Neuheisel ON:

I caught up with UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel with the OC Register’s Adam Maya at the Morgan Center today. Here’s what he had to say…

On Mike Johnson being hired as OC:
“All that went out yesterday was premature. Nothing can happen fast. I have a wide receiver job open and a defensive coordinator job open. I’ve talked to some coaches and certainly made a lot of calls and some ideas on the way things can work. And I’ve also talked about a redistribution of assignments within the coaching staff. I’m still toying with that idea. In trying to get this right I’m willing to look outside the box. With respect to Norm, Norm is a coach on our staff.”

On considering Chow as QB coach:
“I’m considering a lot of different ways to put the offensive staff back together as well as the defensive staff. Norm is a very talented coach. He can coach lots of positions. What’s best for us as I put the thing together is still to be determined.”

On running the pistol next season:
“Too early to tell. Too early to tell. There were lots of positives from the Pistol, in terms of the rushing yardage. But there’s also other talented guys in the program that need to be found ways to get the ball to. But how that will figure itself out will require a lot of guys that now know their roles, fitting together, putting it together and coming up with the best possible plan for our team. But again, I’m thrilled with what we have to work with. Whoever assumes the role, or assumes the roles, will be excited about who they get to coach.”

On announcing Mike Johnson as new offensive coordinator next week:
“No, that’s very, very premature. I’ve talked to Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson and I go way back. We coached together in Baltimore. I taught him how to throw a speed out years ago when I was playing in the USFL and he was trying to become a quarterback at Arizona State. Mike and I are old friends and we’ve had conversations and he’s interested in this wide receiver position. But it hasn’t been determined in what role he’d coach and how that would all get pieced together. And he’s still got a contract with the 49ers that he has to make sure he protects himself and his family. Those are things that cause this to be very, very premature.”

On the defensive coordinator secrecy:
“I have made a number of calls, but because of the sensitivity of the issue, most of the guys would like to remain anonymous, at least those who are employed, out of respect to their current situations. That’s understandable. I don’t want to name-drop, I don’t want to throw stuff at walls to see what our alums think. not that I’m trying to keep them in the dark, but these are good people and important decisions for people to make, and something that takes time to make a decision.”

On Randy Shannon:
“Randy is a great coach and I’ve gotten to know Randy. I wouldn’t rule him out, but I can’t tell where we are on the process.”

On a timeline for a decision on the offense:
“As soon as all the details are in. There’s lots going on. My primary focus right now is to have a great recruiting weekend.”

On potentially not having the staff in place before signing day:
“In coaching you can foresee anything. It’s all possible with coaching. Things happen. It doesn’t make anyone a bad guy, but things move quickly. Everyone needs to do what’s best for their particular situation.”

On Mike Johnson:
“Mike has been a coordinator, just one with the 49ers, and there’s no question he’s capable of that. To determine how the roles and responsibilities would work out here is still too early to tell. Mike is not hired here. He still has a lot of other offers out there. And Norm Chow is still on our staff. Absolutely.”