This is the first in a series of coaching candidate breakdowns scoring each candidate out of 10 points in the likelyhood that he would be a good, solid fit to become the next football coach at UCLA.
According to Martin Jarmond, athletic director at UCLA, a committee would oversee the hiring process and concentrate on a number of important factors. According to expectations from the university's athletic department, the next coach must "see the vision to take UCLA to the playoffs" and possess the "attitude and the skills to see it through."
Although a comprehensive list of ten distinct criteria is not an official part of the hiring process, the following aspects are likely to be considered throughout the selection process, based on Jarmond's prior remarks and the expectations of major donors and loyal fans of the program.
Criteria No. 1
The development of student athletes both on and off the field is emphasized in player development and is one of the criteria that will be considered. Programs like Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee have had success on the football field of late, but have had violations issued to them from the NCAA, and or have had off-field issues with various student athletes from their football program. Say what you want about UCLA's football program, they have put a big emphasis on their players' conduct off the field, with few exceptions, and the football program has not been issued violations from the NCAA in recent years, unlike some other football programs.
Criteria No. 2
The ability and potential to be a "great recruiter" and completely embrace the NIL landscape for all its benefits, obstacles, hurdles, and faults, to draw in top-talent student athletes to Westwood. Given UCLA's wanting to not only compete but win in the Big Ten Conference, this is very important. Recruiting is not easy for any potential UCLA head football coach, but the program has more resources than the national media is portraying them as having.
Criteria No. 3
Proven head coaching success is not a deal breaker for becoming the next head coach, but after the coaching tenure of DeShaun Foster, who did not have prior Division One head coaching experience prior to being the Bruins' head coach, makes the criteria more of a priority. Finding a coach with a history of high-level success as a head coach is an important criteria in this coaching search.
Criteria No. 4
Knowledge of the Big Ten landscape is important. Having coaching experience in the conference and having a solid grasp of the West Coast recruiting landscape are both huge advantages, but are not deal breakers in selecting a new head coach. However, having been a coach and or former player in the Big Ten is a plus, as well as showing the ability to be successful on the West Coast and being able to have defeated Big Ten teams as a coach.
Criteria No. 5
A defensive or offensive identity as a football coach and having the proof to back it up. A coach capable of competing in the Big Ten with a modern, well-defined plan for either a high powered offense and or a solid, well-defined defense is a big crieria that UCLA may consider in selecting their new head coach.
Criteria No. 6
Player and staff management is important for the next head coach. The capacity to oversee the program and assemble a unified and productive coaching staff, especially amongst your offensive and defensive coordinators, is a must. Developing players from being true freshmen to productive players as upperclassmen is important, and developing depth on both the offense and defense lines is critical.
Criteria No. 7
Donor relations and fundraising are key for an athletic department struggling to be financially sound. The importance of interacting with supporters and the university community to obtain financial support for the program is important to long-term success in this NIL era.
Criteria No. 8
Relationship to UCLA and the university. Although not a must, a candidate who has a close relationship with the history and culture of the university may be viewed favorably. A former player/student or a former coach at UCLA can be seen as a plus but not a must.
Criteria No. 9
Being able to handle coaching in a big media market. A coach capable of managing the publicity that accompany being a college head coach in Los Angeles is something that a coach should be able to handle. Not a major criteria, but one to look at being looking at candidates to hire to become the Bruin's next head football coach.
Criteria No. 10
What is their relationship with UCLA. For example, were you a defensive coordinator for the Bruins and then took the same coaching position at your rival school? Not having a relationship with UCLA is not going to deter the University from hiring a candidate, but having not a good relationship due to past decisions and actions may.
All in all, some in the national media is throwing out names of candidates who have little to no chance of becoming the new head coach at UCLA. The advice may be to listen to local or media outlets who cover UCLA football exclusivity due to them knowing more about what UCLA is looking for a coach as opposed to some national media outlets who are not aware of what the university is looking for in their new coach.
This week we will go over individual possible coaching candidates and see where they score on the 0-10 cretieria scale that we have created.