Truth, Lies and Neuheisel

by Paragon SC on Oct 13, 2009 11:01 AM PDT in Quick Hits Comment 51 comments

( Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / October 3, 2009 )

That is the OCR's tag line not mine...

You have got to read some of the "translations" in the slide show attached this article...

Coach Rick Neuheisel said it was his decision to replace Kevin Prince with Richard Brehaut in the fourth quarter against Oregon. On Monday, he tried to downplay Prince's benching.

"Kevin Prince is the guy we chose," Neuheisel said. "We're going to get Kevin Prince prepared to play and he's going to play well this week. But I still want to keep Richard on the come."

Translation: Prince has one more game to get his act together. Once again, we're here to put the coachspeak into context.

Click through to check it out.

Ah, the gift that keeps on giving!

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Chow

Ok after clicking through this, it’s becoming clear that Chow is out after the season. Neuheisel has picked him as the fall guy. And I’m sure Chow knows what’s coming. Chow is probably available this offseason.

Would it be a good move for Coach Carroll to bring back Chow next year? Why or why not? If yes would Bates and Morton be cool with that?

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Called it! http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2009/10/3/1068351/his-excellency-lord-chow-the#22300020

by Locoweed 1.1 on Oct 13, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You did call it

So you say yes – Chow back in cardinal and gold is a good thing?

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bates would have to go back to the NFL first, who knows if he’s enjoying his collegiate experience.

by Locoweed 1.1 on Oct 13, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could care less about Slick

but look at that photo. The thing is… he’s a lawyer and lawyers have to win every little battle. Heh, the “Nation” deserves THEIR guy, he’s going to set them back another five years, or ten per the Nation’s Dear Leader’s prophecy.

by Locoweed 1.1 on Oct 13, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And where did he get his JD? Ah yes. I have no doubt that he’s smart enough that he could have sailed through law school no problem, but I like to think that he won the degree off the Dean in a poker game just for the hell of it.

by DC Trojan on Oct 13, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh, he’s mighty proud of it too… got the degree in his “spare time”, and likes to say he’s also a Trojan over at “The Club.” The guy is positively Clintonian!

by Locoweed 1.1 on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey DC

Quickly off topic but don’t know if you saw my post yesterday. Did you ever see the big USC flag displayed in a window of a condo building on the way in to Reagan National? Like I said I noticed it a couple years ago but have flown into Dulles since then.

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got your answer, thanks DC. It caught my attention b/c like you said it is so rare to see USC displayed like that in DC (or most places outside SoCal). It’s the same here in Seattle.

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear Dan G. is already talking to local JCs about scheduling games in two years.

I believe Ucla is trying to get into the coast league for FB, only problem is that Ncaa says a 4 year school can’t do that. So it has been felt that there will be a new division in FB Ncaa D-1 negative 1.

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 13, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amusing article

but I am surprised to see it in a newspaper. the tone is pretty snarky-more suited to a blog IMHO.

by ucladj89 on Oct 13, 2009 11:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed!

I was as shocked as you…I simply followed their lead ;-)

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Oct 13, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like

Slick’s on-field histrionics provoked it.

by Locoweed 1.1 on Oct 13, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Methinks

That the “Passion Bucket” has sprung a leak, and “Relentless Optimism” is a glass half empty over in Westwood.

by frak on Oct 13, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Am I missing something?

I don’t see what the issue is.

by BruinFan1 on Oct 13, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One issue is

Coach Chow might be shown the door after this season.

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another issue is

Adam Maya’s commentary in the OCR – “What Neuheisel Meant” – was somewhat sarcastic and could possibly be read as painting Coach Neuheisel in a less than flattering light; what Maya says about Coach Neu may or may not be true, but the issue is that the OCR and Maya would feel justified in being openly sarcastic.

by uscdude on Oct 13, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I highly doubt that...

I haven’t seen, or heard a single coach or player throwing Norm Chow under the bus. He’s working with what he’s got, which at the moment isn’t much. Any sane UCLA fan can tell you that this is a rebuilding year and that we weren’t going to go to a BCS bowl this year. Otherwise this is simply making something out of nothing.

by DannyJay01 on Oct 13, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe...

I would agree that I have seen nothing from anyone throwing Chow under the bus.

But…

Chows comments that I read on the inside ucla blog seem to indicate the same type of frustration that many of us heard about when he was at SC. Chow seems to think that if it isn’t his idea then its a bad idea.

As for rebuilding…other teams like Michigan seem to have made progress in their rebuilding process in the same short time. RN is already using the youth angle in his reasoning. I would have understood if he simply said that 2010 or 11 is the year and that any real positive progress before then is gravy.

He has raised the bar on himself with his corny PA speeches after each game.

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Oct 13, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rebuilding

Is much easier when you’re loaded with talent as Michigan is. Also Rich Rodriguez runs the spread offense which from what I hear is easier to pick up than Chows offense. RN took over UCLA with a patchwork OL, a JUCO transfer as starting QB, and zero WR. Hardly a Carson Palmer or Mike Williams. Most new coaches get 3-5 years to turn a program around before their job security starts getting questioned.
As for Chow, correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t his contract for 3 years? Which is why I have my doubts that he’ll be gone after this year. I’m not annointing RN as the greatest thing to hit Westwood as many have, and I found quite annoying. But I do think that some of this criticism is unwarranted at this point.

by DannyJay01 on Oct 13, 2009 9:55 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Michigan has made about the same amount of progress as UCLA

Bad losing season last year; 4-2 this year with wins over Western and Eatern Michigan, Indiana and Notre Dame (all home wins, btw, and only Notre Dame was ranked at no. 18.) That’s not better than UCLA so far. Also, I don’t know where you’re coming up with the argument that Neuheisel has somehow raised the bar or has suggested that UCLA was expecting big success in 2009. Giving post-game speeches to UCLA fans at the Rose Bowl (and I was there for the Tennessee game last year) have been nothing more than thank-you speeches and impromptu pep raliies. They have not been speeches promising a BCS bowl in 2009, or anything even remotely approaching promises of specific future success in ’09 or any other year.

The youth angle is rather significant. Would you expect an OL comprised of a resdhirt freshman, a true freshman, and a few sophomores to dominate, or a RS fewshman QB who just started his 4th game in three eyars to look like the 2nd coming of Aikman? Sure, there have been some questionable coaching decisions, but UCLA is young, and I don’t care how good you are (and its not like we’re loaded with 5-star talent across the board in the freshman and sophomores), it takes time to improve. Carroll had Carson Palmer on hand when he arrived-would you not agree that having a NFL-All-Pro caliber QB helped a little bit?

by ucladj89 on Oct 14, 2009 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I agree with all 89!

The problem with Ucla except for one year under Dorrell they have been young, how long is this going to go on.

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 14, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dorrell

Dorrell in general was just not a good head coach. The reasoning behind his shortcomings had nothing at all to do with his talent level. It’s like I said before, RN took over with not much upper-class talent, but a good recruiting class coming in. So yes, this team is young. It will be another year or two before UCLA can truly compete, which is why again I seriously do not see where all this flack is coming from.

by DannyJay01 on Oct 14, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

RN let his ego get in the way...

I do think that RN’s after game speeches raise the bar. I would agree that RN made no promises of success…but there was a lot of chest thumping, a lot getting the fans riled up and that alone raises expectations.

His engagement of the fan’s fires them up especially after wins against UT at home…it gives the fans hope. They finally see a team with a pulse that is trying to make changes and even if he didn’t sign off on it, when the school puts out certain newspaper ads that fire up the fan base it gets the juices going even more. Then we see him trot out the dream team at Pauley insinuating that ucla will "kick their asses across town". Then there is the talk to the alumni club taking shots at Pete Carroll…

It goes on and on…

This engages the fans even more because they were so starved for some sort of life from the past regime. They have a sense of hope. I can see 2008 as the throw away year at ucla. RN starts to get his players in place, getting rid of the dead wood that didn’t fit his/Chow’s system while evaluating the talent that he kept. RN has had three very good recruiting classes to work with. He has a very stout defense that was put together by Walker…who is no slouch as a DC but they have misfired in some games (BYU 2008, ‘Furd 2009).

Sure there are those who try to set realistic expectations (BN) but even they try to fly air cover for RN by saying ucla should be contenders in something like 2011…

2011? Really??

Most of that stud defense will be gone by then. Sure, Brehaut may be better by then (will Chow still be around?) and the O line may finally give him some protection but 4 years to get to the national stage? Nick Saban did it in 2-3 years. Alabama wasn’t very good after the Shula debacle but the last time I looked they were contending…

RN has a heck of lot more overall talent than Carroll had in his second year and this is the best he can do? Yeah, PC had Palmer. Palmer was almost written off for dead with an average O line in front of him. His development was all Chow…

RN had great defense gift wrapped to him so all he has to do is focus on the offense along with the greatest OC of all time but the team is not firing on all cylinders and now there are rumors of tension between Chow and Slick Rick.

I am not surprised at those rumors at all.

RN has a supposed stud redshirt Frosh QB in Brehaut that is rumored by Chow (through Kimbrell) that he was a better get than Barkley (laughable).

If so why hasn’t he started? Why hasn’t he progressed?

Prince is OK but he isn’t lights out…

I know Kimbrell is a shill but he has better access than any of us, so somebody thought the kid had talent…certainly better Prince in my eyes. Better pocket presence, much better arm, seems to grasp the game yet the two offensive gurus can’t decide or agree if they should go with Prince or Brehaut who IIRC came in early like Barkley. So, if the kid is rumored to be as good as Barkley and if you have the best OC in the history of the sport why is he not getting the snaps?

Chow’s best days are behind him but he still has some chops.

You can only use the youth excuse for so long…sooner or later players get older and more experienced then they have to produce.

Most fans regardless of the team or sport are fair-weather and they want results now. RN increased his exposure with his bravado and the fans ate it up, now, realistic or not, they want the results to back that bravado up…

Finally, you can point to all the scheduling and records you want. Some are easy and some hard. And because teams are scheduled years in advance you never know how a team will be when you finally play them. In the end the only thing that matters is winning and that’s what ucla fans want…NOW.

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Oct 14, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that . . .

is that. Nicely done Paragon, with objectivity and insight. What a superb executive summary of the current state of Bruin football. They should just cut and paste this as a lead posting on Bruins Nation.

by uscdude on Oct 14, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed to an extent...

What do you expect RN to say after a huge win like that? “Good Lord we got lucky! Don’t expect that to happen to often because we’re gonna suck this year”?

A huge complaint about the Dorrell regime was that he never went after usc. Whether it was recruiting or what have you. Again, how would recruits look at UCLAs program if the head coach was too timid to ruffle some feathers of their cross-town rival?

In my honest opinion, UCLA should be competing by next season. It will be Chow’s third year running the offense, and the initial recruiting class that RN brought with him will be that much older. It does however, depend on how the QB situation is handled. I personally prefer Brehaut to Prince, as I see more of an upside to him.

I really don’t see fans starting to get uneasy unless UCLA sees the same struggles at this time next year. But that’s just me.

by DannyJay01 on Oct 14, 2009 9:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Paragon, I think you're missing a few things here

1) Brehaut is a true freshman, not a RS freshman
2) Whatever scheduling teams enter into, nobody in their right mind would consider Michigan anything other than a lock against Central and Eastern Michigan and Indiana, the dregs of the Big 10 forever.
3) I agree that youth as an excuse only lasts so long…and next year it will not be an excuse as the team offensively will be experienced. I doubt Neuheisel will be talking about UCLA’s youth next year.
4) Your take on what UCLA fans want now is a little glib. Yes we want to win, but we’re not altogether unrealistic. If the BN crowd is on record before the season as predicting .500, maybe 7-5, then that’s hardly the same thing you’re claiming as the attitude of UCLA fans NOW.
5) Saban is doing better than Neuheisel for any number of reasons, not least of which is that he is a better coach-one of the best.
6) I don’t think anyone’s covering for Neuheisel by suggesting that 2011 is the year. But if you want to think that, it’s your prerogative. I’d just say that the criticism he received after the showing at Stanford and against Oregon indicate that he has raised expectations, but those expectations are tempered by what UCLA fan know about the state of the program after Dorrell left. Talent level sucked, except on defense…and that is showing currently.
7) Defense was great so all Neuheisel and Chow have to do is focus on offense-and they aren’t getting it done? Ask yourself why it should be that two guys with proven track records as coordinators and groomers of QB talent should have so much trouble…maybe they had nothing to work with last year with a JUCO QB who couldn’t hack it at SDSU and who was only starting because UCLA’s other QB’s were lost for the year in preseason. This year they are starting a RS freshman QB who will start his 5th game in 3 years, an OL in which IIRC only one starter from last year remains (and it is STILL better than last year), and receivers with zero speed. If you don’t have the talent, great coaching can only take you so far against two of the better teams in the Pac-10.

by ucladj89 on Oct 14, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If i am embree I bitch slap the Weasel at that moment

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 14, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

“Let the weasels slink where they will, for yea they knoweth their path.”
- The Gospel according to John (Calipari)

by uscdude on Oct 14, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Might be the decongestants

but I am getting swayed, it’s a solid argument you put up here ucladj89, particularly point no. 7. And DJ01 maybe you’re right and RN is simply saying what any smart coach in his situation would say.

Paragon, is it just the Claritin?

by uscdude on Oct 14, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops...yes Behaut is a TRUE freshman...That is what I meant

heading out to the airport now Yeah I know 5:30 but there are some fish that need my attention in the gulf.I will address the rest later but I did want to correct my mistake…

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Oct 15, 2009 2:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outdoorsman, you too!

Damn straight Paragon, bring your family back some FISH MEAT! That’s right. I’m into hunting myself, so I can totally relate. The “game” is priority No. 1. Here’s an old family motto that takes it’s cue from an old standard, “If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck? . . . . . . . . .HUNT IT DOWN AND SHOOT IT!”

I’m kinda with ucladj on this one, I’m afraid. Slick Dick is “slick”- I’ll give him that much. He knows how to play the media, play the fans, play the alumni, etc., etc. Unfortunately, it’s how he “plays as a coach” that’s quite the bitch for himself. He’s gifting his gab like crazy lately because he knows he’s only got one paddle, and it happens to be a broken one, while riding upstream on Shit Creek. And, if it’s all the same to everyone? He’s already cascaded down Probation Falls, and well. . . .he’s not quite sure how much exhiliration he got from the last time.

Coach Neu is moving forward cautiously, attempting to “frame” the potential future polemic involving his employment. So, again- it’s all about “him”, the “team” being a useful tool in the world that is “Me” (a.k.a.: Rick Neuheisel)

Reminds me of a new punk band name: The Savvy Sharlatans (misspelled on purpose)

"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}

by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 15, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rebuilding

The rebuilding excuse is getting old. Lots of teams rebuild in just a couple of years. Remember USC came in last place the year before Carroll took over and Carson Palmer was considered a bust. If Rick is a good coach, he shouldn’t be hoping just to be bowl eligible in his second season. Nestor must be calling a jihad over this article, WOW. Seems a bit mean spirited to me, but then the media has to be growing tired of Rick’s double talk by now. As for Chow, Rick knows he is gone after this or next season. UCLA just can’t afford to keep him and fact is Norm doesn’t really play well with others. Rick is probably tired of him by now too.

by ev on Oct 13, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tell you what you give the QB that you feel is the worst one and I will bring that kid to the top of what you took.

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 13, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it is snarky satire...

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Oct 13, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another thing is that they at Nestors Angels has already put out reporters Marcia Smith and Al Balderas.

And they seem to like Maya, but I don’t know if they will anymore

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 13, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What you are missing

is the beginnings of the Chow meltdown. This is how it starts.

by frak on Oct 14, 2009 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

I guess you guys do have some experience with that. What are some of the next signs we should be looking for?

Go Bruins!

by Harsha on Oct 14, 2009 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well let me tell you

He might start grumbling in the media about his pay when the Titans money runs out. If there is success he will be upset about not receiving the proper credit. If there is failure, then he will call out every decision that he was over-ruled on by Neuheisel. Chow doesn’t like to be second guessed. If you think that his departure from USC was all about Pete, then you guys will have some interesting times over there in Westwood. I do have more stuff on Chows USC meltdown, but that will have to wait until he hits stage 2.

by frak on Oct 14, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not one to point fingers...

… at a man who’s resurrected one of the most dominant college football teams in the country. Any reaction along those lines is just a reaction to his post-Chow hires, who all seemed rather green (esp in comparison).

All things considering, do you consider the time USC had with Chow to have positively impacted the program in the long-term? It would appear to me that the answer would be yes, as his offense got the ball rolling. But I tend to focus on my Bruins more than pay attention to what’s going on with y’all. Guess I would have if I’d known we’d be getting Chow.

Go Bruins!

by Harsha on Oct 14, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The next thing Purina will do is interview for every Head coach job next year.

This how he will get more money as he did with USC and house to boot, the guy is all about himself.

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 14, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like our offense’s performance would make him a less desireable candidate for an HC job than last year.

But both Paul and frak, thanks for the info. Appreciate your insight.

Go Bruins!

by Harsha on Oct 15, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chow's personality is what is keeping him from getting a head coaching job

You need to be able to do public relations in order to run a big program. Part of the job is promoting your football program. Chow is a soft spoken guy. He isn’t the rah rah type. He is also getting up there in age in a time when college football programs are turning to head coaches in their early 30s. I don’t think that Chow will bolt unless he has a better offer. Chow will follow the money at this point of his career. If a better team offers him a spot for the same salary, he might bolt. If someone offers him more money, then he will bolt.

by frak on Oct 15, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course it was a positive experience to have Chow

The largest difference in USC-Chow and ucla-Chow is that Pete started getting involved with the offense later in the relationship, whereas Neuheisel being an offensive coach is much more involved than Pete at the beginning.

Chow will do his job the best that he can, but if Neu starts to second guess him, and over rule him, I can see him getting irritated and annoyed.

Chow has an ego that needs to be stroked. Its a complicated relationship to maintain, and I don’t know if Neuheisel can do it.

by frak on Oct 14, 2009 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will say this The picture does Neu justice because it shows he hasn't changed!

It is hard for anyone to change their character in life, unless they really want too. But Rick is only into money false leadership, taking everything he can get his hands on. I would have to believe that he would sell his mother if it meant advancement. He is like something you step on and say dam what is that smell, oh it’s rick let me wipe it off. The only thing is it doesn’t go away that easy, it is like Ness and Ty looks clean but still lingers on. so as the weasel keep on hurting other may they all clammer on him in the end.

Paul D. Kelley

It's not about doing your job, But can you do it with a TENNIS BALL in your throat!

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 14, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The photo is propaganda in terms of the image it is trying to illicit.

It’s nothing more than a moment of time with the word “liar” printed above it. The photo has no context other than the context provided….he’s angry and lies. The photo is demonstrative of nothing other than the fact that he was ticked at Embree when the photo was taken. That’s it. I’d stay away from the over generalizations and character attacks. Leave it to other blogs.

by BruinFan1 on Oct 15, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs