bellotti's).

If this was all part of a plan to get CP interested in us, well he stole a page from the how to get a girl playbook (found on the Internet):

"1) Women seem to like men who are liked by other women. If you are going out with the boys, you may actually have more success pulling the girls if you go out with the 'girls' or at least include a few. When women see guys with other women, they want to know what it is those women find attractive about that male and also I suppose there is also a slight competitive element."

"2) Women seem to like what they can't have.
If you are seeking the attentions of particularly attractive female who is accustomed to male attention, you could if approaching her at bar while she is with friends, make a point of giving her friends more attention than you do her. This may result in her seeking out your attention as oppose to fighting off your advances."

by BruinsRule on Dec 21, 2007 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Tao of Dan

Do something excellent in their presence
Be desireless
Withdraw

by Bruinut on Dec 21, 2007 10:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fox, you're absolutely right

I kept re-reading it for a statement like "I told them I was not interested"; don't call me again." or "I am staying here", but he never said that. This was non-specific. He could take the UCLA job tomorrow and not have to backtrack on those words.

by BruinsRule on Dec 21, 2007 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True, but.....

It may also be a ploy to see how much more incentive money Phil Knight will pony up if he thinks his coach will be leaving.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Dec 21, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't Forget.

Knight's been sending goodies to his little buddy Petersen since the OU game... and Petersen's on record as wanting that spot above all, so Knight wouldn't seem to be standing Belotti's (our) way in that regard.

That's a KEY angle.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 21, 2007 3:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent point...

I hadn't thought of that. I assumed that Knight was happy with Bellotti.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Dec 21, 2007 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Born in 71

days before the quake. I think I know fluff from substance and MB's statement was a not exactly substantial. I read and read again and don't believe I'm unduly coloring it.

Now the MB chase may or not be over, but i've definitely seen more definite denials.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 21, 2007 2:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be an optimist, but

it seems that Bellotti never said in this statement that he is staying at OU, nor that he has a new contract. It only says he is 100% committed to the Ducks. He also said he listened to UCLA and agreed to meet with them yesterday in Eugene. Am I reading this wrong?

by cmcbruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks.

However, SUC did stumble upon pom pom boy. He was their 3rd choice I do believe. Still, it is surprising and dismaying that so many coaches have said no to DG and Westwood.

by cmcbruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whoopty

Time for the Car Salesman (Slick Rick).

Ugggh, this is so depressing.

by trainwreck84 on Dec 21, 2007 12:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he can at least get the car running

Do you suppose there is a Carfax for coaches?

by Offside on Dec 21, 2007 6:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Dan, stay on it

Since the Oregon job is not going to open up for awhile, why not revisit Peterson. Or...

Time for some super secret negotiations with Mendenhall.

by Ajax on Dec 21, 2007 12:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not surprised at all....

I would have welcomed Bellotti, but I never thought he'd leave Oregon. I was always concerned he was using UCLA as a bargaining chip to raise his salary. I won't be a bit surprised if we hear something about a contract extension for him soon. I'm behind RN. There have been numerous discussions on pro's and con's, but I believe he has matured and could really bring the program to the elite level we all want. At least I am now confident that DG and the Morgan center will spend money and will try and lure a top tier coach.

Dorrell??? Really???

by BruinManDan97 on Dec 21, 2007 12:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

look what happens when I leave for 24 hours

Around this time yesterday, I first saw the talk regarding Golden; this morning, once I finally got my head wrapped around that, I find out that not only has Bellotti's name come up, but that he interviewed, and had later disclaimed interest in the job.

I guess I simply can't go on vacation during times like this:P

by bruinhoo on Dec 21, 2007 12:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Keep the Faith

Going after Bellotti shows that DG is aiming at top tier coaches.

Many are left. My favoirite, Leach -- and NO, there is not one named source who has said Leach is not acceptable to UCLA -- only Dohn. We also have Mendehnall, Jones, and Pedersen in the mix. Plus, probably a few more top end surprise candidates.

Instead of being depressed, be elated that we are fishing in the right part of the ocean.

For those of you who doubted DG's efforts to find a coach who meets his espoused standards, relax.

For those of you who doubted we would spend enouht to get a good coach, relax.

We will have a great coach. No wrist slashing yet, please.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 12:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

at the very least

We can bury the idea that Walker is the new HC, no matter what happens at the bowl game. Though, honestly, I'd rather see BYU win 45-0 to squash all that talk forever. Not to mention putting a fitting end on the Dorrell era.

by njbruin on Dec 21, 2007 12:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 66

that DG is making strong efforts to find a big name coach to come to Westwood. I'd like to think he's contacted other big name coaches but they immediately said "thanks, but no thanks". No need to make those names public. Petersen was the only one, and we found out from an interview, not from an actual statement like Belotti made. So, I think there is reason to hope that another big name might be made public. If not soon though, it'll be RN.

by TheStick on Dec 21, 2007 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I Agree Here

Let's not lose faith here. Bellotti would have been great but we can still snare somebody big.

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Dec 21, 2007 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Right!!

Remember, this is the same DG that has us set in basketball and baseball. Whether Bellotti comes to Westwood is up to Bellotti, but this has to reassure you that DG is swinging for the fences on this one.

I guarantee that if Neuheisel were offered the job, he'd say yes in a millisecond. So every day that passes means that DG is looking for a better option. And there are several of those better options that have games coming up in the next week.

It may seem backward, but right now, every day that passes means there is a Bellotti or a Mendenhal or a Leach or a someone else out there that DG is trying to land. And if he doesn't land them, it's less on him, and more on the facilities, salary, admin, or other aspects that we cannot independently control.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Dec 21, 2007 2:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rumors and Leaks

Has anyone given much consideration to the possibility that all the rumors and leaks are actually hurting the search? While the MSM, especially the local beat reporters, are doing their job in trying to break THE story does all this speculation actually hurt the search process.

Unfortunately, when names start to surface the Internet lights up and so do the beat reporters covering the next coaching target. This puts pressure on the subject coach, pressure that is scer5ainly unwanted as they may be preparing their current team for a bowl game or just need some time to work through the issues with their family. It has been reported that if Les Miles name had not gotten into the MSM before the SEC Championship game, Les Miles would be Michigan's coach. The same could be happening here. Bellotti may have had a lot of interest, but before he could decide (or possibility before UCLA could make an offer) word got out and the pressure from the Oregon side was able to ramp up and make a preemptive offer.

Hopefully, once a new coach is announced, Guerrero will be a little more forthcoming on how the search was conducted. Then we might have a better understanding on how serious some of the names that have been mentioned really are and why certain potential candidates were not considered. While the search is taking longer than anyone would like, I think Guerrero's attempt at trying to keep the details of the search out of the public eye is good for all concerned. It is increases UCLA's chances of landing a hot, rather than a tepid, coaching commodity.

by Bruin77 on Dec 21, 2007 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it

Leaks are a part of any coaching search. I do not think that the leak related to Bellotti has hurt. If anything, it has people thinking UCLA wants to make a big splash. Also, his stated commitment to Oregon was less than emphatic. At this point, he has Oregon boosters off his back, but he can still speak to us and hammer out a deal.

Also, I believe that if the leaks are coming from the search committee, they are picking and choosing what to leak, and it's enough leaks to show that we're making progress and perhaps to keep the local writers off the trail of some unmentioned candidates.

by BruinsRule on Dec 21, 2007 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There are leaks and then there is disinfomation

Unfortunately, from the outside it is nearly impossible to discern one from the other. As was noted in some of the posts above, the Bellottis story may have been a leak or it may have come out intentionally.

I think the story was that they talked to Bellotti last weekend. If that is true, why did the story not come out until late Thursday? It makes one ponder.

by Bruin77 on Dec 21, 2007 3:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish us all the patience to believe...

That DG knows what he is doing.

Isn't it a possibility that a coach such as MB, BM,MP, or JJ might not want to make a move until after their bowl games? If so, and if DG has a "handshake" agreement with one of them, isn't it likely we will get Saban-esque denials until after their respective game(s)? The longer this drags out, the more i HOPE this is what is happening. The other possibility is that DG is waiting until after our bowl game, he'll say he's done an exhaustive search, and we'll end up with RN, and to tell you the truth, we could do worse.

by Herschy on Dec 21, 2007 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

oops

I meant CP (Chris Petersen), not MP

my bad.

by Herschy on Dec 21, 2007 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can get behind RN now thanks to MB

I'm feeling alot of venom towards MB now. I hope we beat the fucking shit out of OU every year until he retires. RN and MB apparently hate each other. RN hates MB and has an excellent track record against him in past (I think its like 5-1). Therefore, I'm good with RN but I am very interested in who his OC would be. Remember, he hired KD as his OC so I'm not sure he's the offensive genius some want to portray him to be. If he brings Chow on as OC, well then I'm a happy camper. And I could care less who the DC is.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Dec 21, 2007 1:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why Hate MB?

He did nothing wrong.

Do you have to get married to someone you don't love just because they proposed to you?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Still, even if it's not hatred...

... calling him "Bel-Lucy" is too good to pass up. :lol:

"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 21, 2007 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Although Bellotti would have been great... he's

an arrogant prick. ALthough I am with everyone else here that Bellotti would have been an awesome hire, and am truly disappointed that he declined, I think he's an arrogant prick. Not because he's turned us down, nor for the fact that he probably used as a pawn for a pay raise, but for snide statements such as:
"UCLA wanted to present to me a scenario that would offer all those things and asked if I would listen. That's as far as it ever went. I never considered it an interview, merely an opportunity for them to provide me with some information and insights into their program.
"I was approached by them on several occasions and finally agreed to allow them to come to Eugene and speak with me."

Asked if I would listen? Finally agreed to allow them to speak to me? WTF??? Sorry, but regardless of whether he's a premier coach or not, no one shits on my school like that! You pompous sniveling prick! It's one thing to use UCLA as leverage for your own alterior motive, which is fine for that's how the game is played, but subtly insinuate UCLA as second rate, not worthy of your attention? Whatever! I hope to kick the living shit out of him and his squad!

by tommybruin on Dec 21, 2007 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be offended

He is merely trying to assuage the masses' fears. He gave Ducks fans everywhere reason to believe (as they want to believe) that he's not going anywhere. But to me, if he's listening, he's got one foot out the door, and is just waiting for the right opportunity to leave. You don't listen to overtures if you're completely happy with your situation. And if your employer finds out you were interviewing with a competitor, you're probably going to say something to downplay it in order to prove your loyalty. Downplaying it is even more important when you have a million rabid fans. His comments are not offensive. They are spin.

by BruinsRule on Dec 21, 2007 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh ye of little faith....

On NEW YEARS DAY....

UCLA will anounce their new head coach right before kickoff of The Rose Bowl. UCLA fans will be pleasantly suprised.

Southern Cal will lose The Rose Bowl to Illinois and find out that they will be playing next years home games at The Home Depot Center or Dodger Stadium.

The Rose Bowl post game press conference will be a buzz as Petey announces he is leaving Southern Cal for the Falcons who have offered him half ownership of the team and a life time supply of Will Farell movies and Snoop Dog Albums.

by bruinelder on Dec 21, 2007 1:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Fox is correct above

A "non-denial denial." It doesn't mean he's coming here, it just means that as of this very moment, 1:39PM on Friday, Belotti is 100% committed to the University of Oregon.

Belotti had to say something, ANYTHING, right now with all the rumors flying around. Without a workable deal in place, he said what he had to say. There are other things at work here.

by Class of 86 on Dec 21, 2007 1:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

But having said that

I'm still skeptical. I will believe it if/when I see it.

by Class of 86 on Dec 21, 2007 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why I don't want Neuhiesal...

I don't want Neuhiesal to be the next coach of UCLA because the fan base that is in love with him is the same fan base that loved Donahue and Dorrell. Also, Neuhiesal has a little bit of a broader appeal than those two coaches as well. Rick Neuhiesal says that UCLA is his dream job, he won't be going anywhere for a long time.

I believe that if Neuhiesal comes in and does a fair job, but not a great job it will be almost impossible to get rid of him. He will be the next Donahue; he will stay on board for 15-20 years. .500 seasons will be okay with him; remember Dorrell was almost kept with that type of record.

I love UCLA and hope to get in for my graduate school at Anderson. I DO NOT like the fan base of mediocrity lovers. UCLA, please do not hire Rick Neuhiesal or DeWayne Walker as your next coach. PPPLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSEEEEEEE.......

by FullertonBruin on Dec 21, 2007 1:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just Win Baby

Come on. Let's all agree we just want our team to go out on a note of victory on Saturday. After that, it's all good.

by blualien on Dec 21, 2007 1:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'll ALWAYS agree to that

...but you'll have some who won't, because they are afraid of the bounce that might give the interim coach. Such is the current state of our football program that diehards (like some of BN) don't want or don't care if we win.

That's the KD legacy...

greg in denver

by gbruin on Dec 21, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Leach Too Far Out? Meet Ms. B and Her Husband

How can anyone say Leach would be too much for UCLA after reading the links in this thread that show us a bit about the Bellotti Family and its press presence.

I know, Ms. B isn't Coach B, but if we can accept her attacking a reporter -- and the possibility it would happen again down here -- what in the world can we have against Leach -- who is at worst, a bit quirky, but never offensive?

Then there is the underlying issue that I do find troubling. Coach MB's son, who is on the team, was convicted of 2 DUI's. It appears that the university covered it up -- and that young Bellotti was given better treatment than that given other Oregon athletes.

Finally, I agree with some in this thread. I don't think Coach B's public statements were very graceful.

Yet, I would hire Coach B and welcome his family. None of this troubles me.

But, I am troubled by the rumors that there is something offensive about Leach that UCLA will not tolerate.

Compared to the Bellotti stuff, I don't buy it.

sjh

PS. And, that's why I've said all along -- there is no empirical evidence that Leach is not acceptable to this athletic department. None. Not one bit. And, that's how it should be.

PPS. Yes, Leach did go after some Big 12 officials and got fined for that. There are many of us here who would pay the fine if any UCLA coach had the courage to go after the SPTR's.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 2:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I thought Bellottis statement was classless

I allowed them to come to Eugene and "present" to me after they bothered me a whole bunch of times.

What an a-hole.

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

by silverlakebruin on Dec 21, 2007 2:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not a Sherman Pledge

I agree with Fox71 and others, Coach Bellotti did not take a Sherman pledge ("if offered, I will not accept . . .") I think it's a bad idea idea to criticize someone, (especially our potential new coach) for not accepting a job that has yet to be tendered. He closed the door, but didn't lock it.

by ocbruin1985 on Dec 21, 2007 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Neuheisel exonerated?

I was listening to KSPN at lunch and a Pro-Neuheisel caller said Slick Rick was exonerated of his 21 NCAA violations at Colorado. I hadn't heard that before, but my memory may be failing me. Have you guys heard that?

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Dec 21, 2007 3:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

No

he was not.

Don't allow yourselves to throw this stuff under the rug just because he might be your next head coach. Someone needs to keep an eye on that boy, otherwise, he'll screw you guys up good.

You guys aren't this desperate, are you?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Corn Nation - Go ahead and remind me about Troy Aikman you $)#($*#)('s!!!!

by Corn Nation on Dec 21, 2007 3:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not me....

But this is starting to look like a Bulgarian beauty contest.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Dec 21, 2007 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good one

Bulgarian beauty contest - Walker, Neuheisel

by Tommy Bruin on Dec 21, 2007 9:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Follow-up....

I think the caller was I was referring to was thinking Slick Rick's exoneration was the 21 NCAA violations at Colorado, but I think he was mistaking that with Neuheisel's wrongful termination suit against UDub, which he won.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Dec 22, 2007 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Let the fixation over Bellotti be over and move on

Somehow I cannot picture him at UCLA and loving the job with a passion.

However, I'm beginning to see how Neuheisel might have a few things to prove. Including flipping Donahue off with a winning program.

by bluegold on Dec 21, 2007 3:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I HERD THAT

He may have played under Teflon Terry, but that doesn't exactly put him on his weak-ass "tree". The part I really like about Rick is he's nobody's Yes-Man... and in fact, he's actually quite a DICK about doing his OWN THING -- which, so long as he can keep the devil off his left shoulder long enough to keep us off the NCAA's radar, means the LAST thing Neuheisel will be worried about doing is putting schmoozing at the W with the pinheads at Morgan ahead of fighting for his assistants, his players and us fans.

F*** man. I'm READY.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Dec 21, 2007 9:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He's just not that into us!

Reading the majority of these comments is like listening to my cousin dissect every sentence her boyfriend utters as she tries to decide whether or not he really wants her to go with him to his house for Christmas (he said he 'wants' me to go but does that mean he "really wants' me to go or just 'wants' me to go, blah, blah, blah).

Read into Bellotti's comments any which way you like but he is not coming to UCLA. The search has gone on long enough that had he wanted to be here (or any other coach for that matter) he would've started talks weeks ago, not twenty-four hours ago.

As far as I understand these processes, the search firm is hired to get names. To justify their services and fees, this firm has to come up with some pretty big names. Prior to Bellotti, the coaches they were delivering weren't exactly of a high enough calibur that prospective athletic departments would be knocking down their doors when their time came. So, the firm uses all of its connections and favors to get a big fish like Bellotti to step up and agree to nothing more than a meeting. And while the UCLA football program got absolutely nothing from this meeting every one else who was involved did.

The search firm delivers one big name for a meeting (a meeting that was no different than one Golden had) and thus its fees and services look justified to future would be clients.
Guerrero came out of it looking like an AD who has some pull with the elite coaching core.
Bellotti (a guy who lost four of his last six games) -- for just a couple hours of his time -- was being be talked about before a national audience like he was the second coming of Christ on his way to save Westwood. And just imagine the favors and gifts that were surely thrown his way?

To review: Bellotti's stock went up; Guerrero looks like he runs with the big boys; and the search firm looks like they delivered but, again I ask, what did they deliver?

But what did UCLA get? Answer: probably Rick Neuhisel as the head football coach. Why is it that UCLA had to spend $100K+ to end up with the same guy who would have come running had Morgan Center just sent him an email (at no cost)?

This whole thing has been a big waste of time. I would have been better off listening to my cousin try to figure out her boyfriend.

by UCngLA on Dec 21, 2007 3:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Due Dilligence is Not a Waste of Time

The answer might be right in fron of his face, but that answer would not be known until he took a look around. A slow methodical search is not a problem. There is value to minimizing the uncertainity of what might have been.

by Bruin77 on Dec 21, 2007 3:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They could have looked around without...

hiring that firm. Due diligence isn't a waste of time but the way in which they have done about it sure was a waste of money. As a citizen of California, I don't enjoy watching state employees spend tax dollars on something they could have done themselves.

by UCngLA on Dec 21, 2007 3:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Tax Dollars

The UCLA Athletic Department does not recieve any tax dollars that I am aware of.

by Bruin77 on Dec 21, 2007 4:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't they State employees?

by UCngLA on Dec 21, 2007 4:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Sure

I don't know if they are considered State employees. I also don't remember the exact details, but I believe there is a fire wall of sorts that segregate the Athletic Program funding from that of the University. I believe the Athletic Deparent must be self-supporting from ticket, television, bowl, advertising and other ancillary revenues, and, of course, donations.

by Bruin77 on Dec 21, 2007 4:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Search Firm Protects DG

against the old cabal that brought us KD.

I think it was a good move, one intended to give him some independence and leverage against an entrenched group of alums and donors who are, in many ways, responsible for generations of mediocrity.

It is his protection against those who would push DW and be satisfied with anyone who could beat sc once in a while.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How?

The hiring of the search firm really seems to just protect UCLA and the athletic department from the scrutiny of the media and message boards who would have cried incompetence.

Now UCLA ends up with the same person they already had in their back pocket and the bloggers are praising Guerrero for making a valiant effort in his search.

I am not saying that what he did was horrible... I just don't see (based on results) how what he did was any big deal. UCLA spent money and got nothing concrete for it.

by UCngLA on Dec 21, 2007 4:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Search is Not Over Yet

We have not ended up with someone who was in our back pocket all the time.

We have not ended up with DeWayne Walker.

If we end up with Walker, I will agree with you.

If we do not, I think the use of the firm -- which presumablly will bring in better outside candidates -- will give DG "deniability". He can turn to all those who are pushing for DW -- he didn't rate out well by the search firm.

The search is not over. The search is not over. The search is not over. We are not stuck with a bad coach.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 21, 2007 4:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One other thing...

at this point I am officially welcoming Rick Neuhisel aboard. He has all the requirements the AD laid on the table, he coaches with an enthusiasm that is obvioius to even my mother, he can recruit, he is a Bruin, and he wants to be here.

by UCngLA on Dec 21, 2007 3:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs