UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel headed for a tour in the Middle East

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Six college football coaches will be giving pep talks to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this spring, including UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel.

‘It’s a great opportunity,’ Neuheisel told ESPN’s Ivan Maisel. ‘When I get a note from someone overseas, they tell me they are pulling for UCLA and not to forget about [them]. It always seems as if their spirits are high. People are committed to the cause.’

Neuheisel will be joined by Mack Brown (Texas), Jim Tressel (Ohio State), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Houston Nutt (Mississippi) and Tommy Tuberville (formerly of Auburn) as part of the second annual Under Armour Coaches Tour (more information on last year’s tour is available on their website).

The coaches will depart from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., on May 28 and return to the United States on June 4. The trip is coordinated through Armed Forces Entertainment, a Department of Defense agency, and Morale Entertainment.

-- Adam Rose