UCLA reportedly hires Neuheisel

ESPN's announcer for the Meineke Car Care Bowl just stated that the AP is reporting that UCLA has hired former Washington coach and Bruin alum Rick Neuheisel, who left a trail of recruiting-violation carnage in his wake at both UW and Colorado, as its new head coach.

Hahahahahaha.

The score, by the way, is Wake Forest 17, UConn 10 in the closing seconds, with the Demon Deacons running out the clock.

UPDATE: Wake wins, 24-10. Hal Strickland and Mark Gardner are now tied for the lead in the Irish Trojan Bowl Pick 'em Contest. One of them will take sole possession of the lead depending on who wins the Liberty Bowl: Strickland if Mississippi State wins, Gardner if UCF wins.

Meanwhile, here's an article about Neuweasel.

And in basketball, Tennessee and Gonzaga are underway. Go Zags!

Comments

[Wobbly H]

Davie Boy's wish has come true. I think Neuweasel might be a very effective coach for UCLA; provided, of course, that he decides to recruit linemen (rather than 7 wide receivers) and stays away from sanctions. This person, unlike Dorrell, has been to a Rose Bowl, so I'm not sure where your glee is coming from, Brenners.

[Brendan Loy]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'd much rather they stayed with Dorrell forever. But this is still funny. I know one thing for sure: I don't ever want to hear any UCLA alum talking about USC running a "dirty program" ever again.

[kcatnd]

"I don't ever want to hear any UCLA alum talking about USC running a "dirty program" ever again."

That's a bit unfair isn't it? The guy hasn't done anything at UCLA yet. I have a feeling they may have touched on some of those past issues in the interview process.

[Brendan Loy]

Sure it's unfair. Did I ever promise to be "fair" when it comes to UCLA? :)

Look, all I'm saying is, if they get into any sort of trouble now, they can't say they didn't walk into it with their eyes wide open. It would be like Arkansas fans claiming to be stunned if (when) Bobby Petrino leaves for greener pastures in a few years/months/days.

[Wobbly H]

I got the idea that Neuweasel had a blatant disregard for the rules, and violated several of the numerous, smaller NCAA rules on recruiting (e.g., playing horse with another recruit, contacting recruits during dead periods). But I'm not sure he had agents running around his locker room.

One interesting aspect will be how Slick Rick does in holding onto the first-rate recruiting class. It seemed like Dewayne Walker was very involved in the recruiting of several of those players, and I find it unlikely he will stick around after being passed over for head coach.

Maybe he'll head up to Montlake to help a brother out?

[Sandy Underpants]

Brendan has been more than fair and balanced on this issue. Nuweasel is already a disgraced coach with a bad reputation. The UCLAites on BN and dorkboards alike try to represent SC as Thug U, but they conveniently forget the Bruin's assistant coach that got popped for breaking and entering this past summer and their field goal kicker who fled the seen of an accident he caused while drunk driving. Fleeing the scene is cool with me, but he left his girlfriend in the passenger seat, bleeding and hanging upside down on an off-ramp in Inglewood. BTW, he was still kicking the next season. Fair and balanced.

[texasyank]

I can remember a piece on Colorado back in the day, a story about Neu hosting a party at his house that got so out of hand the neighbors called the police. The police arrived and found the source of most of the noise: Neu on his electric guitar.

Rick's explanation: "It's never a party until the cops show up."

So true, and so illuminating in so many ways.

[David K.]

Sure Neuweasel went to a Rose Bowl, but not with his own players, by the fourth year when it was mostly his recruits the damage was done and the following years with only neuheisal players was the bottoming out of the UW program. The same was true of Colorado.

[Wobbly H]

In spite of your comments, Davie, a national #3 and #4 ranking, no matter when it occurs in a coach's tenure, is nothing to sneeze at. The man can coach.

[David K.]

perhaps, perhaps not, but he's clearly shown he can't recruit, long term that will matter.

[Andrew]

David, Ty has offered a two-year deal to DeWayne Walker. You're halfway there; what kind of beer do you want?

[Wobbly H]

Nice gesture, considering that the two of you don't seem to get along, to put it mildly.

[David K.]

Well i'm not much of an alchol drinker, but a quality rootbeer would be a worthwhil substitution. If you want to hold to the beer part out of concern for legal reasons, a good german import would be fine, i have plenty of co-workers who would welcome it for one f our after work social gatherings.