Is it Azzinaro or Norwood or both? I don’t know who is calling the defense. It’s a gimmick defense that has been figured out by teams with decent QBs. Last night was a sh$t show.
Kelly has repeatedly stated that Azzinaro calls the plays, so even if Norwood changed some of the basic concepts of the defense, it’s still Azzinaro at the wheel.
I’m tired of us having to grovel for just a hint of proactiveness by our AD. What more evidence do you need to see that Azz and/or Norwood may not be the best fit for our coaching staff? If Jarmond and UCLA don’t act… again to a common sense change then that will speak volumes about whether we should continually invest our time, hope and financial support. Again, not calling for Kelly’s head to roll just a change to salvage the season.
OK, but Azzinaro is on a one-year contract. So, you fire him immediately. If Kelly doesn't like it, you accept his resignation and Chip's buyout (or last year salary) is saved.
The only cost to firing Azzinaro is the cost of the salary increase for the coach who gets named interim DC.
Technically, the Kelly buyout goes away in January.
But the problem with that is not the buyout. It's the fact that Kelly still has a year left on his contract after this year, which means that, while the buyout is $9 million, Kelly is still due another $6 million even after January and I don't think the Athletic Department will have the money to pay Kelly to go away. As a result, we likely are stuck with Kelly for one more year unless Kelly refuses to fire Azz and he chooses to fall on his sword and quit.
If that happened and I were AD, I'd probably waive the mutual buyout or at least negotiate out to something Kelly can afford to pay.
Why do we have a two-headed monster of a defense? The defense that showed up against Hawaii & LSU could be described as the 'smart' head, and every other game the 'dumb' head. Coach Azz needs to be fired Monday. If Chip chooses to tie that albatross around his neck, that's on him.
He doesn’t open practice to anyone and doesn’t answer questions. It is his responsibility for the hole team SC got ride of their coach as did Texas and both of them had winning records. Kelly needs to go.
Ugh - defense was non existent in that game. It seems like it’s all style and no substance and opposing teams are learning to ignore a lot of the pre snap movement and just focus on getting the ball out.
Azz should have been gone a long time ago. I was all for getting rid of Kelly after year 2, but I can’t see it happening with the $9 million buyout. Not sure if I want to be in the coaching market at the same time as USC and some others. I’m now thinking we’ll finish somewhere between 6-6 and 8-4. Won’t win the south, and will end up in a whatever bowl. With so many seniors, next year could be ugly, so maybe an early exit for Kelly around this time next year.
While the idea of the AD firing Azz is interesting, I’m not sure it paints a great picture for attracting a new HC.
Will be interesting to see how Jarmond goes with his first big coaching selection. I’m hoping we go for a younger coach with upside rather than a big name who’s best days are behind them.
I'd figure if we really are going to dump Kelly that Jammond will do it in a controlled fashion. That means looking at the Kelly's buyout and really thinking about once Kelly goes, who do you get and how much does those candidates cost (raises plus their buyouts)? One has to insure that we can afford to both loose Kelly and get the new choice. Dumping one coach without a good plan just sets you back another 3 to 4 years while the cycle repeats.
Chip needs to go too! Done with the 4th down gambles! Azzinaro has us playing 10 yards off the ball then backing up, that allows any QB to shred us as they easily move down field.
With all the seniors on both sides of the ball, this is Chips ultimate test and he keeps allowing our players to not be in the right positions to succeed! Its sickening and he must go! Azzinaro is awful and shouldn't be coaching anyones defense!
Worst of all is our lackluster recruiting hall coming off of mostly a senior class!
What are we waiting for? It won't get better with a subpar incoming class coming off of all these departing players....
Entire coaching staff has been an absolute failure. Feel sorry for the players, they deserve better. The UCLA football program is currently in a state of eternal mediocrity until Jarmond is able and willing to make a change. And hope he gets much better advice on hiring a replacement than the prevous AD.
I think Chip Kelly should be demoted to O Coordinator. I do think that players on offense has gotten better over the years - DTR, Dulcich, Kyle Phillips, and most of the O-line, and he usually comes through with a pretty good offensive game plan, but putting him in charge of hiring others, it’s clear he’s blinded by loyalty. Giving Azz a one-year contract after last seasons dreadful defensive performance was a bad move.
my feeling is, Kelly is the enabler for Azzinaro's most likely failure as a defensive coordinator. Obviously Kelly's allegiance to Azzinaro is greater then keeping his job and finding some success at UCLA.
If it turns out to be another losing season, the new AD needs to fire him.
Is it Azzinaro or Norwood or both? I don’t know who is calling the defense. It’s a gimmick defense that has been figured out by teams with decent QBs. Last night was a sh$t show.
Kelly has repeatedly stated that Azzinaro calls the plays, so even if Norwood changed some of the basic concepts of the defense, it’s still Azzinaro at the wheel.
Thanks for the info. Maybe there’ll be an opening for Gigi on the staff!
He at least understands what defense is supposed to look like.
Kelly is the one that has to go, and he has to take Azzinaro with him. OC Frye can take over.
I’m tired of us having to grovel for just a hint of proactiveness by our AD. What more evidence do you need to see that Azz and/or Norwood may not be the best fit for our coaching staff? If Jarmond and UCLA don’t act… again to a common sense change then that will speak volumes about whether we should continually invest our time, hope and financial support. Again, not calling for Kelly’s head to roll just a change to salvage the season.
I am.
It’s a monetary issue. Jarmond inherited a financial mess with UA backing out and then COVID. When you’re the decision maker, the view can change.
Good point. You’d think the big money donors would be agitating for change though. I guess ultimately it’s just too deep of a hole.
OK, but Azzinaro is on a one-year contract. So, you fire him immediately. If Kelly doesn't like it, you accept his resignation and Chip's buyout (or last year salary) is saved.
The only cost to firing Azzinaro is the cost of the salary increase for the coach who gets named interim DC.
I like it.
I agree with you on Azz. Long overdue. I just hope it hasn’t been Norwood calling the D. And the Kelly buyout goes down in January, I believe.
Technically, the Kelly buyout goes away in January.
But the problem with that is not the buyout. It's the fact that Kelly still has a year left on his contract after this year, which means that, while the buyout is $9 million, Kelly is still due another $6 million even after January and I don't think the Athletic Department will have the money to pay Kelly to go away. As a result, we likely are stuck with Kelly for one more year unless Kelly refuses to fire Azz and he chooses to fall on his sword and quit.
If that happened and I were AD, I'd probably waive the mutual buyout or at least negotiate out to something Kelly can afford to pay.
Why do we have a two-headed monster of a defense? The defense that showed up against Hawaii & LSU could be described as the 'smart' head, and every other game the 'dumb' head. Coach Azz needs to be fired Monday. If Chip chooses to tie that albatross around his neck, that's on him.
Again I have this before Kelly is not the fit for UCLA. I told friends when he was hired. He had nothing when he left Oregon and had them on probation
He doesn’t open practice to anyone and doesn’t answer questions. It is his responsibility for the hole team SC got ride of their coach as did Texas and both of them had winning records. Kelly needs to go.
Ugh - defense was non existent in that game. It seems like it’s all style and no substance and opposing teams are learning to ignore a lot of the pre snap movement and just focus on getting the ball out.
Azz should have been gone a long time ago. I was all for getting rid of Kelly after year 2, but I can’t see it happening with the $9 million buyout. Not sure if I want to be in the coaching market at the same time as USC and some others. I’m now thinking we’ll finish somewhere between 6-6 and 8-4. Won’t win the south, and will end up in a whatever bowl. With so many seniors, next year could be ugly, so maybe an early exit for Kelly around this time next year.
While the idea of the AD firing Azz is interesting, I’m not sure it paints a great picture for attracting a new HC.
Will be interesting to see how Jarmond goes with his first big coaching selection. I’m hoping we go for a younger coach with upside rather than a big name who’s best days are behind them.
I'd figure if we really are going to dump Kelly that Jammond will do it in a controlled fashion. That means looking at the Kelly's buyout and really thinking about once Kelly goes, who do you get and how much does those candidates cost (raises plus their buyouts)? One has to insure that we can afford to both loose Kelly and get the new choice. Dumping one coach without a good plan just sets you back another 3 to 4 years while the cycle repeats.
Chip needs to go too! Done with the 4th down gambles! Azzinaro has us playing 10 yards off the ball then backing up, that allows any QB to shred us as they easily move down field.
With all the seniors on both sides of the ball, this is Chips ultimate test and he keeps allowing our players to not be in the right positions to succeed! Its sickening and he must go! Azzinaro is awful and shouldn't be coaching anyones defense!
Worst of all is our lackluster recruiting hall coming off of mostly a senior class!
What are we waiting for? It won't get better with a subpar incoming class coming off of all these departing players....
This coaching staff is a joke!
Entire coaching staff has been an absolute failure. Feel sorry for the players, they deserve better. The UCLA football program is currently in a state of eternal mediocrity until Jarmond is able and willing to make a change. And hope he gets much better advice on hiring a replacement than the prevous AD.
I think Chip Kelly should be demoted to O Coordinator. I do think that players on offense has gotten better over the years - DTR, Dulcich, Kyle Phillips, and most of the O-line, and he usually comes through with a pretty good offensive game plan, but putting him in charge of hiring others, it’s clear he’s blinded by loyalty. Giving Azz a one-year contract after last seasons dreadful defensive performance was a bad move.
my feeling is, Kelly is the enabler for Azzinaro's most likely failure as a defensive coordinator. Obviously Kelly's allegiance to Azzinaro is greater then keeping his job and finding some success at UCLA.
If it turns out to be another losing season, the new AD needs to fire him.
Brian Norwood is the defensive passing game coordinator. Are you sure you want him to take over?
Maybe Kelly doesn’t have it in hm to fire his good buddy. Maybe he would be happy if it came from the AD so he wouldn’t have to deal with it.