Hey bro, the word " retread " as it applies to Chip Kelly is copyrighted. I own it. You can use some other words next time or you owe me a fee ! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!! Nah, I am kiddin' you but I am glad you also perceive him that way. UCLA made him millionaire many times over for his mediocrity, the eleventh wonders of the world.
He conned people well. None other than Troy Aikman fell for him head over heels. I like to hear what he has to say about Kelly as we speak. I am actually thinking the situation may have to become even worse, irreparable in fact, before UCLA will act. This is Guerrero's legacy. Mediocrity is the norm. Coaches need to be teetering on irreversible catastrophe, as in the case of Steve Alford, Rick Neuheisel and Jim Mora, before something will be done.
No beefs with the criticism of the OL, QB and play calling; there is battling to stay in a game against superior opponents on the road and being overwhelmed, and this was definitely the latter. I know many fans felt that the performance of the defense was a saving grace, but….while they are definitely improved, you have to take this one with a pretty big grain of salt. Not only was the Ute offense missing several key players, it was pretty clear that by the second half the Utah coaching staff felt their defense had total control of the game, and the only way the Bruins could get back in would be gaffes by the offense; and the play calling became ultra conservative. They had to be feeling a little unsure when UCLA closed to within 7 and got the ball back late, but ultimately their faith in their defense was justified.
I think people are overestimating the defense. The defense looked good but that Utah offense was absolutely abysmal. They were probably worse than the UCLA offense. People need to keep that in perspective. Washington State will actually test this defense.
As War Planner so eloquently pointed out, Kelly had an overflowing cupboard left to him at Oregon when he started his stint with the Dux. So, he managed to put together a few very good years with that talent, but scurried out of town when recruiting violations started to chase him. Perhaps that's why he decided to simply 'not recruit' at UCLA.
It is obvious to any discerning Bruin fan that Chip doesn't really care. His personality is awful, his love for UCLA is a big fat zero, he ego is big and fat, and the ONLY thing Chip loves is himself and his paycheck. Donut Dan's parting gift was a booby prize. How this can't be obvious to Jarmond is a question yet to be answered. We are going to pummeled and pillaged in the BIG if Chip is at the helm.
In summation, Chip is the antithesis of Coach's Pyramid of Success.
Dimitri: thought it was funny you mentioned the failed (in many ways) speed option. That play stuck with me for a couple of days. Coastal Carolina (2-3) ran it better when they played UCLA. Again I do not think our per-conference schedule prepared us for our conference games. The Utah game was certainly UCLA's game to win. I do not recall in many years Utah's play calling being so vanilla (because of injured key players). Kelly is now 30-30 coaching UCLA. Mora was fired with a 46-30 record. Something has got to give.
Having battered Bruins syndrome, let me lay out the rest of the football season for you:
UCLA beats WSU. The problem is that we will get bounced by Oregon State the following week. Reasoning--BBS and OSU is legit and at home. Then we have Stanford (win), Colorado (win but only because we're at home), Arizona (Toss Up), ASU (Win), $C (loss) and then Cal (win).
If we don't go at least 9-4 this year with the SOFT schedule we have, which must include a bowl win for the first time in ages, it will again be another chapter in the ineptitude of this program. Of course, if our fan base was as demanding as $C or any other institution that demands excellence in football then we would be aggressively attempting to get a seemingly unattainable coach, no matter the cost. Knowing our luck, the Chip Kelly era will probably be looked on upon fondly as at least we were competitive. With our luck, we'll probably end up going the Nebraska route despite both Block and Donut Dan being gone.
I honestly think this season will be another chapter of ineptitude unless we win the Pac-12. Chip's had plenty of time and his overall record is abyssmal. Most schools worth their salt in Football would have shown him the Exit door a long time ago.
He has done nothing to ensure we have a great O line. Defense has been terrible for years, even though this year it does look much better. But without the trenches operating at a high level on both sides of the ball, it will be a looooong season.
Prime has built a Colorado brand and excitement in just a few games. Colorado's team may not be considered great but the fans believe again and there is excitement and potential. Chip has never grown the UCLA brand and we need to look no further than the attendance at the Rose Bowl.
Coach Prime would have been a bold, inspired hire and still could be. I can almost guarantee the Rose Bowl attendance would skyrocket and we'd be a destination for elite athletes. The one caveat is Coach Prime has never coached at the highest academic levels-- don't know if many of his stars would get by admissions. This is the primary problem with whomever coaches--someone needs to be able to compete with the Notre Dames and Michigans of the world for the very limited pool of elite talent that can academically qualify. Until that happens, we're in for a Stanford, Cal, etc. type of existence with a lot of mediocrity.
Ma'am, I came to this conclusion the season before last. Ever since then the Kelly apologists mounted their relentless attack on me and any comments I made. They are quiet so far because more and more of us are coming to the realization that indeed, as you aptly concluded, Chip is an awful fit for UCLA.
We pay so much for Chip Kelly and get little in return. I still believe he will be gone the year after next when the extension expires. I am hoping against hope that the extension, a reprieve in my view, merely serves to buy time for Jarmond to scout for Kelly's replacement. But it may not be the case knowing how gripped is UCLA athletic department by the Guerrero syndrome. If something is not broken, irreparable to its core, don't fix nor change it The ship might right itself, who knows.
As I have been saying for years, Kelly sucks. He was a used up retread when we hired him and he's only gotten worse.
Hey bro, the word " retread " as it applies to Chip Kelly is copyrighted. I own it. You can use some other words next time or you owe me a fee ! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!! Nah, I am kiddin' you but I am glad you also perceive him that way. UCLA made him millionaire many times over for his mediocrity, the eleventh wonders of the world.
It seems like getting the job is the hard part! Actually doing it otoh...
He conned people well. None other than Troy Aikman fell for him head over heels. I like to hear what he has to say about Kelly as we speak. I am actually thinking the situation may have to become even worse, irreparable in fact, before UCLA will act. This is Guerrero's legacy. Mediocrity is the norm. Coaches need to be teetering on irreversible catastrophe, as in the case of Steve Alford, Rick Neuheisel and Jim Mora, before something will be done.
Sadly.
No beefs with the criticism of the OL, QB and play calling; there is battling to stay in a game against superior opponents on the road and being overwhelmed, and this was definitely the latter. I know many fans felt that the performance of the defense was a saving grace, but….while they are definitely improved, you have to take this one with a pretty big grain of salt. Not only was the Ute offense missing several key players, it was pretty clear that by the second half the Utah coaching staff felt their defense had total control of the game, and the only way the Bruins could get back in would be gaffes by the offense; and the play calling became ultra conservative. They had to be feeling a little unsure when UCLA closed to within 7 and got the ball back late, but ultimately their faith in their defense was justified.
I think people are overestimating the defense. The defense looked good but that Utah offense was absolutely abysmal. They were probably worse than the UCLA offense. People need to keep that in perspective. Washington State will actually test this defense.
As War Planner so eloquently pointed out, Kelly had an overflowing cupboard left to him at Oregon when he started his stint with the Dux. So, he managed to put together a few very good years with that talent, but scurried out of town when recruiting violations started to chase him. Perhaps that's why he decided to simply 'not recruit' at UCLA.
It is obvious to any discerning Bruin fan that Chip doesn't really care. His personality is awful, his love for UCLA is a big fat zero, he ego is big and fat, and the ONLY thing Chip loves is himself and his paycheck. Donut Dan's parting gift was a booby prize. How this can't be obvious to Jarmond is a question yet to be answered. We are going to pummeled and pillaged in the BIG if Chip is at the helm.
In summation, Chip is the antithesis of Coach's Pyramid of Success.
Just a quick note: I am 'Tamara' but I changed my substack name to Tamara S Wolfe, and added a pic :)
Hi, Tamara, that's a cute lil dude you got there!
Thanks Jim. My sweet son (he's older now, but this pic is one of faves - we were in Oregon at Silver Falls)
Yes, they do grow up. Mine is off on his own now.
I cherish every day I have with my son. He is the light of my life ❤️
Dimitri: thought it was funny you mentioned the failed (in many ways) speed option. That play stuck with me for a couple of days. Coastal Carolina (2-3) ran it better when they played UCLA. Again I do not think our per-conference schedule prepared us for our conference games. The Utah game was certainly UCLA's game to win. I do not recall in many years Utah's play calling being so vanilla (because of injured key players). Kelly is now 30-30 coaching UCLA. Mora was fired with a 46-30 record. Something has got to give.
" the usual long-developing pass play", yup too long for our freshman QB and O-line.
Having battered Bruins syndrome, let me lay out the rest of the football season for you:
UCLA beats WSU. The problem is that we will get bounced by Oregon State the following week. Reasoning--BBS and OSU is legit and at home. Then we have Stanford (win), Colorado (win but only because we're at home), Arizona (Toss Up), ASU (Win), $C (loss) and then Cal (win).
If we don't go at least 9-4 this year with the SOFT schedule we have, which must include a bowl win for the first time in ages, it will again be another chapter in the ineptitude of this program. Of course, if our fan base was as demanding as $C or any other institution that demands excellence in football then we would be aggressively attempting to get a seemingly unattainable coach, no matter the cost. Knowing our luck, the Chip Kelly era will probably be looked on upon fondly as at least we were competitive. With our luck, we'll probably end up going the Nebraska route despite both Block and Donut Dan being gone.
I honestly think this season will be another chapter of ineptitude unless we win the Pac-12. Chip's had plenty of time and his overall record is abyssmal. Most schools worth their salt in Football would have shown him the Exit door a long time ago.
He has done nothing to ensure we have a great O line. Defense has been terrible for years, even though this year it does look much better. But without the trenches operating at a high level on both sides of the ball, it will be a looooong season.
Prime has built a Colorado brand and excitement in just a few games. Colorado's team may not be considered great but the fans believe again and there is excitement and potential. Chip has never grown the UCLA brand and we need to look no further than the attendance at the Rose Bowl.
Bottom line: Chip is an awful fit for UCLA, IMHO.
Coach Prime would have been a bold, inspired hire and still could be. I can almost guarantee the Rose Bowl attendance would skyrocket and we'd be a destination for elite athletes. The one caveat is Coach Prime has never coached at the highest academic levels-- don't know if many of his stars would get by admissions. This is the primary problem with whomever coaches--someone needs to be able to compete with the Notre Dames and Michigans of the world for the very limited pool of elite talent that can academically qualify. Until that happens, we're in for a Stanford, Cal, etc. type of existence with a lot of mediocrity.
Truth.
We are in for a bashing by Big Ten schools this time next year. Bring it on, baby !!!
Ma'am, I came to this conclusion the season before last. Ever since then the Kelly apologists mounted their relentless attack on me and any comments I made. They are quiet so far because more and more of us are coming to the realization that indeed, as you aptly concluded, Chip is an awful fit for UCLA.
We pay so much for Chip Kelly and get little in return. I still believe he will be gone the year after next when the extension expires. I am hoping against hope that the extension, a reprieve in my view, merely serves to buy time for Jarmond to scout for Kelly's replacement. But it may not be the case knowing how gripped is UCLA athletic department by the Guerrero syndrome. If something is not broken, irreparable to its core, don't fix nor change it The ship might right itself, who knows.