Neuheisel Returns to College Coaching

Rick Neuheisel is returning to UCLA, the schoolDorrell; he agreed on a 5-year deal from which he
where he achieved the best moments of hiswill get $1.25 million per season plus incentives,
career as a quarterback. He began his playingwhat means an additional $500,000 per year.
career at UCLA in 1979 as a non scholarshipAs the 16th head coach for the football team,
player on special teams where few years later heRick has a big responsibility on his shoulders.
was named the Most Value Player in UCLA's 1984However, since he left College Football, his
Rose Bowl victory. The 46-years-old comes to hisexperience and success has been significant. He is
Alma Mater team to replace Karl Dorrell who wasalready a proven head coach with a very
fired on December 3 after five seasons.successful record in the Pac-10 and he will surely
Neuheisel spent the last three seasons in thebe able to compete with any team in the
Professional League as an assistant with theconference. Actually, he currently holds two UCLA
Ravens where he worked as a quarterback coachrecords with his completion percentage in his
before being promoted to offensive coordinatorsenior year (0.693) as well as his completion
during the last season. Rick hasn't been in thepercentage in a game when he completed 25 out
college scene since Washington fired him in 2003of 27 passes against Washington (0.926).
for participating in a basketball betting pool inRegarding his new position at UCLA Rick said: "It's
Washington. At that time he was awarded $4.5a thrill for me to return to my Alma Mater and
million for wrongful termination.take over a program that I think can and should
Coming back to UCLA it's a dream come true forbe one of the best in the country." UCLA's first
Neuheisel, his experience and success as a headgame next season will be a home game on
coach has been significant for the appointment.August 30th against Fresno State; hopefully,
According to UCLA's Director Dan Guerrero theyNeuheisel will show to be the right hire and will
have found "the right person for the job after antake advantage of his second opportunity in the
"exhaustive" search". Moreover, Neuheisel willNCAA.
make 50 percent more than his predecessor, Karl