Thanks for repeating what's been going in my head for, oh, about 6 years now. I would have recommended we go after Deion Sanders (he puts butts in seats, he recruits, he has a game plan, and his team is fun to watch), but Jimbo Fischer just became available. Hmmmm.
Why do people always gravitate to big name "proven loser" coaches? Yes, these guys have name recognition, yes, they may recruit decently well (most likely based on this name recognition) but they still lose. Not Deion Sanders as much, we haven't seen what he can really do yet, but Jimbo Fischer? No way, wouldn't want him, even if you got a deal for him. He's just another Jim Mora or Chip Kelly. I like Joe's selections, proven winners who are up and comers, probably less expensive, but recruit well, even with no name recognition.
I didn't see Jimbo winning any SEC titles or Deion winning any Pac-12 titles, so yep, proven losers. I will draw another parallel for you. The Los Angeles Dodgers are PROVEN LOSERS. Yea, they win 100+ games with a fantastic WINNING PERCENTAGE every year and finish first in their division but can't even get out of the first round of the playoffs. That is a PROVEN LOSER. So "winning percentage" means nothing if you can't even compete for a national title or a world title.
I wouldn’t hire Jimbo personally, but the dude won a championship at Florida State. You can’t call him a loser when he’s done what only four other active coaches have done in the last 20 years
This might be the worst take ever. The Dodgers won a championship three years ago, and baseball playoffs are a notorious crapshoot. Also, Deion is literally in year one with Colorado, which won one game last year. I'm not advocating for Jimbo by any stretch of the imagination, but jeez, man ... when they say UCLA fans are delusional, you're who they're talking about.
That is a pathetic mindset to own. If your son played in an organized sports league, worked his hardest to be the best player he could be, and he came home with 2nd place trophy, you'd probably call him a loser, toss his trophy into the trash can, and take away his Playstation.
Kobe Bryant popularized this thought when he repeatedly stated that any Laker season that did not result in a championship should be considered a failure. And as a result, most Laker fans have adapted that as their mantra when viewing every Laker season in the post-Kobe era. But that was coming from a player who needed and wanted the absolute maximum incentive by setting his sights on the highest achievable prize as the only possible positive outcome. That works great for Kobe and other athletes gifted with supreme talents.
But for fans to adopt that standard as the criteria by which we judge the teams and programs that we as fans follow is fool's gold because that's not how real life works. I certainly did not teach my kids to think this way. In sports, losing is part of the game.
Your analogy of the Dodgers is totally ludicrous. The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors went 73-9 and lost in the Finals. The 2007 Patriots went 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl. The 2001 Seattle Mariners went 116-46 and lost in the playoffs. You would call these teams losers. I would call them great teams that simply did not complete the mission, teams that provided joy to their fans during the courses of those seasons.
Isn't that why we watch the games and root for our teams, for the joy that they provide us?
And conveniently, you've created revisionist history by completely ignoring the Dodgers World Series Championship in 2020.
Sure, the Dodgers have been stopped short in the playoffs far too often, but the fact that they are in championship contention year in and year out is the mark of a winning team. It is why I and nearly 4 million fans are filling the stands at Dodger Stadium every year, because they provide joy, hope, and excitement, and they're typically very good at the game of baseball, which, if you don't know, is a very entertaining spectator sport, when played well.
Undoubtably, you're also probably a Dave Roberts antagonist who probably considers him a "proven loser." In his 9 years as a manager, Roberts is already 89th all-time in wins and 1st all-time in win percentage. He wins. He is a winner; he is not a loser.
Anytime I see this take from a complaining fan, that tells me the fan isn't really a fan of the game. Not being able to differentiate between the Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics or Kansas City Royals only tells me that the fan claiming the Dodgers are a proven loser is phony fan and should have their fan card revoked.
Respectfully, please NOT Neon Deion! I foresee a lot of flash and glitz and posturing for the media but few wins. If he had two successful seasons where he recruited and improved Colorado substantially..
The last thing I want to see are the UCLA players flashing their Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Blancpain, and Audemars Piquet watches at the reporters and the crowd. Keep that crap east of Vermont and stay humble.
Cignetti signed a contract extension through '28 just this week. I haven't found contract buyout numbers.
OTOH, JMU projected costs and revenue that will result from the FBS jump, and it penciled out a plus. Can Jarmond project beyond a short term Dec 15, or Aug 2024 date for what's best for UCLA?
Thanks for the correction. I read that very article yet missed the date of its writing. I'll add that I think the extension was on the heels of a 3 year extension made earlier, and that Cignetti is mentioned as a candidate for Northwestern.
So, I guess I'm in the "conspiracy camp". I believe we should "follow the money". The Chipster (OG) has to know his days are numbered. They've been numbered for a couple of years now, but this season and last night's game should be the last nail. Now since The Chipster (OG) has a practice of getting into teams/organizations, trashing them, then leaving with a big fat check, the fatter that check the better. So, after losing to Arizona, in another poor performance, the Chipster (OG) says to himself, "Well they are going to let me go (they'd be stupid not to!), but if they let me go after December 15 (or whatever December date), I lose $4m. Well, the hell with that, I have to make UCLA fire me BEFORE that December date, because of course, I want that extra $4m". So how does The Chipster (OG) go about doing this? He has to make his teams' performances look so bad, the UCLA AD and administration have no choice! Meaning watch for SUC to put up 60 pts next weekend at the Mausoleum. No, the Chipster isn't "throwing the game", he's just having his team play like they normally do... BAD. The Chipster needs that extra $4m, after all he is still getting most likely millions from all the other schools and organizations he has trashed along the way, he needs to add UCLA to his list -- ANOTHER CHECK. But again, this is the UCLA AD and administration, we can't underestimate them as well. They will want to wait until AFTER the 2024 season where the financial penalties are even lower or so they think. But they aren't looking at the financial models in their entirety, they are just looking at the contract as they always do.
I am not being a naysayer here but Smith might be a tough get given that he's an alum at Oregon State (the QB of the Chad Johnson/TJ Houshmanzaheh team that ended up top 10 after blowing out Notre Dame in the bowl) and might not want to leave *his* school in it's time of need...
Believe me, I want Chip gone ASAP. But I’m wondering if the retirement of Block this year will delay the inevitable. How athletic friendly will the new chancellor be?
I wouldn't mind getting a rising star younger coordinator like Dan Lanning was on UGa's staff, perhaps we already have one...
On another note/thought - while I agree with some of us in previous threads that Mike Elko would fill a lot of boxes, for one, I'll bet he ends up at aTm where he used to be a coordinator and for two, we do have to be cautious about the 'head coach who's had one great early season'... Remember when some here thought there's "no way" we could ever get a Dave Aranda away from Baylor? Have you seen Baylor this year?
Greg Schiano is a good choice. So is Jason Candle (Toledo). They both recruit well and have a lot of experience. I love Cignetti, he's my vote for COY but he's a couple years out of FCS and has limited recruiting reach. If you want to win in the Big Ten you cannot take chances on "new/younger" coaches. You're supposed to be elite, so hire an elite coach. Schiano recruits in the Big Ten. Mack Brown is a good one too but his age is concerning. Jeff Brohm is doing great things at Louisville. Chris Klieman is also a good catch (Kansas State). Willie Fritz (Tualne) is undervalued, IMO. And say no to Jimbo.
Fair enough. I'd be happy with Klieman or Lance Leipold - he's done impressive work. Not an alum or homer for either school, but obviously I have more exposure to them than other possibilities.
I really like Klieman. KSU hires quality coaches who have good moral character. Leipold has also been impressive! I think both would be very good hires. (Do you hear me, Joe?)
Great honest (and depressing) write up Joe. I read earlier this morning that UCLA football succeeded to be named by USA Today to the top College Football Misery Index. Quite an accomplishment for a team that "peaked" after beating NC Central. We are now 1/3 of the way to lose our last 3 league games. Then it's off to the Gronk Kicks LA Bowl to lose against "high flying" Air Force.. It cannot get any worse than this with our current head coach. This is rock bottom. Question: Is there anyway UCLA can ease into the Big Ten next year by playing in a newly created Big Ten 7 on 7 passing league (with no contact) to allow our coaching staff time to get up to speed with the big boys?
I like the idea of 7 on 7, but how about FLAG FOOTBALL, after all it going to be an Olympic Sport. I'm thinking UCLA should just dump the regular football program and adopt flag football. Of course, flag football requires actual coaching and strategy as well, in addition to talent, so we would still need a new head coach who would at least try to recruit.
The QB sneak(s) from the four yard line was the Rubicon: all the overstatement of the "fire Kelly" nihilists suddenly, for me, in that moment became the only reasonable response. But I'd suggest not this week as we are preparing for the Ketchup and Mustard trade school on Figueroa. Let's let this season play out, and when Chip's buyout reduces in December, let him go, thank him for his service, and let Lynn be interim for the Weedwacker Bowl or wherever we wind up. Next coach? Mysterious.
Bingo WarPlanner. Full buyout or reduced buyout, get rid of Chip. Monies lost the past 6 years because of poor attendance are hemorrhaging our athletic department (amongst other things). If Texas A&M can pay Fisher $75 mil to get rid of him, there are plenty of UCLA boosters that can cough up Chip's buyout. It is the price of doing business. AND this is a business...a big business. Cut bait and move on. I would expect Jarmond to have already completed his diligence on his top five head coaching candidates. If not, UCLA is really in over it's head.
Whoa, podnuh! I warn't suggesting we all chip in for a new coach. I was just thinking of ponying up for a Cessna 182 and pilot to tow a banner saying "FIRE CHIP'S A**" around the Mausoleum.
I'm in the Civil Air Patrol and probably could commandeer a Cessna but I'd be serving a stretch in the Greybar Hotel and I don't think they pipe in ESPN, etc. to the rec rooms there.
Joe, got no problem with politics (to a point) as this is another frame of reference and whatever applies applies. Being a Bus Ad major (one of the last 60 to go through the undergrad program for the BS degree; truly a bargain), I would say that not only politics apply, but also financial and break-even analyses are appropriate. Follow the money -- yeppers -- but also, find out what what the actual cash flows might be to determine exactly when our "black Friday" eventuates.
As some smarter than I have posted, the drop-off in season ticket sales and walk-in attendance (and vendor income, other football revenues, etc.) might reveal that the $8 millions or $4 millions are cheap compared to the bath we would be taking if the Old Chipster remained on the sidelines perpetually calling for the "three yard and a cloud of dust" offense in the red zone. (Three straight crashes into the line inside the five, can you believe it?)
While we'd probably not get precisely near what the guys on the high stools wearing the green eyeshades in the AD would calculate, I'll wager we could come pretty close -- especially since UCLA is a public university and the FOIA data is bare nekkid for the asking.
By the same token, we couldn't do any hiring decision projections with the info we'd get and the negotiations with any prospective coach would certainly not be available until the guy was hired. But my fever brain is pulsing, I am idle (sort of) since retirement, and if you need volunteers to turn the crank handle on the old desktop calculating machines, why don't you discretely request volunteers and suit up a team? Betcha you'd get some formidable brain power -- and water boys like myself.
Exit question: Anyone for doing a "whip 'round" to hire a plane and banner for the Toe Jam game?
There’s a saying - ‘Only when the tide goes out do you see who’s been swimming naked’. I think we all knew UCLA hasn’t been on the right path, but I didn’t expect the tide to go out until next year. Now, it seems that the Arizona game was the one that broke this team, physically and mentally, and exposed the reality.
This is a really good piece from Joe, us fans get hot under the collar and want action and drama - fire him on the tarmac!, but the business of running a program is somewhat different. There has been a lot of comments criticizing Jarmond for giving Kelly an extension, and having a contract with a buyout, but I find this few naive at best. There’s no situation where a CFB coach is going to just serve out their contract, shake hands and part ways with a school (Maybe a long serving coach heading into retirement with a successor appointed?). I can’t see a lame duck coach ever working - as bad as recruiting is under Kelly, how bad would it be if the pitch was simply, come to our school and hope they hire a coach you like for next year. And every time journalists asked questions it would be a the future of the program and the motivation to coach. It’s the same with a buyout - it’s just part of the deal. Imagine a coach without a buyout - not only does it say to the coach ‘we don’t really think you’re worth keeping’, if they actually are decent, they’ll be poached in the blink of an eye.
I think the odds of Kelly going sooner rather than later have greatly increased, and hope Jarmond takes the approach Joe has suggested. Have him coach the last 2 games (while compiling a list of replacements), wait until the buyout drops (no need to spend $4M for the sake of a few weeks), and appoint Lynn as interim for whatever bowl will have us. Choosing the replacement is interesting. Lynn should get a close look. He’s done well this year, but I’m not sure if CFB or NFL is where he’s best suited. I guess I know that we need a great recruiter, and someone committed to building a program over time. I also think we’re going to have a rough few years in the rebuild, and that’s a tough ask for anyone. So if not Lynn, then a young coach that can attract talent, not a big name is the way to go.
#1. I agree with waiting as well, nothing will be gained by firing Kelly now, let him lose his last two games or not, then fire him, #2. NO BOWL. UCLA should turn down any bowl game. To hell with the "extra practices" excuse. This team and program don't deserve a bowl, even the toilet bowl! So, no interim needed. Appoint some "search folks" for looking for a new coach NOW, don't wait. Have your list ready, interviews scheduled. DON'T WAIT FOR A NEW CHANCELLOR, for one, you may be sorry because the "devil is who you know", and the other reason is that it's not fair to hang this garbage on the new chancellor.
No bowl is the dumbest thing imaginable. For some of the players who have no aspirations to play professional football, college is the end of the line for their football careers and you want to rob of them of the opportunity to play in bowl game.
You should change your name to DD88 for Debbie Downer.
Rob who? This team stinks or have you been watching. I can see why you wouldn't watch, but clearly you have no clue. Yes, NO BOWL!! They don't deserve it and haven't earned it. Using your logic, Stanford should play in a bowl. I got it, Stanford (3-7) can play San Diego St (3-7), should be a great game because "some of those players who have no aspirations to play professional football, college is the end of the line for their football careers, and you want to rob of them of the opportunity to play in bowl game". Ridiculous!
My goodness. Are you from planet Earth? Your post makes absolutely no sense. Did you graduate from our esteemed university? If so, somebody wasted money paying for your education.
You would be robbing the following seniors of the opportunity to end their careers playing in a bowl game:
Jordan Anderson
Ale Kaho
Carl Jones Jr.
Colson Yankoff
Ryan Cragun
Josiah Norwood
Kenny Churchwell III
Alex Johnson
Will Powers
Jake Heimlicher
Khadere Kounta
Darius Muasau
Duke Clemens
Don't you have any compassion for these student athletes?
Sorry sir, I have to take umbrage at your comment regarding " criticizing Jarmond for giving Kelly an extension ....having a contract with a buyout ... I find this few naive at best ".
We do understand the legality and the sentiments behind contracts with buyout clause protecting the mutual interests of the university and the coach it hires. Your stated rationale is understood too. But if we are naive, in your view, in our posted complaints, concerns and criticism, then you must need to first level your scathing words at the administration, the athletic director included and most of all, someone called Troy Aikman, a former UCLA standout and super bowl winning quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys. They lead the pack.
I understand it was primarily him and another influential alum, big time contributor who got the clueless, obese, soon to retire Guerrero salivating about this retread coach with a brief shining moment at Oregon. If I recall correctly, either Florida or Florida State was in hot pursuit also the fact that UCLA had fallen head over heels of this guy, this guy ! Of course the rest is history.
We are irate about the extension when his records compiled then was nothing worthy of it. not that we should not think the buyout was unnecessary nor could it be omitted according to the law. He conned us, remember.
This explains my blistering, often times sarcastic, comments. Others did the same too. That said, I am indeed rooting hard for Lincoln Riley and his much maligned team to wipe us out, completely eviscerating our team for the whole NCAA world to see. Killing Fields 2.0 ! Bring it on !!!
Grit your teeth, bite your tongue and do whatever it takes, even swear to god if you will, that the quickest way to dispose of Kelly is a beat down by SC. You can go to church on Sunday and confess that you have sinned against your alma mater. HE understands.
Oh, Henry, He is with me. Our Bruins players deserve far better from us fans than our actively rooting for them to lose. Bad enough they need to put up with the Chipster constantly letting them down-- I'm not gonna add to their pain...
I’m not really sure what you’re saying here. Chip was overwhelmingly viewed as a good get at the time- even though it’s gone poorly. There’s no Time Machine to rewrite history based on the present. Or are you saying we should have ignored the hole in the budget and fired him after the 9-3 regular season last year? Or just try and run out the contract with him as a lame duck?
Also, I won’t root against my Bruins, especially when it’s the clown college from the other side of town.
The Chipster (OG) should have been fired after three years as it was obvious by that time, he wasn't the answer. Yes, I was one of those who thought (stupidly) he was a "good hire" and would install his Oregon offense at UCLA but would need 2-3 years to accomplish due to the talent he needed for such an offense. I was wrong, as the Chipster (OG) fooled many and said, "I'm going with a pro-style offense here at UCLA". And that was that. He should've been gone after Saturday's game, but UCLA wants to retain that $4m and will most likely let the Chipster (OG) lose out the rest of this season.
60 what? Yards in needless personal foul penalties after 3rd down stops with a chance to take the lead in the 4th quarter? Come to think of it, between these two, that might be a pick-em!
I really hope I'm wrong but after Saturday's "performance" I think even the permeable object that is $outhern Cal's defense can stop our resistible force... and when you throw in Caleb's last home game (and wouldn't be surprised if its Riley's too if the Cowboys fail in the NFL playoffs again) and all that emotion versus a team openly talking about having "disunity", well...
Yes sir, I certainly did but listen, my friend. He was arrogant too, not approachable at all even when we tried to talk to him at Pauley home games. I guess he didn't want to address the issues of Steve Alford with us alums when we knew he had no clue what to do other than to avoid discussing it. Sad. And indeed he was an obese person, even more than when he was first hired from UC Irvine or Cal State Dominguez Hills. I did not like him and still don't.
Fire Chip!
Thanks for repeating what's been going in my head for, oh, about 6 years now. I would have recommended we go after Deion Sanders (he puts butts in seats, he recruits, he has a game plan, and his team is fun to watch), but Jimbo Fischer just became available. Hmmmm.
Why do people always gravitate to big name "proven loser" coaches? Yes, these guys have name recognition, yes, they may recruit decently well (most likely based on this name recognition) but they still lose. Not Deion Sanders as much, we haven't seen what he can really do yet, but Jimbo Fischer? No way, wouldn't want him, even if you got a deal for him. He's just another Jim Mora or Chip Kelly. I like Joe's selections, proven winners who are up and comers, probably less expensive, but recruit well, even with no name recognition.
A coach with a 72.7% winning percentage is a proven loser?
I didn't see Jimbo winning any SEC titles or Deion winning any Pac-12 titles, so yep, proven losers. I will draw another parallel for you. The Los Angeles Dodgers are PROVEN LOSERS. Yea, they win 100+ games with a fantastic WINNING PERCENTAGE every year and finish first in their division but can't even get out of the first round of the playoffs. That is a PROVEN LOSER. So "winning percentage" means nothing if you can't even compete for a national title or a world title.
I wouldn’t hire Jimbo personally, but the dude won a championship at Florida State. You can’t call him a loser when he’s done what only four other active coaches have done in the last 20 years
This might be the worst take ever. The Dodgers won a championship three years ago, and baseball playoffs are a notorious crapshoot. Also, Deion is literally in year one with Colorado, which won one game last year. I'm not advocating for Jimbo by any stretch of the imagination, but jeez, man ... when they say UCLA fans are delusional, you're who they're talking about.
That is a pathetic mindset to own. If your son played in an organized sports league, worked his hardest to be the best player he could be, and he came home with 2nd place trophy, you'd probably call him a loser, toss his trophy into the trash can, and take away his Playstation.
Kobe Bryant popularized this thought when he repeatedly stated that any Laker season that did not result in a championship should be considered a failure. And as a result, most Laker fans have adapted that as their mantra when viewing every Laker season in the post-Kobe era. But that was coming from a player who needed and wanted the absolute maximum incentive by setting his sights on the highest achievable prize as the only possible positive outcome. That works great for Kobe and other athletes gifted with supreme talents.
But for fans to adopt that standard as the criteria by which we judge the teams and programs that we as fans follow is fool's gold because that's not how real life works. I certainly did not teach my kids to think this way. In sports, losing is part of the game.
Your analogy of the Dodgers is totally ludicrous. The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors went 73-9 and lost in the Finals. The 2007 Patriots went 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl. The 2001 Seattle Mariners went 116-46 and lost in the playoffs. You would call these teams losers. I would call them great teams that simply did not complete the mission, teams that provided joy to their fans during the courses of those seasons.
Isn't that why we watch the games and root for our teams, for the joy that they provide us?
And conveniently, you've created revisionist history by completely ignoring the Dodgers World Series Championship in 2020.
Sure, the Dodgers have been stopped short in the playoffs far too often, but the fact that they are in championship contention year in and year out is the mark of a winning team. It is why I and nearly 4 million fans are filling the stands at Dodger Stadium every year, because they provide joy, hope, and excitement, and they're typically very good at the game of baseball, which, if you don't know, is a very entertaining spectator sport, when played well.
Undoubtably, you're also probably a Dave Roberts antagonist who probably considers him a "proven loser." In his 9 years as a manager, Roberts is already 89th all-time in wins and 1st all-time in win percentage. He wins. He is a winner; he is not a loser.
Anytime I see this take from a complaining fan, that tells me the fan isn't really a fan of the game. Not being able to differentiate between the Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics or Kansas City Royals only tells me that the fan claiming the Dodgers are a proven loser is phony fan and should have their fan card revoked.
Respectfully, please NOT Neon Deion! I foresee a lot of flash and glitz and posturing for the media but few wins. If he had two successful seasons where he recruited and improved Colorado substantially..
But, then again, we'd not get him, would we?
If we could get Deion that would be great. Shedeur would be a great QB
The last thing I want to see are the UCLA players flashing their Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Blancpain, and Audemars Piquet watches at the reporters and the crowd. Keep that crap east of Vermont and stay humble.
You got that right !
What was the name of that really young guy they hired a long time ago and he did pretty good? Heck, I think they just put up a statue of him!
If we put Donohue's statue on the sideline, I swear it would do a better job coaching than Chip.
Cignetti signed a contract extension through '28 just this week. I haven't found contract buyout numbers.
OTOH, JMU projected costs and revenue that will result from the FBS jump, and it penciled out a plus. Can Jarmond project beyond a short term Dec 15, or Aug 2024 date for what's best for UCLA?
Nope. That extension was announced on 12/20/2022.
https://jmusports.com/news/2022/12/20/football-james-madison-extends-curt-cignetti-through-2028-season.aspx
Thanks for the correction. I read that very article yet missed the date of its writing. I'll add that I think the extension was on the heels of a 3 year extension made earlier, and that Cignetti is mentioned as a candidate for Northwestern.
So, I guess I'm in the "conspiracy camp". I believe we should "follow the money". The Chipster (OG) has to know his days are numbered. They've been numbered for a couple of years now, but this season and last night's game should be the last nail. Now since The Chipster (OG) has a practice of getting into teams/organizations, trashing them, then leaving with a big fat check, the fatter that check the better. So, after losing to Arizona, in another poor performance, the Chipster (OG) says to himself, "Well they are going to let me go (they'd be stupid not to!), but if they let me go after December 15 (or whatever December date), I lose $4m. Well, the hell with that, I have to make UCLA fire me BEFORE that December date, because of course, I want that extra $4m". So how does The Chipster (OG) go about doing this? He has to make his teams' performances look so bad, the UCLA AD and administration have no choice! Meaning watch for SUC to put up 60 pts next weekend at the Mausoleum. No, the Chipster isn't "throwing the game", he's just having his team play like they normally do... BAD. The Chipster needs that extra $4m, after all he is still getting most likely millions from all the other schools and organizations he has trashed along the way, he needs to add UCLA to his list -- ANOTHER CHECK. But again, this is the UCLA AD and administration, we can't underestimate them as well. They will want to wait until AFTER the 2024 season where the financial penalties are even lower or so they think. But they aren't looking at the financial models in their entirety, they are just looking at the contract as they always do.
You mean like calling a QB sneak from the 4 yard line on 2nd and goal?
I am not being a naysayer here but Smith might be a tough get given that he's an alum at Oregon State (the QB of the Chad Johnson/TJ Houshmanzaheh team that ended up top 10 after blowing out Notre Dame in the bowl) and might not want to leave *his* school in it's time of need...
Yep, we know the answer. It's almost as if Doughnut Dan and the UC chancellors deliberately set out to destroy PAC 12 sports.
Believe me, I want Chip gone ASAP. But I’m wondering if the retirement of Block this year will delay the inevitable. How athletic friendly will the new chancellor be?
That is the issue hindering a probable coaching search.
I wouldn't mind getting a rising star younger coordinator like Dan Lanning was on UGa's staff, perhaps we already have one...
On another note/thought - while I agree with some of us in previous threads that Mike Elko would fill a lot of boxes, for one, I'll bet he ends up at aTm where he used to be a coordinator and for two, we do have to be cautious about the 'head coach who's had one great early season'... Remember when some here thought there's "no way" we could ever get a Dave Aranda away from Baylor? Have you seen Baylor this year?
Greg Schiano is a good choice. So is Jason Candle (Toledo). They both recruit well and have a lot of experience. I love Cignetti, he's my vote for COY but he's a couple years out of FCS and has limited recruiting reach. If you want to win in the Big Ten you cannot take chances on "new/younger" coaches. You're supposed to be elite, so hire an elite coach. Schiano recruits in the Big Ten. Mack Brown is a good one too but his age is concerning. Jeff Brohm is doing great things at Louisville. Chris Klieman is also a good catch (Kansas State). Willie Fritz (Tualne) is undervalued, IMO. And say no to Jimbo.
We hired an "elite" coach six years ago. Just sayin'.
As Joe will verify, I thought he was the wrong hire.
Fair enough. I'd be happy with Klieman or Lance Leipold - he's done impressive work. Not an alum or homer for either school, but obviously I have more exposure to them than other possibilities.
I really like Klieman. KSU hires quality coaches who have good moral character. Leipold has also been impressive! I think both would be very good hires. (Do you hear me, Joe?)
Great honest (and depressing) write up Joe. I read earlier this morning that UCLA football succeeded to be named by USA Today to the top College Football Misery Index. Quite an accomplishment for a team that "peaked" after beating NC Central. We are now 1/3 of the way to lose our last 3 league games. Then it's off to the Gronk Kicks LA Bowl to lose against "high flying" Air Force.. It cannot get any worse than this with our current head coach. This is rock bottom. Question: Is there anyway UCLA can ease into the Big Ten next year by playing in a newly created Big Ten 7 on 7 passing league (with no contact) to allow our coaching staff time to get up to speed with the big boys?
I like the idea of 7 on 7, but how about FLAG FOOTBALL, after all it going to be an Olympic Sport. I'm thinking UCLA should just dump the regular football program and adopt flag football. Of course, flag football requires actual coaching and strategy as well, in addition to talent, so we would still need a new head coach who would at least try to recruit.
Try Cronin?
The QB sneak(s) from the four yard line was the Rubicon: all the overstatement of the "fire Kelly" nihilists suddenly, for me, in that moment became the only reasonable response. But I'd suggest not this week as we are preparing for the Ketchup and Mustard trade school on Figueroa. Let's let this season play out, and when Chip's buyout reduces in December, let him go, thank him for his service, and let Lynn be interim for the Weedwacker Bowl or wherever we wind up. Next coach? Mysterious.
Bingo WarPlanner. Full buyout or reduced buyout, get rid of Chip. Monies lost the past 6 years because of poor attendance are hemorrhaging our athletic department (amongst other things). If Texas A&M can pay Fisher $75 mil to get rid of him, there are plenty of UCLA boosters that can cough up Chip's buyout. It is the price of doing business. AND this is a business...a big business. Cut bait and move on. I would expect Jarmond to have already completed his diligence on his top five head coaching candidates. If not, UCLA is really in over it's head.
Whoa, podnuh! I warn't suggesting we all chip in for a new coach. I was just thinking of ponying up for a Cessna 182 and pilot to tow a banner saying "FIRE CHIP'S A**" around the Mausoleum.
I'm in the Civil Air Patrol and probably could commandeer a Cessna but I'd be serving a stretch in the Greybar Hotel and I don't think they pipe in ESPN, etc. to the rec rooms there.
Harry, technically and to be pedantic, it was NOT "crossing the Rubicon" that was the problem in this case.
..But that good ol' Rubicon, she jes keeps on a-rollin', rollin' along..
Joe, got no problem with politics (to a point) as this is another frame of reference and whatever applies applies. Being a Bus Ad major (one of the last 60 to go through the undergrad program for the BS degree; truly a bargain), I would say that not only politics apply, but also financial and break-even analyses are appropriate. Follow the money -- yeppers -- but also, find out what what the actual cash flows might be to determine exactly when our "black Friday" eventuates.
As some smarter than I have posted, the drop-off in season ticket sales and walk-in attendance (and vendor income, other football revenues, etc.) might reveal that the $8 millions or $4 millions are cheap compared to the bath we would be taking if the Old Chipster remained on the sidelines perpetually calling for the "three yard and a cloud of dust" offense in the red zone. (Three straight crashes into the line inside the five, can you believe it?)
While we'd probably not get precisely near what the guys on the high stools wearing the green eyeshades in the AD would calculate, I'll wager we could come pretty close -- especially since UCLA is a public university and the FOIA data is bare nekkid for the asking.
By the same token, we couldn't do any hiring decision projections with the info we'd get and the negotiations with any prospective coach would certainly not be available until the guy was hired. But my fever brain is pulsing, I am idle (sort of) since retirement, and if you need volunteers to turn the crank handle on the old desktop calculating machines, why don't you discretely request volunteers and suit up a team? Betcha you'd get some formidable brain power -- and water boys like myself.
Exit question: Anyone for doing a "whip 'round" to hire a plane and banner for the Toe Jam game?
There’s a saying - ‘Only when the tide goes out do you see who’s been swimming naked’. I think we all knew UCLA hasn’t been on the right path, but I didn’t expect the tide to go out until next year. Now, it seems that the Arizona game was the one that broke this team, physically and mentally, and exposed the reality.
This is a really good piece from Joe, us fans get hot under the collar and want action and drama - fire him on the tarmac!, but the business of running a program is somewhat different. There has been a lot of comments criticizing Jarmond for giving Kelly an extension, and having a contract with a buyout, but I find this few naive at best. There’s no situation where a CFB coach is going to just serve out their contract, shake hands and part ways with a school (Maybe a long serving coach heading into retirement with a successor appointed?). I can’t see a lame duck coach ever working - as bad as recruiting is under Kelly, how bad would it be if the pitch was simply, come to our school and hope they hire a coach you like for next year. And every time journalists asked questions it would be a the future of the program and the motivation to coach. It’s the same with a buyout - it’s just part of the deal. Imagine a coach without a buyout - not only does it say to the coach ‘we don’t really think you’re worth keeping’, if they actually are decent, they’ll be poached in the blink of an eye.
I think the odds of Kelly going sooner rather than later have greatly increased, and hope Jarmond takes the approach Joe has suggested. Have him coach the last 2 games (while compiling a list of replacements), wait until the buyout drops (no need to spend $4M for the sake of a few weeks), and appoint Lynn as interim for whatever bowl will have us. Choosing the replacement is interesting. Lynn should get a close look. He’s done well this year, but I’m not sure if CFB or NFL is where he’s best suited. I guess I know that we need a great recruiter, and someone committed to building a program over time. I also think we’re going to have a rough few years in the rebuild, and that’s a tough ask for anyone. So if not Lynn, then a young coach that can attract talent, not a big name is the way to go.
#1. I agree with waiting as well, nothing will be gained by firing Kelly now, let him lose his last two games or not, then fire him, #2. NO BOWL. UCLA should turn down any bowl game. To hell with the "extra practices" excuse. This team and program don't deserve a bowl, even the toilet bowl! So, no interim needed. Appoint some "search folks" for looking for a new coach NOW, don't wait. Have your list ready, interviews scheduled. DON'T WAIT FOR A NEW CHANCELLOR, for one, you may be sorry because the "devil is who you know", and the other reason is that it's not fair to hang this garbage on the new chancellor.
No bowl is the dumbest thing imaginable. For some of the players who have no aspirations to play professional football, college is the end of the line for their football careers and you want to rob of them of the opportunity to play in bowl game.
You should change your name to DD88 for Debbie Downer.
Rob who? This team stinks or have you been watching. I can see why you wouldn't watch, but clearly you have no clue. Yes, NO BOWL!! They don't deserve it and haven't earned it. Using your logic, Stanford should play in a bowl. I got it, Stanford (3-7) can play San Diego St (3-7), should be a great game because "some of those players who have no aspirations to play professional football, college is the end of the line for their football careers, and you want to rob of them of the opportunity to play in bowl game". Ridiculous!
My goodness. Are you from planet Earth? Your post makes absolutely no sense. Did you graduate from our esteemed university? If so, somebody wasted money paying for your education.
You would be robbing the following seniors of the opportunity to end their careers playing in a bowl game:
Jordan Anderson
Ale Kaho
Carl Jones Jr.
Colson Yankoff
Ryan Cragun
Josiah Norwood
Kenny Churchwell III
Alex Johnson
Will Powers
Jake Heimlicher
Khadere Kounta
Darius Muasau
Duke Clemens
Don't you have any compassion for these student athletes?
Sorry sir, I have to take umbrage at your comment regarding " criticizing Jarmond for giving Kelly an extension ....having a contract with a buyout ... I find this few naive at best ".
We do understand the legality and the sentiments behind contracts with buyout clause protecting the mutual interests of the university and the coach it hires. Your stated rationale is understood too. But if we are naive, in your view, in our posted complaints, concerns and criticism, then you must need to first level your scathing words at the administration, the athletic director included and most of all, someone called Troy Aikman, a former UCLA standout and super bowl winning quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys. They lead the pack.
I understand it was primarily him and another influential alum, big time contributor who got the clueless, obese, soon to retire Guerrero salivating about this retread coach with a brief shining moment at Oregon. If I recall correctly, either Florida or Florida State was in hot pursuit also the fact that UCLA had fallen head over heels of this guy, this guy ! Of course the rest is history.
We are irate about the extension when his records compiled then was nothing worthy of it. not that we should not think the buyout was unnecessary nor could it be omitted according to the law. He conned us, remember.
This explains my blistering, often times sarcastic, comments. Others did the same too. That said, I am indeed rooting hard for Lincoln Riley and his much maligned team to wipe us out, completely eviscerating our team for the whole NCAA world to see. Killing Fields 2.0 ! Bring it on !!!
I could never root for a $UC victory, especially over our Bruins. There will never, ever be cause for rooting for a trogan win/Bruin loss.
Grit your teeth, bite your tongue and do whatever it takes, even swear to god if you will, that the quickest way to dispose of Kelly is a beat down by SC. You can go to church on Sunday and confess that you have sinned against your alma mater. HE understands.
Oh, Henry, He is with me. Our Bruins players deserve far better from us fans than our actively rooting for them to lose. Bad enough they need to put up with the Chipster constantly letting them down-- I'm not gonna add to their pain...
I’m not really sure what you’re saying here. Chip was overwhelmingly viewed as a good get at the time- even though it’s gone poorly. There’s no Time Machine to rewrite history based on the present. Or are you saying we should have ignored the hole in the budget and fired him after the 9-3 regular season last year? Or just try and run out the contract with him as a lame duck?
Also, I won’t root against my Bruins, especially when it’s the clown college from the other side of town.
The Chipster (OG) should have been fired after three years as it was obvious by that time, he wasn't the answer. Yes, I was one of those who thought (stupidly) he was a "good hire" and would install his Oregon offense at UCLA but would need 2-3 years to accomplish due to the talent he needed for such an offense. I was wrong, as the Chipster (OG) fooled many and said, "I'm going with a pro-style offense here at UCLA". And that was that. He should've been gone after Saturday's game, but UCLA wants to retain that $4m and will most likely let the Chipster (OG) lose out the rest of this season.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. This time, a beat down by SC may just be the catalyst to dismiss Kelly. Enough said.
SC will not crush you. First team to 60 wins.
60 what? Yards in needless personal foul penalties after 3rd down stops with a chance to take the lead in the 4th quarter? Come to think of it, between these two, that might be a pick-em!
I really hope I'm wrong but after Saturday's "performance" I think even the permeable object that is $outhern Cal's defense can stop our resistible force... and when you throw in Caleb's last home game (and wouldn't be surprised if its Riley's too if the Cowboys fail in the NFL playoffs again) and all that emotion versus a team openly talking about having "disunity", well...
Bottom line is neither of us think either team will win. Make sure you have plenty of booze available. I know I will.
Look at you, fat shaming Dan Guerrero. LOL.
Yes sir, I certainly did but listen, my friend. He was arrogant too, not approachable at all even when we tried to talk to him at Pauley home games. I guess he didn't want to address the issues of Steve Alford with us alums when we knew he had no clue what to do other than to avoid discussing it. Sad. And indeed he was an obese person, even more than when he was first hired from UC Irvine or Cal State Dominguez Hills. I did not like him and still don't.
Fire Chip Kelly. He has done nothing but lose easy games. He hasn't won a bowl game somehow. Last year they had it in the bag and he gave 60 yards on 2 plays to lose. They better fire him. Also I designed a FIRE CHIP KELLY shirt. https://www.customink.com/designs/firechip/zdd0-00ct-nezh/hotlink?pc=HL-191722&utm_content=editbuylink&oe=44932274-9c03d&utm_source=Hotlink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Hotlink%202%20Variation%20C%20%28XRBaF3%29&_kx=wYl6D6gV4IPzHWj8VGrd5OmcskVHlfOfTGtkdjkdrlfoSaiBUMuTHMobTow45NS0.SKGNUp
Did you guys like the shirt?
Really cool!
Thanks!
If you were to get one for Chip Alford, he'll probably wear it to help him get that $8M buyout...
Guys, if Chip Kelly coached Michigan, Georgia, or Ohio State they would probably be 5-5 at best.