Saturday practice report: 'It was exciting'

The Bruins had a spirited practice this morning in their first day of preparation for the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22 against BYU. It also was the first day for DeWayne Walker as interim head coach.

Walker said he’s wasn’t about to change everything about the team, but to "tweak a little bit here, tweak a little bit there. We had a real good team meeting this morning. These are a great bunch of kids, and we’ve got some good coaches and everybody’s been very supportive.

"You want everything to be smooth. I know when I had to focus on just one side of the ball, obviously, you’re just dealing with half the team, it’s a little easier. For me, wanting to have that same structure with the whole team, that was something I had some dreams about last night.

"It was exciting, though."

Walker noted that the major difference for him was "just trying to talk ‘team,’ instead of just defense. I don’t want the offensive guys to look at me as ‘you’re the interim, but you’re still a defensive guy.’ I want to make sure that I spread all of the lessons and whatever knowledge that I do have, spread it within the whole team."

About the troubled offense, Walker answered with subtlety. "Jay [Norvell]'s a friend, first, and we’ve talked about some different things. He’s the offensive coordinator and he’s been the O.C. for the whole season, but there will be some things that we’ll talk about, some things that I see with BYU’s defense that maybe I can help him with."

He admitted it had been a long time since he’d watched an offensive practice. "Basically, I’m just walking around today doing certain parts of practice, just to hear them [offensive coaches] talk and hear them teach, not that I was trying to coach any of their positions. It was pretty cool just to see how they coach."

He also got a laugh out of reporters after being asked about the condition of offensive tackle Brian Abraham, who did not practice and was wearing a walking boot on his right foot. "Not sure," Walker said, "I’d rather not comment on that just yet." Then he added, "Wow, look at me, I sound like a real head coach now."

Quarterback Patrick Cowan and receiver Joe Cowan also did not practice, and Walker indicated that more would be known about their status for the game next week.

However, he didn’t anticipate making any substantial changes in the preparations compared to the regular season. "We just want to get a win, so we’ll just prepare for this game like every other game. I know there’s guys like [Bret] Lockett and Mike Norris in terms of the secondary and there will be some other guys you’d like to see play a little bit, but we’re going to prepare for this game just like it’s a regular game."

Comments

[Court Shannon]

To everyone, here are the top reasons why Rick is clearly the best choice as UCLA's next HEAD COACH. Please send this to everyone you know in the athletic department and all alums.

1. Rick is a winner! He won at UCLA with less than optimal athletic ability. He won at Colorado and Washington as a HEAD COACH.
2. Rick is smart! UCLA needs a smart, and innovative, football mind.
3. RIck is loyal to UCLA. He played there, he coached there and he wants to be there.
4. Rick is not going to leave for the NFL. He has been there and done that before. he knows it is not a great career or life.
5. Rick is not going to leave for another college job, he has been there and done that before.
6. Rick can recruit. College players love playing for him because he is willing to try new plays and take a risk to win a game now and then.
7. Rick is lucky. I would rather be lucky than good, but Rick is both. Rick has always had a knack for winning when the odds are against him. He did it at UCLA, he did it at Colorado (in numerous games), he did it at Washington (in numerous games), and he did it against the NCAA and Washington. Jesus, he even did it in the NCAA basketball pool two years in a row which is what probably caused the other participants to try and take him down.
8. Did I mention, Rick is smart!
9. Rick is a survivor. He always makes a comeback.
10. Rick will not even think of pushing the limits at UCLA, the program will be super clean, while winning.
11. Rick can probably be hired for less than other inferior coaches because he wants the job and is not in it for the money.
12. This is Rick's dream job. He will make the commitment required to win and persevere against the odds.
13. Rick has a great offensive mind. UCLA will become exciting again and play to win, not hold on so as not to lose.
14. Did I mention Rick is smart!

I strongly believe this is the best choice for the program. All the other candidates are either not HEAD COACHES, have more baggage (Mike Price), have not been winners at big programs (Peterson and Jones), want more money than they are worth (Mariucci), or do not want the job.

Court Shannon
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