I’m curious as to how people feel about James Franklin. He was just fired by Penn State. I have mixed feelings about him. On one hand, he won a lot of games at Penn State and reached the national semifinals last year. On the other hand, he could never seem to get over the hump. Should he be under consideration for UCLA?
Good question. Great recruiter. 53 years old which isn’t absurdly old. 104-45 record at Penn State which is off the charts for UCLA football standards. Doesn’t have much West Coast ties besides being a TE coach a Washington State for one year in 1998. The bigger question is does he want to keep coaching? If I received a $49M buy out nobody would ever hear/see me again.
..jeeeeez! As long as we're talking about rooms here, I'm guessing that Happy Valley is a "tough one"! But, man, we thought we had it tough in the buyout department! Ponying up $50 million to cut this guy loose is an impressive pile of jingle!
It might be interesting to see him come to UCLA and coach the team who was material in his slide into ignominy. Were it me, I'd just buy up 4% CDs, sit back in my BarcaLounger with a 12-pack of PBR, and watch tractor pulls and fishing derby shows on ESPN..
In fairness, we have rarely been participating in games that matter. We simply haven’t been winning. He wouldn’t be my first choice because he’s walking away with $49 million dollars and motivation might be an issue.
First, an admission: after the first few games, I stated I was appalled that so many of the Bruin players did not seem to be Division 1-level athletes and players. However, I was wrong…should have looked around the country and noted all the quick rebuilds of previously hopeless teams around the country; solid coaching to motivate players and put them into situations they can handle is key.
That said…I gotta pump the brakes when I hear talk of running the table in the Big Ten; there are still a lot of talent deficiencies on this team, particularly in both lines. Plus, with the “one hit wonders” trope dispelled, the Bruins won’t be sneaking up on people anymore; and I’m not quite sure how many more tricks Little Jerry can possibly have in his bag.
Of more interest is the ongoing coaching search…you hear the name Jonathan Smith a lot, but…yesterday’s undisciplined, unmotivated showing in front of a stunned home crowd should give one pause. MSU had an eerie resemblance to the Bruins of the first three weeks…and nobody ever wants to see that again.
Currently Coach Smith maybe the next coach to go based on readings this morning. Michigan State has been hit with a ton of injuries at skilled positions which isn’t the coach’s fault. But they are an awful team right now. Awful.
I was unaware of anyone talking about us running the table. I find that idea utterly asinine and not based in reality. That is someone OD'ing of hopium.
it's really embarrassing how many people are talking about it on social media. There's literally a perception that all UCLA fans believe it is possible. Very embarassing.
Running the table would be winning the lottery. Beating Maryland and Nebraska at home are doable. Then going 2-2 against UW, OSU, Indiana and USC would be a real accomplishment and definitely not even thinkable a few weeks ago. We will see.
Love the Major League references. The Bruins may end up taking down several coaches this year if they keep this up. Not sure I’d want Franklin at the moment, and Smith failed his interview game. Love what Skipper has achieved but I’m a long way from being convinced he’s right as well. Still if he keeps winning then you’d have to add him to the mix. Also with PSU firing Franklin it means more competition for the best candidates, so it makes me worried we’re going to get carried away and pay too much (or end up with stupid terms like a 50M buyout).
I don’t think there’s any way we win out. I’d like to think 50% after writing off the first 4 games (4-8), with an outside chance of 6-6.
As for Jerry, another good game, but he’s our coach of the 2030s - I hope he can find an OC position at a smaller school and really show his capability.
I agree that going 4-2 against this schedule would be a massive success especially given where we started... but we could also heed the words of Jake Taylor as well...
Ms. Tamara, I think you may need to apply a very powerful electric shock to bring Frenkenstein to life so that he can take action and do the right thing, especially if the jelly donuts are still being distributed around the UCLA athletic department after this season is over. Would also be good if the "Fire Martin Jarmond" banners returned to the skies flying overhead and on the black van roaming around Westwood and/or at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
I am certain Jelly 2.0 has a stash of jelly donuts he will dole out, and his Morgan Center puppets won't even notice how utterly stale and moldy they are 🤣
And we’ll be able to feed people a big fat old sh*tburger!
We're kinda good at that, Grider!
My son and I must've watched Major League a hundred times when he was like 13. I have fond memories.
"..we wear caps and sleeves at this level, son.."
One of our family's favorite movies!
Wouldn't it be nice if they followed Jake Taylor's resolve after they found out Rachel Phelps' scheme?
I’m curious as to how people feel about James Franklin. He was just fired by Penn State. I have mixed feelings about him. On one hand, he won a lot of games at Penn State and reached the national semifinals last year. On the other hand, he could never seem to get over the hump. Should he be under consideration for UCLA?
Good question. Great recruiter. 53 years old which isn’t absurdly old. 104-45 record at Penn State which is off the charts for UCLA football standards. Doesn’t have much West Coast ties besides being a TE coach a Washington State for one year in 1998. The bigger question is does he want to keep coaching? If I received a $49M buy out nobody would ever hear/see me again.
"..well, CROSS HIM OFF THEN!"
(Always thought Rachel Phelps was kinda hot!)
Dam straight, fruithi!
..jeeeeez! As long as we're talking about rooms here, I'm guessing that Happy Valley is a "tough one"! But, man, we thought we had it tough in the buyout department! Ponying up $50 million to cut this guy loose is an impressive pile of jingle!
It might be interesting to see him come to UCLA and coach the team who was material in his slide into ignominy. Were it me, I'd just buy up 4% CDs, sit back in my BarcaLounger with a 12-pack of PBR, and watch tractor pulls and fishing derby shows on ESPN..
..OK, maybe Michelob then.
LOL. Planner classic.
No. We'll have the same ceiling as Chip Kelly UCLA teams with him in charge. 8-4 seasons.
I like Clark Lea at Vanderbilt if Skipper doesn’t earn the nod.
Skipper is making a case for himself. If anything it will bring continuity. He appears to be a good motivater.
continuity from what?
Continuity of passionate coaching, positivity, and good play calling. You know the things that 🤡 DeShaun didn't do.
that's not continuity. that should be expected out of any coach.
Interestingly, Clark Lea twice served as a Grad Assistant at UCLA and he coached linebackers at UCLA when CRN was leading the program.
Thanks. I was aware he was at UCLA and he has definitely done an outstanding job at Vandy.
One of the reasons we have that ceiling appears to be our AD, according to Ben Bolch in the LA Times.
No, AB, we should not consider him. He was fired for a reason, an inability to win games that matter. We've had enough of that lately...
In fairness, we have rarely been participating in games that matter. We simply haven’t been winning. He wouldn’t be my first choice because he’s walking away with $49 million dollars and motivation might be an issue.
what's in it for him?
First, an admission: after the first few games, I stated I was appalled that so many of the Bruin players did not seem to be Division 1-level athletes and players. However, I was wrong…should have looked around the country and noted all the quick rebuilds of previously hopeless teams around the country; solid coaching to motivate players and put them into situations they can handle is key.
That said…I gotta pump the brakes when I hear talk of running the table in the Big Ten; there are still a lot of talent deficiencies on this team, particularly in both lines. Plus, with the “one hit wonders” trope dispelled, the Bruins won’t be sneaking up on people anymore; and I’m not quite sure how many more tricks Little Jerry can possibly have in his bag.
Of more interest is the ongoing coaching search…you hear the name Jonathan Smith a lot, but…yesterday’s undisciplined, unmotivated showing in front of a stunned home crowd should give one pause. MSU had an eerie resemblance to the Bruins of the first three weeks…and nobody ever wants to see that again.
Currently Coach Smith maybe the next coach to go based on readings this morning. Michigan State has been hit with a ton of injuries at skilled positions which isn’t the coach’s fault. But they are an awful team right now. Awful.
..I sense a curse being delivered by the Bruins, don't you? You know, like..
"..very bad to steal Jobu's rum..very bad!"
https://youtu.be/bWdfDsLvm9I?si=jEIAGj7d7rIHtwbO
If all of a sudden, teams on UCLA's schedule -- particularly The ToeJams -- begin cancelling then we'll know for sure!
I was unaware of anyone talking about us running the table. I find that idea utterly asinine and not based in reality. That is someone OD'ing of hopium.
it's really embarrassing how many people are talking about it on social media. There's literally a perception that all UCLA fans believe it is possible. Very embarassing.
Who knows or cares? Let the season play out.
Running the table would be winning the lottery. Beating Maryland and Nebraska at home are doable. Then going 2-2 against UW, OSU, Indiana and USC would be a real accomplishment and definitely not even thinkable a few weeks ago. We will see.
I think they can beat Maryland and Nebraska. I also think going 2-2 against UW, Washington, Indiana, and Ohio State isn't far fetched.
A bowl game invite would be a success for this team. Thank God DeShaun got fired.
Love the Major League references. The Bruins may end up taking down several coaches this year if they keep this up. Not sure I’d want Franklin at the moment, and Smith failed his interview game. Love what Skipper has achieved but I’m a long way from being convinced he’s right as well. Still if he keeps winning then you’d have to add him to the mix. Also with PSU firing Franklin it means more competition for the best candidates, so it makes me worried we’re going to get carried away and pay too much (or end up with stupid terms like a 50M buyout).
I don’t think there’s any way we win out. I’d like to think 50% after writing off the first 4 games (4-8), with an outside chance of 6-6.
As for Jerry, another good game, but he’s our coach of the 2030s - I hope he can find an OC position at a smaller school and really show his capability.
I agree that going 4-2 against this schedule would be a massive success especially given where we started... but we could also heed the words of Jake Taylor as well...
http://share.google/images/YKtLDcvD41pgu1yMv
So here it is...
Ben Bolch exposes Jelly 2.0 as the biggest ZERO slimey jelly donut on the planet, bigger than his mentor Jelly 1.0 'donut Dan'
https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/newsletter/2025-10-13/ucla-unlocked-oct-13
Frenk, are you seeing, hearing and listening?
Ms. Tamara, I think you may need to apply a very powerful electric shock to bring Frenkenstein to life so that he can take action and do the right thing, especially if the jelly donuts are still being distributed around the UCLA athletic department after this season is over. Would also be good if the "Fire Martin Jarmond" banners returned to the skies flying overhead and on the black van roaming around Westwood and/or at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
I am certain Jelly 2.0 has a stash of jelly donuts he will dole out, and his Morgan Center puppets won't even notice how utterly stale and moldy they are 🤣
But Penn State's loss to Northwestern also proves UCLA's win over PSU was no fluke