Meet the New Hire - Rick Neuheisel

2007-2005: Baltimore Ravens - Off. Coord. & QB Coach

2004-2003: Rainier Beach High School - QB Coach

2002-1999: Washington - Head Coach

1998-1995: Colorado - Head Coach

1994-1990: UCLA - WR Coach

1989-1988: UCLA - QB Coach

People sometimes do bad things in life. Often times once they pay for those mistakes, they are given a second chance. Rick Neuheisel's hiring at his Alma Mater represents his second chance.

Neuheisel earned his "Slick Rick" reputation while a head coach at Colorado and Washington. During his four year stint at Colorado he racked up 51 rules violations and cost the school 5 scholarships and placed them on probation for two seasons. His stay at Washington was recently stained with a detailed Seattle Times series detailing disciplinary problems within the program during his time there. He was fired from Washington for his participation in a high stakes NCAA Basketball pool. However, Neuheisel was able to prove wrong doing on the part of both Washington and the NCAA and reached a $4.5 million settlement. But turning on his employer and the NCAA caused him to be blackballed from the college game. He spent the next two seasons as a volunteer quarterback coach at Rainier Beach High School before landing as an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens.

In comes UCLA. With stiff competition for recruits and fans across town, UCLA decided to roll the dice with Neuheisel after an exhaustive search. Their risk should pay off. No coach's behavior will be more in the NCAA's and public's eye than Neuheisel's. He'll be on his best behavior in Westwood.

Most importantly to UCLA, they now have a head coach with a winning past and two premier coordinator. Neuheisel was able to retain defensive coordinator Dwayne Walker who greatly improved the Bruin defense -especially against the run - in his first two seasons. The headliner, however, was being able to hire former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow. The three amigos at UCLA stand a great chance to turn the Pac 10 on its ear.

Overshadowed by his mischievous past and high profile coordinators is that fact that Neuheisel is an impressive football coach in his own right. His four year stint at Colorado started when at age 34 with two 10-2 seasons. He left Boulder with a 28-14 record. Success followed him to Washington, compiling a 33-17 record in four seasons. His second season produced an 11-1 record, Rose Bowl win, and National Championship discussion. Just as he did at Colorado and Washington, expect Neuheisel, 47, to have a 10 win season within his first two seasons.

Importantly, Neuheisel - the former walk-on turned Rose Bowl MVP - is the guy to take on Pete Carroll and USC. UCLA fans where put off by Karl Dorrell's buttoned-up style, especially when he would lose out to the charismatic Carroll in recruiting battles. The Bruin Nation is energized and ready to rally around Neuheisel. Expect Slick Rick (1990 USC Law Grad) to match Carroll on and off the field. No man may be better suited for the challenge.