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USC Hires Lane Kiffin to Offend Other Pac-10 Coaches

Larry Brown — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:39:12 +0000

Multiple reports say USC will make Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin the school’s new football coach, replacing Pete Carroll. Lane was an assistant at USC from ‘01-’06, serving as tight ends coach, then offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator before accepting the coaching job with the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin just completed his first season as the head coach at Tennessee but he ran into several problems with the NCAA and opposing coaches. His penalty for leaving his Tennessee contract early is supposedly $800,000 and the news comes as a surprise at least to Vols fans. While USC is getting a familiar face, there are several reasons for me to question the hire by USC.

First off, Lane Kiffin was already being investigated by the NCAA for several different potential violations. He got into hot water for talking disparagingly about South Carolina, saying Urban Meyer violated rules when recruiting Nu’Keese Richardson, and then he saw three of his freshman get arrested for attempted robbery. As if that wasn’t enough, his hostesses got in trouble for traveling to recruit high school players in South Carolina. This is really the kind of guy USC wants in there especially when they’re facing potential problems with the NCAA for the Reggie Bush and Joe McKnight violations? Is there goal to reach Rose Bowls or SMU’s fate?

As for Kiffin, I really don’t understand how he can in good faith leave Tennessee after just one year. The Vols opened up the door to him, supported him with the highest compensated staff in the country, and he thanks them by bolting after one year. He might actually be doing them a favor because of the problems he had already created but it’s still a slap in the face to act excited about getting a job only to leave a year later. We’ll never know what Kiffin would have achieved in Knoxville and they now have to start from scratch when other top candidates have already found jobs. That sure was considerate of him and it’s no surprise Tennessee fans are already rioting.

Well, what goes around comes around and Lane will probably receive what he deserves — a program about to be punished. Ed Orgeron will probably be able to out-recruit UCLA but what good will it do with only 15 scholarships a year?

UCLA’s Basketball Season Just Went from Bad to Even Crappier

Larry Brown — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:01:57 +0000

UCLA is 2-4 on the season with losses to local schools reminiscent of the Steve Lavin era. The Bruins lost their opener to Cal State Fullerton, struggled to beat Cal State Bakersfield, and they got obliterated by Portland, whatever that is. After a run of three straight Final Fours, Bruins fans began to be spoiled and wound up disappointed when the team lost to Villanova in the second round last season. If they only knew what laid ahead. Michael Roll is the team’s leading scorer while Malcolm Lee appears to be one of the only legitimate playmakers. Things get really brutal after that considering the news that came down Tuesday that big man Drew Gordon would be transferring. Andy Katz explained some of the issues:

According to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, Gordon’s conduct was detrimental to the team. He was not viewed as having positive energy in the locker room. Yet, during last weekend’s 76 Classic in Anaheim, the UCLA staff said Gordon had to be the focal point offensively in the post.

That’s the Howland perspective, I’m guessing. Gordon’s mother says Drew’s transferring because Howland’s style doesn’t befit him. All I know is that the players aren’t getting it done, regardless of the style. Putting aside that Kansas is coming to Pauley this weekend, almost any opponent on the schedule has to be considered a threat. It’s going to be a long, long season for the Bruins. As long as they don’t fall behind Oregon State in the cellar I’ll be semi-satisfied. I’m glad that Ben Howland asserted himself and reminded everyone that they need to play by his rules (not bigs who bomb three-pointers the way Gordon did). Now Bruins fans need to close their eyes and wait for next year when some of the top recruits will hit campus.

Rick Neuheisel and Pete Carroll Were Both Wrong for UCLA/USC Ending

Larry Brown — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:49:09 +0000

The UCLA/USC crosstown rivalry is always heated and contentious, regardless of how well or poorly the teams are performing. One team may dominate the rivalry for a stretch of time but that doesn’t take away from the overall significance the fans place on this game. Out of all the years that the game has been played, we may have never seen a contest end with such heated emotion as we did on Saturday. With the game already out of hand at 21-7 and under a minute to play, Rick Neuheisel called a timeout to stop the clock and stop USC’s kneel-down efforts. The first mistake was made by Neuheisel who did not concede defeat and take his medicine. Bottom line, your team is not very good, they got beat by a better squad, admit the defeat and try to get better for next year. If UCLA wasn’t letting up and continuing to compete then there’s nothing wrong with USC continuing to compete.

USC was in the wrong for jeering, showboating, and taunting after scoring the touchdown. Scoring the TD on UCLA after the Bruins decided they weren’t going to go out quietly was enough of a statement; the touchdown was thoroughly embarrassing. The sad part is that it wasn’t the players acting independently that produced the skirmish at the end — they took their lead from their coach, Pete Carroll. Carroll acted childishly, unprofessionally, and without class. His team was better, they had proven it on the field, and they had embarrassed UCLA with the final score. Why not let the TD speak for itself? It surely sent Neuheisel a message to submit when you’ve been beaten, so why give the Bruins a chance to win the second game — the postgame fight? In both regards, each coach was in the wrong and should learn from his behavior. It’s also seemed like Carroll was taking out his aggression and frustration from the Stanford game out on the Bruins. Neuheisel may have ignited it by refusing to quit but Carroll went overboard in the celebration. He should have saved that for Harbaugh. Here’s the video of the UCLA/USC fight after the game:

Stanford Runs it Up Against USC, Mocks Trojans Saying ‘Fight On’

Larry Brown — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:35:12 +0000

Have a thing for crazy statistics? I have one that will blow your mind. USC is 47-2 at home since 2001. Both losses are now to Stanford, making Jim Harbaugh 2-1 against the Trojans since taking over the Cardinal program. While Stanford was something like a 40-point underdog at the Coliseum in their first upset win over the Trojans, there’s no doubt the effect of each win was equally shocking. USC got smashed 55-21 this time and they were pushed all over the field by the Cardinal, leaving the home crowd stunned. As a UCLA fan there’s no doubt I’m pleased to see USC knocked from its perch as the perennial uncontested champ in the Pac-10, but I would have liked to see more class from Stanford in the process. Up 48-21 after Toby Gerhart’s 3rd touchdown run of the game, Stanford went for a two-point conversion that got stuff by SC. Then, towards the end of the game, the cameras caught Stanford players Richard Sherman and Ekom Udofia mocking USC’s Fight On:

It’s easy to celebrate and dance on your opponent’s grave when your program is at its peak and winning games, but it’s no fun to be on the other end of things. Given its recent history, Stanford should know that. Yes they should be proud of their huge win and big season thus far, but they shouldn’t lose their class during the win. If not for the reason of respecting your opponent, Stanford should realize they’ve set themselves up to take USC’s best shot next year because of the revenge factor. The Trojans won’t forget this loss any time soon, I can promise you that.

Gotta Love Bob Toledo’s Outlook on Tulane’s Loss to LSU

Larry Brown — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:22:25 +0000

Things have been pretty brutal for Bob Toledo ever since he was axed at UCLA. Toledo went to Tulane and his teams have gone 8-22 over three seasons, with the squad getting waxed 42-0 Saturday. Bob had already vented his frustration during the week, complaining about the lack of fan support and enthusiasm surrounding the program. Overall, he doesn’t seem like a very happy man. And getting blitzed by LSU didn’t help matters either. I really haven’t heard such a depressing explanation for a blowout loss as the one I read yesterday:

“It’s a little bit of a mismatch regardless of what people want to say,” Tulane head coach Bob Toledo said. “They’re a great football team. They’re bigger, stronger and faster than we are. Their Xs and Os are bigger than our Xs and Os. OK? Plain and simple.”

Wow, sounds like this guy wants out and is trying to write his ticket home. Another one of my favorites was this positive gem this week, “We haven’t had a punt return in two weeks, so our punt return team is pretty good right now because they haven’t been on the field in two weeks.” Umm, it was nice knowing you, I guess. Damn, that sounds awful. Who would want to continue playing when it sounds like the coach has even packed it in?

Ultimate Embarrassment for UCLA Football Against Cal

Larry Brown — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:03:59 +0000

UCLA fans have to recognize that it’s a long way back to being a strong program in the Pac-10 and that this season will have its ups and downs. The Bruins started off the year 3-0 with non-conference wins over Tennessee and Kansas State that look more impressive now given what each team has done since. Problem is the Bruins have tanked since then, going 0-3 in tough conference games. UCLA actually had a chance to bring Saturday’s game (for 8th in the Pac-10) against Cal to within one possession late in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately Kevin Prince threw a pick six to make it 45-26. What’s so embarrassing about that you ask? Well, it’s pretty sad to throw an INT returned for a touchdown against a defense that only has 10 men on the field!!!!!

I am not even joking for a second when I say that I could have completed that pass for a touchdown. I really don’t even know what to say. Actually I do, with road games at Arizona and Oregon State coming up, the Bruins are going 3-5.

Thanks to The Wiz of Odds for the story, via Bruins Nation.

Why Is South Carolina Beating Ole Miss Considered an Upset?

Larry Brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:05:59 +0000

If you watched highlight shows or read about the Ole Miss/South Carolina game from Thursday night, you heard many people term the outcome “an upset.” If you go by the poll rankings it was an upset, but if you actually use common sense, you’ll see that this was just a predictable outcome. What we had on Thursday was a couple of average SEC teams squaring off. What’s generally the difference in those games? Home field and usually nothing more than a touchdown or field goal. So when Ole Miss goes to South Carolina and loses by six points, why on Earth would that be considered an upset? It shouldn’t be other than the jacked up poll system.

In reality, the polls shouldn’t be determined until after a month of the season. After about four games people should be able to judge teams much better than they would prior to the season. What really goes into determining preseason polls anyway? How a team finished the previous year and tradition of the program? That doesn’t seem to be a logical way to determine how strong a team is in the current season. Even the Ole Miss players were relieved not to have such a high ranking anymore because they knew it hadn’t been earned.

Answer me this, why aren’t Auburn, Iowa, or UCLA in the so-called Top 25? Because they were not expected to do well prior to the year? It’s total b.s. and it sucks that preseason expectations impact rankings once the year actually begins. And the way Ole Miss’ offense looked last night, it will be surprising if they don’t lose four games this year.

Sergio Kindle Decapitates Taylor Potts on Sack, Causes Fumble

Larry Brown — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:19:55 +0000

Here I was thinking that the hit Tennessee delivered on UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince last weekend that broke his jaw was a tough hit. I may have to reconsider things. Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle is highly rated and a top pro prospect. After seeing the sack he got on Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, it’s easy to see why. Let’s go to the videotape:

It’s incredible that Potts walked away from that hit like it was nothing. Maybe he was just acting tough for the moment but really felt woozy as soon as he got to the sidelines. His reaction really didn’t matter because the fumble set up a Colt McCoy touchdown pass that put the game out of reach for Texas. Potts was still pretty effective throwing for 417 yards and 3 touchdowns proving once again that it’s more about Mike Leach’s system than the guy throwing the ball.

Ed Orgeron, Kiffin Want to Crush UCLA

Larry Brown — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:45:19 +0000

The game between UCLA and Tennessee this weekend is already being billed as “The Blabber Bowl.” Sounds like a good nickname to me. Even Tennessee coach and former USC d-line coach Ed Orgeron is kicking off the gabbing pretty early:

“You will not find anybody else in the world that wants to beat UCLA more than Ed Orgeron and Lane Kiffin, so these boys better be ready. They’re going to find out what it is to prepare for a big game. And you know what? I think our guys are going to be ready for the outcome of last year. You can hear it in the locker room. I don’t think there needs to be any extra motivation to beat the Bruins.”

Can’t say I blame the guy — UCLA’s colors are light blue and yellow, and the team stunk when Ed was at USC. As for Lane, pretty weird that he opened his yapper all offseason but now he’s staying relatively quiet during the year. I guess he’ll just settle for putting up 28 points in the fourth quarter against Western Kentucky instead. No question Kiffin doesn’t like Norm Chow and that this in some ways resembles a USC/UCLA game because of the staffs. Mix in last year’s win by UCLA and you know the bad blood will be flowing early. Problem is that neither program quite has the horses to embarrass the other. Should be a struggle the entire way.

Duke Deserves a Banner Taken Down

Larry Brown — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:54:21 +0000

With Memphis crying over having to take down one of its finest banners in program history because of the Derrick Rose SAT scandal, some people are saying the NCAA isn’t handling punishments evenly. Contributor JS emails in with a story from Gary Parrish at CBS Sports who says Duke got away with having Corey Maggette on their Final Four team in 1999 even though it was found out that Maggette took money while he was in high school. Duke still has the banner hanging at Cameron Indoor and Coach K still has all the wins on his record.

I’m guessing the NCAA just wants to be sympathetic because it’s reflective of the last time Duke was any good, but it really does show their selective enforcement of violations. If Maggette took money from AAU corrupter Myron Piggie (remember him, UCLA fans?), why wasn’t that season stricken from the Duke records? And an even better point (though extremely more difficult to gauge enforcement) is made by JS: why doesn’t the NCAA return the money it made off Memphis and Duke those years? Perhaps that’s why they’re so slow to dole out punishments.

Larry Brown Sports » Search Results » ucla

USC Hires Lane Kiffin to Offend Other Pac-10 Coaches

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UCLA’s Basketball Season Just Went from Bad to Even Crappier

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Why Is South Carolina Beating Ole Miss Considered an Upset?

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