Everyone involved with this has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have no business making decisions on the future of UCLA football going forward.
After listening to and watching all of the discussions on the internet this past week, with this perfect analysis of the situation what more needs to be said? Now... I kinda liked the banner. For me, an emotional release at that time that negated me doing harm to myself or others!
They should be flying that "Fire Chip Kelly and Martin Jarmond" banner over Westwood every day! I don't agree with Dimitri that the Chipster (OG) is "a bright offensive mind, perhaps one of the best around". I think this is a fallacy based on past experience. He may HAVE BEEN a brilliant offensive mind back in his DUCK DAYS, but clearly not now, nor has he been for some time. The Chipster (OG) is simply a bad coach (at any level or category). I do agree that if the Chipster (OG) belongs anywhere, it would be in the NFL where you only have to draft or trade, not recruit.
As for Martin Jarmond, he should have been fired right after he decided to retain Kelly for his final contractual year. In truth, he should have been let go shortly after he was hired. It was a bad hire.
If Kelly does leave for the NFL (let's hope he does), this will put Jarmond and UCLA football in a tough spot. They would then have to get another coach in there during a period where you have a lame duck Chancellor and not many (if any at all) decent candidates to select from. Chances are they would promote an assistant to be a temporary coach until the next season ends (most likely mercifully). As for the Chipster (OG), he has already imploded the program so he'd care less about what the state of the program would be in if he leaves. This is all on Jarmond, just a horrible AD, no, not as bad as Donut Dan, but very close. Let's hope the new Chancellor has the "smarts" to let go of Jarmond and put someone in their who knows how to run a big-time major college Athletic program, yes even in this age of NIL, the portal and all the changes in the college athletic landscape.
Chip Kelly literally had a Top 5 offense as recently as the 2022 season. With the right pieces, he absolutely is a top offensive coordinator; the problem is he's been terrible at acquiring those pieces at UCLA. Presumably, he would not have that same issue in the NFL because there is a more even distribution of talent (and he would not be in charge of acquiring it).
Well, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I do not think he is even an average Offensive coordinator. Washington Commander fans are already screaming saying "Don't hire this guy, we need a decent offense to compete in the East". So even the DC crowd knows he's bad news.
Seriously!! Running 4 times up the middle when you're on the opponents (Arizona St) one yard line and not gaining an inch! And that's what you call "one of the best at scheming up in the run game". Oh please, that's simply nonsense. The Chipster (OG) is lousy at the run, pass, kickoff, punt, punt return, extra points, game preparation, in game adjustments, halftime adjustments and practices. I THINK THAT'S EVERYTHING FROM a GAME PERSPECTIVE! Then there are non-game issues like recruiting. Where is UCLA ranked vs other Big 10 teams right now (actually BIG-18 teams). They are 17th!!! 17th!!!
Dang. Spot on Dimitri. I had a seventh grade teacher that when delivering test results, he would say to the class, "Cheer up, things get worse". I am afraid this maybe the case for UCLA football for a while. Chip, after approaching pro teams for a job, is now officially a lame duck head coach at UCLA. This does not bode well if he hangs around another year. This current program is on life support.
It's a lose-lose for UCLA no matter what happens. Either we keep this anchor for another season, or we get a temp coach, or we get someone who isn't any better than the Chipster (OG). I know it's hard to believe, but there are actually worse coaches out there other than the Chipster (OG).
Mark Schipper reported on twitter that Jarmond was gathering money to fire Chip, which shocked the chancellor and he stopped Jarmond from firing him. Not sure how accurate his sources are on this.
I've seen that story floated around in the last day, and to me it reads more like sources close to Jarmond trying to shift the blame away from him.
Fact of the matter is Jarmond has been able to get Block to sign off on a much bigger athletics move than firing Chip Kelly already; if Block was able to put a stop to this then that speaks more to a lack of conviction on Jarmond's part than anything else.
Completely agree, but we also have to remember that Block is a lame duck as well, hence his motives may be along the lines of "no major changes until the new guy gets here", but of course then why purchase the Westside pavilion and satellite campuses all in a very short period of time if you want to leave big decisions for the next guy. I'm guessing that Block had nothing to do with the retaining of the Chipster (OG), this was all on Jarmond.
Well, to be fair, for a Chancellor that doesn't consider athletics a priority but has clearly - and largely successfully - considered academic rankings and new/renovated building (Luskin, the new Engineering VI building for the Western Institute of Nanotechnology on Green Engineering and Metrology, all the new and expanded dorms, &c) a priority - purchasing the Westside pavilion is a legacy project/decision which, hell, might be named after him eventually (like Murphy Hall or Young Research Library)...
While the biggest athletic move on a macro level to the B1G was kind of a no-brainer once the wheels were in motion and the writing was on the wall - and I have no knowledge of this but I wouldn't be surprised if Caruso was in touch with Wasserman as those wheels were turning - on a decision like firing Chip, as frustrating as it is for we fans, I also wouldn't be surprised if Jarmond was told by Block - who (a) doesn't prioritize athletics on a micro level and (b) is his boss - "No - no such encumbrance or decision until your new boss is hired and conducts a top-to-bottom review of athletics." Not defending that choice AT ALL - of course from a performance standpoint he should be fired - but I suspect this is closer to the reality of the situation.
That bigger athletic move was couched as a lifeline from financial insolvency, so I’m not surprised he was able to get Block to do that.
Firing a coach to pay a buyout and go through a coaching search on the eve of retirement is not something I would imagine Block would care too much about
I tend to believe the story about Block. Block might have even agreed with Jarmond that that there was a solid basis for firing CCK. What there was not was a sold financial basis. That's really not debatable, but doesn't settle the question. I'm sure people will say, "Big10 next year. Just bite the bullet." Now that the news is out, though, with Kelly's NFL interviews, it doesn't matter if the story is true.
So now what? If Kelly was a political figure, his managers would insist on a public statement. The best result of those kind of statements is to give people pause to think, "Well, we will see." The problem is that most people have already seen enough. If the Bruins weren't screwed before, what if he now doesn't take an NFL job? Really horrible timing if your coach, any coach, does take a job at this point in the off-season, but better if he stays? Harbaugh, yes, if he stayed at Michigan. Kelly? Ew...not good.
UCLA’s budgetary issues would have not had any impact on whether they paid for a buyout or not. Buyouts are fully funded by donors, so in this case all Jarmond had to do was pass around the hat until he had the money, which was reportedly happening regardless of if the Block story is true or not.
A year too soon. The problem is we cannot afford to hire a good coach. We will have no choice but to roll the dice on a coordinator or so called up and coming mid major coach. If we swing and miss (and look who is doing the swinging) we are stuck with that hire for at least 4 years. By the way, the idea that Lynn is coming back is laughable....but to all those rooting for this, think about what you are saying. Lynn did a great job, but whether he would succeed as a HC is a complete unknown. UCLA coaching targets should ALWAYS be candidates with head coaching experience and more importantly head coaching success.
Also, the fact that college head coaches are seeking out coordinator jobs in the NFL speaks volumes as to the current state of NCAA football. Between Saban retiring, Harbaugh leaving, BC's coach becoming Green Bay's DC, and Chip clearly wanting to get the hell out, it is very apparent a large swath of college coaches are sick of what the NCAA has done to CFB.
I totally agree with you regarding how life-long and accomplished college football coaches are wanting to get out of this "new reality" of CFB - Mack Brown has talked about how there have been more changes in the last 3 years than in his previous 30 - and how untenable it is - but I would point out that we wouldn't necessarily "be stuck for 4 years" in a late vacancy scenario - Mississippi St promoted the interim after the Pirate passed unexpectedly and fired him after 1 year, not to mention UDub pulling the cord on Jimmy Lake after 1 year (and paid his buyout) to hire DeBoer, which worked out pretty well... just sayin'
-letting a rising coordinator move to their crosstown rival because they’re too cheap to pay them
-keeping a head coach after the bottom clearly falls out against a team alternating a TE and RB at QB
-not coordinating with its largest donors to get on the same page with firing the guy, instead of letting them come out and publicly support him
-having zero coordination with NIL collectives like Men of Westwood
-having recruiting classes near the 80s with G5 schools
And yet here we are because there has been zero leadership from the chancellor’s office and the AD.
If we continue to be cheap or conservative, then a hungry up and comer is all we can afford. And in some ways that could be better for us, because with exception of Mora before he went off the rails, we have not had luck with coaches who’ve had success elsewhere.
All of the things I just listed above while hanging on to a coach who the school and the fans don’t want to be here, while he clearly doesn’t want to be here
I'm not sure if you are disagreeing or just trying to be disagreeable. A school like UCLA has no business rolling the dice on an unknown coach, especially not on a coordinator. The first, second, and third qualifications for a coaching candidate for football or basketball at UCLA should be demonstrated success as a head coach. Period. For every Kalen DeBoer and Jedd Fisch, there are about 20 so called up and comers who fail. I remember when the old BN was fantasizing about Scott Frost and PJ Fleck. Look how that worked out.
As for your list, losing a 5-star QB and the end of the season is no longer atypical. Look at all the 5 stars that flee even the teams that make the playoffs. NCAA football is now a bunch of guys on 1 year contracts. You get beat out or dont like your playing time and you leave....why wouldn't you. How did we "let" a rising coordinator go to USC. Where's this magical million dollars it would have taken to keep him?
Well to be fair, "Chip wanting to get out" is because 1.) the Chipster (OG) knows he only has one year left and wants more security than that. It has nothing to do with NIL, super conferences or the transfer portal because the Chipster (OG) obviously has never recruited that well anyway and also distains it. 2.) The Chipster (OG) wants to get into a job where recruiting isn't needed, hence the need for an NFL "sugar daddy" and again very little to do with NIL, transfer portal or super conferences.
Sure. This has nothing to do with NIL and I think you need to pay more attention. You love the Chipster (OG) so much its blinded you to the reality that he is a lousy coach, period.
lmao. Whether I love "The Chipster (OG)" or not (and i am on record here for months saying he is a terrible coach) has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic of NIL or why he and other college coaches are leaving the college rankes en masse.
So, who exactly is leaving in masse? Nick Saban is retiring, that's not "everyone". Yes, some coaches (some) are going to the NFL, others may be stepping down, but again, not everyone and most (a large majority) of the college coaches have already been through a couple of years of NIL and the portal and the conference realignments and are still here. Yea, the Chipster (OG) is one of them! and he isn't going to be hired away by the NFL because they already know he is a lousy coach! So, stop with the fake and false propaganda. You are on record as wanting to retain the Chipster (OG) at all costs, hence your opinion and your "analysis" are already suspect and discounted to ZERO. Stop while you are behind.
I’m working on a hot list based on names I’ve heard thrown around and I don’t think a single name on this list outside of Barry Odom has been mentioned. If Kelly doesn’t leave in a week remind me and I’ll post a list of names.
Oh heck, I'll bite for fun with this list, what the heck:
Carroll - would like to see how he handles a "2nd tier never in the Rose Bowl program" (yes, I hope the drunken idiot behind me at McKale reads this - LOL) before jumping on him
Wilcox & Rich Rod - Hard No. Both would be, at best, Chip/Mora 2.0
Odom - wasn't great at Mizzou but impressive this past year at UNLV so intriguing at least... Others have learned from a first job and applied lessons of what to do and not to do at a 2nd - but not a first choice from your spec list Evan, compared to...
Grubb - Would be a very strong choice - successful everywhere he's been, and
Dimitri, that was fantastic, thorough and fairly covered rightly placing the blame on all parties involved — yes, even the plane flyers.
Only thing I’ll say is that you’re underestimating Block’s role. For all the good he has done for UCLA as a whole, he has been an absolute albatross for the athletic program. I would actually argue that Block is more responsible for the demise of UCLA’s revenue sports than Guerrero and Jarmond are.
Our two most recent ADs deserve their fair share of blame, sure. But with this university the buck stops with the Chancellor. When he doesn’t empower or support his lieutenants (personnel wise or financially) to make the decisions they feel are in the best interests of the program — all while throwing millions of dollars elsewhere on campus — I would argue that’s a damning indictment of leadership.
His retirement can’t come soon enough — but I only hope that the next chancellor sees the potential for UCLA to be excellent like Michigan, and not just a budget to balance.
Looks like the Raiders are going to go with Luke Getsy for OC and I never thought I'd say this, but this guy is worse than the Chipster (OG), good luck to the Raiders, my guess Getsy lasts a season (at best) and that's it.
Now they are saying (sounds like a lot of rumors and anonymous sources to me) that the Chipster (OG) is also interested in other Universities, namely an OC position at Iowa! Not saying this is true, but if it were, good ole Evan will need to explain the fact that if the College situation is becoming so untenable for the Chipster (OG), why would he be interested in other Colleges? Well, Evan...
After listening to and watching all of the discussions on the internet this past week, with this perfect analysis of the situation what more needs to be said? Now... I kinda liked the banner. For me, an emotional release at that time that negated me doing harm to myself or others!
Jarmond screwed the pooch!
They should be flying that "Fire Chip Kelly and Martin Jarmond" banner over Westwood every day! I don't agree with Dimitri that the Chipster (OG) is "a bright offensive mind, perhaps one of the best around". I think this is a fallacy based on past experience. He may HAVE BEEN a brilliant offensive mind back in his DUCK DAYS, but clearly not now, nor has he been for some time. The Chipster (OG) is simply a bad coach (at any level or category). I do agree that if the Chipster (OG) belongs anywhere, it would be in the NFL where you only have to draft or trade, not recruit.
As for Martin Jarmond, he should have been fired right after he decided to retain Kelly for his final contractual year. In truth, he should have been let go shortly after he was hired. It was a bad hire.
If Kelly does leave for the NFL (let's hope he does), this will put Jarmond and UCLA football in a tough spot. They would then have to get another coach in there during a period where you have a lame duck Chancellor and not many (if any at all) decent candidates to select from. Chances are they would promote an assistant to be a temporary coach until the next season ends (most likely mercifully). As for the Chipster (OG), he has already imploded the program so he'd care less about what the state of the program would be in if he leaves. This is all on Jarmond, just a horrible AD, no, not as bad as Donut Dan, but very close. Let's hope the new Chancellor has the "smarts" to let go of Jarmond and put someone in their who knows how to run a big-time major college Athletic program, yes even in this age of NIL, the portal and all the changes in the college athletic landscape.
Chip Kelly literally had a Top 5 offense as recently as the 2022 season. With the right pieces, he absolutely is a top offensive coordinator; the problem is he's been terrible at acquiring those pieces at UCLA. Presumably, he would not have that same issue in the NFL because there is a more even distribution of talent (and he would not be in charge of acquiring it).
Well, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I do not think he is even an average Offensive coordinator. Washington Commander fans are already screaming saying "Don't hire this guy, we need a decent offense to compete in the East". So even the DC crowd knows he's bad news.
And they would be wrong. He’s not great in the pass game but he is absolutely one of the best at scheming up in the run game.
And honestly, the way Washington looked this year, they should probably take load off Sam Howell’s shoulders
Seriously!! Running 4 times up the middle when you're on the opponents (Arizona St) one yard line and not gaining an inch! And that's what you call "one of the best at scheming up in the run game". Oh please, that's simply nonsense. The Chipster (OG) is lousy at the run, pass, kickoff, punt, punt return, extra points, game preparation, in game adjustments, halftime adjustments and practices. I THINK THAT'S EVERYTHING FROM a GAME PERSPECTIVE! Then there are non-game issues like recruiting. Where is UCLA ranked vs other Big 10 teams right now (actually BIG-18 teams). They are 17th!!! 17th!!!
here come the "Chip apologist" comments.
LOL !! Look who's talking now !!!
Dang. Spot on Dimitri. I had a seventh grade teacher that when delivering test results, he would say to the class, "Cheer up, things get worse". I am afraid this maybe the case for UCLA football for a while. Chip, after approaching pro teams for a job, is now officially a lame duck head coach at UCLA. This does not bode well if he hangs around another year. This current program is on life support.
It's a lose-lose for UCLA no matter what happens. Either we keep this anchor for another season, or we get a temp coach, or we get someone who isn't any better than the Chipster (OG). I know it's hard to believe, but there are actually worse coaches out there other than the Chipster (OG).
Mark Schipper reported on twitter that Jarmond was gathering money to fire Chip, which shocked the chancellor and he stopped Jarmond from firing him. Not sure how accurate his sources are on this.
https://x.com/5thDownCFB/status/1753227289418997901?s=20
I've seen that story floated around in the last day, and to me it reads more like sources close to Jarmond trying to shift the blame away from him.
Fact of the matter is Jarmond has been able to get Block to sign off on a much bigger athletics move than firing Chip Kelly already; if Block was able to put a stop to this then that speaks more to a lack of conviction on Jarmond's part than anything else.
Completely agree, but we also have to remember that Block is a lame duck as well, hence his motives may be along the lines of "no major changes until the new guy gets here", but of course then why purchase the Westside pavilion and satellite campuses all in a very short period of time if you want to leave big decisions for the next guy. I'm guessing that Block had nothing to do with the retaining of the Chipster (OG), this was all on Jarmond.
Well, to be fair, for a Chancellor that doesn't consider athletics a priority but has clearly - and largely successfully - considered academic rankings and new/renovated building (Luskin, the new Engineering VI building for the Western Institute of Nanotechnology on Green Engineering and Metrology, all the new and expanded dorms, &c) a priority - purchasing the Westside pavilion is a legacy project/decision which, hell, might be named after him eventually (like Murphy Hall or Young Research Library)...
While the biggest athletic move on a macro level to the B1G was kind of a no-brainer once the wheels were in motion and the writing was on the wall - and I have no knowledge of this but I wouldn't be surprised if Caruso was in touch with Wasserman as those wheels were turning - on a decision like firing Chip, as frustrating as it is for we fans, I also wouldn't be surprised if Jarmond was told by Block - who (a) doesn't prioritize athletics on a micro level and (b) is his boss - "No - no such encumbrance or decision until your new boss is hired and conducts a top-to-bottom review of athletics." Not defending that choice AT ALL - of course from a performance standpoint he should be fired - but I suspect this is closer to the reality of the situation.
Bingo. Anonymous sources strike again. I'm sure Block really cares about who is the football coach.
That bigger athletic move was couched as a lifeline from financial insolvency, so I’m not surprised he was able to get Block to do that.
Firing a coach to pay a buyout and go through a coaching search on the eve of retirement is not something I would imagine Block would care too much about
It could be true. These are frustratingly depressing days for UCLA football.
I'm inclined to give Jarmond a pass to n Kelly. Let's see what he can do on his own.
Great article. Spot on IMO. What's odd to me about the NIL, if the players are getting paid, why do they get to opt out of bowl games?
their pay has nothing to do with playing.
I tend to believe the story about Block. Block might have even agreed with Jarmond that that there was a solid basis for firing CCK. What there was not was a sold financial basis. That's really not debatable, but doesn't settle the question. I'm sure people will say, "Big10 next year. Just bite the bullet." Now that the news is out, though, with Kelly's NFL interviews, it doesn't matter if the story is true.
So now what? If Kelly was a political figure, his managers would insist on a public statement. The best result of those kind of statements is to give people pause to think, "Well, we will see." The problem is that most people have already seen enough. If the Bruins weren't screwed before, what if he now doesn't take an NFL job? Really horrible timing if your coach, any coach, does take a job at this point in the off-season, but better if he stays? Harbaugh, yes, if he stayed at Michigan. Kelly? Ew...not good.
UCLA’s budgetary issues would have not had any impact on whether they paid for a buyout or not. Buyouts are fully funded by donors, so in this case all Jarmond had to do was pass around the hat until he had the money, which was reportedly happening regardless of if the Block story is true or not.
A year too soon. The problem is we cannot afford to hire a good coach. We will have no choice but to roll the dice on a coordinator or so called up and coming mid major coach. If we swing and miss (and look who is doing the swinging) we are stuck with that hire for at least 4 years. By the way, the idea that Lynn is coming back is laughable....but to all those rooting for this, think about what you are saying. Lynn did a great job, but whether he would succeed as a HC is a complete unknown. UCLA coaching targets should ALWAYS be candidates with head coaching experience and more importantly head coaching success.
Also, the fact that college head coaches are seeking out coordinator jobs in the NFL speaks volumes as to the current state of NCAA football. Between Saban retiring, Harbaugh leaving, BC's coach becoming Green Bay's DC, and Chip clearly wanting to get the hell out, it is very apparent a large swath of college coaches are sick of what the NCAA has done to CFB.
I totally agree with you regarding how life-long and accomplished college football coaches are wanting to get out of this "new reality" of CFB - Mack Brown has talked about how there have been more changes in the last 3 years than in his previous 30 - and how untenable it is - but I would point out that we wouldn't necessarily "be stuck for 4 years" in a late vacancy scenario - Mississippi St promoted the interim after the Pirate passed unexpectedly and fired him after 1 year, not to mention UDub pulling the cord on Jimmy Lake after 1 year (and paid his buyout) to hire DeBoer, which worked out pretty well... just sayin'
The up and comer is exactly who we should be hiring, instead of a coach past their prime and not willing to adapt to todays CFB landscape
a school like UCLA has no business rolling the dice like that.
A school like UCLA also has no business:
-losing a 5-star QB and the end of the season
-letting a rising coordinator move to their crosstown rival because they’re too cheap to pay them
-keeping a head coach after the bottom clearly falls out against a team alternating a TE and RB at QB
-not coordinating with its largest donors to get on the same page with firing the guy, instead of letting them come out and publicly support him
-having zero coordination with NIL collectives like Men of Westwood
-having recruiting classes near the 80s with G5 schools
And yet here we are because there has been zero leadership from the chancellor’s office and the AD.
If we continue to be cheap or conservative, then a hungry up and comer is all we can afford. And in some ways that could be better for us, because with exception of Mora before he went off the rails, we have not had luck with coaches who’ve had success elsewhere.
what is more cheap or conservative than rolling the dice on a coaching hire?
All of the things I just listed above while hanging on to a coach who the school and the fans don’t want to be here, while he clearly doesn’t want to be here
I'm not sure if you are disagreeing or just trying to be disagreeable. A school like UCLA has no business rolling the dice on an unknown coach, especially not on a coordinator. The first, second, and third qualifications for a coaching candidate for football or basketball at UCLA should be demonstrated success as a head coach. Period. For every Kalen DeBoer and Jedd Fisch, there are about 20 so called up and comers who fail. I remember when the old BN was fantasizing about Scott Frost and PJ Fleck. Look how that worked out.
As for your list, losing a 5-star QB and the end of the season is no longer atypical. Look at all the 5 stars that flee even the teams that make the playoffs. NCAA football is now a bunch of guys on 1 year contracts. You get beat out or dont like your playing time and you leave....why wouldn't you. How did we "let" a rising coordinator go to USC. Where's this magical million dollars it would have taken to keep him?
Well to be fair, "Chip wanting to get out" is because 1.) the Chipster (OG) knows he only has one year left and wants more security than that. It has nothing to do with NIL, super conferences or the transfer portal because the Chipster (OG) obviously has never recruited that well anyway and also distains it. 2.) The Chipster (OG) wants to get into a job where recruiting isn't needed, hence the need for an NFL "sugar daddy" and again very little to do with NIL, transfer portal or super conferences.
if you don't think NIL has anything to do with this, then you just are not paying attention.
Sure. This has nothing to do with NIL and I think you need to pay more attention. You love the Chipster (OG) so much its blinded you to the reality that he is a lousy coach, period.
lmao. Whether I love "The Chipster (OG)" or not (and i am on record here for months saying he is a terrible coach) has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic of NIL or why he and other college coaches are leaving the college rankes en masse.
So, who exactly is leaving in masse? Nick Saban is retiring, that's not "everyone". Yes, some coaches (some) are going to the NFL, others may be stepping down, but again, not everyone and most (a large majority) of the college coaches have already been through a couple of years of NIL and the portal and the conference realignments and are still here. Yea, the Chipster (OG) is one of them! and he isn't going to be hired away by the NFL because they already know he is a lousy coach! So, stop with the fake and false propaganda. You are on record as wanting to retain the Chipster (OG) at all costs, hence your opinion and your "analysis" are already suspect and discounted to ZERO. Stop while you are behind.
Who do you think will be on the short list to replace him?
My uneducated guesses:
Brennan Carroll
Justin Wilcox
Barry Odom
Dick Rod
Ryan Grubb
Lance Leipold
I’m working on a hot list based on names I’ve heard thrown around and I don’t think a single name on this list outside of Barry Odom has been mentioned. If Kelly doesn’t leave in a week remind me and I’ll post a list of names.
Oh heck, I'll bite for fun with this list, what the heck:
Carroll - would like to see how he handles a "2nd tier never in the Rose Bowl program" (yes, I hope the drunken idiot behind me at McKale reads this - LOL) before jumping on him
Wilcox & Rich Rod - Hard No. Both would be, at best, Chip/Mora 2.0
Odom - wasn't great at Mizzou but impressive this past year at UNLV so intriguing at least... Others have learned from a first job and applied lessons of what to do and not to do at a 2nd - but not a first choice from your spec list Evan, compared to...
Grubb - Would be a very strong choice - successful everywhere he's been, and
Liepold - If possible - home run choice.
Just my opinion FWIW...
Dimitri, that was fantastic, thorough and fairly covered rightly placing the blame on all parties involved — yes, even the plane flyers.
Only thing I’ll say is that you’re underestimating Block’s role. For all the good he has done for UCLA as a whole, he has been an absolute albatross for the athletic program. I would actually argue that Block is more responsible for the demise of UCLA’s revenue sports than Guerrero and Jarmond are.
Our two most recent ADs deserve their fair share of blame, sure. But with this university the buck stops with the Chancellor. When he doesn’t empower or support his lieutenants (personnel wise or financially) to make the decisions they feel are in the best interests of the program — all while throwing millions of dollars elsewhere on campus — I would argue that’s a damning indictment of leadership.
His retirement can’t come soon enough — but I only hope that the next chancellor sees the potential for UCLA to be excellent like Michigan, and not just a budget to balance.
💯
Kingsbury just backed out of Raiders OC job
Yup, we are back in the running for the Chipster to go to the Raiders. Maybe get some buy out money from the Raiders? Should know sooner than later.
Seems like Hue Jackson would be a better get than Chip, though, as he's interviewed recently with them...
Makes sense for Chip to be the OC there (please oh please!) reunite with Foster. What an absolute dumpster fire.
Jk. Looks like Raiders got themselves a different OG.
Looks like the Raiders are going to go with Luke Getsy for OC and I never thought I'd say this, but this guy is worse than the Chipster (OG), good luck to the Raiders, my guess Getsy lasts a season (at best) and that's it.
thank god
Now they are saying (sounds like a lot of rumors and anonymous sources to me) that the Chipster (OG) is also interested in other Universities, namely an OC position at Iowa! Not saying this is true, but if it were, good ole Evan will need to explain the fact that if the College situation is becoming so untenable for the Chipster (OG), why would he be interested in other Colleges? Well, Evan...
Word on the street is it’s down to two options for Chip…Seattle, or Ohio State.
Barring Chip making too many demands like he did with the Raiders.