[UPDATED] Dorrell Reportedly Lands in NFL

by Menelaus on Jan 21, 2008 3:19 PM PST in Football Comment 19 comments

A tough weekend, that seems to absolutely racing into the background.

After the blockbuster hiring of Norm Chow, the football program gets a nice shot in the (financial) arm thanks to Kansas City, which reportedly has hired Karl Dorrell as it's receivers coach:

WIDE RECEIVERS - Karl Dorrell

After five seasons as head coach at UCLA, Dorrell was fired in December. He has previous NFL experience as a wide receivers coach from three years in Denver, where he helped Rod Smith and Ed McCaffery develop into one of the best receiving tandems in the league. The pair combined for 201 receptions in 2000. Dorrell is also credited with helping Charles Johnson and Michael Westbrook flourish at Colorado in the early 90s.

(HT to Daselfish14u.)

As you will now doubt recall, Dorrell's contract included a buyout clause that would pay him otherwise $2.05-million over a two-year period. That amount is reduced by every dollar he earns in Kansas City. So, here's to hoping Karl is well compensated.

More seriously, it is good to see KD get this gig. He could have easily pulled a Toledo, and enjoyed some golf time on UCLA's dole. Despite your views about anything else he's done, this was clearly the honorable thing to do. And, it seems like a great fit for Karl. Back in the NFL, as a receivers coach. Good luck Karl.

UPDATE: As pointed out by bruinchick, this might not be a done deal, as there are conflicting media reports, some suggesting that Dorrell is heading to Miami as their receivers coach:

Former UCLA coach Karl Dorrell is expected to be named the team's wide receivers coach at some point this week, as Dorrell is believed to have chosen Miami over Kansas City.

Dohn also has something to this effect on his blog. So, maybe a different team, even if same position and back in the NFL. However it shakes out, the same sentiment applies. Good luck Karl.

UPDATE II: It looks like the Dolphins it is for KD.

GO BRUINS.

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Best of luck to Karl

He has handled himself well since leaving us. Good luck to him and the Chiefs.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2008 3:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good luck KD.

Hope you kick ass and someday to make a successful head coach one day.

Kyle Bown Class of 2007

by Bruinbown on Jan 21, 2008 3:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kudos to KD

Personally, I would have liked to have seen him take a HC job at a smaller college environment to develop his skills. However, he may have decided this is what is best for him, and I applaud his class management of this situation.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by BillSouthBay on Jan 21, 2008 3:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Works out for all sides!

While we are thrilled to have RN as our new HC, with Walker & Chow at his sides, this does work out great. This gives Karl Dorell a chance to improve his coaching skills for future job opportunities, while freeing up serious $$ to help pay for Chow. Perhaps UCLA knew something was up, thereby offering serious cash to Chow...from the money saved on Dorrell's contract..

by Big Moe on Jan 21, 2008 3:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see KD landed on his feet.

Things might not have worked out in Westwood, but CKD is one of us - a Bruin. He was as head coach, and he remains, a pure class act.

As glad as we may be that Skippy is now in charge in Westwood, Karl Dorrell is also family - here's hoping he tears it up in KC and turns into a phenomenal NFL HC one day.

by ucla84 on Jan 21, 2008 4:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

As both a Chiefs fan and Bruin Alum

I couldnt be happier.

by Daselfish14u on Jan 21, 2008 4:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

As a Bronco fan...

I'm not sure I can wish him too much luck.

by SuperBruinMan on Jan 21, 2008 4:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see Karl Dorrell has some pride

He didn't sit around collecting paychecks. He went out to find work. Good for him and I hope he does well at his new job.

by UCLA4Life on Jan 21, 2008 4:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He didn't sit around collecting paychecks.

Like Toledo did for years.

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

by MexiBruin on Jan 21, 2008 10:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Besk of luck to Karl Dorrell

I hope he is successful and eventually becomes what he really wants: an NFL head coach.

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2008 5:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He's probably more qualified than Harbaugh

KD is probably more qualified than Harbaugh to be HC in the NFL so who knows what the future might bring?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 21, 2008 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Karl Dorrell I hope your reading this

Karl Dorrell is a class act! I can only hope that we'll be rooting for the same college team next year, And with more experience under his belt, and working in KC he will be a very good head coach in the years to come. I will say I have just been given a reason to follow the chiefs again.

by UCLABRU1 on Jan 21, 2008 6:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The only thing is

Will something similar to us paying Chow happen? That is, pay him very little now, with a back-loaded contract, or even just not pay him very much at all, because of the guaranteed money.

by melliott2 on Jan 21, 2008 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Best wish & good luck Karl Dorrell!

I'm happy for the guy. He was obviously in over his head at UCLA - too big of a jump for him - but seemed to be an all-around nice guy. His new job should be a nice fit for him and the NFL.

by mark the bruin on Jan 21, 2008 7:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

My big fear was that UCLA and Tampa would trade coaches. I didn't think that CTS would end up with the other team I count as my home team (I lived in KC for 10 years.) I suppose the good news is that all CTS has to do is teach professional football players (who have been receivers all their lives) how to catch the football and run patterns. No one ever said that CTS was not a good pass-catcher, so maybe he'll be fine.

Actually, I think a better move for him would have been to find some small school in need of a head coach and where the expectations were not what they were for him at UCLA. Maybe he can learn how to be a head coach, and move back up the scale. But maybe also he was tired of getting raked over the coals because he was such a crummy coach, and he wanted to get away from that. If that's the case, I don't blame him one bit.

by Fox 71 on Jan 21, 2008 8:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Best move for him...

Maybe he is taking the route he feels is best for the goals he wants to achieve in his career.

From all I've read and seen, it just doesn't seem like he is suited for the college game; i.e. couldn't be the face of the program.

I'm curious though, why would having an experienced WR coach who also was a D1 head coach make you hesitant? If KD were hired straight from the Broncos back in 02 or whatever, would you have thought anything of it? Personally, I don't think his previous job experience would be a detriment at all to be a NFL position coach.

by kidro2001 on Jan 21, 2008 9:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that he was a head coach

It's that he was a lousy head coach. I have no idea whether he was a good or bad WR coach. My guess is that he is just flat out a lousy coach. So anywhere he can go and get employment is a good move for him. He should maintain a low profile, because he doesn't help prospects for continued employment when he speaks.

by Fox 71 on Jan 22, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs