UCLA needs to instill the passion again that Jim Mora Jr. brought

The year is 2011 and it is approaching the end of the year heading into 2012. UCLA announces they are hiring Jim Mora Jr. This can’t be right, fans said. Other than being a graduate assistant for one year in college at Washington this guy has no experience as a college coach. How is he going to handle recruiting and beating out other schools to get these guys? He is an NFL coach and one that flamed out and been out of a job for over two years.

Mora Jr. quickly put those arguments to rest really quickly by immediately going to work. He landed the 18th best recruiting class, which was a far cry from Rick Neuheisel’s last season that was around the 50th ranked class. Turning that into a 9-5 season in his first year as coach and regaining the Victory Bell with a 38-28 win over USC. In a game where Anthony Barr completely changed the career trajectory of Matt Barkley.

The recruiting class continued to get better in 2013 as Mora Jr. had UCLA up to the seventh ranked class. This was one of the highest recruiting classes that the Bruins have been able to land. Led by the number one player in the state of California in Eddie Vanderdoes. This led to UCLA returning to a double digit winning season at 10-3 with another win over crosstown rival USC. Paired with a drubbing of Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl of a 42-12 score.

2014 turned out to be the 18th best recruiting class but some very good four-star recruits in Jaleel Wadood, Adarius Pickett and Kolton Miller. UCLA would again win double digit games and go 10-3 again. This was seen as a big deal as UCLA rarely wins double digit games in back-to-back seasons. This was seen as an integral season as UCLA was predicted by some to make the playoff. But it came crashing down when they had a bad showing in the PAC 12 title game losing to Stanford 31-10 at the Rose Bowl.

The 2014 season was the beginning of the end of Mora Jr. in UCLA. As the team fell to 8-5 in the 2015 season. Not living up to expectations of having playoff hopes. The next two seasons in 2016 and 2017 would be marred by injuries and personal life leading to a 9-14 record and Mora Jr’s. dismissal.

Despite the last two seasons of his coaching career with the Bruins. The trajectory was changed for the school. From no hope to playoff chances. Mora Jr. exceeded expectations that were given to him at the start of his tenure. He won ranked games and had the Rose Bowl packed with 75,000 fans. Something we have not seen in at least 10 years. He also was a pretty funny character on the sidelines.

UCLA needs to get back to giving the fans hope. If you show that you are committed to winning the fans will be there. The narrative of being far away from campus will end. We have seen it. Swing for the fences UCLA, hire that coach that will come in and work. Not one that will use UCLA as a stepping stone to get to another job. Open the wallet and bring winning football back and you can create something special again.