Bellotti to Fly South??
Justifiably so, all the buzz right now is on the Blazers 9-game winning streak. But the Oregon Ducks have found a way to steal some of their thunder. Word out of Eugene tonight is that Mike Bellotti thinks enough of the UCLA head coaching job....to agree to be interviewed by their Athletic Director, Dan Guerrero on Thursday. The Orange County Register broke the story....saying that members of UCLA's staff flew to Eugene to meet with Bellotti. Who knows if Bellotti is using this as leverage for a better deal. His contract does run for 5 more years....and pays him 1.1 million. Here's what the OC-Register had to say today:
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Bellotti, who was at practice as the Ducks prepared to play against South Florida in the Sun Bowl issued a statement, saying only: "I'm focusing on this team to play in this bowl game."
UO athletic director Pat Kilkenny refused to say whether UCLA officials asked for permission to contact the Ducks' coach.
"I can neither can confirm nor deny," Kilkenny said.
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This should at the very least ruffle a few Ducks feathers. With success, comes attention. It happens everywhere---including Eugene. With such a strong recruiting class coming in next season, I just don't see Bellotti making the move to Los Angeles. What? So he can play second fiddle to Pete Carroll for the next decade? Yes, the Bruins need to make a splash with their next head coaching hire....I just don't see Bellotti landing there. But, stranger things have happened before, right?
Comments
Maybe not a bad idea to make a change in Eugene. Defenses are usually suspect. Offense is always potent but on those off days you win championships with a defense too. Then there is the issue of odd play calling and sometimes poor decision making.(Wouldn't you think he would have already discussed a time out in the civil war?)
Posted by: Gary Hays | December 21, 2007 7:39 AM