Brian Dohn adds fuel to the fire on all the Norton internet chatter and also brings up some big name NFL DCs:
Karl Dorrell's remaking of UCLA's defensive staff could include former linebacker Ken Norton, but it is uncertain whether the Bruins can pull him away from rival USC, according to sources.
Several former UCLA players, who backed Dorrell's hiring three years ago, put out feelers to Norton to gauge his interest in returning to Westwood, sources said Wednesday.
UCLA is in the market for a defensive coordinator after Larry Kerr's firing Tuesday, but it is believed Norton would coach the linebackers. Kerr also coached UCLA's linebackers.
[...]
Also, former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, a former University of Texas All-American, said he was interested in the Bruins' defensive coordinator job. He interviewed for the defensive coordinator's job at Texas last year, but remained with the Bills.
[...]
Gray, who spent the past five seasons in Buffalo, interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the NFL's Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. His defense ranked in the top five in several major categories in 2004, including touchdowns allowed, yards per game, passing yards and sacks.
Two other possible candidates are Texas co-defensive Duane Akina, who was offered the job before Kerr was hired three years ago, and former New York Giants defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn, who was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive backs coach the last two seasons.
They are all intriguing possibilities. Of course I was very upset when Norton moved over the dark side - but I will more than gladly accept him back in blue and gold. KD was looking into Akina back in 03 when he was putting his staff together but couldn't pry him awawy from Mack. And the Buffalo DC sure sounds good. But it still seems unclear whether he will really end up on Westwood. Again I am open minded about this. Lets hope KD can bring in someone with a proven track record - who will bring a much needed change in defensive philosophy (like some actual aggressiveness on the field not hot air during early week press conferences and booster breakfasts), which has been lacking in Westwood since the departure of Rocky Long. Lets wait to see how it all shapes out. GO BRUINS.
Several former UCLA players, who backed Dorrell's hiring three years ago, put out feelers to Norton to gauge his interest in returning to Westwood, sources said Wednesday.
UCLA is in the market for a defensive coordinator after Larry Kerr's firing Tuesday, but it is believed Norton would coach the linebackers. Kerr also coached UCLA's linebackers.
[...]
Also, former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, a former University of Texas All-American, said he was interested in the Bruins' defensive coordinator job. He interviewed for the defensive coordinator's job at Texas last year, but remained with the Bills.
[...]
Gray, who spent the past five seasons in Buffalo, interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the NFL's Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. His defense ranked in the top five in several major categories in 2004, including touchdowns allowed, yards per game, passing yards and sacks.
Two other possible candidates are Texas co-defensive Duane Akina, who was offered the job before Kerr was hired three years ago, and former New York Giants defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn, who was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive backs coach the last two seasons.