Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…
1) Can you provide specific reasons why Leach was not pursued seriously? Do you think he would have been a good choice for UCLA? Why or why not? – Anonymous
Specific reasons, no, but I can tell you that some personalities don’t play in certain places. I think Leach will thrive in Pullman, and I think he’s a brilliant football mind who could’ve thrived at UCLA, but some of the antics he pulled in Lubbock, Texas, might not fly at UCLA.
2) Does the athletic department seem to only use throwing money at problems as their solutions to things? It seems to me like with the head coaching search (or rather blunder) and all their focus on student giveaways, the Morgan Center seems to see problems and just throw money at it like many public schools do. But this doesn’t seem to work because UCLA doesn’t have as much money and because it reveals how desperate athletics is to have more successful programs. Is this just my perception as a student, or do you observe this too? – Tim
I think it’s the way of the world these days.
3) Any chance on Fresno’s coach. Love his aggressive “We’ll play anyone, anywhere” style. He could do wonders with the resources at a major university like UCLA. And his program stays clean = Anonymous
I think Pat Hill is a good coach and should be considered for most west coast coaching jobs.
4) What is your take on Chris Peterson — his 11-1 Broncos still blindly looking for that shattered glass slipper — turning down a 4-yr, $20mil offer from UCLA yet stomaching a toilet bowl berth vs. 6-6 ASU? – ucla-of-the-rockies
I never begrudge a guy a standard-of-living choice. There are all kinds, friend. Not everyone wants the well, BS, that sometimes comes with life in L.A. There are other metropolises that don’t have the sheer overwhelming nature of L.A., particularly with traffic and general attitude. Then you consider all of the well-documented inherent issues with the UCLA coaching job, and you can perhaps understand that money doesn’t go that far.
5) Boston Globe article on Matthew Slater (newest Safety for the Pats) http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2011/12/05/matthew_slater_shines_for_patriots_defense – Boston Bruin
I agree.