Half a day after USC fired coach Lane Kiffin, UCLA’s Jim Mora was asked what he thought of the news. He kept his remarks short and civil.

“I certainly feel for him on a personal basis,” he said. “I’ve known him a long time. It’s disappointing. You never want to see anybody lose their job. He’s a good person. I just wish the best for him.”

The two coaches admittedly aren’t the closest of friends, but Mora worked under Lane’s father, Monte, for a season in New orleans. The elder Kiffin was the Saints’ defensive coordinator in 1995, while Mora’s five-year tenure as defensive backs coach lasted until 1996.

He did not comment as to whether USC’s coaching change could affect UCLA’s recruiting strategy toward players with interest in both.

“We haven’t gotten that far yet,” Mora said. “We haven’t even talked about it. This morning’s been all about Utah.”