Decision 2007

With the recent notice from Al Golden that he is withdrawing his name from consideration (i.e. "I ain't gonna get the job, so screw you guys I'm going home") ... it is down to two. DeWayne Walker vs Rick Neuheisel. Defense vs Offense. Experience vs Freshness. It is decision 2007! And that much anticipated decision should be coming very, very, soon.

I guess, with all the heated exchanges during the Karl Dorrell years, that it is only fitting that the two candidates to replace him generate strong emotions as well. There are the Walkeristas and the Neuheiselistas. The respective supporters and detractors for each camp have waged war over Bruin message boards this week. No punches were pulled and no opportunity to shill was missed. When this is all over, I'm sure there will be a very angry and pissed off segment of the fan base. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I'm still solidly in the Pro-Rick camp. Of all the candidates seriously considered, I still think he is far and away the best choice. But really, I'd be pretty happy with DeWayne Walker as well. That probably puts me in the minority. Most fans seem to think that hiring one or the other (or both for that mater) will bring an end to the American way of life, speed up global warming, and officially cancel Christmas for ever.

Maybe I'm just a deep-down optomist at heart but I think both can be very good coaches for UCLA. They are definitely a big improvement over Karl Dorrell and the two finalists bring some much needed energy and enthusiasm to the position that was so lacking with the oh-so-stoic former head coach. So forgive me if I don't wait with baited breath, praying to the football gods, while hitting refresh on my browser every 5 minutes for any morsal of news on the coaching search. Whoever is chosen will be a nice breath of fresh air for a program that has had such a stale taste these last 10 years.