I like to think of football staffs the same way I think of a representative monarchy. In the monarchy, we have a representative dictator, which is usually some form of royalty; a king, a duke, a prince, etc. This representative is simply an ornament. They serve no realistic role whatsoever. They are a symbol of past ways and tradition, and are a fancy distraction to the populous, while the real work (or lack therof) is being done behind the scenes by the government, Prime Ministers…what have you.
Perhaps an extreme way to consider football staffs…and I might be a bit off in my evaluation but here are the facts:
1. Football is football. X’s and O’s are exactly what they are. I had four different OC’s while I played at UCLA. Each coordinator would come to UCLA preaching a new vision…a new offensive culture. However, when it came time to draw up the X’s and O’s…the only thing that changed was the terminology. Once I got to rookie minicamp in the NFL…alas! The same offense…just termed differently.
My point being this: The HC is not going to develop some miraculous new scheme that’s going to take a talentless team and make them championship contenders. In fact, the higher the level of play…the more vanilla the schemes get. Look at the NFL…inside zone, play action, with an occasional shotgun set. Players make the plays. A coach is a leader…not a miracle worker.
2. There is no need to bring a “great recruiter” to UCLA. It would be like hiring a used car salesman to sell Ferrari’s at Kia prices. No need for the middle man…show the people the cars at discount prices…they will buy. Show the kids the university…the NEW facilities…the ROSE bowl….the female co-eds on a spring day when its 80 degrees without a pant leg in a 25 mile radius…they will be interested. The University sells itself. (it sold me…more so than Miami and Florida’s National Championships)
3. There is no hidden secret formula to win. Like most things in this life…it’s a quite simple concept….however difficult to apply and keep consistent. Inspire discipline, industriousness, confidence, trust…in a nutshell…read a book by John Wooden…or just glance at the Pyramid Of Success.
When it comes down to it…what goes on behind the scenes is what matters. The athletic administration can either make or break its athletic programs. A team needs full financial and administrative support.
I am extremely excited about Jim Mora Jr. as the new UCLA HC. But I am even more excited that UCLA has decided to pay him 12 million over the next 5 years.
2007: Karl Dorrell – 600k
2011: Rick Neuheisel – 1.2m
2012: Mora Jr. – 2.6m
Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. You cant cheapskate your way around and cut corners. There is such a thing as wasting your money…but there is also such a thing as investing. With investment comes risk, but there is no reward without risk. Church!
(and I’m not saying UCLA has been cheap! I thoroughly enjoyed my entire experience as a Bruin. But shoot! I was thrilled to get a new pair of socks every game, to have clean laundry every practice. Once we got the deal with Muscle Milk and I didn’t have to buy the stuff anymore – please…I couldn’t find a reason to complain if you paid me. However…some players require less maintenance than others. And unfortunately…this generation of football player has moved away from core values like red meat, real beer, large biceps, the movie “Over The Top” starring Sylvester Stallone, names like Brutus and Axle, Bruce Springsteen. Back in the day, a football player would need a bar, some weights, athletic tape, and some salt pills. Now a days…they need state of the art facilities (with flat panel LCD TV’s to watch themselves workout), 3 different types of Gatorade, money, money, and more money. I mean…the toughest player in the NFL is a Head and Shoulders hair product model. “The times…they are a’ changin’”)
A football program is an intricate system. It has a lot of moving parts that work in harmony to achieve balance and success. Although the Head Coach is not necessarily responsible for everything, he is certainly held accountable…and will receive the guillotine faster than Louis the 16th!!!
Perhaps comparing a football staff to a modern monarchy is a bit over the top. The coaches on the staff work their asses off, while the king’s and queen’s wave to crowds and kiss babies. But the point is this…all coaching staffs are going to work their asses off and bring everything they have to the table. You don’t think Rick Neuheisel did? Karl Dorrell? These two guys not only had their livelihoods on the table…but were also working for more than financial incentives. They were working for the dream; a chance to bring their alma mater back to the top.
But they failed, sadly. Why?
Was it Dorrell’s stoic presence? Neuheisel’s relentless optimism? The Curse of Spaulding?
Who knows. I have been around long enough and witnessed enough eerie things to give full accountability to a curse. Perhaps some witch doctor has made a Joe Bruin Voodoo Doll…pricking needles in it carelessly.
But I do know this…upon each exit, both Dorrell and Neuheisel cited that there needs to be a change in administrative and financial support of the football program.
From the resounding “CHA-CHING” caused by Mora’s contract, facility renovations, etc…I think its safe to say….“A Change is Gon’ Come!”
Follow me on twitter: @EkbataniESPN
nice perspective, good to hear.
Great work Nick. It always feels a little (lot?) better to hear it from the inside, from somebody with perspective that most of us typical “fans” are not privy too. Your article is as inspiring as it is entertaining, a fine read. Keep on keepin on. Oh, and should you be a gambling man, I can offer you a STONE COLD LOCK this Thursday night …. take the Jags and the 11.5 and enjoy a game that will be decided by a last minute kick.
An appreciative insight
UCLA can be a competitive power and sometimes money isn’t the issue at all. At day’s end, its wins and losses that matter not how you look working out on a 85 inch 3D plasma screen!
Wait and See ! as a literary character has observed.
It makes me wonder how many players we have that aren’t like you. I would kill for players like you. People who look at the pyramid of success, who are excited about the little things, and know where the basics and fundamentals are. Great post
I used to kill for fans like you. Thanks for the compliment. Means more than you know.
The team has been cursed by a string of lousy offensive linemen.
Preach. That curse started with yours truly. (winkface)
Wow great post. Thanks for the insight, here’s hoping that you’re right.
Man!!! What a great article!. I was born in Westwood at UCLA medical center. I have always know UCLA is the best campus & college in the country. Hell, its one of the finest institutions in the world. I think the upgrades to the football program & good $ spent will be the Icing on the cake that we all are looking for. The Mora hire in my opinion was “excellent”. This guy will beat down the opportunity like mike Tyson used to beat mitch “blood” green in the streets of NY. Hit the ground running! Hes done that! Hire a great staff! Hes doing that. The rest is on the UCLA alums, fans, students and faculty. Financial & Moral support will do the rest. I LOVE UCLA & know we are heading in the right direction. Givin the chance, I would move back to cali & go to UCLA just because its a good time to be a Bruin!
Great observations! Quick question Nick: Would UCLA players embrace an on-campus stadium? One of the first things Dan Guerrero said during Neuheisel’s firing was the lack of an on-campus stadium and that it was a recruiting challenge. I personally would welcome a new stadium rebuilt over Drake. Your thoughts?
Thank you. I think the better question would be: can UCLA (the campus itself) embrace an on-campus stadium? If you think parking on the golf course is bad…sheesh. My job with ESPN allows me the luxury to travel to various cities and see other universities…most of which have on-campus stadiums. It is phenomenal.
The toughest part about winning at UCLA (which was tough enough) was the 3 hour ordeal of getting from Rose Bowl to campus…where cold beer (sodas for those under age
) celebrations, and beautiful co-eds awaited. The commute also made losing worse (if possible)…theres nothing more sobering after a tough loss than remaining sober on a long bus ride.
(sorry for all the booze talk…its almost 5pm…)