Coaching Moves

by Nestor on Jan 18, 2008 4:39 AM PST in Football Comment 14 comments

Keep an eye on the breaking news department today. CRN is looking to move on his OC position and looks like there may be a decision by this weekend. Here is Dohn on Chow-watch:

Norm Chow is mulling an offer to be UCLA's offensive coordinator, and if a decision isn't reached in the next 24 hours, Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel will likely move in another direction, sources said.

Chow, a longtime offensive coordinator at BYU and the offensive architect of USC's national championship teams under Pete Carroll, was fired from the Tennessee Titans earlier this week. He is discussing the possibility of joining UCLA with family members, sources added.

Neuheisel, who is out of town recruiting, and Chow had multiple conversations this week. Because of recruiting and a desire to name the rest of UCLA's staff, Neuheisel wants an answer so he can move forward.

Money is not an issue in the process after Chow was fired by the Titans despite having two years remaining on his contract.

According to the contract, Chow is guaranteed approximately $1 million per season. Any salary he would potentially make from UCLA would be subtracted from the amount the Titans owe him each season.

As a way to counter it, UCLA and Chow talked about a back-loaded multi-year deal, sources said.

And, in a weird way, as this Chow story is working its way out, it seems to be coming around in a full circle. After the Titans fired Chow, they went on to hire Mike Heimerdinger, Denver Broncos’ OC as their new OC. And guess who is trying to fill his spot? Yeap, according to the Rocky Mountain News, "Dorrell is considered the front-runner" for the Broncos OC position. Although, according to the Denver Post, the Broncos will elevate their current WR coach – Jeremy Bates – to "an expanded role in the offense," and bring in Dorrell as "receivers coach." Either way, if my understanding is correct, any potential Dorrell move back to Denver will make more re$ources available for the UCLA football program. So keep an eye on that story as well.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE - N: Looks like everyone is waiting on Chow (who is also talking to the Rams). Earlier in the week Rip Scherer (Cleveland Browns assistant) pulled his named out. Now he is indicating that he is back in as he is willing to wait for the decision from Chow. GO BRUINS. -N

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The circle even "more fuller"

"And in a weird way this Chow story is working its coming around in a full circle."

O.k., so my grammar ain't that great, but you gotta think that Norm Chow is relishing the opportunity to keep UCLA on the hook this time while he comtemplates his options.

It is not out of the realm of possibility, but almost Machiavellian to think that this was discussed and planned back when Norm was waiting for a decision from Dan Guerrero o the head coaching position.

by whp68 on Jan 18, 2008 6:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just imagine a Chow deal...

... with soemthing like $150K first year, $200K 2nd year, and $650K 3rd year in a backloaded deal.

The 3rd year is still a jump from his last year at $C (reportedly $500K, albeit 3 years ago), but not so high as to be hurting our position for the NEXT OC we hire after Norm, whenever that is, assuming we're in elite-level competition again.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Jan 18, 2008 8:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No Disrespect Intended

Is Chow that great an OC?

I really don't know that much about him and am wondering if the excitement is because we are somehow sticking it to sc.

Is he the kind of OC that can bend his O to fit the talent he has? Can he work with a "thin" talent pool? Is he conversant and able to implement the "new" college offenses based on the spread?

Has he done things since leaving sc?

Why was he fired by the Titans?

I really don't want to use any hire to get under sc's skin. I want to get under their skin by beating them, consistently, by becoming in football what we are in basketball -- a constant contender for banners.

Why do all of you think Chow is the BEST choice?

Thanks.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 18, 2008 9:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why was he fired by the Titans?

I don't know, it's a great question. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that 1) he did not mesh well with Vince Young (who is the darling of the franchise) and 2) he did not quite fit in in Tennessee as an Asian dude living in a hotel instead of mixing it up with the players and the town. Anyway, these are just my guesses.

Besides, other than him, I am not sure who else we can pursue at this point. If Neuheisel is working this hard to go after him, he must know something.

by tasser10 on Jan 18, 2008 10:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is what I know of Chow

While at BYU as an Offensive Coordinator, BYU won its only National Championship. And coached such quarterbacks as Steve Young, Ty Detmer (who won a Heisman I believe) and Jim McMahon. Coach Lavell Edwards was considered a genius largely becuase of the offense Chow created.

Chow then went to NC State where his QB Phillip Rivers came this close to winning a Heisman.

He followed that up with his stint at SC where they produced 3 Heismans in 4 years. Palmer and Leinart definitely owe their Heisman's to Chow while Bush won his by playing in Chow's system as coached by Chow's former protege Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian was Chow's assistant while at BYU, and when Chow was hired by SC, he brought Sarkisian with him.

Chow has his fingerprints on 4 Heisman trophys and 2.5 National Championships. I think it's safe to say he is as good as advertised.

Personally, I think the acrimony between Chow and Carroll stems from Chow never being properly credited for the success of that program. As it is, SC has not won another National Championship or produced another Heisman since he left the program.

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

by MexiBruin on Jan 18, 2008 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly useful right now

I know this can't be used to evaluate Chow for our OC position, but I think it will be really interesting to see how Sanchez fares as USC's QB next year. He'll be the first one since Palmer's mediocre early years to have no coaching by Chow. This is pure speculation, but I have a feeling that much of the development of even Booty had to do with his training with Chow. His players seem to keep whatever they learn from him: look at Palmer (and maybe Rivers to a lesser extent), an underacheiving multi-year starter who turns into gold - and doesn't bust in the NFL (a la Tedford's QBs). Maybe working with Chow is how Cassell got his job backing up Brady without ever starting at SC.

Essentially, his biggest strength to me is development of QBs. Other issues are debateable in regards to his offenses - overall talent at SC and weak opponents at the Zoo. His QBs though, he fixes them up - with all the talent at his disposal, there still hasn't been a major (college) bust. And it doesn't hurt that he seems to be able to do it quickly.

by jaffa on Jan 18, 2008 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget who he's replacing

Whether he's lost a step or two, or whether he simply doesn't believe in the spread offense, or (fill in the blank), Coach Chow will undoubtedly produce a better offensive performance than the duo of CTS and Training Jay. Even if no one filled the position our offense would be better.

by Fox 71 on Jan 18, 2008 6:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The question is logical, but just think of this.

Chow has developed more top quality and legendary college and pro quarterbacks in his career than probably anyone else. His offenses at both BYU and SUC were almost unstoppable.

One can only imagine the impact his credentials will have on future recruiting.

The troika of RN, Chow and Walker is beyond a dream coaching team.

Does this mean no one else is any good? Of course, not. I think RN knows what he's doing. Whoever he winds up with, will be excellent, but Chow has to be the first choice.

by uclahy on Jan 18, 2008 10:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs