Golden Showers

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 8:07 AM PST

O.k., so the title is in questionable taste, but it probably caught your attention -- unless it caught Nestor's attention first.

This post may be as old as Al Golden's refusal to coach at "that place" and remain at Temple. But Kuwada wrote in today's OC Register in conjunction with an article about Golden's decision (emphasis added):

Walker declined to get into specifics of his meeting with Block, but said he felt it went well. Walker, who served as UCLA's interim coach in the bowl game, also met Wednesday with Washington's coach Tyrone Willingham.

The Huskies fired defensive coordinator Kent Baker and Walker is believed to be the top candidate for Willingham.

Walker also has drawn interest in from at least two other schools from BCS conferences as a defensive coordinator.

As I said, probably old news, but it's hard to hold down a job and lead a normal life, and keep up with the blistering pace of bulletins, analyses, and posts here on BN.

What is noteworthy is the fact that Walker [allegedly] had two interviews yesterday. It just goes to show you what a shameless marketer that guy really is. I mean, he has his relatives touting him on other boards, Dohn going all out in full PR mode for him, the other brain-dead MSM mercenaries blowing his horn, he's talking about how he's God's gift to UCLA football and recruiting..

..and he's out feathering his own nest with Willingham.

Such loyalty.

On the other hand and getting back to the title of this post, Al Golden seems to me like a real class act. No, I mean that seriously. Kuwada writes:

In a statement released through the Temple athletic department, Golden, 38, said he was flattered by the Bruins interest in him. "However," he said, "we are on the brink of something truly special here at Temple."

The statements and comments surrounding Golden's withdrawal from the Temple people seem to share that feeling of excitement at his choice to remain at the university. There's a sense of genuine excitement about the job he's done there and a belief that he will continue to improve a program that has fallen on hard times athletically. It sure raised my estimation of him. I mean, here's a guy who could have thrown everything overboard -- like a small school, desultory city, hard winters on the East coast, etc. -- to come out to a limelight program in a major media market and, were he successful in turning around the UCLA program, he would have been the darling of a large contingent of Los Angeles sports fans. I don't know what Temple is paying him or if he got a raise to remain, but based on his attitude and sentiments, it sure sounds like they got a bargain.

In retrospect, it would have been much better if the situation were Walker withdrawing from consideration and taking another job (my keyboard to God's ears) and still having Golden in contention with Neuheisel and the mysterious coach behind door number three.

..at least you'd have two known commodities who are interested in doing the job for the school they were hired rather than doing the work for self-aggrandizement.

Post script:
You want to know how much these beat writers are in the tank for walker? Take a look at how the actual URL (the link cited above) for the Kuwada story is constructed -- particularly the bold part:

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/coach-coordinator-bruins-1949695-walker-ucla"

..like it's almost part of their DNA.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Not if your priorities are in the right place

".... but it's hard to hold down a job and lead a normal life, and keep up with the blistering pace of bulletins, analyses, and posts here on BN."

I actually think that Golden withdrew because Block made clear to him that we were going in another direction. If so, it was classy on both sides of the equation.

I'm hoping that other direction is either Leach or Jones.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 8:35 AM PST reply actions

if we keep agreeing like this

i'm going to have to buy you a beer.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Dec 27, 2007 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

I often find myself thinking the same thing

In fact, I used to post way more often. I don't anymore, partly because it is unnecessary- all I have to do is wait for 66 to say what I'm thinking (much more articulately, I might add).

by Menelaus on Dec 27, 2007 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

Roger that

And I'd also buy a beer for 66.

by BruinsRule on Dec 27, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

I'll take all of you up on the offers

so far, Nestor, Mexi and M have offered a beer.

Here's the deal. We have a great coach in place for next year and we all agree upon a game to attend. All of us out of staters will fly in. Locals will show up too. A BN party to celebrate the re-birth of Bruin football and the role we played in getting UCLA on the right track. (Even if we didn't play a role, we can still say we did; and I actually think that with all of our substantive posts, we have.)

I'm serious about this. This was the first year I did not fly back from Texas for at least one game. I was so sick over our performance, I didn't want to suffer it in person.

Any up for a game day celebration?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 10:57 AM PST reply actions

I'd be willing to look into it

Flying in from DC to see a game would be worth it, if I can get the rest of my life to accommodate it.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 27, 2007 11:14 AM PST up reply actions

Unfortunately

we can't meet at Mom's. Is Nite School or the Red Log still around? It actually makes no difference to me, because I am now a diet Coke guy.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

Oh man!

Fox, you have really touched a nerve there! Moms, and Nite School (I didn't frequent the Red Log but was in there from time to time). But the mention of Mom's brings a tear to my eye, being the place that played a formidable role in my misspent youth. I bought my first pitcher there with a bogus ID, I got wasted at their "beer and breakfast for a buck" on the day of the homecoming game in '66 when we blew Cal out of the Mausoleum, 55-0 or something like that, and I "warmed up" in the salubrious confines of that august place the night before the Norm Dow win over SC. There were many, many other occasions and fond memories, to be sure. Compared to Mom's, Julie's was/is a feeder lot, a troth for swine.

Since "sjh" has trod on my posts (for which I am extremely grateful) as well and evoked many outbreaks of head-nodding occasioned by agreement, might I respectfully ask to join in? I am more than good for the first round.

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 12:21 PM PST up reply actions

Mom's

I spent many $'s there, before I left L.A.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 27, 2007 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

My parent's met at Mom's!

Not sure if that is a good thing, but as our recently departed fearless leader used to preach, "it is what it is."

by bornagainbruin on Dec 27, 2007 1:11 PM PST up reply actions

You are always welcome

We can remember when Westwood was a college town and affordable. The grunge factor, essential to the college element was prevalent.

But, there was "upscale" too. I got my first suit at Lew Ritter and bought my best ties at Phelps/Wilger.

We really had a very different experience than those in school, now, are having.

Ah, our youth! It really was a great time.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 12:41 PM PST up reply actions

Well, like I said..

..I got the first round and it would be an honor to join you all. I'll spare the maudlin plaudits for a more appropriate time; after Leach/Neuheisel/Jones/Mystery Coach/ABW is selected.

I still have a blazer (now in mothballs) from Lew Ritter -- with UCLA buttons, of course. Man, the memories of Westwood "village" are still strong; the real, live, actual grocery store on the same street as Mom's (one sixpack of Coors and three sixpacks of Brew 102 to mitigate expenses), the artsy fartsy theatre across from Mom's (where "A Man and a Woman" played for my entire sophomore year), and the many treks back to the house from the village.

Anyone remember the "Free the UCLA 30,000" graffitti on Strathmore?

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

"First Beer" and "Second Beer"

Coors of course was First Beer. And then the math majors would figure out the highest alcohol content per penny for the second beer. I didn't even know there was an "Old Thriftimart" until I bought a couple of quarts.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 1:41 PM PST up reply actions

OT -- Fox Send me your email address

I want to forward something to you.

And, know, it won't get you in trouble with Ms. Fox'71

My email is avaiable under my profile.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Done

And while we're off topic, for those of you who get WEDU (the Tampa PBS station), I think La Boheme starring me as a guy sitting in a restaurant will be televised on January 6 at 2:30.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 2:47 PM PST up reply actions

Can we get it online?

Are you wearing tights?

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 27, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

Probably guilty of unjust extrapolation..

..but that is a troubling image. I mean no offense, Mr 71, I am just thinking of my physique, an ancient ex-cat III bike racer who believes in the adage "Spandex is a privilege not a right."

..it most likely does not apply in your case.

by whp68 on Dec 27, 2007 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

No tights - no spandex

I was wearing a derby, if you must know. And lots of other things. This was supposed to be Christmas Eve in Paris in 1830, and we were all cold.

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 5:15 PM PST up reply actions

Change in Westwood

The 80's is when things really began to change. When I showed up in '79, there was still the falafal place across from deli and next to the arcade. The sizzler and KFC were still around. The mongolian BBQ was nearby. Not one but 2 Fatburgers.

I needed to play a lot of pick-up hoops to maintain my waistline....

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 28, 2007 6:37 AM PST up reply actions

As long as we're tripping (or stumbling)

down memory lane, here's a nod to (could it be your namesake?) The Fox Inn. Many a brain cell was marinaded there, watching the Fox standing on his head out-chugging would-be, standing, gun-slingers.

And, of course, there was The Oar House in S.M. I guess if I can remember this, I didn't kill as many cells as I thought.

by Bruinut on Dec 28, 2007 8:58 AM PST up reply actions

Celebration at RB?

We try to get down for one or two games a year. Stay in Pasadena to avoid the post-game traffic, but we'd be willing to travel to the westside to meet up. Any particular game?

UCLA - the finest public university in the world

by SecondGenBruin on Dec 27, 2007 1:54 PM PST up reply actions

First things first

Before I even begin to start hinting at a suggestion of a thought of such a cross-country trek to Mrs. Fox 71, I want to see how the coaching search turns out. Or as General Turgidson said in Dr. Strangelove, when confronted by the fact that one of his base commanders had just ordered an attack on the Soviet Union, "Ahh, Mr. President, I'd like to reserve judgment on that until all the facts are in."

by Fox 71 on Dec 27, 2007 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

Join the merriment

I would certainly feel honored to be amongst such an august group of Bruin fans. I will also buy a round or two of beers to keep things going.

BTW - I almost gagged when Brew 102 was mentioned. That was probably the nastiest, foulest beer you will ever drink.....but it was cheap.

by artybruin on Dec 27, 2007 11:00 PM PST reply actions

A beer of economic necessity..

..not unlike Brown Derby. Those two formed greater portion of the case we would bay to save money. The logic, of course, was that once you got through the six cans of Coors (or Bud or Miller, to show you how pathetic a youthful palate is) your taste buds and attendant discrimination was numbed. The Brew 102 was going out the door at the time for something around 90 cents and the Brow Derby was 88 cents. This kept the total outlay for a case at something under $5.00 as there was a lower sales tax and none of that tree-hugging CRV nonsense.

Quite a change from now where one pays that much at happy hour for a pint of Guinness or Staten Pils.

by whp68 on Dec 28, 2007 6:18 AM PST up reply actions

We were a bit high class

We started with Michelob, then went to Lone Star or Mickey's Big Mouth.

Since then, I spent 10 years living in Germany among other places, and I know what real beer tastes like.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 28, 2007 6:39 AM PST up reply actions

High end day

if we didn't have a keg -- Olympia by the quart.

Funny, I now have a client who is involved in buying the Olympia Brewerey building which may be a historic monument -- it's in Tumwater, I think.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 28, 2007 6:51 AM PST up reply actions

It was much more economical

to buy beer by the quart. It was usually 2 quarts of Coors and 2 quarts of whatever was the abolute cheapest. It's hard to believe that there would be six guys each with a gallon of beer playing poker and thinking that they were going to outsmart the other guys.

by Fox 71 on Dec 28, 2007 3:12 PM PST up reply actions