UCLA Has Finally Found Their Defensive Coordinator
The search is over!
In 2010 the UCLA Bruins finished the season a dismal 4-8 (2-7 in the Pac-10), with a defense ranked 95th in the nation (total defense) and 108th in the nation (rushing defense). There is no doubt that these numbers impacted the Bruins on National Signing Day where UCLA recruited a mostly 3-star class ranked 54th in the nation according to Scout.com.
In a year which cross-town rival USC is halfway through a two-year bowl ban, and could be reduced pending the outcome of USC’s appeal to the NCAA, the Bruins needed to capitalize on Trojan trauma in order to back up the bold monopoly words proclaimed by Head Coach Rick Neuheisel back in August of 2008.
After the 2010 season ended, Neuheisel explained that time would be taken in evaluating his coaching staff, and that he would like to “move quickly” in making decisions about his coaching staff. In two short weeks, Neuheisel fired defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough.
Bullough’s replacement search has been arduous. Neuheisel is looking for experience and flexibility (a coach who is not too tied to the 4-3 defense), and he is determined to find the right coach, despite costs.
2-15-11 Update: Joe Tresey is named Defensive Coordinator
2-19-11 Update: Inoke Breckterfield is named Defensive Line Coach.
Let’s look at a few candidates including THE final choice.
UCLA’s First Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Vic Fangio
Last Job: Stanford Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 11-1
Quality: Excellent
Plan
On Dec 22nd Vic Fangio was believed to be at the top of Neuheisel's list of candidates to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
On January 8th, Fangio took the 49er’s Defensive Coordinator position.
Comment
Fangio has tremendous NFL experience (Saint’s Linebackers Coach; Panther’s Defensive Coordinator; Colt’s Defensive Coordinator; Texan’s Defensive Coordinator; and Ravens Assistant Head Coach), and he is going back to the NFL with the 49er’s new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
UCLA’s Second Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Rocky Long
Last Job: San Diego State Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 9-4
Quality: Excellent
Plan
On December 22nd, Rocky Long was thought to be Neuheisel’s second choice to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
On January 12th, Long took San Diego State’s Head Coach Position
Comment
Rocky Long’s Coaching Ledger includes two years as San Diego State’s Defensive Coordinator, 11 years as New Mexico’s Head Coach, two years as UCLA’s Defensive Coordinator, and five years as Oregon State’s Defensive Coordinator. Long is happy to be a head coach.
UCLA’s Consideration 3.1 for Defensive Coordinator
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Phil Snow
Current Job: Eastern Michigan Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 2-10
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On December 22nd, Phil Snow was believed to be a Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Snow was offered by Neuheisel
Comment
Phil Snow’s Eagle’s 2010 defense was 113th in total defense. The team’s 2010 record was 2-10, and they play in the MAC.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
UCLA’s Consideration 3.2 for Defensive Coordinator
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Ken Norton Jr.
Current Job: Seattle Seahawk Linebacker Coach
Team Record: 7-9
Quality: Excellent
Plan
On December 22, Phil Snow was believed to be another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Norton Jr. was offered by Neuheisel
Comment
Ken Norton Jr. turned down a chance to leave USC (under Pete Carroll), to Neuheisel’s staff in Jan 2008. Blogs say Norton Jr. and Neuheisel have had words in the past. Ken was fairly successful at USC and he recruits great players.
UCLA’s Consideration 3.3 for Defensive Coordinator
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Jeff Fitzgerald
Current Job: Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker Coach
Team Record: 4-8
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On December 22, Jeff Fitzgerald was believed to be another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Fitzgerald was offered by Neuheisel.
Comment
Fitzgerald is a Linebackers Coach with the Bengals and his talented linebackers did not seem to do much this year. He has no D.C. experience.
UCLA’s Consideration 3.4 for Defensive Coordinator
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Tim Hundley
Current Job: UCLA Bruins Secondary Coach
Team Record: 4-8
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On December 22, Tim Hundley was believed to be another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Hundley was offered by Neuheisel.
Comment
Tim worked with Neuheisel in Colorado, Washington, and now at UCLA. He does have D.C. experience at SMU, UTEP, and at Washington under Neuheisel. At UCLA, Hundley’s secondary has been porous.
UCLA’s Consideration 3.5 for Defensive Coordinator
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DeWayne Walker
Current Job: New Mexico State Head Coach
Team Record: 2-10
Quality: Excellent
Plan
On December 22, Walker was hoped to be another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Walker was offered by Neuheisel.
Comment
DeWayne Walker was an outstanding defensive coordinator for UCLA. He also coached the secondary for Pete Carroll at USC. Walker is a very good coach. His record at Head Coach at New Mexico State is not great yet.
UCLA’s Third Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Teryl Austin
Current Job: Florida Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 8-5
Quality: Good
Plan
Austin was expected to be Neuheisel’s third choice to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
On January 6, it was reported on an ESPN Twitter account that Neuheisel was to interview Austin, but that meeting is unsubstantiated.
Comment
Austin has plenty of NFL experience and has only started his D.C. job at the Gators a year ago. Swapping Florida for UCLA would be very unlikely.
UCLA’s Fourth Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Randy Shannon
Last Job: Miami Head Coach
Team Record: 7-6
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On January 23, Randy Shannon was expected to be Neuheisel’s fourth choice to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
Although some blogs reported that Shannon was hired at UCLA, two weeks passed without an announcement. On Feb 8th Shannon interviewed for Maryland’s defensive coordinator position. On Feb 11th Maryland offered Shannon the position which he is expected to accept.
Comment
Shannon was fired because the Hurricanes finished a 7-5 regular season that began with championship expectations. Many blogs in cyber world say Shannon comes with “baggage” - whatever that may be.
UCLA’s Consideration 4.1 for Defensive Coordinator
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Chuck Heater
Former Job: Florida Co-Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 8-5
Quality: Good
Plan
On January 1, Heater was reported, in unsubstantiated blogs, to be a Neuheisel consideration for replacing Chuck Bullough.
Result
Heater was hired as Temple’s Defensive Coordinator
Comment:
UCLA beat Temple in the Eagle Bank Bowl back in 2009. Temple beat UCLA for the Heater battle in 2011.
UCLA’s Consideration 4.2 for Defensive Coordinator
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Mark Carrier
Current Job: New York Jets Defensive Line Coach
Team Record: 13-6
Quality: Good
Plan
On January 26, Carrier was imagined to be another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
There are no reports that Walker was offered by Neuheisel.
Comment
Mark Carrier has spent three years as the Baltimore Ravens Secondary coach and a year as the New York jets Defensive Line coach. He might consider the UCLA D.C. job to be a step backwards.
UCLA’s Fifth Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Rocky Seto
Last Job: Seattle Seahawks Secondary Assistant
Team Record: 7-6
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On February 2, Rocky Seto was actually Neuheisel’s fifth choice to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
Neuheisel hired Seto and later the same night Seto posted his happiness on Facebook before UCLA announced the hire. UCLA fans saw the Facebook post and objected en-masse on several blogs or sports sites. Neuheisel yielded to the Bruin following and rescinded Seto’s offer.
Neuheisel hired Seto and later the same night Seto posted his happiness on Facebook before UCLA announced the hire. UCLA fans saw the Facebook post and objected en-masse on several blogs or sports sites. Neuheisel yielded to the Bruin following and rescinded Seto’s offer.
Comment
Rocky Seto does not have a ton of experience. He probably is a great guy; however, USC’s secondary took a huge dive under his watch. The UCLA D.C. search continues.
UCLA’s Consideration 4.3 for Defensive Coordinator
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Bill Young
Current Job: Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 11-2
Quality: Good
Plan
On February 10, Bill Young was another Neuheisel consideration to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
Oklahoma State would not grant Neuheisel permission to speak with Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Bill Young.
Comment
The Oklahoma State Cowboys finished 2010 with a record of 11-2. It is believed that Bill Young’s last stop is at Oklahoma State.
UCLA’s Sixth Choice for Defensive Coordinator
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Steve Brown
Last Job: Recently Demoted from Kentucky’s Defensive Coordinator
Team Record: 6-7
Quality: Marginal
Plan
On February 2, Steve Brown was expected to be Neuheisel’s sixth choice to replace Chuck Bullough.
Result
Neuheisel interviewed Brown on or about Feb 9th but UCLA still does not have a defensive coordinator after this interview.
Comment
Kentucky fans may be slightly down on Brown because they feel that he does not recruit well, but the Wildcat’s total defense has improved from 53rd in 2009 (tied for seventh in the SEC standings) up to 45th in 2010 (10th in the SEC standings). UCLA's new Defensive Coordinator is.....
And UCLA’s Choice for Defensive Coordinator Is:
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Last Job: Omaha Nighthawks (United Football League) Defensive Backs Coach
Team Record: 3-5
Quality: Good
Plan
On February 9, Neuheisel said "I understand the scrutiny," but that he would make his choice to replace Chuck Bullough by Sunday February 13th. Neuheisel would not name his last two candidates but also would not rule out one more interview (at a later time).
Result
On Tuesday, February 15, Coach Neuheisel has selected Joe Tresey as his new Defensive Coordinator.
Comment
It will be a huge challenge for Tresey work in any new schemes with the players. Spring practice starts in only six weeks (March 31st). We can probably expect Tresey to make only minor adjustments to UCLA’s present defensive philosophy.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
