The Yoda Of Westwood

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2008 6:46 AM PST in Football Comment 43 comments

There is nothing posted on our official website yet.

We will update this post when something official is up over there. ESPN is running the story in their football section. Tracy Pierson has it up over at Bruin Report Online.

Gilbert over at Obscure Sports Quarterly dug up this 2001 ESPN article on Chow written right after his arrival at Southern Cal:

In 27 years at BYU and last season at North Carolina State, Chow's series of short to mid-range passes, thrown to each and every eligible receiver, has produced some of the greatest offensive seasons in college football history. Yet doing this at USC, at a school that cherishes its Heisman-winning running backs like Harvard does its Rhodes Scholars, is something entirely different.

"I worried about that before I even took the job," Chow said. "But because of what's happened here over the past couple years, the fans are hungry for something positive to get behind and support.

"I'm not naive enough to think that if it doesn't work they won't be all over us, but these people are clamoring for the success of the old days. No matter what it takes."

When defensive-minded Pete Carroll took the USC job in January, he made it his first priority to pry Chow away from N.C. State. He barely knew Chow, but Chow's track record and conversations with a handful of NFL quarterbacks spoke volumes.

In 18 seasons as offensive coordinator, Chow coached six of the top 12 career passing efficiency leaders and 11 quarterbacks who rank among the top 30 in NCAA history for single-season passing yardage. The Cougars scored 30 or more points in 106 of 181 games. His list of pupils include Robbie Bosco, Steve Young and 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.

Chow coached Philip Rivers, who broke seven school passing records and was named ACC Freshman of the Year last season. The Wolfpack offense finished second in the ACC behind Florida State (396.2 yards per game), with Rivers throwing for 3,054 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

"I really didn't know much about Coach Chow until he got here," USC quarterback Carson Palmer said. "But when I saw his bio, I was like, 'Wow.' I couldn't wait to work with him. I had no idea."

Well we know what he did over at South Central. No wonder this news is leading to this kind of amusing reaction at LAT's All Things Trojan:

Bruin coach Rick Neuheisel wasn't able to steal linebacker coach (and UCLA alum) Ken Norton from the Trojans, but this one strikes a much deeper chord. While USC is sure to maintain the party line ("we're taking it one game at a time" ... "they're a great team, he's a great coach"), the media will have a field-day with Carroll-Chow and Sarkisian-Chow "rivalry."

The Sarkisian angle is simple -- he worked under Chow for three years at USC, first as a graduate assistant and then two seasons as the quarterback coach. Now he's the Trojan's offensive coordinator. The two will be compared, though they won't compete head-to-head.

The Carroll angle is a bit more complex. He aggressively pursued Chow as his first hire at USC, pushing the administration to free up enough money for the offensive mastermind. With Carroll as head coach, they partnered to win consecutive national championships -- Chow listed as offensive coordinator and Carroll listed as defensive coordinator. Nationally, both have been considered the best at their respective roles. Just a few years later, they're pitted against one another with an intimate knowledge of how the other operates.

There's a temptation in Troy to get upset at UCLA for hiring from within the Trojan family, especially because Chow and Carroll reportedly didn't end on great terms. That's like mocking the Bruins for having gold as a team color. USC's no different. Besides having Norton on staff, the Trojans once tried to hire Knute Rockne away from Note Dame. He respectfully declined, and famously suggested they go after Howard Jones.

It was just a few weeks ago that Chow was considered a candidate for UCLA's head coaching position. He won't exactly be taking a paycut thanks to his NFL severance. It really facilitated things when the Titans fired Chow. Had the timing been different, maybe he'd have wound up the head coach at Hawaii, which happens to be where he grew up.

At USC, Norm Chow was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures (like watching Traveler gallop around the Coliseum), a man who was often portrayed as far more profound than eloquent, and a man who's brilliance transcended the complexity of his difficult profession. For Trojan fans, Yoda has joined the dark side.

Whatever you say TrOJie. As far as we are concerned if this becomes official Yoda will find himself where he truly belongs training Bruin Jedis to take back on the Evil Empire of College Football. It couldn't be more perfect.

I agree with ryebreadaz that this development is a move towards the right direction (assuming it will be official later today) we still have a long way to go and we have to keep things in perspective (and we will here on BN). But still last night's news pretty much wipes away the disappointment of Saturday. And everyone should get excited and celebrate if this becomes official later today.

That said for the non Bruin outsiders: so much for UCLA being just a basketball school. We take our football seriously in Westwood. Deal with it.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE: It is now official. Coach Norm Chow is a Bruin:

Norm Chow, who is considered one of the top offensive coaches in football history, has been named offensive coordinator at UCLA, Bruin head football coach Rick Neuheisel announced today.

"Norm brings great offensive expertise to the job," said Neuheisel. "He has enjoyed tremendous success throughout his career and has been the architect of some of the most explosive offenses in college football history. We are thrilled that Norm has decided to become a Bruin. What youngster who plays offense in high school wouldn't be excited about playing for a school with Norm Chow as its offensive coordinator?"

Welcome to Westwood Coach Chow. GO BRUINS. - N

UPDATE II: Coach Neuheisel and his OC Norm Chow just had their first joint teleconference and Dohn has some early notes from the CRN/Chow teleconference:

--No terms or length of the deal were release
--Neuheisel said he wanted to go after the best, and got the best
--Neuheisel said it is like a start-up company with having DeWayne Walker and Chow as coorrdinators, and it will be an "egoless" endeavor.
--Chow will call the plays
--Chow said he has no problem receiving input from Neuheisel on offense
--Filling out the rest of the staff will take some time, but the big hires have been made and UCLA is ready to finish the recruiting class

This is really happening folks. GO BRUINS.

UPDATE III: No post on the Yoda of Westwood would be complete without a picture:

Picture Source

He does give off that Yoda vibe. Successful, the Bruins will be... -T

0 recs | Comment 43 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

YA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

..just saw this in today's OCR! It didn't turn out to be such a bad weekend after all!

by whp68 on Jan 21, 2008 7:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

We may not win the Pac 10 title in 08

but we sure as hell going to have a voice as to who will. After 08, then we will be in the race annually into the foreseeable future. Bruin FB will matter. The road to the Rose Bowl will come through UCLA.

As for 08, I would be content with 6 wins and a bowl game. In other words, the MAX that KD could achieve in his best of season with everything going right for him.

by bluegold on Jan 21, 2008 8:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And now, we need to give CRN some SPACE.

rye and N are right -- this is a GREAT set of first steps, but it's a marathon we're looking at here, not a dash.

They need SPACE to grow. SPACE to recruit their kind of players. SPACE to develop those players' talents. SPACE to improve.

I'm thinking the 5 years we gave KD, assuming NC and DW want to hang around that long (no guarantees of that, for sure...), but they may end up achievign their goals before that, with a little luck and a lot of good health.

It's a marathon. A journey. A TREK. (Yep, I'm geeking out at this.)

Space -- the final frontier.

These are the voyages... of a football enterprise...

Their five-year mission... to explore and learn new plays...

To seek out good men... to represent their institution...

To boldly go where no Bruins have gone before...

We've got the command crew for the B.C.S. Enterprise.

Let's go. BOLDLY.

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

by Meriones on Jan 21, 2008 8:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Let me beat Trek into the ground here.

Captain Kirk = Skippy
Golden-boy; young, charismatic leader.

Mr. Spock = Norm Chow
Brilliant mind; stoic, reserved personality.

Dr. McCoy = DeWayne Walker
Common-sense advisor to the Captain, emotional backbone of the crew.

Scotty = Bob Palcic
Just like a ship with a bad engine, a team with a bad O-line goes NOWHERE.

Mr. Sulu and Mr. Chekhov = Todd Howard and Chuck Bullough
Lieutenants who get the job done, no questions asked.

So far, so good -- the crew of our B.C.S. Enterprise.

A five-year-mission sounds right, but MAYBE (with luck and health) we can get it done in four. Let's just give them the time they need.

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

by Meriones on Jan 21, 2008 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RIDICULOUS

This has the potential to be a tremendous coaching staff, especially when it comes to recruiting. I can't believe I get to say this: I CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!

by jjreicher on Jan 21, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who's hitting 'refresh' every 10 minutes?

Be honest, folks. You know you are.

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

by Meriones on Jan 21, 2008 8:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

UCLA closed for MKD?

Will there be no official announcement today due to the holiday?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 21, 2008 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's a possibility

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 21, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's official as reported by B' Gold

see http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012108aab.html

For UCLA Press release.

by ChaffeyBruin on Jan 21, 2008 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It is OFFICIAL

NORM!

Welcome to UCLA Norm!

by kdoc on Jan 21, 2008 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I love this quote

"What youngster who plays offense in high school wouldn't be excited about playing for a school with Norm Chow as its offensive coordinator?"

It is so freaking weird to be seeing the athletic department doing things right with respect to football for a change. Wow. This is going to be fun.

by Menelaus on Jan 21, 2008 10:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Neu the Magnificent

I was a big proponent for his hire but Neu has blown way past my expectations. And to think he hasn't been on the job for even a month yet. Awesome.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 21, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am blown away.

I woke up slightly under the weather to a gloomy sky outside. We are out of cereal.

I fire up the computer and launch the internet which is set to the world wide leader as a home page. As I peruse the links of leading stories. I shake my head and rub the sleep from my eyes. I didn't just read that right? UCLA hires Norm Chow as Offensive Coordinator.

I still don't believe it. So I open the story and read it.

I still don't believe it.

Go Bruins. Go Chow. It's brand Neu day.

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

by MexiBruin on Jan 21, 2008 10:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hell Yes!!!!!!!

WTF??!! We KNEW this was possible all along. We KNEW that our football program could among the best if it only WANTED to be among the best. It was only a matter of CHOICE. DG made the right choice and look at this effing coaching staff we have!!! Look at the momentum!!! WOW! I knew it all along, but Im stunned nonetheless. What we have all been preaching against every possible objection is coming true. UCLA Football is back!!!! Hell Yes!!! Thank you Dan Guerrero!! Thank you Rick Neuheisel!! Thank you Norm Chow!! Thank you DeWayne Walker!! Thank you Gene Block!! Thank you Bruin Nation!!

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Jan 21, 2008 10:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

See

We knew you couldn't stay away. :-)

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2008 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I saw it on WWL this morning and this is just so incredible I had to say something. All our dreams are coming true. Even though we fought for it, whodathunkit?! I had to join the party. Wow. This is just amazing.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Jan 21, 2008 10:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They Weren't Just Dreams

Core, you worked hard to get UCLA to a place where all of this could happen.

Once more, thank you.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 21, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta love the logic.

Before RN was hired, Question No. 1 was, and rightly so: Didn't RN have a lot of recruiting violations in his past?

Answer to Question No. 1 is: Yes, but, one of the ways that we can handle that is by building the best staff around to make recruiting easier and avoid the temptation for shortcuts.

Rick -- An experienced, enthusiastic former alum with a high winning percentage and a media-friendly personality.

DeWayne -- An up-and-coming defensive coordinator with a considerable NFL resume.

Norm -- A long-time, well-respected offensive coordinator with record-setting quarterbacks and multiple Heisman winners on his resume.

Sweet blessed heaven.

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

by Meriones on Jan 21, 2008 10:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Neuheisel has my vote

for President! Except then he wouldn't be head coach anymore. This is so freaking awesome it's hard to quantify. But I can't help but wonder where all the Dorellistas are! RN has done more to put UCLA on the national map in three weeks than has been done in two decades. Sure we have to get it done on the field, but UCLA Football is relevant again. UCLA Football is finally driving it's own news, personnel, image and destiny. This is better.

Now instead of saying we'll be 6-6 next season and having everyone bitch and moan (even though I was right!), I can be giddy with excitement for next season. And what about '09, after The Crew (as I'm referring to RN, NC, DW) has had a whole season to get the stink out!

BTW, how happy is DW he stayed? He gets to learn from arguably the best OC in college football and all the advantages that go with it...

GO BRUINS!

by greatgymnasticschool on Jan 21, 2008 11:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Time to change your screen name

NJD????

It reaks of old world UCLA pessimism. Its time to embrace the reality that we are finally on the national stage wrt to both major college sports. We'll no longer be regarded as a great gymnastics school (Or just hoops) but are finally relevant in football as well. Welcome the new dawn, my friend, by rejoining the Nation with a new moniker, such as "bestdamnsportsschool" or something equally appropriate!
Go Bruins!!!

by Bald Eagle on Jan 21, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Let me know what you want your neu screen name to be and we will make it happen!

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I kinda want to wait until the season but out of excitement for the new dawn, respect for Nestor and all his really hard work (but nothing to do with you Bald Eagle, you clown), I will. I have to think about the new name, not going to be easy...

by greatgymnasticschool on Jan 21, 2008 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No Quotes from Norm?

Anyone troubled by the fact that there were no quotes from Norm, not even a boilerplate "I'm looking forward to working with Rick.."??? Hopefully there will be a press conference to introduce him.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 21, 2008 11:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I am sure

There will be quotes later today if not in the coming days. That's just UCLA making things "official."

by Nestor on Jan 21, 2008 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You know something

If I had to do this weekend all over again; inexplicably lose to SUC in basketball but pick up Norm Chow as OC, I would do it in a heartbeat.

There is so much work to be done on this program, but the early returns thus far are nothing short of an A+. The Neu/DW/Chow triumvirate is complete. It's simply unbelievable.

by Tydides on Jan 21, 2008 11:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Rick is the man

Even in announcing the hiring of Chow he is still recruiting with that last statement. What offensive players wouldn't want to come here? Only those that need a free house (Bush), subsidized rent (Jarrett), alleged rapists (Sanchez), or a guy who sells out his friends and is a deadbeat dad (Leinart).

by UCLA4Life on Jan 21, 2008 11:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Memo to Chow detractors

Opinion: Chow will have more trouble at UCLA because they don't have the talent USC had.

Rebuttal: In 2000 (the year before Chow's arrival), USC finished in last place in the PAC-10. Two years later, they averaged 36 pts. per game and never looked back.

Opinion: OK, so maybe SC lacked talent before Chow's arrival, but they gained the talent real fast with Carroll's recruiting. And UCLA won't have the same success in recruiting because of academic standards.

Rebuttal: According to scout.com, Bush, L. White, and Jarrett were four-star recruits. Mike Williams was only a 3-star (check the website if you don't believe me). Chow helped make them all look like 5-star guys. Being that we have plenty of 4-star recruits (Ray Carter, Austin, 3 OL's, Paulsen, Forcier, etc.) on board and many more to come (without sacrificing academic standards), why can't Chow repeat the same success?

by bruinjeff on Jan 21, 2008 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Without a doubt

We have one of the top-10 coordinator combos in the country. Yes, I am being very conservative. It could very well be the best.

Imagine for a second, CRN and Chow in a top recruit's living room, selling all things Bruin AND a dynamic offense.

Then CRN can bring DW along to the defensive recruit's house.

The season is still months away, but UCLA FB is already fun again.

by Ajax on Jan 21, 2008 12:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hey, Look at Us Now!

Just the energy alone will drive this new football season to new heights. The momentum has started, the pieces are in place, now comes the building.

"If you build it they will come".

I'm not worried about our basketball loss this last weekend, Ben will get them back on track. What matters is how we're playing come March! And oh-baby this should be a good shot in the arm to WAKE-UP!

GO BRUINS!!!

by SlyBruin on Jan 21, 2008 12:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yoda of westwood?

Then CRN is Luke Skywalker.

by bruingreaser26 on Jan 21, 2008 1:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nashville = Dagobah

Luke rescued Yoda from that swampland of a planet, just like CRN rescued Chow...

And I had to look it up; too young to be that big of a Star Wars nerd.

by kidro2001 on Jan 21, 2008 11:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong!

If Norm Chow is Yoda,

then Coach Rick Neuheisel is Obiwan Kenobi

and Ben Olson is Luke Skywalker

and Patrick Cowan is Han Solo

perhaps DeWayne Walker is Mace Windu.

Ken Norton Jr. is Anakin/Darth Vader and he's definitely joined the Dark Side and is on the Emporer's staff.

My son is 5 years old is a Star Wars nut, and I think I might be one too.

by VB on Jan 22, 2008 12:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Star Wars is the right call!

DeWayne Walker, however is none other than CHEWBACCA! You know, kickin' ass and taking names...DEFENDING Luke and Han. And don't forget, Chewbacca was a Wookie General, not just a sidekick.

Ummm...who is Princess Leia? The towel guy? :)

by tasser10 on Jan 22, 2008 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Star Wars

Just to show the extent of my dorkness, I'll say that the Star Wars analogy struck me immediately (and moreso than the Star Trek one; sorry M).

So, when Chow was hired, I thought that these immortal words just might have been spoken by someone in Trojan land: "I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of [Trojan] voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened [for Southern Cal]."

Yes, the heckling may begin.

by Menelaus on Jan 23, 2008 5:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I guess we got CHOKER after all, in a good way ;-)

Nicely done, RN!

by godblesstyus95 on Jan 21, 2008 1:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Beneficiaries of the Chow Hire

First and foremost, I am thrilled for Ben Olson. He made a major commitment to UCLA at a time when he could have gone most anywhere. He's never been given the teaching and opportunity he deserves. If anyone can help him become the best he can be, it will be Chow. I think back to the alleged phone calls from Chow to BO -- if it happened, I wonder what was said.

Second, DW will benefit. While here he's not had the opportunity of learning from a real OC or to practice against a real O. I truly believe that both he and our D will get a lot better.

Third, the press will benefit because they now have a team in place that will be able to give substantive answers. RN is clearly the media star, but he appears to be willing to share and I think the sun will shine on NC and DW as well.

Fourth, we all will benefit because we will have UCLA football back where it should be -- a high priority. We are now on the path to excellence. I have not been this happy since the Prothro days -- and for all of you youngsters, who don't remember those days -- "this one's for you". You will now get to live what a few of us geezers have lived.

We've bought the ticket, now it's time to take the ride.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 21, 2008 2:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good points

I'm on the younger side so I don't know what the Prothro days were like. I DEFINTIELY want to experiene it though. You make a really interesting point in DW getting better going up against NC. What an asset NC is. DW will be able to pick his brain whenever he needs to. I can't wait for football season.

by BlueReign on Jan 21, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

IN CHOW I trust

First off, CHOW deserves the biggest welcome we can muster at UCLA. The man made the right decision and is in the rightful place in LA. Not only can he relax about getting to work safely, he has joined the UCLA family, and Bruins are forever.

I don't know whether to thank $UC or Tennessee, perhaps both, but a number of unforeseeable circumstances have led to the rather odd phenomenon of having a trio of football geniuses College football is about to experience. Chow, Neu, and Walker. Have it be fate, stupidty in other football programs agendas, or just the culmination of mediocrity suffered in the hands of the bruin faithful, I for one have just S#it myself thinking about next season. If you can smell it where you are, believe me, this marks a neu era of Bruin football, and it all points to the steadfast determination of our Athletic Director.

Several people ridiculed his movement and search for a new head coach, but we have not only maintained a leading recruiting class, we have 2 incredibly gifted offensively minded coaches loaded in the weapon we call UCLA football. Bruins have faith in the greatest sport in the Nation. The buzz is not just buzzing but ringing, the victory bell is pounding, and every man woman and child should be looking forward to next year.

Case and point:
We have a coach with experience as promised,
We have an offensive coordinator who opponents are going to be trembling on the sideline when our class takes the field.
We have an incredibly intelligent defensive coordinator who will keep the Bruin wave crushing.
And we have an Athletic Director who made it all possible, perhaps with an agenda he did not want to show too publicly too soon, but Dan Guerrero has managed to not only have us collect 14 NCAA titles in just 5 short years (the most any athletic director has ever done in that period of time), he has Brought UCLA FOOTBALL back to UCLA. Thank you Dan, Thank you Rick, Thank you Norm, and thank you Walker, I'll be waiting for spring practice!

by UCLABRU1 on Jan 21, 2008 4:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Chow's hire

Made the TV news here in Birminghm. In the heart of SEC country, I consider that a sign that they country is sitting up and taking notice of us.

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 21, 2008 4:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I Heard Saban was interested in Chow for OC?

Maybe that's why it made news there?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Jan 21, 2008 4:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I never heard his name mentioned for Bama

But then again, I don't watch the local news very often.

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 21, 2008 5:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You were right

However, they did say in the first report, "That will raise the ante in that rivalry."

Better days are finally ahead for us.

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 22, 2008 7:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess this means Norvell is out?

Back when I was frequenting the DD site and people would post "oh, lets get RN as HC, DW as DC and NC as OC" all I could think was, boy what a pipe dream. But CRN and DG have really come through in a way I never dreamed possible. All I can say is thank you CRN and DG. Keep it coming. Can't wait for opening day kickoff

by UCLAMD89 on Jan 21, 2008 11:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs