Neuheisel: Defiant to his last day

There are quite a few quotes from the L.A. Times this morning that can only be described as delusional and sad coming from the soon to be former ucla head coach Rick Neuheisel.  Just when I think that he can't possibly try to spin another loss to USC into the positive, he continues to shock me with his poor attempts at misdirection and complete lack of pride and humility.

Here are a few of his quotes:

When asked about his feelings about the USC team wearing T-Shirts saying "South Division Champions."

Neuheisel said, "What they choose to do in their program is their choice. I have a great deal of respect for [USC Athletic Director] Pat Haden and [Coach] Lane Kiffin. The facts are they were not [champions]."

As to whether he would allow his players to wear such shirts if roles were reversed, Neuheisel said, "That's hypothetical. I don't have to answer it."

When asked if Neuheisel did enough to retain his position as head coach.  Neuheisel said:


"I was told we needed to move the needle and we'd be fine," Neuheisel said.

"We have won five conference games, as opposed to three last year. We have won the right to represent the South in the conference championship. We have certainly had some unfortunate evenings where things haven't gone our way. But I think the program is headed in the right direction."

Its just pathetic that he can look the media in the eye and try to say that he has done enough to be retained after losing 50-0 against ucla's biggest rival.  If Rick had lost to USC by 10 or less I would think that he probably would have a shred of a chance of saving his job, but a 50-0 collapse is hard for any seasoned fan to bear.

Also Rick, do you know what is more embarrassing than losing 50-3 to your biggest rival?  That's right, losing 50-0.  Why let your kids get shut out?  What were you trying to prove by scoring a touchdown.  Why didn't you weigh the consequences of getting shut out over getting a meaningless touchdown at the end of regulation.  Rick gave USC the goose-egg, and further humiliated his team.

Rick also said that he and the bruins "earned" their right to play in the Pac-12 championship game.  Well I have news for you Rick, you didn't earn anything.  You came in second place.  The Trojans earned the right to play in the championship.  The bruins were given the right to play because USC is under sanction.  The bruins had a chance to "earn" their reward, and didn't prevail.

The only way for Rick to save face after that loss, and heading into the championship game is to acknowledge the joke that is about to happen in Eugene on Friday.  With a little humility he could have said that despite the blowout against USC, it has fallen on ucla to go to the championship game as the representative of the South Division.  At no point should he refer to his team as "Champions."  If he did that, I would have respect for him going into that game.  I don't know how he can look at himself in the mirror and call himself, and his team "Champions" of anything.