As noted by Keith Arnold earlier this afternoon, head coach Rick Neuheisel, speaking on the Dan Patrick radio show, asserted that Norm Chow would remain as UCLA’s offensive coordinator after being courted by Southern Cal for the same job with the Trojans.
This afternoon, the school made Neuheisel’s assertions official.
In twin statements released by UCLA, Chow said he appreciated the interest on the part of Lane Kiffin and the Trojans while Neuheisel said he was “thrilled” the coordinator will remain as a part of his coaching staff.
“I appreciate the interest from USC and Lane Kiffin, but I feel we are building something special here at UCLA and I am excited about our future,” said Chow, who has coached three Heisman Trophy winners during his illustrious career. “We have some outstanding young players in the program and we are working hard on finishing strong in recruiting.”
“We are thrilled that Norm is going to continue as our offensive coordinator,” Neuheisel said. “As Norm said, we are building something special at UCLA and he is certainly a very important part of the package. We have unfimished [sic] business here at UCLA and our coaches and players are very excited about our future. I’m glad Norm wants to finish what he’s started. UCLA is a special place to call home.”
Some reports had USC offering Chow anywhere from $1 million to $1.5 million to leave their cross-town rivals; it’s uncertain what, if any, tweaks UCLA made to Chow’s current contract to help sway him to stay.
Another uncertainty is just where Kiffin and the Trojans will turn for a coordinator. Given the fact that the new coach has already stated he will be the play caller, the pool of candidates could be a rather shallow one.
Don’t know much about Norm Chow… but right now he seems to be much classier than Lame Kiffin.
(then again, maybe UCLA added some zeros to the end of his paycheck to fortify his classiness)
Norm Chow is the very best at what he does. UCLA is blessed, and clearly is positioning itself to become again the main team in LA. Quite a change, but the pendulum does swing back and forth between USC and UCLA.
Kiffy as play caller….bahahahahahahaha. Looks like Daddy’s skill will be his saving grace in the short term.
Go back in time and remember when the decay of the USC program began…it was right after Chow left. Yes, there was some residual success, but that happens when you are forced out and leave behind 2 HT winners and L White. Kiffy is a great OC, like Barry Switzer was a great HC of the Cowboys. Both benefited from full cupboards left by their predecessors.
This ought to be funny when USC begins to lose to UCLA every season, lol. Kiffin’s going to be the play caller, lol. That sealed your fate, he’s a moron, except he doesn’t know it.
I wonder how long it takes for Jim Rome to get back to calling them USCC again, lol.