UCLA Bruins: The Good, the Bad and the Trophies They Never Had

(Full disclosure, I was born a Bruin and am a three-time UCLA graduate. My dad gave me my love for all things UCLA and my 13-year-old nephew gave me this title upon which this article was born.)

The Good

UCLA. Those four letters are synonymous with the very best in college basketball.

What to say of Coach Wooden? 10 titles in 12 years. A feat never to be equaled. Not ever. Folks like to point out Coach Kryzewski's record. While remarkable, it doesn't equate to Wooden. Wooden was deemed to be the Greatest Coach by the 2009 Sporting News. This was across all sports disciplines including the professional ranks. Lombardi was second. This will always be opened to interpretation and personal preference.  I realize Phil Jackson supplanted Red Auerbach. However I believe Wooden and Auerbach went against the establishment as it were.

Those four letters instill a certain amount of pride in all those who attend as student athletes and those who never played. Yes, the majority of student athletes are more athletes than students. But fellows such as Alterraun Verner easily debunk that statement.  Without question, many struggle academically, some are dismissed and some, who leave, return to school to complete their degrees.

For all UCLA's accomplishments and there are many: 107 NCAA team championships and 128 total national championships leading the nation. (That figure includes the most recent addition of women's golf. Kareem Abdul Jabber holds the NBA record for most regular season MVP awards with six (Sorry Michael Jordan), UCLA is seemingly two steps behind other university programs.

What UCLA accomplished in the collegiate ranks (11) is just as remarkable as the Boston Celtics (16).

A singular football title? 1954 under the guidance of Red Sanders. Other coaches of note: Tommy Protho and Terry Donahue. In today's coaching climate, both Wooden and Donohue probably wouldn't have lasted five years.

Since 1997, UCLA has sent 23 footballers to the NFL. I realize this pales in comparison to the likes of USC, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, the U, The Ohio State University, Penn State, Notre Dame but playing at UCLA can earn you entry into the NFL.

During the 1990's, UCLA consecutively defeated USC eight times.

Truly the best all around player and even more significant for what he achieved in baseball among other athletic endeavors: Jackie Robinson!

Many celebrated athletes have attended/graduated from UCLA: the two greatest centers of all time- Jabbar and Walton with Jabbar undoubtedly one of the best to ever play at the NBA level, basketball players Gail Goodrich, Reggie Miller, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Ed O'Bannon,  Don MacLean, Sidney Wicks, Mike Warren, Arron Afflalo, Dijon Thompson, tennis player Jimmy Conners, golfer Corey Pavin,  the great Arthur Ashe, Olympians CK Yang, Rafer Johnson, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Florence Joyner, Cobi Jones, Chance Myers, Troy Glaus, Chris Chambliss, Karch Kiraly, Wayne Collett and Donna DeVarona. 11 Rhodes scholarships earned include football players Hal Griffin, Chris Joseph and rugby player Scott W. Hugo.

For all the moaning, unhappiness and chafing guys and many parents do under Howland's system, Howland arms his players with a fighting chance to succeed at the next level. And they should be appreciative of this fundamental fact. Howland has sent 12 players to the Association (almost all were early entrants commonly referred to as one and dones) and all have done well. Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt have a lot to live up to.

The Bad

Primarily booster Sam Gilbert and improper benefits received, former basketball assistant Scott Duncan's minor violation as reported in this year's Sports Illustrated, the firing of Jim Harrick for expense report discrepancies. The improper benefits resulted in UCLA 's two-year probation, a one-year tourney ban and the vacating of the 1980 NCAA National Title game appearance against Louisville.

The Trophies they never won

What comes to mind foremost is Cade McNown's 1998 season. Bruins were ranked 2nd in the very first BCS poll for four straight weeks and were on a roll. A hurricane forced UCLA to reschedule the Miami game from September to latter part of the season where they lost 49 to 43. In the process they made Edgerrin James a household name. Rather than playing for the national title against eventual champion Tennessee, the Bruins were relegated to the Rose Bowl where they promptly lost. Of course it might have helped if the Bruins could have tackled in both games!

Quarterback Troy Aikman led the Bruins to a national ranking of ninth in 1987 improving to sixth in 1988. During the 1990's, UCLA consecutively defeated USC eight times.

We have had great footballers come thru: Gary Beban, Cade McNown, Billy Kilmer, Dave Dalby, Donn Moomaw, Marcedes Lewis, Mike Lodish, Jonathan Ogden (the prototypical offensive lineman), Darryl Henly, Kenny Easley, Dave Ball, Ken Norton, jr., Jerry Robinson, Kris Farris, Randy Cross, DeShaun Foster, Kenny Washington, JJ Stokes.

And yet....

The football team in recent autumns have wallowed generally in mediocrity (The lone exception: the Drew Olson led 10-2 record under the much maligned Karl Dorrell). Dorrell also upset USC in 2006 when USC had so much riding on their season. It was even more satisfying when a few days prior local Channel 9 sportscaster John Ireland adamantly declared there was no way Karl Dorrell was going to beat Pete Carroll. Well 13-9 said it all.

Winning seasons are deemed successful at six wins. Why has UCLA struggled? Is it because academic requirements are so high that many cannot achieve a decent GPA upon acceptance? Can many even gain admission? Recruiting seems to be adequate with some years UCLA faring better than others. Is talent being recognized and properly instructed?  Are those accepted determined to succeed?

Are they willing to maximize their effort and perform to the best of their abilities?  There are many academic programs in place to assist any student. Are these being availed? Is it because of USC's overwhelming dominance? We all know how that has turned out. Still it has not stopped young men from enrolling even if it means being relegated for much of their careers on the bench.

Is UCLA merely exhibiting solid financial restraint ?  Has it been detrimental to attracting top-tiered talent? Most fans and alumni respond with a resounding yes!

Is it coaching? UCLA has had winning years. But the success is never sustained over a substantial period of time. Our seasons are characterized by beating a team we have no business beating (Texas, anyone?) or succumbing to a team that we shouldn't be losing to. Currently Rick Neuheisel is averaging five wins a year. This has translated into an early prediction by Rivals for an 11th place finish in the newly minted Pac-12.

Excuses are offered as a means to rationalize poor performances. Yes injuries are costly. Yes,some don't live up to their high school success.  Yes, some players ,try as they might, never really improve.Yes, some struggle with new schemes instituted. At UCLA, the mantra is wait until next year. Next year comes and the cycle repeats itself.

As shown, UCLA has had exceptional student athletes who have performed exceedingly well. Football has known its share of achievement. Perhaps better days are ahead for those who love UCLA!