I don't think any comment is considered dumb when it has to do with AD Martin Guerrero (the last time I'll have to mention him!). I think it's a very encouraging sign that UCLA is trying to improve their Athletics Dept. to be more of an intelligently-run business instead of being led by ineffective/incompetent "administrators".
For the record, you will recall that, when Chancellor Frenk was hired, I wrote that his record at Miami indicated good things for UCLA Athletics.
I just don't think any of us knew when it would happen, but Chesney still looks like a home run hire, and now, the guy who refused to fire Chip is gone too!
Is it possible to be any more excited for Btuin football right now and Bruin sports, in general?
I don't think you'll find anything fraudulent that Jarmond was covering up with UCLA athletics. More likely, Harris looked at everything from a sports business perspective, pointed out how poor the department was being run (especially from a donor relations standpoint) and presented that information to Frenk, who was simply looking for cause.
That aside is probably critical to the buyout, for the record. There are so many major donors who have been sitting on the sidelines because of a distaste of Jarmond, that it was likely very easy for the school to pass the hat around and raise the money needed.
Given the major driver of that move (Stephen Agostini) is gone, I think UCLA will stay at the Rose Bowl, but I wouldn't be surprised if they renegotiated the contract to be more favorable and open up new revenue streams.
100% created, essentially signals that they're looking to restructure the whole AD and that the concept of an athletic director maybe doesn't work for modern college athletics.
Good resume, worked as President of Business Operations and Chief Marketing Officer for the Lakers, and while you might assume that job can run itself in LA, it does put him in the room for some major deals.
I do hope Harris issues a statement in support of Chesney to demonstrate "alignment" overtly between the Department/Administration and the Coach - not being seen as the new regime's "guy" can be used as a negative recruiting tool (albeit more in the HS/underclassmen space these days)
I don't think that's much of a concern tbh, especially given Jarmond was not much involved in the hiring of Chesney to begin with. Chesney is very specifically Frenk's guy.
Public perception is what I worry about I suppose... From CBSSports.com: "The timing of this change is an interesting one for Chesney, who has yet to coach his first game with the Bruins. Jarmond's hire of Chesney..."
I'm with Dimitri. Chesney is Frenk's guy. Not only that, but Chesney has been on fire in all ways since he got to Westwood! From supporting other sports to teaching his players humility and respect, I am sure he will be here for a long time!
As someone who worked for two of the largest accounting firms in the world for over 20 years, and participated in numerous corporate audits I would guess that the audit exposed some serious and material issues. That is just my guess, but given the abruptness of this firing, and its' timing (the week our football team begins the Chesney era) something doesn't smell right. Now whether or not we ever learn about the issues is another thing. As a public university I believe we will find out whether or not UCLA pays out MJ's contract. If UCLA does not, then we will have our answer.
And other media outlets are reporting that Tim Harris is the new AD. Personally, I feel UCLA finally has a chancellor who understands and appreciates where college athletics is today, and its' role in higher education. Good job Dr. Frenk, and go Bruins!
Is it me, or did Chancellor Frenk really brought the axe 🪓 on this one? It did not seem like a very PC letter, it was very clear that the person being let go was not good enough.
Is this the first time UCLA has ever fired an AD? Pretty sure everyone else was allowed to "retire". Chancellor Frenk deserves huge props for addressing the issue head on. Honestly I am still about stunned and the whole thing seems so surreal!
Yes, it's the very first time in school history that an AD has been fired at UCLA, so the honor may be overdue, but well deserved. I too like the Chancellor's hands-on, methodical, and decisive approach. Seems so refreshing after enduring so many years of apathy and incompetence from Blockhead and his inept ADs.
Frenk could tell Jarmond "was not the guy" even before he arrived on campus. Then he witnessed Jarmond screwing up the football fires and hires, oh I mean the football staffing because I believe Jarmond only made ONE hire and that was Foster. I think he was pressured to fire Foster after DeShaun's abysmal start. But I think this firing at this time was Frenk just fed up with Jarmond's continued incompetence and especially the red ink Jarmond continued to produce. After all, it's always about the money.
..late to the dance but am no less overjoyed as the earlier attendees are to this festival. But, on the grimmer side (for the departing Jelly Roll), as Michael, the CPA (below) points out, there's a lot of financial rot that probably will be uncovered before the fiances of the athletic department smells sweet and clean.
I culled the following from the SI article..
"Meanwhile, the athletic department has run in the red for several years, according to the financial documents reviewed by the California Post. The athletics department also accumulated $241.1 million in deficits that the university had to cover.
"But now, UCLA can finally fully focus on the path ahead.
"According to those same financial documents, the move to the Big Ten brought UCLA closer to balancing its athletic department budget, as the Bruins went from $19.9 million in Pac-12 media rights revenue in its final year to $61.2 million in Big Ten revenue. That can be transformational money, but only if the athletic director knows how to manage and spend it."
My sense tells me that (1) this fast and loose department's way of throwing money around was probably a motivation to kick that moron out and (2) I'm willing to bet that -- if anything untoward is found in the books -- Jarmond might not escape with a full buyout.
That said, irrespective of whether Mr Harris is interim or remains as AD, he will be someone who can clean up after this grinning moron and put the department on firm footing. There will be some extremely guilty pleasure on my part to sift through the entrails and find out how gory of a mess this really was!
Now ain't that gonna be fun?
God bless Chancellor Frenk and God bless our Bruins!
"..as the Bruins went from $19.9 million in Pac-12 media rights revenue in its final year to $61.2 million in Big Ten revenue."
That was a quote out of SI re the increased media handle. But UCLA had no choice except to move to the Big 10 as the Pac 12 had died. Personally, I'm not giving Jarmond ANY credit for anything. He was a moron in 2020 when he was hired and he's a moron today. The whole sordid mess -- Jarmond, Kelly, the exotic gourmet training table that Kelly put on for his kids (to the exclusion of the other UCLA sports teams), the hiring of the inept Foster -- stunk to high heaven.
And to think that this all started back when we hired/dumped Karl Dorrell. Should have just tried to re-animate Tommy Prothro!
Somebody *FINALLY* read the room! SO LONG, CHIEF!!!
Go Bruins!
I hesitated posting my dumb comment, and I'm glad that I did. Yours is the PERFECT comment to head this thread.
I don't think any comment is considered dumb when it has to do with AD Martin Guerrero (the last time I'll have to mention him!). I think it's a very encouraging sign that UCLA is trying to improve their Athletics Dept. to be more of an intelligently-run business instead of being led by ineffective/incompetent "administrators".
For the record, you will recall that, when Chancellor Frenk was hired, I wrote that his record at Miami indicated good things for UCLA Athletics.
I just don't think any of us knew when it would happen, but Chesney still looks like a home run hire, and now, the guy who refused to fire Chip is gone too!
Is it possible to be any more excited for Btuin football right now and Bruin sports, in general?
100% agree
Yep, and I take back anything negative that I've posted in the past about our new Chancellor---I had been way too frustrated and impatient! :-)
Pursuant to DD's "How to Fix College Athletics," this is a great start.
However, I mourn the end of wildly entertaining comments about deep-fried, doughy confections.
I do too Sea 🤣🤣🤣 Perhaps we can resurrect for old times sake 🤣
Damn, no more Jelly 2.0 jokes Sea 🤣🤣🤣
Ditto everything Frenk said except for the two sentences he gave to the Donut Head but that had to be I suppose.
I would love to know what Tim found on Jarmond. The tax fraud issue didn't suddenly evaporate.
Since Tim is working pro bono that likely freed up the $$$ for the huyout.
I am so over the moon happy!!! 💙💛💙💛
And for Coach Chesney, Coach Close et al, this kind of new alignment is off the charts!
Go Bruins!!! 💙💛💙💛
"Extraordinary service." Oh, please.
I know it! I suddenly do not like the word 'extraordinary.' 🤣
I don't think you'll find anything fraudulent that Jarmond was covering up with UCLA athletics. More likely, Harris looked at everything from a sports business perspective, pointed out how poor the department was being run (especially from a donor relations standpoint) and presented that information to Frenk, who was simply looking for cause.
That aside is probably critical to the buyout, for the record. There are so many major donors who have been sitting on the sidelines because of a distaste of Jarmond, that it was likely very easy for the school to pass the hat around and raise the money needed.
Do you think this also means that UCLA will stay at the Rose Bowl? I sure hope so 🙏💙💛💙💛
Given the major driver of that move (Stephen Agostini) is gone, I think UCLA will stay at the Rose Bowl, but I wouldn't be surprised if they renegotiated the contract to be more favorable and open up new revenue streams.
The Press Release doesn't refer to an "interim" appointment...
It was communicated that Harris is the interim leader "for now", so take of that what you will.
As it is, I think Harris will be the next AD, although the position might change.
Fair enough.
Did ucla create the ceo position just for Tim Harris? I don’t recall that being an actual position in the department but I might be wrong
100% created, essentially signals that they're looking to restructure the whole AD and that the concept of an athletic director maybe doesn't work for modern college athletics.
Christmas in September!
Hopefully, a gift to be wrapped using the former AD's Rose Bowl tarps!
I will forever h8 Jarmond stalled on firing Chip then desperation hired Deshaun Foster.
I think you are so forgiving to only mention 1 thing to dislike... ;-)
Very pleasantly surprised!! What do we know about Tim Harris other than he can’t possibly be worse than Jarmond?
Good resume, worked as President of Business Operations and Chief Marketing Officer for the Lakers, and while you might assume that job can run itself in LA, it does put him in the room for some major deals.
I do hope Harris issues a statement in support of Chesney to demonstrate "alignment" overtly between the Department/Administration and the Coach - not being seen as the new regime's "guy" can be used as a negative recruiting tool (albeit more in the HS/underclassmen space these days)
I don't think that's much of a concern tbh, especially given Jarmond was not much involved in the hiring of Chesney to begin with. Chesney is very specifically Frenk's guy.
Public perception is what I worry about I suppose... From CBSSports.com: "The timing of this change is an interesting one for Chesney, who has yet to coach his first game with the Bruins. Jarmond's hire of Chesney..."
Be good to tamp that down ASAP
I'm with Dimitri. Chesney is Frenk's guy. Not only that, but Chesney has been on fire in all ways since he got to Westwood! From supporting other sports to teaching his players humility and respect, I am sure he will be here for a long time!
Does this count as our first win of the season?
💯💯💯💯💙💛💙💛
YES!!!
Yes, I think it is the 1st win of the season---for EVERY sport at UCLA!!!
As someone who worked for two of the largest accounting firms in the world for over 20 years, and participated in numerous corporate audits I would guess that the audit exposed some serious and material issues. That is just my guess, but given the abruptness of this firing, and its' timing (the week our football team begins the Chesney era) something doesn't smell right. Now whether or not we ever learn about the issues is another thing. As a public university I believe we will find out whether or not UCLA pays out MJ's contract. If UCLA does not, then we will have our answer.
And other media outlets are reporting that Tim Harris is the new AD. Personally, I feel UCLA finally has a chancellor who understands and appreciates where college athletics is today, and its' role in higher education. Good job Dr. Frenk, and go Bruins!
If there are serious and material issues, then I hope they come to light.
But this is a great day to be alive and be a Bruin!!! 💙💛💛💛
The Cal game couldn't be a more perfect opener to our new era!!!
Go Bruins!!! 💙💛💙💛
Is it me, or did Chancellor Frenk really brought the axe 🪓 on this one? It did not seem like a very PC letter, it was very clear that the person being let go was not good enough.
In the words of Oliver Cromwell "cruel necessity"
Is this the first time UCLA has ever fired an AD? Pretty sure everyone else was allowed to "retire". Chancellor Frenk deserves huge props for addressing the issue head on. Honestly I am still about stunned and the whole thing seems so surreal!
Yes, it's the very first time in school history that an AD has been fired at UCLA, so the honor may be overdue, but well deserved. I too like the Chancellor's hands-on, methodical, and decisive approach. Seems so refreshing after enduring so many years of apathy and incompetence from Blockhead and his inept ADs.
Frenk could tell Jarmond "was not the guy" even before he arrived on campus. Then he witnessed Jarmond screwing up the football fires and hires, oh I mean the football staffing because I believe Jarmond only made ONE hire and that was Foster. I think he was pressured to fire Foster after DeShaun's abysmal start. But I think this firing at this time was Frenk just fed up with Jarmond's continued incompetence and especially the red ink Jarmond continued to produce. After all, it's always about the money.
..late to the dance but am no less overjoyed as the earlier attendees are to this festival. But, on the grimmer side (for the departing Jelly Roll), as Michael, the CPA (below) points out, there's a lot of financial rot that probably will be uncovered before the fiances of the athletic department smells sweet and clean.
I culled the following from the SI article..
"Meanwhile, the athletic department has run in the red for several years, according to the financial documents reviewed by the California Post. The athletics department also accumulated $241.1 million in deficits that the university had to cover.
"But now, UCLA can finally fully focus on the path ahead.
"According to those same financial documents, the move to the Big Ten brought UCLA closer to balancing its athletic department budget, as the Bruins went from $19.9 million in Pac-12 media rights revenue in its final year to $61.2 million in Big Ten revenue. That can be transformational money, but only if the athletic director knows how to manage and spend it."
My sense tells me that (1) this fast and loose department's way of throwing money around was probably a motivation to kick that moron out and (2) I'm willing to bet that -- if anything untoward is found in the books -- Jarmond might not escape with a full buyout.
That said, irrespective of whether Mr Harris is interim or remains as AD, he will be someone who can clean up after this grinning moron and put the department on firm footing. There will be some extremely guilty pleasure on my part to sift through the entrails and find out how gory of a mess this really was!
Now ain't that gonna be fun?
God bless Chancellor Frenk and God bless our Bruins!
While the Big Ten revenue was a plus, donations went down and travel expenses went up. Result was the deficit kept growing.
"..as the Bruins went from $19.9 million in Pac-12 media rights revenue in its final year to $61.2 million in Big Ten revenue."
That was a quote out of SI re the increased media handle. But UCLA had no choice except to move to the Big 10 as the Pac 12 had died. Personally, I'm not giving Jarmond ANY credit for anything. He was a moron in 2020 when he was hired and he's a moron today. The whole sordid mess -- Jarmond, Kelly, the exotic gourmet training table that Kelly put on for his kids (to the exclusion of the other UCLA sports teams), the hiring of the inept Foster -- stunk to high heaven.
And to think that this all started back when we hired/dumped Karl Dorrell. Should have just tried to re-animate Tommy Prothro!
{{{sigh}}}
I miss Bob Toledo!*
*Meant humorously!