Why UCLA has not won a major championship recently (cont.)
UCLA basketball needs a new coach and is in the process of looking for that individual that is both proven and clean. The AD wants to keep the tradition of winning but also avoid another PR nightmare, similar to what Alford brought.
The athletic department wants (nay, needs) this next hire to be a good one. They need a Chip Kelly-level hire. What has plagued the basketball program recently is that they have not had a solid foundation since the early part of Howland’s tenure. Though they should build that foundation with the new coach, fans have to understand that it will take a while for the Bruins to once again be competitive. As much as that hurts, because we all want immediate satisfaction, we have to wait for UCLA to be back in the national spotlight.
Look at what UCLA has been able to produce with their other coaches that have had set foundations for many seasons. UCLA gymnastics coach Valerie Kondos Field just won a National Championship last season and is on track to win another this year. Miss Val has created a solid infrstructure based on hard work, determination, and the ability to inspire her athletes.
Depsite being a few years removed from the 2013 Championship, UCLA baseball’s John Savage has been able to keep UCLA in the national picture. Though his squads have been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, his tenacity and ability to develop players has kept the Bruins competing year in and year out.
UCLA women’s soccer coach Amanda Cromwell won a title in her first season back in 2013. Since then, she has kept her Bruins playing at a high-level and even returned to the National Championship Game back in 2017, even though it ended in a loss, it was quite the monumental effort to get the Bruins back to that level. Still, Cromwell recruits, develops, and executes. This is her foundation that she sticks to and it continues to work for her.