Rick Neuheisel Vetted Like a VP Candidate

Bruins Nation points out a thorough feature on new UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel from Billy Witz of the New York Times. Witz describes the anxious depths UCLA officials went to in order to make sure they weren't consigning themselves to NCAA probation.

The decision to hire Neuheisel, 47, was not made lightly. The process took 26 days, and administrators spoke with officials at Colorado, Washington, the Pac-10 and the N.C.A.A. ... As insurance in Neuheisel’s five-year, $6 million contract, any of the potential $500,000 he may earn in yearly bonuses must be forfeited or returned if the N.C.A.A. levies sanctions against U.C.L.A.

“His behavior in the past may have brought about the perception where people immediately think of the nicknames as it relates to Rick,” [Bruins AD Dan] Guerrero said, referring to the moniker Slick Rick. “Trust is paramount to the whole equation. The first time we met, Rick had to sit in a hotel room, look me in the eye and basically give me an opening salvo that would create a scenario that would want me to continue those discussions further.”

Neuheisel goes on to say he'd never do anything to disgrace his alma mater. Disgrace yourself, your family name -- no big deal. But disgrace your alma mater ... whoa, that's serious stuff.

Slick Rick will win some games, and he (along with new offensive coordinator Norm Chow) will show off a dynamic product. Maybe UCLA even leaps USC for a time. But come on: there's almost no way Bruins fans can expect to escape Neuheisel's reign without trouble. The best indicator of future performance is past performance. Doesn't the name Jim Harrick mean anything to anyone in Westwood?

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