Football News & Notes

by Nestor on Jan 10, 2008 4:43 AM PST in Football Comment 14 comments

On the football front, the news is all about the new coaching staff. As many were expecting, CRN interviewed former Auburn and UCLA OC Al Borges (from Dohn):

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel interviewed former Auburn and Bruins offensive coordinator Al Borges for UCLA's opening at the same position, according to sources.

Also, UCLA's move on USC linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., a former All-American linebacker for the Bruins, continues even though Bruins linebacker coach Chuck Bullough told Northwestern he wasn't interested in becoming its defensive coordinator, sources added.

Borges was UCLA's offensive coordinator from 1996 to 2000, a run that included a school-record 20-game winning streak and plenty of offensive firepower. During his watch, the Bruins scored at least 35 points in 27 of 58 games the Bruins.

He spent the past four seasons as Auburn's offensive coordinator, during which the Tigers' total offensive and scoring ranks dropped each year.

I am somewhat lukewarm about Borges to be honest. He had some success at UCLA. But all of it happened when no. 18 was our QB. So one can make the argument that UCLA’s offense was explosive during those years because of the individual talent and leadership of no. 18. Borges went on to Cal after UCLA to be part of Holmoe’s awful regime and, as Dohn reported in rest of his article, the Tigers’ offensive numbers went down every year Borges was there until he got fired this off season.

That said, I am willing to keep an open mind about this. Because I imagine Neuheisel himself is going to have a huge role in putting together this offense and I believe he hit a home run by bringing in OL coach Palcic. So we will see how this plays out.

Meanwhile, Norton continues to hover around Westwood’s radar. From Dohn:

Norton continues to show interest in joining UCLA's staff, sources said. Neuheisel is trying to entice Norton on several fronts, including making him assistant head coach, and also selling the notion he could be the Bruins' next defensive coordinator if DeWayne Walker was to leave for a head coaching position, sources added.

If Norton accepts the offer, he could aid Bullough in coaching the linebackers or help defensive-line coach Todd Howards, as well as perform his duties as assistant head coach, while Walker adds coaching the secondary to his defensive coordinator duties.

BTW yesterday some raised questions about bringing in Norton by giving him the title of "Assistant Head Coach." As BruinsRule explained so well:

It's a title without substance, and would only be used to pry Norton from USC with a "promotion." Norton would still report to DW on the defense. If I'm not mistaken, calling him AHC would make this a promotion for Ken instead of a lateral move, and that might prevent Pom Pom from not granting permission for Neuheisel to speak with Ken. In any event, that's a rule in the NFL (that is, you can't deny permission if it's a promotion with the other team). I understand that college is more lax, but Pom Pom would be viewed as justified in denying permission on a lateral move.

Recall that Rocky Long was DC but Bob Field was DB coach and AHC in 96 and 97 because Toledo and Field agreed that whoever didn't get the HC job would have the figurehead title. This is not a slap in DW's face but a relatively meaningless way of getting a good assistant to join the staff.

Makes sense to me. Anyway, while the Norton story is being played out, returning defensive coaches are getting raises:

Sources said UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker's new deal calls for him to make $375,000 annually, a raise of $45,000 from last season. It's a two-year deal.
Meanwhile, linebackers coach Chuck Bullough and defensive line coach Todd Howard are both set to make in the neighborhood of $200,000 annually, according to sources.

And Coach Neuheisel still hasn’t decided whether Scott will be a part of football program next year. CRN is supposed to meet Scott later this week.

I am assuming we will find out a lot more on these developments by the COB tomorrow.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Borges

One thing about Coach Borges, when he has superior talent he got superior results. I am a little leary of the downward spiral that Auburn experienced but, that said, when he was here we had the most exciting offense in the conference.

by BruinAl on Jan 10, 2008 5:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Borges

I agree about Borges. College offenses have changed considerably since he was last successful. Has he changed with them? I don't know, but if he is still running a 1990s offense in 2008, he is not going to be the best candidate.

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

by silverlakebruin on Jan 10, 2008 7:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I Was Hoping for A Blockbuster OC Choice

and I don't think Borges is it.

One reason I really wanted Leach is that he was redefining the paradigm on offense.

For the last several years, we've had NO originality or quality in our offensive scheme.

Some blame it on an attempt to run some version of the WCO. I blame it on that AND a lack of brilliance or creativity in the OC position.

I think RN can do better than Borges.

But, if Borges is the man he wants to stake his future on, I fully support his decision.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 10, 2008 7:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we could give Norton the title of

Assistant "to the" Head Coach! Worked out for Dwight

by kidro2001 on Jan 10, 2008 9:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Well played.

by Raisin on Jan 10, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aw lawdy, quoting Corso again . . .

as in, "Not so fast my friend!"

Nestor, if your numbers on Borges are correct - and I think they are (1996-2000), then only three of those years were with Cade McNown. The other two were with the anti-Cade, one Cory Paus. It does add a little perspective that Borges made some hay with that sow's ear of a QB, too. Coulda used him in 2001 when Bob the Doughboy finally had a defense. 6-0 start,

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Jan 10, 2008 9:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Borges vs Chow

So many people give Chow credit for developing Leinart, how come no one gives any credit for Borges helping to develop No. 18? From his freshman year to his senior year, CM went from a very raw talent who steadily develped into a superstar.

by Herschy on Jan 10, 2008 9:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He's had 10 year of OC experience since then

who else has he developed? Where else has he been successful?

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

by silverlakebruin on Jan 10, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I don't think "Auburn" when someone asks me to come up with a list of explosive offensive teams. I don't think I could name a stud Auburn offensive guy since Bo Jackson.

by Fox 71 on Jan 10, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He inherited experienced players at Auburn

with Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams, and Ronnie Brown during his first year. After that, Auburn's offensive production has slipped farther and farther down the hole each year. In short, he didn't really do much for Auburn since he got there.

I really don't want to see another WCO disciple as OC.

by hspigskinfan on Jan 10, 2008 4:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does this mean that Chow is out?

I have no problem with Borges, he did great things with McNown and Jason Campbell at Auburn.

But, Norm Chow is a victory on multiple levels. It's a home run hire, and a PR coup against hated South Central.

Norm Chow for OC in 08!

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

by MexiBruin on Jan 10, 2008 10:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not holding my breath

I suppose it's possible, but I'd suspect that Chow is out. I don't know if he's just content with the Titans job, or if he still has HC dreams at Hawaii, but I sort of would have expected something to happen already if that was in the works.

Also, this report in one of the Hawaii rags suggests that he's being paid $2 million per year by the Titans. I could see Chow taking a cut from a million (which is the number I'd heard previously) for family reasons (has a Manhattan Beach house), etc., but, if this is true, it makes me even more skeptical.

by Menelaus on Jan 10, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Chow to Hawaii = Win/Win

That makes sense. After how Hawaii handled the June Jones situation they need to make a splash if they want to stay competitive. Since they are the only game in town, Chow's media/communication issues would not be as big an issue as it would be for a program in a major media market. Also, Hawaii only budgets $50,000 a year for recruiting. He wouldn't have a large enough budget to get too involved in recruiting, his other reported weak spot.

by Bruin77 on Jan 10, 2008 12:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Borges a good fit / Chow won't happen

Not only are Al Borges and Bob Fields friends, but their wives are too. We all know how much influece the wives have...

I agree that Auburn doesn't scream offense right now...but think back of how much fun UCLA's offense was to watch when he was here before. The days of Freddie Mitchell throwing touch down passes to Danny Farmer.

I'd take an experienced Borges over someone who doesn't have any OC experience any day. Bottom line is that he's been successful here before. Chow ain't gonna happen, although I'd love to get him and make SUC that much more upset.

by Bailey on Jan 10, 2008 11:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs