The UCLA Bruins have officially announced new head coach Jim Mora, Jr., who replaces the fired Rick Neuheisel. Mora's previous head coaching experience: stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks. He's landed a five-year, $12 million deal in Westwood.

"As someone who has been around the game of football my entire life, I have always held the UCLA job in the highest esteem," said Mora. "Given its location and its tradition, UCLA is truly a sleeping giant and I realize that an opportunity of this magnitude doesn't present itself more than once in a career, so I jumped at the chance to be a Bruin."

Mora proclaimed himself a candidate for both the UCLA and Arizona State jobs a few days ago, all several years after declaring the Washington Huskies gig to be his dream job. The man likes the Pac-12, and there's nothing wrong with that. He's also the only defensive-minded coach to join the conference this time around, which has suddenly become a showcase of offensive coaches.

For more on UCLA, visit SB Nation Los Angeles and Pacific Takes. And here's our 2011 Coaching Carousel Tracker.