Coach Speak

UCLA. I don't know what took so long, but UCLA made a hire that will have them competing with their cross-town rival shortly. Rick Neuheisel is a 46 year old alum with significant head coaching experience and NFL experience. What more could you ask for. The likely thing that held up the hiring was UCLA's worries about Slick Rick's past run-ins with the NCAA. The reality is that he'll be under such a microscope that he'll be forced to behave. Neuheisel was able to keep defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker in Westwood when it appeared he was heading to Washington. That will prove to be a key factor in Neuheisel competing for Pac 10 titles sooner rather than later. Bruin fans should be ecstatic.

June Jones. Jones - upset over poor facilities and a lack of commitment out of the university - proved he wasn't bluffing when he stepped down as the head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. Its a sad and surprising end to a great story. Expect Jones to accept the SMU job any day now, but the NFL isn't out of the question.

Purdue. Athletic Director Morgan Burke is treading on thin ice in West Lafayette. His plans to use a succession plan to replace Joe Tiller have leaked out. The concerning part for Boilermakers is that Tiller may not be on board with the idea of having his replacement work under him for one year before retiring. Cowboy Joe has been a tough guy to understand at times and his attitude towards Burke's plan could cause a mucky situation at Purdue. The succession plan could result in Tiller retiring this off season with hurt feelings. The leading candidate is Paul Chryst, Wisconsin's offensive coordinator.

Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald faces a challenging situation this off-season. He fired his defensive coordinator, Greg Colby, on December 3rd. Recently his offensive coordinator, Garrick McGee, took the quarterbacks coaching position at Arkansas under Bobby Petrino. Given Fitzgerald's age (33) and limited time outside of the Northwestern program (one year each at Idaho, Colorado, and Maryland), it will be a challenge for him to make these hires. He likely has less contacts than typical head coaches. Fitzgerald will no doubt be one of the busiest guys in Aneheim this week for the AFCA Conference. A long shot, but interesting offensive coordinator, would be Fitzgerald's former coach, Gary Barnett.

Coordinator Carousel. With the majority of the head coaching vacancies filled, the coordinator carousel will be spinning at rapid speed. These moves will have huge impacts in 2008. Some big names to already move are Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to Texas in the same role and Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English to Louisville in the same role. The American Football Coaches Association Conference is currently being held in Anaheim with resumes being tossed around and deals being made right now. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.