UCLA Football: Over the Wall and Off the Field

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Scott Robinson

T.S. Eliot once said,

A tradition without intelligence is not worth having.

Well you have to wonder what a 6-7 football team is thinking, especially after just losing their coach, when they ditch practice in a renewed sense of “team spirit.” I’d be willing to bet newly instilled coach Jim L. Mora’s objectives of team discipline will not be one to let such a fruitless tradition survive. But what does Mora have to say about “Over the Wall?”

From Jon Gold:

“…I can tell you that my general feeling is that if they want to skip out of practice and jump over a wall, then they might as well just keep going… It's completely unacceptable and it will not be part of the program going forward. It's a [privilege] not a [right] to play football for the UCLA Bruins”

A just response. Clear. Direct. Diligent. Welcome to the new face of UCLA Football: “Mora, grit.” I would venture to say that Mora understands that the kids at Western Kentucky would be salivating at a chance to practice for one more game. Mora gets it:


UCLA’s football players might not, not just yet.

Any team without the understanding that practice can only be to their benefit will learn sooner or later that great programs are built on the foundations of the practice field, not on game-day. Regardless if ditching practice is justified as within the vein of “team bonding,” a good coach will always tell you the best players are those who want to play, those that need to play. A player who strives to always get better and has that innate hunger is what moves the “needle” for any squad. It might be a question of motivation—but does this roster have any? Hopefully Mora’s response will catalyze the changes required to relay what is otherwise a captain-state-the-obvious statement: practice is an opportunity.

With Mora’s hire comes a fresh opportunity to separate those who have that want, that need, and with some luck that will deliver the best coaching product we’ve seen in Westwood in over ten years.

The Little Details

So what sort of traditions should these players be looking to embody? As a history major, I am akin to reviewing the past. With this in mind, I look back to UCLA’s most successful coach in history: Ten-time Men’s Basketball National Champion, Coach John Wooden.

From They Call Me Coach (105; Wooden, Tobin):

“Over the years I have become convinced that every detail is important and that success usually accompanies attention to little details. It is this, in my judgment, that makes for the difference between champion and near champion.”

New Head Coach Jim L. Mora Brandishes Renewed Toughness, Discipline

Entering the week of practice before the Kraft Hunger Bowl on December 31^st, Jim L. Mora has been on the job as UCLA’s new head coach barely over a week.  While current OC Mike Johnson preps the team for Illinois (likely his last game for the Blue and Gold) Mora took the helm of the flailing Bruin football program and announced a simple objective: “to make Bruin fans proud of their football team.” 

Forget “Relentless Optimism” or the loudspeaker “fireside chats” following games at the Rose Bowl—Mora says his 25 years of NFL coaching experience along with his understudy of coaching greats, including his father, Jim E. Mora and Bill Walsh, have instilled in him traits resembling his mentors.  “We want toughness. We want discipline on our football team.”  But from behind the talk, it appears Mora is a man of action.

Since the December 13^th press conference, Mora has assembled a recruiting juggernaut of coaches: Adrian Klemm (SMU), Steve Broussard (ASU), Demetrice Martin (U of W), Inoke Brekterfield (retained), and Marques Tuiasosopo (retained).  Klemm was recently named Conference USA Recruiter of the Year.  A three time NFL Champ, Coach Klemm brings a recruiting vigor with ties in Southern California—He’s originally from Santa Monica.  Steve Broussard, a WSU grad, also brings a pro career repertoire paired with coaching experience on the collegiate level as both a Wide Receivers and Running Backs coach at ASU and WSU, respectively.  Demetrice Martin is a Pasadena Muir High School Grad, considered by some as one of U of W’s best recruiters.  Corralling the Hawaiian zone, Inoke Brekterfield should help maintain the transition along with Coach Marques Tuiasosopo who will also stay on as Quarterbacks Coach.

Calling UCLA “a sleeping giant” of a program, Mora clearly has not taken to the comforts of a bed since his hire: First order of business, 7:00 AM day one of coaching tenure and he passed the recruiting eligibility exam. Second, Mora filed and received approval for the secondary coaching staff waiver—allowing his new staff to press the ears of recruits.  Rounding up the replacements for a forgettable offense, Mora then sought out offensive guru Noel Mazzone from ASU.

On the recruiting trail, Mora lined up conversations with a number of wavering verbals the same evening of his press conference.  Settling OG Lacy Westbrook, MLB Aaron Porter and a number of UCLA’s best of the 2011 class was just the beginning.  Over the weekend, Mora was up to Sacramento scouting talent.  Along with a few of his new staff, Mora was spotted on the sidelines of the CIF Title game.  Mora’s efforts have already netted a highly regarded recruit in CB Marcus Rios—reeled in over the weekend.  On Monday, Mora snatched up OLB Kenny Orjioke and S Taylor Lagace.  Did I mention he also held some visits on-campus Saturday?

Match that with the media blitz, one might ask if Mora sleeps?  Since last week, Mora has made his rounds on radio, speaking with Dave “Softy” Mahler on 950 KJR, Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio, Petros & Money, XM Sirius College Radio and Tim Brando.

But what sort of mantra does Mora plan to instill on his new program?  From the horse’s mouth:

“I have a saying that I like, and that’s ‘Count on me.’  You have to earn the right, first of all, through your actions, to say to somebody, ‘Hey, you can count on me,’ and have any merit.” 

Here’s hoping next year’s team will bring that Mora-mentality to fruition.  If Mora’s recent actions since jumping aboard are any indication, the Bruins might be back in the spotlight sooner than later.