Nov 2, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora reacts during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rose Bowl. UCLA defeated Colorado 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA Head Football Coach Jim Mora, if you have not heard by now, is very happy to be in Westwood. Actually, what he said was:
"It’s flattering, and it says a lot about our program and the direction we’re heading, but I am very, very, very, extremely, delightfully happy to be the head coach at UCLA. I want to be here for a long, long time. I’m happy they want me here."
Coach, the collective UCLA fan-base is happy you are happy. He took to local radio earlier this week, as he joined ‘The Petros And Money Show’ on Fox Sports Radio KLAC 570AM, in Los Angeles, to talk about bowl preparation, staying at UCLA and rumors about his name being linked to Texas after Mack Brown “resigned”. Click here to give a listen if you haven’t already. What followed was a lot of talk, straight from the horse’s mouth, that melted the hearts of the Bruin faithful.
"UCLA is my dream job."
Now Mora saying a specific position is his dream job, has gotten him in trouble before, as it did when he was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Him saying it now, whilst he already has the position, is not only comforting, but shows confidence in what he wants to do. Especially after he cracked out this next jem:
"I hope I end up retiring a UCLA Bruin."
Has your heart melted yet? No, well how about this…
"You asked about the decision [to stay at UCLA], there was no decision. I’m a UCLA Bruin. That was the decision. I never waivered, for one second, in my desire to be the coach at UCLA."
Wow, a coach that wants to be at UCLA and is doing well there. This is the coach Bruin fans have been waiting a long time for. Go ahead Bruin fans, next time you see him, tell him how much you love him!
Bowl Preparations
The Bruins have practiced all week for their upcoming bowl game against Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl. Today, they will have a “mock” game followed by practice on Sunday. They will have a few days off for Christmas, but regroup after their holiday break in El Paso to get prepped for their last game of the season.
Notes From Spaulding
UCLA LB Eric Kendricks, the leading tackler on the Bruins, had ankle surgery yesterday and will be out for the Sun Bowl. Kendricks totaled 106 tackles and was part of that feared linebacker corps with Anthony Barr, Myles Jack and Jordan Zumwalt. You can guarantee he will be missed.
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco