Neuheisel will give USC all the competition they need. good hire! the number one criteria for choosing a head coach is prior sucessful head coaching experience. now Pac-10 has a bevy of very good coaches...Riley, Erickson, Neuheisel, Belotti, Tedford [?] and Carroll.

im very excited about next season. oh yeah im buying seasing tickets!

Rick is a poor coach: watch for weak defense, rushing game, heavy penalties, lots of delay of game penalities. Check the Washington and Colorado stats. Remember 12 men on the field to ofset a game winning FG for the Huskies against Michigan. As far as recruiting he likes speedy small plays and does not recruit the big uglies. He also thought Casey Paus was a good QB and rrecruited Tuiasosopo as a defensive back. He is also a cheat and a liar. Lied about gambling and interviwing for the 49ers job.

Brent Kremen from Seattle

best hire period. Let go bruins!

Yes he is. Former good player, good coach, good recruiter, good offensive mind, and good motivator. I remember a game against Stanford in the early 90's, we were down 21-7 and he was telling the Oline that they were kicking ---. We went on to win 32-31.

Definetly
This is USC and everyone else in the PAC 10`s worst nightmare. This guy can recruit and coach. All of his so called infractions with the NCAA were minor petty stuff. This hire will bring the bruins back to were they should be.

GO BRUINS

I agree. Good hire. Could we have landed a "higher calibre" coach? Yes, if we'd been able to pay a "higher calibre" salary (i.e. 1.75 million or more).

For the money that's going out the door, we landed the best we could.

As someone who went to school I think Rick's learned what a lot of us learn: the arrogance we develop in our 20s, which usually culminates (with stupid mistakes) in our 30s, mellows into learned wisdom in our 40s. He's a wiser, more secure, mature coach now.

Rick will run a clean, strong problem.

If we can keep Walker and Scott, that would be a true triumvarate of coaching and recruiting to give Petey a run for his $C.

Go Bruins.

Definetly
This is USC and everyone else in the PAC 10`s worst nightmare. This guy can recruit and coach. All of his so called infractions with the NCAA were minor petty stuff. This hire will bring the bruins back to were they should be.

GO BRUINS

Just an outstanding hire, however if it comes at the expense of losing DeWayne Walker then it becomes a decent hire with a much tougher up hill battle.

Good hire UCLA. You did the right thing by taking your time to examine and compare candidates, and you got the best man for the job. Now, let's go to work.

This is absolutely a great hire, I am a USC fan and we were hoping they didn't sign a good coach...Thanks Mr Guerrero

Yes, Neuheisel is the right man for the job. First, he has been successful as a college head coach. He played and coached in this league. He has gained valuable experience working under Brian Billick in the NFL. The main thing is he is a former UCLA Bruin that can reconnect with some former players and alumni. He understands the dichotomy of Westwood and the relationship between the football program and school. GREAT hire and he gains instant credibility on the recruiting trail fighting Carroll, Bellotti, and Tedford.

Excellent choice. The right personality, good bench coach and fantastic recruiter. He'll be showing significant results in two years.

No, Rick isn't the right man for the job because DeWayne is the man with the momentum. The defense has played much better the past two seasons and the entire team played inspired football at the Las Vegas Bowl under DeWayne's leadership. When players are willing to go to the AD and let him know who they'd like to see named Head Coach that shows the respect and admiration they have for DeWayne. It's too bad he's not getting a shot.

I always felt UCLA made a big mistake when they allowed him to leave.He has the ability to bring life back to the team. This is the best possible hire.

I am definitely on board with this hire. He is smart, energetic, ultra-competitive and loves UCLA. Not to mention that he is a very good football coach and has a great offensive mind. With DeWayne Walker this could be the start of something outstanding!

Neuheisel is the right person at the right time! DeWayne Walker lacked the one thing that UCLA needed at this time, head coaching experience. The stage is set, if UCLA can keep DeWayne Walker as defensive coordinator and secure their recruiting class...watch out!

In 4 years at Colorado, Neuheisal never beat Nebraska and never won a Big 12 championship. In 4 years at Washington, he won a Pac 10 championship in 2000 (but did not play SC that year). The rest of his tenure was slightly above average. Yet his hiring as Bruin head coach is seen salvation for what has always been a mediocre program.

You can actually here the shrieks going around the Pac 10 and across town at USC. This is a guy that can out recruit Carroll and can coach with the best of them. This man wont be scared of Carroll like Dorrell seemed to look like everytime he took the feild with his teams. If he can convince Walker to stay, look out! Willingham is on the hot seat in WASH. so it is better off for Walker to stay with the Bruins and his recruits.
GO BRUINS

While focusing on Neuheisel's run ins with the NCAA people have forgotton that his teams underachieved and were undisciplined. The glory of his overall 66-30 record should be tempered by the fact that while early in his tenure his teams compiled a 31-5 record in his last two years at Colorodo he posted a 13-10 record and in his last years at Washington he compiled a 22-15 record. Also let's not forget his mediocre run as the Raven's offensive cooridnator. I will be pleasently suprised if Neuheisel is able to bring out a consistent high level of play from the Bruins over a long period of time but based on his track record that is doubtful.

As we reflect on this hire, I hope we realize what we were looking for that lacked in the previous head coach: impressive track record, enthusiasm and presence, and UCLA ties. This hire is a slam dunk. Rick Neuhiesel will be a difference maker. His previous infractions will not occur again. If they do, it still is worth the gamble. He will deliver the goods. I truly do believe he has made amends for his past "mistakes"

Great hire. I was happy when UCLA hired one of their own in Dorrell, and I'm happy as they do the same again. UCLA is a special place to coach and a takes someone that bleeds powder blue and gold. As a graduate of this great institution, I'm certain Rick will do things the right way--and still be successful. Can't say the same about Carroll and USC.

I think this is great hire. The usc fans that are saying 'thank you' now must have forgotten that Pete Carroll was their 4th choice. It make take a couple of years, but I'm confident that UCLA will once again be a force in the Pac-10. As for D Walker, he'll be a great DC next year, and the opportunity to be a Head coach will soon come.

Bad hire. I was happy when UCLA hired one of their own in Dorrell, but now they bring the prodigal son gone wild home. UCLA is a special place to coach basketball and a takes someone that bleeds powder blue and gold from under their pink taffeta skirt. As a graduate of this great institution, I'm certain Rick will do things the Rick way--and of course be successful. Can't say the same about Carroll and USC -- because Carroll didn't graduate from UCLA and USC is not UCLA.

1. we congratulate ucla on a great hire for their new football coach.

2. although we sincerely liked coach dorrell, neuheisel has just the right level of maturity, including a few mistakes, from which he learned, to bring ucla football back where it should be.

3. and, unlike pete carroll and the usc football program, neuheisel will bring the bruins back with honesty and integrity, not with cheating and dishonesty.

4. there will be no reggie bushes and other off the field baggage on neuheisel's watch at ucla.

5. we sincerely hope that ucla gives neuheisel the time he needs to turn around ucla's football program with honesty and integrity.

6. turnarounds like this are not done over just a few seasons.

7. fortunately, the hire was made with sufficient time to get back and add to the fine 2008 recruiting class which dorrell and his staff had assembled.

8. keeping around the rest of dorrell's staff is crucial, along with an official announcement that this will be the case.

9. getting dorrell back as the offensive coordinator is probably too much to expect.

10. however, neuheisel and dorrell were teammates at ucla and having them both coaching at ucla would be just perfect for ucla and for them.

11. this fair city is always a much better place to live in when ucla is winning and not the crooked usc football program.

we wish coach neuheisel and his staff and ucla the very best for 2008 and the future in football and in all other aspects of life,

robert t. gilleran

Are new football coach needs to be tough on our players, I hope he is a aggresive coach........in every way......we need tough change

DeWayne is a quality coach and has proved it. He has definitely helped to build and will continue to grow the program the way it should be. Rick has proved to be the opposite. Yes Rick can coach, but at what cost?

Bad hire. A huge step back for UCLA. Those who think Neuheisel's past transgressions were minor should check his record:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2003-06-13-neuheisel-timeline_x.htm

Whoa Nellie, hiring a new coach is a big thing but whether it is a good thing will be decided by his future performance. Coach Neuheisel's record indicates that he does very well with the players in place when he takes over. This may not matter if Coaches Walker and Scott remain on staff to offset the historical drop in recruiting. On the other hand one thing we can count on is that Coach Walker will be gone if not this year then soon. He is too good a coach not to have his own program, remember Rocky Long? As to the other criticisms of Coach Neuheisel, wait and see. I don't know of anyone that was the same person at 40 that they were at 20 or 30. I suspect the same is true for the new Coach. Good Luck Coach and GO BRUINS!

It was a fantastic hire. His hire rejuvenates the entire Bruin fan base tired of the same inconsistent dorrell.

My family will once again renew its season tickets. We needed someone like him.

I am absolutely disappointed beyond words that UCLA has hired Neuheisel as new football coach. Nothing good will come out of this. There will be an initial ground swell of hype about how he is going to turn UCLA into a razzle-dazzle powerhouse and after setback after setback he will then start to blame everyone except himself.
I am a Colorado Alum and he ruined the program there and subsequently when he left Boulder in the middle of the night to go to Washington he ruined their program as well. Don?t believe the stats on him. Look at the yearly records after he took over each program. He took over winning programs and each year after that they got steadily worse. Look for not even the same here. He is an admitted liar and con. He cheats, breaks the rules on recruiting and will leave the UCLA program in a shambles and probably under NCAA sanctions. He?ll have all sorts of under the table money deals that UCLA won?t know about and will embarrass the school. He won?t hesitate to dump UCLA for a better job. His supposed ?engaging? personality is a con. With his history I don?t see how any parent would believe anything he promises their son about playing at UCLA. He hasn?t been in the college game for years and will fail at recruiting despite the assurances to the contrary. He will be here 3-4 years and then be either angrily thrown out or will skip out. Look for an ugly lawsuit when he leaves.

A sorry day for UCLA football. Just terrible.

Sorry to be so negative, but just ask anyone from Washington or Colorado; they will probably make my comments look tame.

All of Husky nation was estatic when Slick Rick was hired (the rest of the Pac-10 should feel the same way). UW is still recovering from his tenure as coach 6 years later (Colorado had a similar experience. He is simply a mediocre coach and an extremely overrated recruiter. UCLA will probably have a decent year in 2008, followed by a decline. There was big worry throughout the Pac-10 that UCLA would hire a competent coach. Rick was hired to offset Pete Carroll. The problem is, Carroll can coach, Rick can't. Possibly the best part of this hire will be UW getting Walker. The biggest drawback is that USC will continue to dominate the Pac-10, as they will get little resistance in So Cal from UCLA.

I number a few Colorado fans in my circle of acquaintances. They'll continue to whine until the day their program improves. Like the secretary that quit three years ago they continue to blame him for their present problems. Get over it. Let's hope they are wrong

GREAT HIRE. But please, Daily News, use a better photo of Neuheisel instead of the one you've had on the website for who knows how long where he looks like he's thinking about going to the toilet.

GREAT hire! I don't care what any of you Husky and Buffalo fans say. Just because he screwed up at your program does not mean he will do the same here. He is a Bruin and LOVES this school. Besides, people usually learn from their mistakes. If you haven't learned from your mistakes then I feel sorry for you.

Bad hire. At UCLA the #1 prerequisite for any coach is character in the form of integrity, honesty, respect for others, humility, dignity and class as well as an overriding sense of wanting to do the right thing. It is too bad that UCLA has sacrificed character for wins.

Keeping DeWayne Walker is great for UCLA.
Now I think UCLA should feel confident Walker will be able to keep the outstanding group of defensive backs he has received commitments from. UCLA is going to be hit hard by graduation in its secondary, but if all the players that have committed to Walker sign with the Bruins, it will be a smooth transition.

Now UCLA needs to make sure it can keep some of its top offensive recruits like Milton Knox and probably one guy who is underrated is receiver Nelson Rosario of Oceanside. He's 6-4, runs under 4.5 in the 40 and can long jump in the 23 to 24-foot range. Sounds like a stud to me.

I certainly hope that the UCLA-USC matchup becomes the premier rivarly in the nation and these two teams both challenge for the national championship, as they should.

Great hire. Hope to join the Bruins soon!

Awesome! Walker is the key to a great defense. Neuheisel had a reputation for having some somewhat soft defenses. No more. Walker is the frickin man!!!

Great hire!!!

A few weeks ago you where all behind me, I was THE BEST decision! Now, you are begging me to be a DC!

I'll stay, only because Rick will not be here very long and I will still remain the best decision.

Did Neu alread commit a violation by calling a recruit during the NCAA dead period?

Besides myself, I couldn't think of a better choice for the Bruins.

Rick is a breath of fresh air for the troubled Bruins.

Anybody have an extra smoke, I left my pack at home?

This was an outstanding hire. Rick has already brought more national attention to UCLA football than we have had since the days of Troy Aikman. He will do well because he has learned from his mistakes. It is ignorant to judge Rick on what he did at Colorado, or UDUB.

We all grow and his time in the NFL will only make him better.

Neuheisal is not a great coach. He's an average coach with a law degree.

Good hire in Rick and great save in DeWayne! Now continue work on a OC immediately... not sold on Norvell.

Great Hire!?!

Are you serious?

Yes, he put UCLA back in the map, back in the news, but it's not positive. It's because of the negative associations.

I'm just tired of Guerrero speaking from both sides of his mouth. How do you justify Rick N's hiring after all the statements of ehtics and class for the Bruins?

Phew. Glad to hear DW is staying on as DC. That's very good for recruiting, and will go a long way toward keeping our stellar '08 class reasonably intact.

My New Year's wish list would be complete if we could land Chow as OC and Norton as LBs coach.

As a Bruin alum, I am so disappointed in this hire. D.Walker was the right person for the job and DG instead hires a guy who ruined two other programs and could do the same here in Westwood. This university should set our standards so high that someone with a past history like RN wouldn't even get an interview. Wake up guys and get the blinders off. Our focus shouldn't be to hire someone who can take some of the luster off of Pete Carroll and what he has accomplished at USC, our focus should be the future growth of the UCLA football program, and hiring this chump does neither.

Roberto R, Where have you ben man with the comments below?

"2. although we sincerely liked coach dorrell, neuheisel has just the right level of maturity, including a few mistakes, from which he learned, to bring ucla football back where it should be.

3. and, unlike pete carroll and the usc football program, neuheisel will bring the bruins back with honesty and integrity, not with cheating and dishonesty." Who are you kidding?

Anthony and Jose you are both right on. What a slap in the face to DeWayne Walker. he should be coach. I read somewhere DeWayne's son is coming to play at UCLA next year so no wonder he stayed.

Pretty boy Rick is all talk and parents should beware, he has NO character. That doesn't simply change overnight. He never admitted his gambling mistakes at U of W. He walks way too close to the edge of the cliff and I predict he falls in within the next 3-4 years here and then everyone will wish Walker would have been selected.

Hey any truth to the article stating Walker's son will be playing for UCLA next year. That probably was the deciding factor. Not sure what Roberto R was thinking as he states "2. although we sincerely liked coach dorrell, neuheisel has just the right level of maturity, including a few mistakes, from which he learned, to bring ucla football back where it should be.

3. and, unlike pete carroll and the usc football program, neuheisel will bring the bruins back with honesty and integrity, not with cheating and dishonesty." Who are you kidding man?

Also Anthony and Jose, right on with your comments, preach it brothers. Slick Rick is here to ruin the Bruins. Mark my words.

I think this is the best news out of westwood in very long time!!with the staff that Rick is keeping and still building the rest of the staff we WILL BE pc ten champs within two years! now as for the cry babies from UW,the only time you guys have had a winning season since Don James retired was when you had Neuheisel, and some idiot with moss between the ears unjustly fired him! very dumb move and we Thank You! (how many people reading this right now have never participated in a basketball pool??)
Again I say thanks, Rick recievied 4.5 million from you guys and we got the coach that is going to take U.C.L.A. to a national title!
Good Luck Coach, and GO BRUINS!