Quotables: Phil Mathews
Why did you decide to come to UCLA?
"Growing up in Southern California, you grow up as a Bruin fan. Knowing that L.A. is a great place to play and coach at, you always want to do that as a young player and young coach. To get the opportunity to come back to SoCal with the great job and great position, this is great."
How can you help with recruiting?
"Being a SoCal guy, coaching JC, high school, D-1, I've established a lot of contacts with the AAU, the high school coaches that go back a long time. Ben doesn't need help coaching. He needs a guy who can come here and help him get back to the final four."
When you watch Jordan play in AAU tournaments, do you have to close your eyes, or do you get to watch the other players?
"I have pretty big eyes. I get to see a few people."
Was this an easy decision?
"I'm a SoCal kid. Born and raised, grew up in SoCal; to get the opportunity to come back and coach at a place like UCLA was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. When Ben offered me the position, it was something I couldn't pass up."
"Ben doesn't need help coaching. He needs a guy who can come here and help him get back to the final four."
That says it all: Recruiting's been the problem.
Jon, so far it looks good but what's the real skinny on this guy? we obviously need a great recruiter (like everyone does) but some of the boards have scuttlebut that this guy is abrasive like ben. is that true? is this a good hire or not?