• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero couldn't wait the one week to take a gamble.

Just seven days prior to UCLA's Christmas date with New Mexico in the Las Vegas Bowl, Guerrero took a roll of the dice and hired Denver Bronco wide receiver coach Karl Dorrell. The search ranged from the charismatic, African-American, but inexperienced Dorrell to the experienced New Orleans Saint defensive coordinator Mike Riley to Kansas City defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. Throughout the nine-day search, which began immediately after the firing of former head coach Bob Toledo, Guerrero never revealed his hand, and even bluffed media outlets into reporting that Riley would be hired.

In the end, however, Guerrero went with gut instinct and took a chance on the former Bruin wide receiver.

"That was a very gutsy call," said Dorrell, who played for UCLA from 1982-1986. "I'm not in Mr. Guerrero's shoes, but I'm glad he made this choice. He has a vision of what this program needs. And I will work my tail off for him and this institution. I believe in it. We're a family here and we're going to find a way to get it done."

The decision was announced through a press release on the evening of December 18, but Dorrell was not introduced until the next day, in front of a packed press conference filled with media, alumni and former teammates. Dorrell will continue through Denver's December 22nd game with the Oakland Raiders and officially assume the head coaching position on December 26th.

Dorrell signed a six-year contract worth $600,000, a figure that could balloon to seven figures if Dorrell can accomplish the given incentives. It is the most lucrative contact in UCLA football history.

"I wanted to bring in somebody who was in the best interests of this program," Guerrero said. "I wanted someone who has great character, is a fierce competitor, someone who understands the importance of the crosstown rivalry and someone who has been on the battlefield and represented this university. I know what I want in a football coach. I know that Karl will do that. It was very clear in my mind who I wanted to lead this team."

When Dorrell does become UCLA's fifteenth football head coach, he will also become just the fourth African-American head coach in Division I football.

"I'm glad that I got to be the fourth black head coach in Division I football," Dorrell said. "But by no means was that the issue. The issue was getting the right man for this institution, and I believe I'm the right man for this job."

In Dorrell, the Bruins inherit a coach who has fifteen years of coaching experience, and while he will be taking on his first head coaching position, he has seen time as offensive coordinator at Washington and Colorado and has spent the last three years with the NFL's Denver Broncos as a wide receiver coach. Most of his players have said that Dorrell was an extremely likeable coach with an enthusiastic passion for football, and he has received endorsements from Terry Donahue to Mike Shanahan to Rick Neuheisel. In fact, in a display of respect, when Washington coaches heard the news that Dorrell was hired, they responded with "whoops and hollers," according to an ESPN report.

"I'm a grassroots kind of coach," Dorrell said. "I believe in my players and they will believe in me. My goal is one thing: reestablish the tradition and integrity in our football program. I know what it takes to shed blood and tears on Spaulding Field during practices, then to come and play for each other on Saturday afternoon. I understand what it takes to play UCLA football."

As for the players, most expressed relief that the new head coach was chosen and that the focus could return to preparing for the bowl game.

"I'm just happy it's over," tight end Marcedes Lewis said. "I would have been happy with any of the candidates just as long as they fit the goals of the team. I'm just anxious to see what he'll offer."

Wide receiver Tab Perry was overjoyed at the opportunity to work with Dorrell, who has helped develop NFL wide receivers Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey, Michael Westbrook and Charles Johnson.

"He's an alumni Bruin," Perry said. "He knows the program, and he knows how to win. He's an NFL guy, so he knows how to get there. I just want to pick his brain, and I know I'll get better."

At the press conference, Dorrell came close to a recruiting violation. Asked about Reggie Bush, a running back from his high school alma mater, Helix High in San Diego, Dorrell nearly responded-a huge no-no for college football coaches. Coaches aren't allowed to publicly talk about prospective recruits until letter of intent signing day in February.

Guerrero quickly stopped Dorrell, but the near-miss is an indication of the risk Guerrero is taking by hiring a head coach who has no prior head coaching experience. Nevertheless, he believes that, with the Dorrell gamble, UCLA will be able to reap huge rewards.

All just a week away from its bowl game in Las Vegas.