UCLA's Head Coach Jim Mora
Scott Robinson
Today represented the first football practice for Coach Mora in two years, three months and a little change.
And he was not the only one excited at the advent of the spring season.
Actually, the Bruins’ kin, fans and friends packed full the first practice’s stands—the excitement was palpable. Coach Mora, decked in black shorts and a gray UCLA shirt, heralded this practice as only the beginning.
“I’m pleased with the effort—Pleased with the attitude,” said Mora as he sipped on his Gatorade Rejuvenate after Day One. Flanked by the media and their cameras, the coach looked as though he’s done this kind of thing before.
When asked about a starting QB, Mora was quick to quip: “[We] have to let it happen.” A calculated but experienced response—which should be expected from the sort of coach that was born into a NFL coach’s family and then spent 25 years of his own in the league.
Meanwhile, Mora’s process of vetting out such a starter began with Kevin Prince taking the one’s, Brett Hundley the two’s and Richard Brehaut the three’s. Alongside them snapped TJ Millweard, Jerry Neuheisel and walk-on Mike Fafual, who has a slingshot of an arm, by the way.
One practice down, 14 more to go.
Change? Prove it.
While it was clear this was the first team practice, there was certainly a level of focus unlike any seen in the recent past.
Clearly, this coaching staff is attempting to prepare the team with tangible exercises—ones meant to replicate actual game-play with the purpose to translate onto Saturdays.
One example: Defensive players were clearly instructed to strip the ball, as every moment of contact between them and the offense led to the grappling of arms. Another: the QB’s appeared to throw against a changing defense—specifically looking for the open man.
