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UCLA Football: Jim Mora talks to the press at Pac-12 Media Day

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins looks at his team prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Rose Bowl on November 14, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins looks at his team prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Rose Bowl on November 14, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora talked to the media on Day 1 of Pac-12 Media Day and had a few interesting tidbits to talk about regarding the team heading into 2017.

UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora took the stage at Pac-12 Media Day, though this year it was a bit different, as Mora explained.

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“Its a pleasure to be here again, the sixth time. First time coming off a losing record, so things have been a little bit different for us this off-season, but I have been really pleased with the direction that we are going as a program.”

Mora started his introduction by addressing the concerns and talked about the changes that he has made, especially with the coaching staff as he replaced nearly all the offensive coaches. “They will benefit us. I am excited about those changes.”

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Mora really drove home the point that the players have taken it upon themselves to right the wrongs from last season’s dreadful 4-8 performance and was not short of praise for his guys. He also noted that health was a concern and hoped that everyone can stay as healthy as possible, which would be a key factor in turning the program around.

When he opened up the floor to questions, Mora addressed the addition of new OL Sunny Odogwu and O-line depth, “Jedd Fisch, our offensive coordinator, had experience with him at University of Miami and he got wind that he graduated and was looking to be a graduate transfer so we started to communicate with him and it just worked out where he just came to UCLA. It was a very big acquisition for us, not just  because he is massive, it gives us experience and allows us to build some depth.”

Mora had talked about the leadership of LB Kenny Young on defense, a player that got a lot of recognition this preseason as he made four award watch lists, “Kenny is very well respected by all the coaches, certainly the players. He is a very serious young man. He’s team-oriented, goal-driven.”

I had asked Mora what he thought about the new offensive coaches so far, “I feel good. I hope I continue to feel good. Its a good group of men. Jedd Fisch has tremendous pedigree, he has worked with three Super Bowl winning head coaches, Brian Billick, Mike Shanahan and Pete Carroll. He has also worked with Steve Spurrier and Jim Harbaugh as well as many great assistants. He has a very clear idea of what we want to be offensively.”

Next: The Top 10 UCLA QBs of All-Time

Go Joe Bruin was also able to talk with UCLA Football players OL Scott Quessenberry and LB Kenny Young  and will release that article shortly.