A fresh start for a veteran Bruin

By Wendy Soderburg

Back in early December, after Karl Dorrell was fired as UCLA's head football coach, speculation was running rampant as to who his successor would be. Weeks went by as Athletic Director Dan Guerrero took his time, conducting a careful and extensive search. By Dec. 29, however, he and Chancellor Gene Block had made up their minds.

Their choice: Rick Neuheisel, former UCLA quarterback, former head coach at the University of Colorado and at the University of Washington, and offensive coordinator for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

"We are thrilled to death to have Rick Neuheisel back at UCLA, and we're forever grateful that he accepted this position," said Guerrero at the New Year's Eve press conference that announced Neuheisel's hiring.

Neuheisel has returned to college football after three seasons as an assistant coach for the Ravens. From 1999-2002, he served as head football coach for the University of Washington, leading the Huskies to a record of 33-16 and four bowl games. While head coach at the University of Colorado (1995-98), Neuheisel's teams won 33 of 47 games and were victorious in all three of their bowl appearances.

Prior to that, Neuheisel spent six seasons (1988-93) as an assistant coach at UCLA. He spent two seasons with the San Antonio Gunslingers in the United States Football League and played some professional football with the San Diego Chargers in 1987.

Neuheisel was a walk-on at UCLA in 1979 and earned the starting quarterback position in his senior season. In his final game as a Bruin, he overcame food poisoning to lead UCLA to a 45-9 victory against Illinois in the 1984 Rose Bowl.

Some critics have voiced skepticism about Neuheisel's ability to lead the team, noting his past problems at Washington (participation in an NCAA basketball tournament betting pool) and at Colorado, whose football team was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA for infractions committed while Neuheisel was head coach there.

"My mistakes have been well-documented, but I certainly take ownership of them," Neuheisel said. "I've learned from them. And I've made sure that both Dan and Chancellor Block realize that I would never, ever do anything to tarnish the great reputation of UCLA or the integrity of this program."

In the few weeks he's been UCLA's head coach, Neuheisel has already scored major coups by retaining defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and hiring Norm Chow — formerly of USC — as offensive coordinator.

He's also in the process of moving his family — his wife, Susan, a 1988 UCLA graduate, and their three boys, Jerry, Jack and Joe — back to Los Angeles from Baltimore.

"This is a very big family thing for us. This is home," Neuheisel said. "I wish everybody could have this thrill, the opportunity to come back home and to reconnect with all those who meant so much to you so many years ago, and to take over a program that is steeped in great tradition and great honor."