My analysis
After some consideration and after rereading Neuheisel's comments and thinking about this all night, the more and more I think about it, the more and more I think Chow stays.
If it was all about the money, I have to believe that USC would have just loaded up before the Kiffin press conference and tried to make a major splash - I can't stop thinking of Hulk Hogan going to the NWO back in the day.
Now, I'm sure if USC really throws a boatload of money at him, he'd more than consider it. This is the twilight of his career, he gives the impression that he will only coach a handful of years - he's 64, and just doesn't seem to me like the guy who coaches until he's 84 - and money certainly would sway him at least a little.
But at the end of the day, this is like a Shakespearean drama, with so many layers, and if it were ALL about the money, I have to believe he would have gone.
Neuheisel handled his phone presser with just the right mix of confidence and optimism - he even admitted that if they throw a blockbuster at him, he won't be mad, and I believe him - and as it stands, as of 10:23 p.m., unless we're talking MAJOR, MAJOR money, I think he stays.
I hope you are correct.I am not a huge Chow fan, but I don't like losing anything to usc.
Also, surely sanctions must be coming, and wouldn't that be a deterrent to someone like Chow who doesn't need the $$$, as much as he would like to give his last coaching years a luster legacy?
THANKS for all the hard work Jon! Trial by fire this week I'm sure.
think I've hit "refresh" on this site about 200 times a day for the past week.
Reasonable take...while Chow hasn't wowed us, I doubt a new OC is suddenly going to change things. It would be nice to have the same OC for a 3rd consecutive season...this program needs some consistency and stability.
Let's just hope UCLA steps it up and recognize how huge it would be to keep Chow from SC.
This is the biggest decision Dan Guerrero will have to make. Let's hope he gets it right.
"Sure Mike, if you hire Lane, I'll consider coming on over to be your OC" (hangs up the phone) "Hey Rick, you'll NEVER guess what I just conviced Mike Garrett to do!"
@ Randor - LOL! Best post of the day by far!
People...relax! Chow is NOT going to USC. He was approached about the job by people at USC BEFORE Kiffin was hired. Once Kiffin was hired, USC mentioned Chow coming back but Kiffin wasn't a huge fan of the idea.
As of right now, it's pretty much up to Kiffin to decide if he even wants Chow on the staff. If he does, then it will be up to Chow to make his decision. But everything I've heard is that Kiffin wants to call his own plays and will not be bringing Chow to USC.
lol randy...
According to the latimes, Chow has asked for an extension. I assume it would have to include a considerable raise, as well as additional years. This is ucla's opportunity to put this to bed. Lets see if they have it in them.
The thought of Chow going over to SC especially to serve under that chowderhead is galling. Absolutely no freaking way should Chow be allowed to leave under any circumstances. This revolving door of key assistants has crushed the growth of the program more than the lack of elite recruiting.
I've read thousands of comments on various boards today, awaiting any news. Randor, by far the post of the day! lol
New World Order? Start up the dry ice machine and cue Jimi Hendrix...
@randor cite your source
http://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=football;pid=46029;d=this
Putting two and two together, I recall Chow being asked after the Eagle Bank Bowl if he will be back at UCLA the next season. Chow answered "I guess we'll find out next week", before correcting himself with "yes, I'll be back". Obviously, the contract extension is the issue here. He's in the final year of his 3-year deal and wants to extend. They were already dealing with that and this USC situation has made it more urgent. I'm certain Rick's disappointment is that it has become an issue leading into SIgning Day. Agree with mbatrojan, the ball is in UCLA's court and they have to put it to bed. I don't even know if it involves a considerable raise, but hopefully our Alumni can step up and make it happen.
I know it's tough given the offensive results, but I still believe that somehow Neu has something to do with that. Playcallers don't just lose that ability to exploit mismatches and suddenly turn conservative.
All these $C fans writing false comments to try to scaremonger by saying that Coach Chow was surely taking off, eat crow!!! Eat your words, kiddies.
I love how all these cowardly $C fans post "Anonymous" messages on our page--all while one can only comment on USC's blog if they have an account.
Cowardly "Trojans."
Actually sounds like $$ may not be that big of an issue. It was reported Chow's salary is $700K, and he gets a $250K bonus by staying on for next year. That puts him at $1M for the upcoming season. The reported USC salary numbers are in the $1M to 1.5M range, which isn't that far off. Hoping Rick can promote Norm to Associate Head Coach, bump his salary to $1M/yr and give him a 3 year extension. Doesn't seem unreasonable to me.
don't know why Bruin fans are banking on the NCAA hitting southern cal with sanctions - i wouldn't be suprised to see them get off light...
@ Anon 7:59
Not quite. From Jon's earlier post:
"When asked if Chow - who is in the last year of a three-year deal that will pay him a $250,000 base salary, a $140,000 talent fee and a $250,000 retention bonus on April 1 - would be considered for an extension, Neuheisel said..."
So he's making $640,000 this year, including that $250,000 bonus.
"Reports" are putting the USC offer between $1M and $1.5M.
Coach Neuheisel just told Dan Patrick at 8:40 am that he talked to Norm Chow 10 minutes ago and he said that he would stay at UCLA.
According to bruingold, chow just told CRN before he went on the Dan Patrick show that he's staying with ucla.
http://www.bruingold.com/forums/index.php4?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=103177&mode=full
bruingold