Tag Archives: Roquan Smith

Jim Mora: Jeff Ulbrich still ‘contemplating’ Falcons’ job offer

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The Atlanta Falcons have offered UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich a position as the linebackers coach, interrupting what was looking like a very successful National Signing Day.

However, the 37-year-old has yet to decide whether to accept the job opening.

“Jeff has assured me he has not come to a conclusion yet,” said UCLA head coach Jim Mora. “He is contemplating whether or not he wants to do that. I’m going to fight tooth and nail to keep him here because I think he’s an outstanding coach. …

“I’m going to fight like crazy to keep that sucker, and it’s going to be a battle, because Dan Quinn, he’s a fighter.”

Mora said that newly hired Falcons head coach Dan Quinn first reached out to him as a courtesy on Tuesday night, asking if he could contact Ulbrich. Mora said no — smiling, as he recalled the moment — but in the NFL, permission isn’t needed. Mora and Quinn’s relationship stretches back to their time on the San Francisco 49ers staff. The former became the defensive coordinator in 1999, and hired the latter as a defensive quality control coach two years later. Quinn was soon promoted to defensive line coach.

That same connection also ties the men to Ulbrich, who spent his entire 10-year NFL career in San Francisco before retiring from playing in 2009. Continue reading “Jim Mora: Jeff Ulbrich still ‘contemplating’ Falcons’ job offer” »

With Ulbrich in limbo, linebacker Roquan Smith reopens recruitment

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Roquan Smith’s recruitment won’t be ending today.

The four-star linebacker from Montezuma (Ga.) Macon County had announced his decision to attend UCLA over Georgia this morning on ESPN, but the news was soon followed by a stunner. FOX Sports reported that the Bruins’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would take a job as the Atlanta Falcons’ linebackers coach.

A source indicated that Ulbrich and the Falcons were not a done deal, but the damage was done. Smith not only did not send in his letter of intent, but has now reopened his recruitment.

“He’s going to open things up with his recruiting,” Macon County coach Larry Harold told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s pretty much UGA, Michigan, and Texas A&M – and UCLA is still in it. Coach Ulbrich told him that he hasn’t signed anything yet (with the Falcons), and that he hasn’t made a decision. So I think they are still in it as well. We’re going to sit back for a couple of days and see how this thing plays out.”

UCLA head coach Jim Mora is slated to talk to the media at 4:30 p.m. today.

Atlanta Falcons looking to hire UCLA’s Jeff Ulbrich as assistant

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On National Signing Day, UCLA might be at risk of losing one of its best recruiters.

FOX Sports reported that the Atlanta Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich — who just finished his first season as the Bruins’ defensive coordinator — as a linebackers coach.

However, a source indicated that Ulbrich going to the Falcons is not a done deal. The 37-year old worked as UCLA’s linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for two seasons before being promoted in 2014.

Ulbrich has spoken highly about both UCLA head coach Jim Mora and newly hired Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, calling both tremendous influences on his defensive philosophy.

The reports could already have significant ramifications on the Bruins’ 2015 recruiting class. Four-star linebacker Roquan Smith committed to UCLA over Georgia on ESPNU this morning, but has not sent in his national letter of intent. The Montezuma, Ga., native called Ulbrich a significant factor in his recruitment.

Smith’s coach at Macon County, Larry Harold, confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Ulbrich’s uncertain status was what held up the commitment.

“We just got off the phone with Ulbrich,” Harold told the AJC. “He said he hasn’t signed any papers with the Falcons. So he talked to Roquan, and he let him know that he was going to check into everything and get back to him. …

“That’s what his decision to UCLA came down to – Roquan’s relationship with Ulbrich. That’s what it came down to as the difference between UGA and UCLA. He has been there since the first day. Recruiting is about the relationships. It always comes down to the relationships.”

Four-star linebacker Roquan Smith commits to UCLA

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UPDATE: Smith has not yet signed his national letter of intent. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the four-star linebacker is waiting to see if defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich leaves to become the Atlanta Falcons’ linebackers coach.

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UCLA is looking almost unstoppable on National Signing Day.

The Bruins picked up yet another high profile recruit, going four for four on ESPNU when four-star linebacker Roquan Smith pulled on blue and gold gloves. An inside linebacker who is one of the top-100 recruits in the country, Smith decided to pick UCLA over Georgia despite growing up about 2.5 hours south of the Athens campus.

“I just wanted to get out, do my own thing, experience something different. … It just felt like home,” he said.

The 6-foot, 203-pound linebacker credited defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for keying his recruitment. Ulbrich, who served as the team’s linebackers coach before being promoted last year, first saw Smith as a sophomore.

“He’s been with me from day one,” Smith said.