A brief story

Jon,

I must say for your first beat job you do a heck of a job. In my mind you had big shoes to fill, I really liked Dohn and you have done it well.

Sad watching such a good guy who loves UCLA so much fail. Lavin was a good guy who failed also but imo Lavin seemed to always know that he was given a great job he should have never gotten and always seemed to realize he was on borrowed time.

BTW if it wasn't for your great coverage I would have never really ever understood why Neu failed so badly.

Moe

I didn't feel anywhere near this horrible when Karl Dorrell was fired. While logic dictates that the outcome was inevitable, I still hate that it had to end this way.

I wish in some sense that he'd remain in the athletic department in some capacity. You get the impression that his loyalty and alligiance to UCLA would ultimately help accelerate or contribute to the success of whomever his successor is.

God speed Coach Neuheisel. If not our athletic dept, I hope Kansas comes knocking, as is rumored.

Nice insight into your working relationship with Coach Rick. I'm sure you'll have great memories from this period of your life.

Ahhh that's so sweet I don't give a damn about how he cares or this or that, it's what have u done for me lately and he hasn't done squat but put our program back 10 steps. I think he's a nice guy but they always say nice guys finish last. See u later Rick go screw someone else program up......

Jon,

Congratulations to you! You achieved your journalistic objectives while demonstrating the respect and humanity necessary to gain the access and get the story! It's a fine balance and Rick Neuheisel basically said you were very good at it! Nice job!

Jon,

Nice Posting...Glad that you caught the man, and not just the Coach. No one could have told me four years ago that this would not have worked out for UCLA & Coach Neu. So I truly say "Thank You Coach Neu!"

It Should Have Been Dan he's been on the for 12 years Rick 4 who's more responsible for the state of the Program!!!

Thanks for the post Jon, very nice hearing this.

Good for you, Jon. The compliments are well deserved. You do a great job and it's clear you work very hard. No doubt it's a grind. You are THE source for Bruins sports news.

As for the blog, it's got to be one of the hardest things to do. I really appreciate your fairness and willingness to truly offer an open forum.

Can we trade Wolf for Gold? I'd much rather have a writer start from a positive place than a place of cynicism. Nothing worse than cynicism. Between Wolf and the few, constant, Bruin trolls on Wolf's site make it hard to read.

Thank you Jon for your candid self-disclosure.

In this age of verbal meat-axes swung and hand grenades tossed so freely by wanna-be journalist/bloggers on other self-proclaimed "UCLA oriented" sites, you are the real deal!

Keep up your solid, unbiased work covering UCLA, in spite of the nonsensical barbs tossed your way. There are many older alums living away from who appreciate honesty and not unsubstantiated opinion.

When I lived in LA in the last quarter of the 20th century and followed the Bruin teams in the print and electronic media, it didn't make any difference to me whether the good reporters and columnists were the first to get out a story, but how well they explained the relevancy of a situation and its importance to the arc of the team's season.

I guess that methodology is just too Old School for the punks who berate you for not being a "stock ticker reporter" being the first to spew facts (true or not) swirling in the ether.

Continue on your current path honing your obvious skills.

Very touching article about Coach Neu.

And it must tear the heart out of him not to have been successful at his alma mater. He wanted it so badly.

lawyer john

TroCon: You are a fair poster, period. I have to admit that I was so disappointed w/InsideUSC these past two weeks because of how Wolf steers the thing. It's like a soap opera. You would never see Jon post something like: "CRN was caught unzipping his pants in the parking lot today ... that must mean that Oregon scares the piss out of him. Type away about what you all think of THAT!" Wow. Really? Bad-ass football program at U$C? Yes. InsideUSC? Not even close.

Jon: You spoil us. Your writing seems to get better by the day (Oregon offense more relentless than a wildfire in high wind ...) We all knew this was a tough week for you, let alone trying to manuever through this whole "hey beat writer, who's our next coach!?!" thing. Stay with us all for awhile, would ya? Hey, we've at least got our hoops to always look forward to ... well. You know what I mean, Jon. And please give us one more "Two Fat Guys Season Wrap-up" (and film it WHILE eating!)

CRN: I'm proud to say that my major memory of you is from my chilhood, winning The Rose Bowl MVP after arriving as a walk-on. I thought it might shift to this latter, sadder, episode. But you closed it out with such class, such maturity, bleeding so much Bruin blue & gold that I wish you nothing but the best. No, your not in Kansas anymore. So go there, and give 'em hell in The Big 12.

Jon,
I'm kind of new to your stories... but find them good and very informative and not one-sided either way. Nice to learn this is your first real beat job... good work. Your coverage on Rick has been my go to... this just doesn't get any easier. I've never been so connected to a UCLA coach or any coach outside of mine in school than this one. It meant so much to have Rick as our coach, our own and to have him succeed. Time after time i've had dicussions with friends on Rick being allowed more and more time. I feel for the man, he does care so much about his school. They give that performance last week, maybe he has a job still. But its not just a job... it was a dream for him and all UCLA fans. Ugh, this sucks. The future of UCLA just won't be the same really... Rick has changed it for sure. We can win with say a Sumlin, Cable whomever but will it really be the same if we didn't win with Rick?

I also don't remember feeling this badly when Dorrell was fired. I think that's a testament not only to Neuheisel's personality, but also to the accessible nature with which he ran the program as well as the exceptional coverage Jon has delivered. Thanks Jon.

I really hope we upgrade at coach, but with DanG, that's looking slimmer and slimmer.

ucla-of-the-rockies, you could ghost-write for Wolf while he is on vacation. Clearly, you have caught on to the Wolf style: snide remark about a coach + unfounded inference = page views and vulgar debates.

I kind of respect Wolf for censoring virtually nothing in the comments from users, but man, it can be a sewer at times, and no matter what Wolf says, I believe he reads the comments and enjoys all that nasty craziness.

Way to pat yourself on the back.

WEB.......I'd prefer it to be about the topic, and not about the trolls.

Did Rick ask you to hold him.

Shawnymoe can go screw off. Neuheisel for all of his failings will always be a great Bruin. Anyone who cares as much about UCLA as an institution as Neuheisel does should always receive respect. I wish him all the best in the future.

Jon... you are doing a fine job... I am pretty sure very soon a larger circulation newspaper will notice your work and get you on board...that's when all your critics here at Inside Bruins will realize your skills and miss you.

What about Gary Patterson at TCU?

I agree with anon above--I think Jon has been great covering UCLA sports but I find this article a bit too self-flattering.

Sumlin is a fraud! Houston getting their asses handed by Mississippi State 42-21. So much for Sumling being on our list of coaches, but knowing Dan Guerrero, who knows?

Rob: Agreed. Sumlin not even the best coach in this game. Wonder if Art Briles could be lured from Baylor? Forget Sumlin coaching the obvious star QB shredding under-manned defenses ... Broyle ACTUALLY BROUGHT KEENUM TO Houston. And he was a key asst. under Leach at Texas Tech. Don't know if the Christian angle at Baylor keeps him tied there just like the KKK angle keeps Petersen in his Koresh-like compound up in Boise?

The trolls are the only reason i go to Wolf's site. They are the only thing keeping this a rivalry for me. If it werent for the trolls, UCLA would just be another Washington St. to me.

haha so sumlin gets blown out in one game, and hes off your list??? Good luck finding someone then.

Similar to T.J. Simers' advocating Steve Sarkisian, does it stretch the boundaries of insanity to suggest Ed Orgeron???

Yes his record at Mississippi, with recruits from the prior coach, was not impressive, but look at their record the next few years with Orgeron's recruits.

(1) The best recruiter in the country;

(2) Tough as nails (something UCLA could use);

(3) Great defensive coach, especially with D linemen (another UCLA need);

(4) Takes away a critical part of SC's recruiting (did I mention he's the best recruiter in the county?);

(5) Knows the Kiffins inside and out.

Just a thought since DG seems to be unable to think out side the box.

Oh, one other thing; Congratulations to Coach Neuheisel for demonstrating unfailing class, integrity, dignity and just about every other positive characteristic, other than the won-loss record. Perspective demands a "thank you", not just from UCLA fans but everyone else who ever honored life's real values.

So far, these are the best candidates for UCLA's Football Head Coach:

1. Tony Dungy
2. Steve Sarkisian
3. Jon Gruden.

I would prefer a head coach who was successful in the NFL. He would then have a better eye for NFL talent when recruiting. We have so many players who just don't have the quality to play big time college football.

Jon,

I remember the great Jim Murray beginning an article on Coach Wooden with the line, "John Wooden makes me want to be a better person." I felt the same way after reading your comments above on Coach Neuheisel.

Nice writing Jon, and as a geezer from the late 60's , early 70's i find it very sad the CRN did not make it at UCLA in his 4 years...and while i am excited about the new coach, whomever that will be, it is sad that a true BRUIN HERO could not get the job done...makes me think that the AD does have a major part in the failure of the past 3 coaches he has fired...i have a feeling in the deepest part of my stomach that UCLA will never be a major player in the rest of my lifetime...no on campus stadium..not even a practice field that is 100 yards long...we are killing ourselves because of these inadequacies...but once again JON you have made a real mark here with us BRUINS...please stay awhile...:)

bruincheer: +1

I like this Briles (current $1.8mill x year) more and more as I watch Baylor destroy Texas. If so, me thinks Hundley could be turned loose like GriffinIII.

Paul Hacket to UCLA!!!

If Sumlin is nothing without Case Keenum. Briles CERTAINLY is nothing without Robert Griffin III.

Semi: Who do you like that can realistically be brought in here?

Jon,
Thanks again for your work all season, right up to and including this post.
I hope we have the pleasure of reading you through the next phase of Bruin football which I hope brings good news and more wins to write about.

I think the best fit for UCLA would be an up and coming assistant...a fresh, young, and innovative mind...and if succcessful, you'd have to hope he stays for the long haul instead of using the UCLA head coach position as a stepping stone leading to a better job.

UCLA-Of-The-Rockies, Ive seen you post not only on this blog but Wolf's blog as well, and based on the things you say and how you say them, I can only conclude that you might be a homosexual, or from Canada, or both. I'd explain my logic behind these assumptions but I'm just too lazy right now.

Jon,
You've done a really good job with all aspects of your responsibilities.It's unfortunate that you delete some of the totally moronic posts by really sick people.CRN should have gotten the job a long time ago when Toledo took our program down.CRN has brought class and honesty to the program.He will be successful in his future endeavors and our program will grow because of his contributions.It's really hard to work in an environment where everyone is an expert and has all of the answers;only their own doctors are really experts in their field.

UCLA needs to bring in a well-known and successful coach for its football program. It cannot start over with a no-name person (be it assistant coach or otherwise). To do otherwise is to START OVER FROM SCRATCH. This would mean UCLA will NEVER be successful. UCLA has not been successful in 25 years. To start over means it will never be successful for another 25.

The next coach needs to have STATURE so that the current recruits will stay and the program will improve as player's attitudes will be kicked up by the new coach and as personal responsibility improves for the players.

The most blame lies with the players. But only a coach who is much stronger in personality than Rick Neuheisel will be able to kick these players in the head so that they can understand what it takes to win. Any weaker coach will just plain lose.

NFL coaches that don't have college coaching experience usually don't work out...they need need to be recruiters...and most I don't think they're willing to spend the off season traveling to kids' homes licking they're asses. IMO

BTW, I just got back from the UCLA basketball game, may I say this is the most pathetic Bruin team ever?!and I'm being nice e. The Ware twins are not very good AT ALL.

Stop wasting time listening to effiminate euro musicians and tell us who we are going to have to settle for as the next head coach.

Georgia and Oklahoma proved today that even good teams from established programs playing for all the marbles can lose badly (worse than UCLA did last night).

And it looks like Sumlin removed himself from contention today. You don't want as your new head coach someone who was one (or two) plays away from being 0-2 against the program he's supposed to resurrect.

guerrerror should hire Larry Fedora or June Jones, those are more realistic hires.

Thanks for your hard work and your though-provoking articles, Jon.

Neuheisel has been a class act since the minute he stepped onto Spaulding practice field at UCLA and I for one as an Angeleno whom is not necessarily a UCLA nor a USC fan will miss Neuheisel. He raised the bar for UCLA in terms of his integrity and his love for the program. I think that Neuheisel's legacy will come in the form of a longstanding positive effect that will eventually bear its fruits in increasingly positive, focused, talented UCLA teams that will prove to be contenders.

...and, as an aside, as a Columbia University grad, I have also commented on Wolf's USC blog and it's truly disappointing to see dcard's words cheapen the exchange and conversation on this blog with a blatantly homophobic and crass comment on what had been a heartfelt and honest exhange up until his commentary.

you got a problem with homophobia? People are born with it, just like stupid people say homosexuals are born that way.

And what would be wrong with a Canadian homosexual? How you can derive that dcard1097 and then claim you are too lazy to explain shows that you must be an obese retired logger from Kentucky. "Rockies" is colorful on here, yes, especially when drinking. But I prefer his often clever posts compared to your creepy homophobe and weak take on the coaching search. (A fresh, young, successful mind? Really? As opposed to a tired, old, loser? Way to really lay one out there, dcard). And thanks for spoiling the thread.

Whoa, I sure did ruffle some feathers here lol.

It's just a blog dude, calm down. I just call em like I see em. Say what you want about me, I dont really care. You must be one of those "politically correct" people with a stick up their ass.
Did I insult your gay lover? Sorry

sincerely, the homophobic obese retired logger from Kentucky

(btw, what if one of these bloggers really was a homophobic-obese-retired-logger from Kentucky, well you just insulted them, making you as "horrible" of a person as me)

Whaa Whaa whaa.... cry me a river, the guy was a loser. He only had 3 win of teams with a .500 record, never beat a top 25 team, had only 12 wins in the pac 10-12, he stunk as a coach, he had the opportunity to beat out SC in recruiting the last few years but did nothing.... good riddance.

I like CRN, and I'm glad you as a journalist have a nice personal memory, but it's too bad that our coach didn't do his job and provide fond memories on the field for the fans. I remember speaking to CRN at a private donor event shortly after he was hired. He gave a speech about the calm that he felt knowing that he had time to build the program from within and that he didn't feel any rush (his own words). I remember asking him specific questions about problems with the team and he continued to spout glowing rhetoric, talking about familiarity with the system and bringing back the glory years. He was doomed to fail from the beginning by having the wrong attitude towards the job. He should have approached the situation with a sense of urgency, understanding that he was there to be a turnaround specialist, and that a different mentality is required as a turnaround guy. You don't even think about turnarounds in the context of "moving needles."

Anonymous as 11:34, that is an interesting story re: Neuheisel feeling like he had time to build the program. For all the Kiffin-bashing by Bruins and, yes, most of the rest of America, I can't imagine that Kiffin felt anything other than extreme pressure to produce results immediately (notwithstanding his stubborn refusal to can his dad).

Between the most recent USC recruiting class and USC's better-than-expected season, Kiffin has certainly bought himself some credit with USC fans, but hopefully he knows that the fans will be quick to turn on him if the wheels come off the bus. What was said to Neuheisel to make him feel otherwise? And who said it?