Making Progress with Rick Neuheisel

by Laughing Stock on Nov 30, 2008 1:34 PM PST Comment 20 comments

It has become clear to all but the most sycophantic Dorrellistas that Neuheisal has already taken the bruins to new heights in his first year as head coach. Just refer to this table showing how the first year under his coachness compares to the last year under he-who-shall-not-be-named:

	"Progress"
.		This Year	Last Year
.	Total Offense	293.6	333.6
.	Total Defense	344.9	343.2
.	Turnover Margin	-8	-4
.	Win-Loss	4 - 7	6 - 7

Ah, the numbers truly speak for themselves, but they do not tell the whole story. Neuheisal has brought an added dimension to the team by way of passion and enthusiasm. Would we have ever witnessed Karl Dorrell verbally berate a player on national television? Never, as he was far too much of a sniveling coward to stand up to kids just barely out high school. Neuheisal, or as I like to call him "Coach" Rick Neuheisal or CRN for short, shows true dedication and love for the team by yelling at QB Kevin Craft on the sidelines after major mistakes but then shows his true support and belief in him by sending him out to play again and again. Only those without a grasp of the the higher philosopho-logical hierarchies of football would ever be able to defend Dorrell's clearly inferior coaching style.

But enough with the present, now it is time to consider the blindingly bright future. Despite the fact that Dorrell brought in three classes ranked in the top 25 according to scout there is nowhere to go but up for the proud bruin program. With the coaching brain trust that CRN has put together the recruiting will practically take care of itself. What recruit wouldn't want to come play for the dream team of Neuheisal, QB guru Norm Chow, and defensive mastermind Dewayne Walker (the best DC in the Pac 10)? Forget Pete Carroll and his so called "track record of consistent success", soon every top flight prospect in Southern California will be beating down the doors on the admissions office to dawn the blue and gold.

Of course some myopic nitwits are already claiming that the coaching situation is untenable knowing that multiple coaches are still drawing pay from professional teams and the fact that both Chow and Walker are being considered for head coaching jobs elsewhere, but this is a minor quibble at best. Certainly the arguments and infighting that have been coming to surface are exaggerated, and besides, who would want to work for anyone else when they could work for Rick Neuheisal? Even though it was a rhetorical question, if you answered nobody then you are correct.

So everyone at USC better watch out. Year 1 of the master plan has already been executed to perfection and it is clear that the monopoly is over even before this years rivalry game has been played. Yes, as long as ucla continues on this path then they will reclaim their rightful spot on the top of the college football world before anyone knows what has happened.

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Ill give him a year or two

I’m not a total believer in CRN, however I do believe that if Karl Dorrell was coaching them this season, they would probably have lost to Stanford and Tennessee. I agree with you that the claim that Dwayne Walker is the best DC in the Pac-10 is a complete insult to Nick Holt and Pete Carroll. Sure he puts together a solid defense, but his fans are riding that victory over USC a couple of years ago to loftier heights than Walker deserves.

Talk to Utah and BYU about how great the ucla defense is. Pete Carrolls largest margin of defeat over 7 seasons is 11 points in his first year to Notre Dame. Walkers squad has been blown out by much much worse margins than Pete Carroll has ever suffered. Its ridiculous to call him the best DC in the conference.

by frak on Nov 30, 2008 2:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Interestingly enough

UCLA’s 2004 recruiting class, which is now the majority of the seniors, was 8th in the Pac-10.

by SuperBruinMan on Nov 30, 2008 4:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Over or underachieved this season?

It’s probably too early to tell. Given their O-line and QB problems, 4 wins isn’t half bad, even though they got free wins from the Washington schools. Stanford was their best victory.

CRN is no CPC…no one should expect a turnaround of that magnitude.

by vantageSC on Nov 30, 2008 4:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh right I forgot that

Neuheisel had Carson Palmer, Kenichi Udezi, a whole slew of other All Americans and All Pac-10 players and future NFL players and went 6-6 his first year. Oh wait a sec …

by Seanny Rotten on Dec 1, 2008 12:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it matters

What the bruins do this year. Everyone pretty much knew it was going to be a hard season for ucla. Yes Pete Carroll went 6-6 in his first season. He was 2-5 to start, and 5-1 at the end. In those 5 losses at the beginning of the season, all of them were by 1 score except ND which was 11 points. Anyone watching SC football that season knew that the 2nd year would be better.

The question now is whether or not Neuheisel will bounce back in similar fashion. I think he will have a winning season next year, but I believe ucla will be on the 3-4 year plan before they really come back. We will see how CRN does, he really doesn’t have a long track record with any program to look at as far as long term success.

by frak on Dec 1, 2008 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And Sunny Byrd at tailback...

LOL. Care to check that PC started 1-4 and ended the regular season with 27-0 blanking of the Ruins…

I am sure fUCLA has 1-2 All Americans on its roster (Brian Price) but 2 players doesn’t equal a team

by anh_sc79 on Dec 1, 2008 9:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

On one hand

Pete Carroll and Nick Saban have proved that you can turn a program around after 1 season. I’m wondering what the bruin fans expect for next season. They pretty much knew that this was going to be a difficult year for them when all their key offensive players went down. What’s the prognosis for next year?

by frak on Nov 30, 2008 6:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

in fairness to his Coachness

I was watching the tail end of the UCLA – ASU game when Craft threw pick-6 interceptions on two consecutive possessions. I suspect that his Coachness was doing Craft a favor by keeping him away from the Bruins’ defense. And really, at this point in the season, his Coachness could be forgiven for getting frustrated with seeing the same stupid mistake killing the Bruins’ score twice in less than a couple of minutes of playing time.

Far be it from me to try and read people’s expressions, but Craft looked like he wasn’t taking his coach(ness) seriously, and that’s a mistake on Craft’s part – if there’s one thing Craft should be doing, it’s listening to Neuheisel’s QB-coaching-advice.

by DC Trojan on Nov 30, 2008 6:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Something is very wrong with the qb situation

I have no idea what is wrong, but Craft has not progressed at all. In fact, it almost seems like he has regressed over the past few games. The ASU game was just horrifying to watch. I still can’t believe that’s the type of talent that UCLA has.

But in all honesty, it’s not Craft’s limited physical capabilities I’m angry about. If he played within his own abilities, he’d be average and I’d be okay with that this year. What drives me up the wall is his failure to mature mentally. I don’t know what this guy is thinking but after seeing him play “hospital ball” with one of our receivers during the Oregon game (I can’t recall who it was, but he overthrew a receiver and that receiver got absolutely blasted and landed on his head…a very scary moment), I was through.

I just can’t figure out the qb situation for the life of me.

by BruinFan1 on Nov 30, 2008 9:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

mystifying. I mean, I don’t spend much time on how UCLA is doing, but I did have a sense that all was not well with Craft. I thought that maybe Sarkisian was being too conservative with Sanchez until two more interceptions from not spotting a defensive player due to locking on. Sanchez is getting better but it takes time and interest. You’d have to wonder if Craft is interested any longer.

by DC Trojan on Nov 30, 2008 9:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

After I posted that comment

I read a quote from CRN saying that he wished he had better options. Well, this clearly means he is not happy with Craft, which makes me feel good because he’s seeing the same thing I’m seeing. BUT, could our other qbs really be any worse? I mean, really? Could Forcier or Rashaan give up 3 pick-6’s ????

If Craft is really our best option, then I am truly shocked at how far Dorrell sunk this program in terms of talent.

For the sake of not bashing Craft too much, I will say he is one tough SOB. I can appreciate that.

by BruinFan1 on Nov 30, 2008 11:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yes but the Ruins and nestor the greek goddest are going to take over LA, I think the Crips and Bloods don't agree!

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 30, 2008 9:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ever notice how all these Ruins Nation Boys and Girls never leave their e-mail address, just plain COWARDS!

USC 75- WESTWOOD HS 3

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 30, 2008 9:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whoah there

Its all in good fun. The whole thing was just supposed to be a bit of sarcastic/satirical fun. In all honesty, its probably to early to make a judgment call on the Neuheisal hire one way or another.

by Laughing Stock on Nov 30, 2008 10:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LS my reaction is about how they are calling SC fans A-Holes

I used to root for Ucla, but not when they played USC, but after reading backhanded comments at BN. It kind of puts a bitter taste in my mouth. I have all the respect for coaches and players at ucla, fact is the FB lives down the street and my second cousin played with Chad Moline and they used to hang out. I played pick-up basketball with BH when he lived in Cerritos along with LO Romar, I know that their situation isn’t good over their but will probably get better. Some of the better and competitive games have come against Ucla and sometimes it is a craps shoot, and I hope it become this again one day. Ucla has been injured for most of the last 10yrs and due to their different admissions (higher than any other UC school) they don’t have enough depth. So I say let the games begin and my the best team win!

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Dec 1, 2008 3:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The true Bowl meaning!

The Rose bowl game was always known as the granddaddy of them all (Keith Jackson) to me, and I still consider it as such. Ucla didn’t take the Rose bowl down, the BCS did it has ruin all the old bowls from New Years day. I feel the players at USC don’t think the Rose bowl isn’t good enough, but would like to travel to another bowl. So enough with this bashing back and forth, I mean really is it going to make your life or anybody else life any better I think not.

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Dec 1, 2008 4:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Right here:

seannyrotten@hotmail.com

WHAT? HUH? WHAT!?

by Seanny Rotten on Dec 1, 2008 12:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry sean I wasn't talking about you but your leader BN, who is so classy

Paul D. Kelley

by so.cal.native1952 on Dec 2, 2008 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Imagine being Craft?

What, with The Holy Triumvirate of Coaching Ninjas blowing smoke up his arse each and every day? Maybe he’s just verklempt at all the schematic advantages he has at his disposal? And, it IS true Carson Palmer won a Heisman (let that one sink in for a minute Rotten Bruin-boy! A HEISMAN !!!!) while being tutored by our revered and beloved ex-Coach Norm Chow. But in the three years prior, Carson Palmer wasn’t exactly on the Davey O’Brien watch-list radar. But hey! I hear Brigham Harwell might get drafted? Someday? (hint: it’s “OK” to be relevant here at CC. really. . . . . it is)

F-ing funny Laughing Stock. Very clever writing my good man! I like a good sarcasm every now and again. Well played.. ;- )

"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun

by BixBeiderbecke on Dec 1, 2008 1:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe I forgot to write this:

Thank you. For misspelling Tricky Dick’s name. You see, I noticed you got his name right in the title of your post. . . . . .then I continued to crack-up each and every time you PURPOSELY misspelled his name thereafter. 5 MORE FREAKING TIMES !!!!

And anyone who has the temerity to utilize the words “sycophant” and “philosological” while writing about college football HAS GOT TO BE commended. The audacity! Quite brilliant, when you really really think about it. (then again, I’m gonzo for words like those)

What’s scary is that, last night when I initially wrote my first comments- that’s all I really wanted to say. Then I read the other poster’s comments and . . . well. . . ?

"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun

by BixBeiderbecke on Dec 1, 2008 7:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs