Football News & Notes

by Nestor on Jan 11, 2008 6:09 AM PST in Football Comment 37 comments

As we expected, Coach Neuheisel made a timely appearance at the basketball game last night (which ironically enough was against his former team). If you didn't see the game or his appearance, you can watch the CRN pregame interview thanks to grok451 here.

As usual, he hit all the right notes. Loved his comment about the "culture of UCLA," making specific references to our 100 NCs.

It was very cool to see CRN high fiving the Den and getting the students all fired up. Now, in terms of business, CRN mentioned how he might have his staff together by this weekend. There was some news on that front yesterday. As Perelman notes, he interviewed another candidate for the OC position yesterday:

The Times' UCLA football beat writer, Chris Foster, reports that ex-Baltimore Ravens assistant quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch will speak today or Friday with new UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel in Westwood about the quarterback coach and/or offensive coordinator position.

Fisch is at least the third coach to have a conversation with Neuheisel about the positions. Michigan quarterbacks coach Scot Leoffler and former UCLA and Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges have both discussed the jobs with Neuheisel. Thus far, no discussions have been held or are said to be planned with Tennessee Titans (and ex-USC) offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

You can read Fisch's full bio here.

Something to note re. the OC position: Tennessee was also looking into Scot Leoffler. And they went with Dave Clawson from Richmond yesterday. So, it will be interesting to see where Leoffler ends up. Remember, wherever he ends up could have an impact on Mallett's final decision.

Lastly, CRN continues to keep the line of communication open with Ken Norton. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on Norton at this point. For me personally, needless to say, I have been bothered by some of the comments I have heard from Norton during the last few years regarding UCLA. However, at the same time, I think we have to keep in mind the context of the Norton-Dorrell/UCLA-Southern Cal relationship. There is a lot of he said/he said involved in this situation, and I am not sure who to believe.

That said, I am willing to look past some of Norton's previous comments about UCLA if he was basically following his employer's lines at the Trojan football program. Another point a lot of folks often forget re. Norton's decision to work for Carroll is that Norton also had a strong connection to Carroll from their days in San Francisco when Carroll was the DC from 1995-96~~. of the Superbowl winning team from 1994-95~~. [HT to UCLA4Life for setting me straight] So his decision to work at Southern Cal didn't take place in a vacuum. Moreover, I am not sure if Norton would be interested in working at UCLA if he really had hard feelings towards his alma mater. If he ends up here under CRN, and gives everything he has with his recruiting connections, championship experiences both as a player as a coach to help us take back the city and the Pac-10, I am not going to complain.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE: Another name emerges for OC. From Dohn:

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel interviewed Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer for the Bruins’ offensive coordinator job.
Scherer has extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, dating back to 1986 when he held that position at Georgia Tech. He also was the head coach at Division I-AA James Madison and Memphis, and spent the last three seasons on the Browns staff.

I have heard Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns QB really came around this year. Scherer sounds intriguing to me. CRN certainly seems to be going through a thorough process in putting together his new staff. GO BRUINS. -N

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Context is the key

Though I was disappointed with his comments and the way he handled himself the last few years at $CJC, I couldn't blame KNJr, especially if you consider how he was (mis)handled by KD when he came looking for a job. The man is a professional. Truthfully, he did what he should - he give his best for his team and employer.

With the "Culture of UCLA" changing back to the way it has been (and should have been all along), KNJr will be welcome. I hope he can still feel the same way towards his alma mater.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Jan 11, 2008 6:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If it had been anywhere other than justsc

I would have been fine with Coach Norton taking a job alnost anywhere after he got thumbed in the eye by CTS. The problem is that of all the gin joints in all the world, he had to walk in to Cheatie Petie's. It would have been different had that taken place under Hackett (who apparently tried to play by the rules.) Choosing to work for justsc is a big problem for me, but choosing to work for someone like Cheatie Petie (who in my opinion has only a nodding acquaintence with honesty, integrity and the truth)is an even bigger problem.

This character issue can't be resolved in favor of coach Norton in my opinion. So we don't reach the questions of his coaching ability or his recruiting ability. He had success with his linebackers at justsc, but was that a result of his coaching or the skill that his players brought with them? I don't know. I have no first hand knowledge of his recruiting skill, but according to all the Walkeristas, we have the best recruiter since Noah stood at the door of the Ark in Coach Walker (and apparently also Coach Scott.)

So do we need him? I will defer of course to Coach Neuheisel, but if Coach N were to ask my advice, I would tell him to pass. There are lots of good fish in the sea, as Mr. Gilbert put it.

by Fox 71 on Jan 11, 2008 6:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Danny played for Judge Smailes once...

Dang, Casablanca, Genesis, and The Mikado, all in one post. Awesome! Way to make me look simple and unimaginative. I'm going to the library...be back later.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Jan 11, 2008 7:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me & the Mrs.prefer Tony D'Annunzio

He was a much better caddie then Danny Noonan !

by mr havercamp on Jan 11, 2008 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When Norton joined

U$C wasn't a bastion of corruption yet. They were the talk of the town, had tons of media attention, looked like a clean, fun program with a lot of opportunities. Norton wanted to stay in LA I believe, so I don't fault him for this and I might have done the same. Now hopefully Norton sees the beast in its true light and will flee the rotting ship. Even Darth Vader saved himself eventually.

It is not quite as forgivable as UCLA alums getting a graduate degree at U$C, but the back story is surely grounds for tolerance in KNJ's case.

by tasser10 on Jan 11, 2008 8:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps he's earned his masters in coaching

But considering it was at USC, he didn't really learn anything.

My only concern is that given the otherworldly talent they have at LB, why they were consistently getting beat. Overpursuing everything.

by Nars on Jan 11, 2008 8:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know enough about coaching

to know if Norton was doing a good job with U$C's LBs. All I know is that they get drafted to the NFL pretty regularly, and that U$C's defense is pretty well regarded. I really don't know if he is a good or bad coach, but desire goes a long way. For someone to go into coaching by starting at the bottom while they are sitting on millions at least shows a strong desire. I think at the very least it would chap Pom Pom's hide and that's always good.

by tasser10 on Jan 11, 2008 8:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Darth Vader Saved Himself?

Did you have to tell us how it ended?

Gee. I might have gone to see those movies, some day.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 11, 2008 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

The Titanic sinks to the bottom of the sea and Rosebud was a sled.

by bruin8uclap on Jan 11, 2008 10:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah,

Bruce Willis was dead. oh, and "If you build it, he will come"; he = Kevin Costner's dad, not Shoeless Joe Jackson.

by bruinhoo on Jan 12, 2008 12:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Field of Dreams

I liked the movie until the director made an absolutely silly rookie mistake. He had Shoeless Joe hitting right handed. In "Pride of the Yankees," I understand that all the baseball scenes were filmed backwards, with mirror image uniforms, running the bases clockwise, because Gary Cooper was right handed, then the film was reversed and printed. But this basic piece of baseball history was done wrong, and that's the only part of the movie I remember. Not good. To me, it would be like a bio-pic of Humphrey Bogart talking about the hardbitten private eye Steve Spade.

by Fox 71 on Jan 12, 2008 6:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Johnny Carson was doing his monologue once

and, right in the middle of a joke, he blanked on the first name of a foreign leader. It might have been Hosni Mubarak, the President of Egypt.

He paused, ever so briefly, and sheepishly asked the audience for the first name of President Mubarak.

One quick-thinking chap in a close-up row didn't miss a beat, and yelled out "Steve!"

Carson started to say "President Steve Mu..." aloud, and just cracked up.

by Bruinut on Jan 12, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

KNjr and RN

Look, all, if RN says he wants the guy, and he goes after him, I am all for it. I like KN, and would have to overlook some initial emotions like his dissing our Bruins on the recruiting trail. Can you imagine with his store of knowledge how he could affect recruits decisions? If the SC LB's do well because they recruited well, and if he can duplicate that at UCLA, who cares if he is the best coach in the world or just so-so? IMO, athletes who were tremendously gifted, and good, as KN was, may or may not be the best coaches. Sometimes the best coaches are those who struggled to be OK at their positions. But I believe we need to give RN the air he needs to breathe to get his team assembled.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jan 11, 2008 10:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pete Carroll wasn't on that Super Bowl staff

I think it was Ray Rhodes who was the defensive coordinator on that Niners team. Pete Carroll came after Rhodes left for the Eagles.

by UCLA4Life on Jan 11, 2008 8:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I fine with Norton

He would have liked to come to UCLA, but basically, we didn't want him. So he went to USC and has had some success. Once at USC, he can't go around talking about UCLA, he had to move on. The only reason we are in this situation with Norton is because we already rejected him once. We are laying in our own sh**.

by rfirpo on Jan 11, 2008 8:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Norton

I have no problem with Norton's comments. A coaching job is a job. I'm sure Neuheisel said bad things about UCLA to recruit when he was at Washington.

by UCLAW on Jan 11, 2008 8:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Toledo Complained

Bob Toledo complained that RN tried to go after UCLA commits when RN was at U-Dub. At the time, that created a far amount of ill will between the two football programs.

by Bruin77 on Jan 11, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What was said...

What comments did Norton make? I must have missed them...

by seernst on Jan 11, 2008 8:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Link to The Daily Bruin

http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2007/mar/15/recruit_class_full_new_talent/

I can't find the exact quotes anywhere, and I've never seen them printed.

In my mind, he was doing what he should do, given his position. I also like to imagine that he went home and prayed to his John Wooden shrine in his bedroom for forgiveness.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Jan 11, 2008 9:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me Too

I either missed them or I forgot them -- mad cow's and all.

Actually, I'd like to know what he said that is so bad. Someone, please fill us in.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 11, 2008 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't know

I LOVED KN as a Bruin and as a pro. It sucked real bad when he went over to SC. So much heresay surrounding what really happened. The one thing I can't get over even with the connection to PC in the pros is, why SC? He could have gone anywhere else to start his coaching career. I forget, did he want a paid position or a grad asst. position? If he felt slighted because he wasn't given a paid position after supporting the hiring of KD, KN was in the wrong then. We always talk about getting coaches with experience, KN had none at that time. Great players do not always equal great coaches. I personally think the walk-ons/marginal players make the best coaches because they had to maximize every ounce of their ability and KNOW the game inside & out to gain an advantage.

Ultimately, if CRN wants KN, then I want KN too. I believe CRN knows what is best and I support him 100%.

by BlueReign on Jan 11, 2008 8:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If RN Wants Norton

I want Norton.

I've written a lot about this.

I think it shameful that his alma mater turned him away when he wanted to volunteer.

He took the job that was offered so that he could live here.

I don't even view this as an opportunity toward his "rehabilitation". None is needed.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 11, 2008 9:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Am I the Only One

who is not bowled over by the OC candidates?

On paper, we've not interviewed either a stand out OC or a clear, innovative up and comer.

No reason to debate Borges -- I know the arguments on both sides. I was just hoping we'd find someone clearly great -- like Homer Smith.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 11, 2008 9:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Homer Smith

A genius of his generation at OC. Didn't conflict with TD's thin skin and a perfect fit. He make RN what RN is today. If I were RN, I would at least call Homer and get his take on who the good candidates are on the college scene at this time. Homer was a bit like BH with a strong commitment to fundamentals. I am sure RN finally learned how to take that first step away from center with plenty of tutelage from Homer. Homer, in Alabama and retired, is probably still a rare offensive mind. Wonder if he goes to Florida to help Fox71 find his golf balls? :)
Bill

BillSouthBay

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

I need more than Homer Smith

Someone more like Lloyd Bridges of "Sea Hunt" would be a better choice. (That's Lloyd Bridges, UCLA class of '36).

by Fox 71 on Jan 11, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lloyd Bridges and golf balls

Fox71...
Excellent!! BTW, Bo Bridges was in school when I was at UCLA and lived just down the street. Nice guy. Ricky Nelson's best high school friend was a friend of mine as well, and we used to have parties at Ricky's house in the Hollywood Hills when he was out of town... memories..
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Jan 11, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And one more Bridges, Dude

The Duder, Lebowski, man. He just abides.

by Fox 71 on Jan 11, 2008 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like you picked the wrong week

To stop smoking.

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 11, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me

or was Rn calling Don by the wrong name last night? I could swear he called him Dave twice.

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

by silverlakebruin on Jan 11, 2008 9:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I heard it too.

by Bruin77 on Jan 11, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I caught that too...

by gorams77 on Jan 11, 2008 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

Sounded like he called him "Dave Taylor."

Don didn't feel like correcting him, obviously.

by Quickhands on Jan 11, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No Need...

I simply don't understand where KN fits into any of this. If he wasn't a former Bruin, we would might have talked to him for his skillset. Why are we trying to "find a place" for him just because if hes a Bruin who works at SC. Not that I would mind building relationships with Alumni, but I wouldn't want to hurt a position of need because of we wanted to hire him away from 'SC.

by kidro2001 on Jan 11, 2008 10:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts On Norton...

I would welcome KNJ back with open arms.

What I find impressive is that I doubt UCLA can offer him a significant upgrade in salary. And we know that he won't have the same talent to work with at UCLA right off the bat.

To me, if KNJ comes, it is based solely on the strength of his relationship with RN. If it happens, it will be because RN says to him, "I need you to come on board and help me out. Do this for me." That would speak volumes of the way people view RN and the kind of person and leader he is.

Just my two cents...

by Quickhands on Jan 11, 2008 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good two cents worth

Those are good points, Quick.

by Fox 71 on Jan 11, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ken Norton, Jr.

I don't blame Kenny for coaching at USC. What the hell was he supposed to do,go look for a volunteer position at North Dakota Tech, East Alabama A&M? Dorrell completely dissed him because he feared that Kenny had more football knowledge, credibility and Super Bowl rings. Dorrell couldn't live with that kind of insecurity. Cheatin' Pete did the perfect FU to UCLA by hiring the one guy who could have been huge as a recruiter for us. Besides, if you are Kenny, why would you turn down the opportunity to work with your former coach from the 49ers? I don't understand you guys that bag on Kenny for taking the job just because it happened to be SC. I told all y'all back in early December on DumpDorrell that my son and I sat next to Kenny at the Rose Bowl a few years ago when he was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame. We sat on the 15 yard line and they had Kenny stand up when they showed his picture on the scoreboard. Later, a cheerleader brought him 2 melted ice cream sandwiches as a gift from UCLA. Are you freakin' kidding me? This is how my alma mater honors a Hall of Famer? I was embarrassed for Kenny. Kenny wished that he was on the sidelines with the team. Do you think justSC would have treated their Hall of Famers this shabbily? I hope the culture will change with Slick Rick at the helm. Kenny would be a good addition to the Slickster's staff and because Ricky is confident enough that he would not be intimidated by Kenny's stature.

by bruin75 on Jan 11, 2008 7:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs