Obviously Boise State’s Chris Peterson is the golden goose for UCLA fans right now, and from what I’m told, the Bruins are going after him, and hard, but if it doesn’t work out, which direction would you like to UCLA go?
Tennessee Bruin
You have to ask yourself, all those available experienced coaches, why are they unemployed?
Anonymous
Jon,
It’s Chris Petersen with an “e”.
Thanks for all the hard work.
cmcbruin
Get the name right of our new head coach. It is PETERSEN, not Peterson.
Johnny Angel
Get a proven, young, and successful head coach from a smaller school. Retreads are a step backwards and UCLA has no history of paying for successful D1 coaches.
PV Bruin
who cares whether his name is Peterson, Petersen or Peterssen… he is not UCLA coach yet and we all know who Jon is talking about…
Let’s get this coach and turn thing around.
Phoenix Bruin
If we have a shot at Herm Edwards we need to put on the full court press to get him. I respect Petersen and what he has done but i can’t imagine him being able to recruit against the likes of Kiffen.
Mayor McCheese
I believe that Dan must hire Tom Cable to stick to the high moral ground he staked out when he hired Slick. While Cable does not have the top 5 cheater street cred that Rick brought with him, he did punch his wife as well as an assistant. That might be the best that Dan can do.
Anonymous
Why wait so long. Rich Rod would have accepted.
Island Bruin
Jon, any chance we will make a run at Jim Tressel? I am not totally sold on PetersEn.
Anonymous
Bruins Nation is taking credit for Neuheisel’s firing. Morons.
The Blur
Not sold on Peteren after Hawkins in Colorado and Cutter at ASU. I’d prefer a guy like Kirby Smart (Bama’s D coordinator.)
kiriba8
I feel that Petersen is out of the question (he likes the lifestyle up there and blew off SC back when they were chasing him)even if UCLA decides to pay competitive bucks for a top D-I coach.
Perhaps bringing DeWayne Walker as HC might be an option.
Leach is a train wreck from a personality standpoint and not a good fit for the SoCal vibe.
eastsidebruin
Jon Gruden would be a hot choice!
ucla-of-the-rockies
Blur: Good point. But I think 3rd time is the charm on this one. Difference between Petersen/Hawkins/Koetter is that Petersen really ramped up their schedule, willing to play any & all. And that BCS win over Oklahoma showed that he can punk even a wise old coach like Stoops (the better Stoops).
Personally, you gotta believe Petersen is getting bored up there.
And, don’t forget Petersen is a California native, as a kid, high school and college (UC Davis). The “UC” may even be most important, considering he was a champion of the system.
Lastly, my son and I took in a game at Boise two years ago. What an electric atmosphere he’s created up there. I’d love to see the Rose Bowl rock like that.
Anonymous
If Petersen wouldn’t take Stanford back in Jan with a freebie year with Andrew Luck, what are the reasons for him to come to UCLA now??
BruinFaithful
We should go ALL OUT to get Petersen. Here is a GREAT story on Petersen and what he is about.
A lot of people say that Petersen is untouchable and so on. I STRONGLY disagree.
How many times have you heard a Corporate CEO, CFO, or even executive say the same psychobabble? How they are so happy with their current position and the opportunities that exist and the wonderful benefits and stock options they are receiving. Then as soon as they get a BETTER offer from a competitor and/or their stock options vest. BOOM!!!! They are gone and all you get is some resignation e-mail about how they have left to explore “other interests”.
Well, Petersen has NO stock options, so he has nothing to wait to vest and his Buyout is a VERY manageable $650k.
It is reported that Chris Petersen places the well being of his family above all else. As a caring father, he should. His son apparently had a Brain Tumor and Spinal Cancer, but he is said to now be cured. However, properly monitoring his condition is obviously paramount.
The following would be my strategy to get Petersen:
I say, let’s roll out the Red Carpet for Petersen in style, give him a personal tour of UCLA’s world renown Medical Center, by Gene Block, Dan G, The Dean of the School of Medicine, the Director of the UCLA Medical Center, and the Director of Oncology and NeuroSurgery, and throw in the Director of the Mattel Children’s Hospital, if need be. UCLA Medical Center is Ranked #10 in Cancer/Oncology and #7 in Neurology/ Neuro-
Surgery. The Mattel Children’s Hospital is also highly ranked.
Do this, BEFORE you even have ONE conversation about FB. Show him you really care MORE about Chris Petersen the Person and Father, than Chris Petersen the Coach.
Then, give him a tour of Bel Air, and show him what it would be like to live in an ultra exclusive private community, which would be no more than 5 minutes from his office. Show him what financing options he would have and what his cost of living would look like. As I have stated before, the cost of living in LA is NO more than $100k a year more than living elsewhere, with most of those expenses being Tax Deductible anyway. When you are making over $3 million a year, it’s almost a non factor.
Finally, get to FB and I say, let’s make him a strong offer. Commitment wise, show him that we are committed to FB. Show him plans to improve facilities. Show him plans to lower academic standards for athletes. Moneywise, make an offer in the range of $3-4 million a year, and offer to finance his down payment on a new home. Then we shall see how open he is to moving to LA. Do that, and then you will know you did your all. I have a feeling he would bite, but if he doesn’t, the message will be out. UCLA is SERIOUS about FB, and is willing to do what it takes to get the right Coach. The AD’s office would be flooded with interview requests.
GO BRUINS!!!!
Kyle
I’m probably going to get a lot of grief for this, but–
on a personal level, I’m sorry to see Rick go. He came in with a fair amount of baggage and the microscope we all used to examine his performance and adherence to NCAA rules. From all accounts, he handled the job and all the pressures, conflicts, etc. that go with it the way it ought to be handled…with a level of dignity that a lot of so-called top tier coaches would not exhibit. He didn’t throw kids under the bus. He didn’t blame Norm Chow for offensive shortcomings while Norm was at Westwood. He took responsibility, and preached optimism– while it may not have made for USC-style winning football, it’s a good personal playbook. I hope he finds success down the road.
BruinFaithful
Kyle:
Must be some good Neu Herb you’re smoking there. Nobody here or anywhere is happy that Rick didn’t work out. We all wanted him to. He didn’t. All those supposed qualities you mentioned are tantamount to being the leader at any Company. That’s like saying hey, this executive did everything right, he came in to work on time, he didn’t berate anybody, he didn’t bad mouth the company, he was honest and ethical, he left with dignity, blah blah blah. Oh, but he just couldn’t produce. You kidding me?
His teams were also undisciplined, unprepared, insubordinate at times, were suspended for smoking weed several times, and embarrassed our school with their conduct on the field, for actions unrelated to their play. i.e. the AZ game.
So Neu saying, “We need to execute better. We need to get better QB play. I felt like there wasn’t always cohesion between the coaches and the OC.” Those statements aren’t throwing players and Norm under the Bus?
Please let me borrow those Rose colored glasses someday. You should do PR for Penn State and the Kardashians.
The Blur
You’re not alone, Kyle. I think those comments are very appropriate. You may take heat elsewhere, but many people will agree with you.
UCLA Rockies, thanks for the insight. Many people seem to agree with you so maybe I need to get those other guys out of my head.
Lifelong Bruin Fan
BruinFaithful: Great post. I agree with your approach of emphasizing a great quality of life here in LA *before* touting anything football related. Petersen is no doubt a bright guy and knows that the sky is the limit with football at UCLA, but it seems he is equally if not more concerned with quality of life for his family, so no reason not to fully leverage the advantages UCLA the institution offers. And living in Bel Air just minutes from the UCLA campus would no doubt be a great living situation.
I really hope this talk of Petersen has some basis in reality (unlike say Urban Meyer, with whom I felt we had zero shot at, unfortunately).
Anonymous
Island Bruin. What are you smoking over in the Island. Seriously, Jim Tressel!?!?!? Not even Mike Garrett would hire Tressel.
BruinFaithful
Urban Meyer to tOSU Live Official presser on right now at ESPNU.
UCLA Firing Neu Official Live Presser on at 2:30pm at this link:
Faith; Lifelong; Kyle; Blur …
Dang, it’s nice to have some sane discussion on here!
As per CRN, it is sad.
He was in over his head, and now it’s time to cut bait.
Even he understands that. Wished he woulda resigned …
In his own words:
*We’ve got to get our passion buckets full
*We’ve got to close the gap
*We’ve got to move the needle
*We’ve got to burn the boats.
Double the offer and hire Petersen.
It will come back 10-fold down the road.
Lifelong Bruin Fan
Wow, kudos BruinFaithful for that link!!!
BruinFaithful
Rick Firing Presser Highlights:
Dan saying all the right things.
We’ll see if he follows through.
1.) Some obstacles at UCLA. Stadium too far for most students, some Educational barriers, but none of these should keep up from building a successful program. Successful meaning, winning Pac-12 Championships and being in the discussion for NC’s.
2.) We have the resources to afford a Top Tier Coach, from new contract and Donors. Money will not be an issue. We will have the resources to compete.
3.) FB drives the program.
4.) FB is the Number 1 Sport, not BB.
5.) Therefore, hugely concerned by the 25% drop in attendance over last 4 years.
Like I said. We shall see.
Lifetime Bruin Fan
It does not matter who UCLA hires, Coach CRN was not the problem, Administrations
is the problem, They need to be FIRED, then replaced with people who know how
To win, And want to win. GO BRUINS.
ucla-of-the-rockies
Faithful: +5 … And, did DG say anything to clarify Johnson’s role? Will he coach if we go bowling? Odd that it wouldn’t be CRN for that, too, being this whole situation we are in — like it or not — is CRN’s baby.
BruinFaithful
Rockies:
CRN will coach versus Oregon and Mike Johnson from there.
Guerrero did the same when Dorrell got canned.
ucla-of-the-rockies
Jon: Know of a good site like this for Boise football?
Anonymous
How about a candidate like Herm Edwards who is well respected, has NFL experience, and is passionate
BruinFaithful
Petros and Money reporting that UCLA will throw a ton of cash at Petersen. Let’s hope. Petros and Money talking about UCLA and coaching situation.
Petros and Money also reporting that Casey Wasserman, UCLA Alum, and Grandson of Billionaire Lew Wasserman, getting VERY involved in new coaching hire. They are reporting that he is pushing for Chris Petersen.
…was fired, Walker coached the Bowl game against BYU, Faithful.
BruinFaithful
Dorrell:
Isn’t that what I said?
Lifelong Bruin Fan
FWIW, David Vassegh reporting on KLAC 570 (from Petros and Money Show) that Petersen’s son’s doctor has been transferred to the UCLA Medical Center. Also, apparently Petersen is not happy with the BSU president.
Of course the above, even if true, may have no significance.
BruinFaithful
Petros and Money reporting that UCLA will throw a ton of cash at Petersen. Let’s hope. Petros and Money talking about UCLA and coaching situation.
Petros and Money also reporting that Casey Wasserman, UCLA Alum, and Grandson of Billionaire Lew Wasserman, getting VERY involved in new coaching hire. They are reporting that he is pushing for Chris Petersen.
Jon Gold on soon. Here is the link.
Dan from Petros and Money just reported that he spoke to another wealthy UCLA Alum, not Casey, and he told him privately that he would pay for Petersen’s salary and all of his assistants.
They also reported that Petersen’s son’s doctor was just transferred to UCLA. They also reported that Petersen is not a huge fan of the new AD, and his relationship was with Bleymeier who was fired.
It gets deeper.
Jon Gold
is on right now. 3:34
Anonymous
Fight the hunger Jon!
Amillennialist
Good comments, Kyle.
God bless you, Neu.
Go Bruins!
Anonymous
Anyone who doesn’t embrace the Petersen choice hasn’t been paying attention. He wins in mid-major conference, and he wins out of it. Against Oregon. Against Oklahoma. With names like Jared Zabransky and Ian Johnson — blue collar players with little-to-no pro prospects. Austin Pettis — destined to be a life-long third receiver in the league. Think Kellen Moore is the next Tom Brady? Think again.
The man wins by recruiting athletes who are passionate about playing the sport and by game-planning the pants off his opponents. Sure they lost to TCU this season; TCU is/has been pretty freaking good. You may remember the Horned Frogs swinging by Pasadena last January.
For those who are certain Petersen won’t give us the time of day, because he didn’t after KD … things change. People change, situations change.
If we’re pursuing him like it’s being reported, kudos to the department/boosters for the gumption after we were patently dismissed last time.
In case you haven’t guessed, I for one would be thrilled with a Petersen hire. But if it doesn’t happen, I still believe we have the cache to lure a prominent name.
Of course, if it’s a Rocky Seto-type, I wash my hands of this mess.
Anonymous
HAHA and at UCLA Petersen wouldnt have to worry about recruiting kickers–oh, wait… Kip Smith
Here’s the link to buy UCLA Pac12 South Champions gear:
…….
Even the Pac12 knows the bRuins are not the champs, despite what your ex-coach slickrick thinks
Enjoy watching your team quit again and another beat-down in Oregon
Trojan Conquest
What’s a better job for a head coach, UCLA or ASU? We’ll soon find out.
gilligan
Does anybody know the status of XSF? Is he going back to UCLA or will he start looking around? I have nothing but a lot of respect for XSF and his missionary/humanitarian work (note that I am not the most religious person). Anyhoo, from my understanding before signing with UCLA he strongly considered USC and Utah, not sure if he would reconsider USC since Kalil is heading to the NFL and he could sign up as a mid-year signee.
Petersen would be a great hire but I think he will probably wait another year and take the Tenn job. If I were UCLA I would hire K. Sumlin b/c he knows how to coach offense and has a proven track record. This might sound weird but I think both UCLA QBs (KP and RB)can excel in his system.
The one wild card that I would throw out there is Tex Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz. He is a good d-coach and a heck of a recruiter. I think he might be the easiest coach to sign compare to Petersen and Sumlin.
Kyle Kveton
Bruin Faithful–
I knew I’d get one response like yours. The Penn State line was an especially telling touch. Other than as snark, it had no benefit and added nothing to the discussion.
I never suggested Coach N. should keep his job. I never suggested the team ran perfectly. You and others have rightfully pointed out that at times the team was undisciplined and did not execute well on the field. That is a coaching failure. I only pointed out that Rick had the decency not to try and deflect blame by putting those failings on the players or his assistants. I find that an admirable quality.
Sorry that my perspective so offended you. I feel much the same way about yours, but I would never stoop so low as to suggest you stand up for a child molester or those who covered for him. That kind of crack is so far beneath what we expect from Bruins.
Anonymous
I would love to see Ken Norton jr Coach his bruins. He is a proven recruiter and a young hire energy guy. I think he would bring a positive energy to the program and the current kids and recruits would be excited about that hire. And whatever happened to Randy Shannon?
BruinFaithful
Kyle:
Dude. Relax. It was a joke. Your panties are obviously tight.
He didn’t blame Coaches and Players? Yeah, he only fired Chow and Bullough.
Who cares about how classy he is. Move on man. It’s time look to the future not the past.
I NEVER said you defended child molestors. I said PR for Penn State, not Sandusky. Nor everybody at Penn State is a child molestor.
Your post came off like a HUGE PR job and you sounded like an apologist is the point I was trying to make. You obviously didn’t pay attention to the points I made.
At this point I really don’t care. It’s time to move forward for everybody.
BruinFaithful
Gilligan:
XSF is already on Campus and enrolled for the Winter Quarter.
http://www.insidesocal.com Skipper
Can’t believe this has not come up earlier. The best choice is Butch Davis. He brings the following:
1) Has coached successfully at a basketball first school.
2) Would solve your biggest problem. He has coached and recruited successfully at a school in a big city with a football stadium at least 10 miles from campus. (Miami)
3) Has brought up programs near rock bottom (UNC & Miami)
4) Wants to coach again as he has a son who is a Senior QB in high school. (Sound familiar??)
5) You can afford him based on his UNC pay.
I really don’t see a lot of big names really wanting this job.
ucla-of-the-rockies
Rewind to 1998 and my passion bucket is empty on Butch Davis to move the needle toward a decision and close the gap on what is the top tier of major college football.
BruinFaithful
Kyle:
You still want to talk about how classy Rick is and how he didn’t throw anybody under the bus? He can’t shut up about how he wasn’t given what he needed to succeed and how he gave Dan G a list at the begining of the year and how he wasn’t given any of the things he asked for and how UCLA either needs to spend more or lower their standards. Ever the Media whore, he can’t shut up. Throwing the whole Program and School under the bus. How do you think this will help us get a new Coach?
After listening and reading the links coach Neuheisel was classy and did not throw UCLA under the bus. It’s time to face the fact that if UCLA was doing everything right then the football program wouldn’t be in the state it is in and top flight coaches would desire the job.
