What, is Norm going to suit up? :grin: With the lack of talent on that team, Norm Chow would need at least two years to make something of it. Problem is, he won't last that long. His Titan's money is gone at that time and the bruins sure as heck won't pay him that much. He lives locally, wants a shot at a HC job one more time, and this is something to do for a few years. He's great, he's not a God.
I'm kind of surprised Chow had to settle for a OC job in the Pac-10, after all the destruction he wreaked upon the Pac-10 while at USC. I haven't researched the coaching situations in the Pac-10, but it is a little surprising that no Pac-10 team wanted Chow as their head coach right now. As for lack of talent at UCLA, looking just at the Rivals rankings, UCLA is current #1 in the Pac-10, and they were #2 in the Pac-10 behind USC in 2006 and 2004. UCLA's a pretty cool school; they get decent recruits for the Pac-10. My favorite UCLA player was WR JJ Stokes in the 90's. They do have former QB Troy Aikman (80's) to brag about while recruiting.
they did beat USC 2 seasons ago... and have made it to a bowl 2-3 years in a row. they're not a laughing stock, like say... Stanford... oops. nevermind. :grin:
That UCLA upset of USC was big, that was the only time UCLA has won a game vs. Pete Carroll's USC program. But in the 90's, UCLA owned USC (UCLA won every game from 1991 to 1998). Also, remember what a good coach can do, even without the greatest talent -- Miles led Oklahoma State to back-to-back upsets victories over Bob Stoop's Oklahoma powerhouse (in 2001 and 2002). As for the Stanford upset of USC this year, UCLA beat Stanford 45-17 (although UCLA lost to USC 7-24, much like UCLA lost to ND 6-20).
As JohnLSU pointed out, UCLA's past few years of recruiting have been very solid and now with such a great offensive mind in place, he will make it happen. And that only leads to top flight offensive players wanting to go to UCLA now more than in the recent past.
Last year was decent for recruiting but their current list of commits is VERY shaky. In the last month alone, most of their top targets have moved from Commit to Soft Verbal. Uona Kavienga decommited recently and is going with, strangely, BYU. I imagine Chow's entrance may change a few of their minds. Something else to consider. I don't expect USC's coaching staff to stay completely intact either. Expect some nice changes to be announced before too long. :grin: I will say that the most recent rumor is former Trojan Mark Carrier is being considered at ucla. That one would hurt. I don't consider Chow a Trojan but Mark, definitely. The first big recruiting battle will be over QB Matt Barkley. I know ucla's already been in his ear and for good reason but he's long been considered a USC lean. Oops, forgot to mention. There had been some hope that Coach O might return but I heard he was interviewing with the Saints.
Word just came out that the nation's top QB in the 2009 class, Matt Barkley, has committed to USC. Norm still has Forcier who is an excellent QB but this was the #1 battle.
I hate USC From Rivals: Quarterback Matt Barkley is the top rated recruit [of any position] by Rivals.com for the class of 2009. ================== From Scout: Jan 23, 2008 -- The nation's top quarterback, has made his decision. For the class of 2009. Who would have thought that next year's top passer would make his decision before this year's? Well, that's exactly what happened. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley, the top quarterback prospect in the country in the class of 2009, has made his college decision, 13 months before he’ll sign his letter-of-intent. “Today I called (USC) Coach Pete Carroll to give him my commitment to becoming a Trojan,” said Barkley. “I am very excited about my decision, it is one that my family and I have given serious consideration to and have prayed about a great deal.” The lifelong Trojan fan had been a lean to USC ever since they offered him in the spring, if not well before then, and talked about why he made his decision. "I chose USC because I simply love the football program and because of the great education I will receive. There is an incredible tradition of competition, excellence, enthusiasm and winning that I am excited to be a part of. I have the greatest respect for Coach Carroll, Coach Sarkisian and the entire coaching staff and what they have accomplished. I look forward to playing football for them" ... “I went up to USC and called Coach Carroll. I saw how much fun they were having. It was a blast and just I feel like it is the best place for me. I considered other schools but I felt like USC was where was best.” His father, Les, is a former USC water polo and since he was a kid, Barkley dreamed of playing for the Trojans. “I’ve always loved the schools and loved the color,” said Barkley. “It’s always been in me. It’s real evident.” Barkley called Carroll, who was in Alabama watching a handful of the USC players in the Senior Bowl. “He’s down in Alabama with some of the other coaches,” said Barkley. “He was driving with the coaches and when I told him they were hootin’ and hollerin’ and were pretty excited.” The idea of being close to home also loomed large for Barkley. “I want to thank my family for all their love and support,” said Barkley. “They’re very excited to maybe have me come home on the weekends and they’re excited that I’ll be close to home.” Another in a long line of outstanding Mater Dei players, he follows in the footsteps of Matt Leinart, John Huarte and Colt Brennan, all who left their mark on the college football landscape. ...
