UCLA Bruins Football: Is the Rick Neuheisel Era in LA Officially Over?

If Rick Neuheisel’s seat was hot, it has to be on fire now.

In what very well may be the worst game in Neuheisel’s coaching career, the UCLA Bruins have been absolutely annihilated by the Arizona Wildcats on national television, 48-12. The game was close through the first quarter, as Arizona only led by a touchdown, but a 34-point run by the Wildcats put the game quickly to bed.

Neuheisel has found success at almost every college coaching position he has held (Colorado and Washington), but that success has not carried over to his alma mater. With the Bruins, Neuheisel’s record now sits at 18-26 in his fourth season at UCLA.

Neuheisel has only taken the Bruins to one bowl game in that span, and he has not lived up to the incredibly high expectations.

The first game of his return to the Bruins was a huge win at home to open the regular season over ranked Tennessee. The Los Angeles papers the next day read “The Dynasty is Over” in reference to USC’s control over the city.

A short-lived time in the Top 25 quickly turned into disappointing season after disappointing season. The Bruins find themselves 3-4 (2-2 in conference) and on the outside looking in to making a bowl game.

This past week, Arizona head coach Mike Stoops felt the axe fall, as he was fired for his poor tenure. The same may happen by the end of the weekend for Neuheisel.

Simply making a bowl game seemed to be enough to save his job; now it will take a miracle.

It wasn’t simply a loss to a terrible team that will cost Neuheisel his job; it’s the brawl during the game, the lack of respect from the players and the Bruins' inability to do anything offensively or defensively.

It’s time to update the resume, Rick.