Answers, Part I

Do you know Jeff Siegel of UCLA All Access? How did he get his job?
I know him well. He is a fan who has been around the athletic department for years and is a horse racing television analyst. He wanted to help the program out, so he does volunteer work for the athletic department.

I know it has only been one practice, but can you tell if the players enjoying playing under the new coaching staff? I know some of the players last year seemed upset that Dorrell was fired, so what do they think now that the new staff is in place?
The players are enjoying themselves because it is a new season and there is plenty of hope that goes with it. It is too early to tell about playing for the new coaching staff, but I know the respect meter is much higher for the players when it comes to this staff. As for players being upset when Dorrell was fired, you will always get that because a corps of players will always feel allegiance to something they know rather than something that is unfamiliar.

What's with the new practice jerseys? Wrong shade of blue. Was this something Adidas did?
My understanding is it was coach Rick Neuheisel's doing. I believe it is how the practice jerseys used to be, long before I covered UCLA.

How do you think UCLA will do against Tennessee?
I think UCLA will lose a close game.

Cowan is now a student coach/assistant. Is he assigned to a specific area, such as working with QBs?
He will work mostly with the quarterbacks, since that is his area of expertise, but he will also deal with other players on offense since it is his job to know the playbook and he has plenty of experience.

Any significance to the fact that Bosworth now appears to be the starting weak side linebacker and not the starting strong side linebacker?
He won't be forced to cover the tight end as much, but he will remain on the field in nickel packages. When Reggie Carter played the weak side last season, he came off in nickel packages. Now, the strong side linebacker will come off.

For basketball recruiting what are the differences between the official and unofficial visits. Can you elaborate on what sort of events or timeline happens for each.
It is the same as for football. An unofficial visit is usually a day trip to the campus. An official visit can last as long as 48 hours, the school pays for hotel and food (and airline ticket if necessary) and it is much more engrossing. The recruit usually hangs out with the team, goes out to parties with players and gets an in-depth tour of the university.

I read some articles in a Salt Lake newspaper that BYU has verbals from two of Manti Te'o's cousins, who are both 3-star recruits from HI. Have you heard any info on whether this is playing a major role in his recruiting to BYU. If so, and with SC taking over PSU as "linebacker U", do yo see us having any legit shot at landing him?
I always thought Te'o was a long shot for UCLA from the get-go, so I do not think what you mentioned knocks UCLA further down the rung.

If Dasarte Yarnway goes to Oregon or Cal as expected, do you see UCLA offering Daniel Jenkins?
I am not sure at this point.

so, ucla is practicing at a faster tempo? could it be that you're a year older now and everything just looks faster?
I thought of that, but one year of being older should not create that much quicker of a tempo on the field. Plus, I get to witness speed and a never-ending hectic pace with my older son (2 ½ years old), so I am able to notice changes in tempo and pace.