Jim Mora figures he can only fill his knowledge gaps about college football through hard work and repetition.
That’s why UCLA’s new coach planned to start recruiting Tuesday night, right after the Bruins introduced him as the latest savior for their beleaguered program.
Mora made no outlandish promises when the former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head coach debuted in Westwood. He only vowed to make UCLA fans proud of a football team that hasn’t reached the Rose Bowl in 13 seasons.
“It’s been a tough decade for UCLA football,” Mora said at a news conference attended by his wife and two of their children. “This is a program that has always represented academic and athletic excellence, and I look forward to the challenge of returning this team to prominence.”
Mora hasn’t coached in college football since a single season at Washington 25 years ago, but UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero believes he can figure it out in time to compete with the Pac-12’s elite offenses and star-studded coaching staffs.
“I look forward to the challenge, I look forward to the newness of it,” Mora said. “One of the things that really gets your juices going is scheming, and trying to come up with something that can beat the guy you’re playing Saturday.”
Mora replaces former Huskies coach Rick Neuheisel, who went 21-29 at his alma mater.
“This is a guy who studied quite a bit to prepare for a move into college,” Guerrero said. “He’s passionate, he’s committed, he wants to win championships, and he has a plan. It’s very compelling.”
WEIS BUILDS STAFF
New Kansas coach Charlie Weis hired Ron Powlus to tutor quarterbacks and Tim Grunhard to work with the offensive line.
The announcements come four days after Weis was introduced as the Jayhawks’ head coach.
Powlus and Grunhard both have ties to Notre Dame, where Weis spent five seasons as coach.
Powlus played quarterback for the Fighting Irish from 1994-97, and he served as director of player development and quarterbacks coach for Weis in South Bend. Powlus has been at Akron the past two seasons.
Grunhard played for Notre Dame before an 11-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s been head coach at Bishop Miege High School in suburban Kansas City.
Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell is returning from Turner Gill’s staff.
EXTRA POINTS
The Dallas Morning News, citing sources, is reporting that former SMU standout Craig James will file his candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas by Thursday’s deadline. James, an ESPN college football analyst, is hoping that his name recognition makes him the alternative to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. James is running in the March 6 GOP primary. ... Colorado State introduced Jim McElwain as its new head coach. McElwain, Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, becomes Colorado State’s 20th head coach. “I feel like I am getting in (on the ground floor) of the bold new era,” McElwain said. “And the vision and the passion is here and that’s what it’s all about.” McElwain’s five-year contract includes an annual base salary of $1.35 million. He can earn an additional $150,000 in bonuses. ... The Mountain West Conference has sent a letter to the BCS presidential oversight committee outlining why it should receive an automatic bid the next two seasons. Commissioner Craig Thompson’s letter was posted on the conference’s website.
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