PAC 12

[asdfasdf]

It seems really strange to me that UCLA is so far behind the times in such a simple area too improve (travel). Is it a choice by the school? Does Cal berkley also travel coach?

[GGGG]

I don't think flying exclusively charter is as widespread as you think.  Regardless, I think it is representative of how UCLA has treated the basketball program.  They have historically been successful without that investment, why should they make it now?

[Cheeks]

UCLA does fly charter to some games, this idea that they never do is completely wrong.  Football mostly does charter, basketball on select trips.  Recruiting is not done through private jets, then again if you could land just Calif kids each year you will do very well.  They are a state school and as much as we are taxed to the hilt here (highest combined in the nation...local, state, property, fuel), the peeps here do not believe in taxes going for things like sports stadiums, paying head coaches on the public dime (which is why UC coaches pay historically has been crap from the portion coming from the state), and on things like travel.  The UC schools here got blasted about 20 some years ago for egregious budgeting on sports and since then there has been big changes.

Let us not forget Calif is very diverse from a college alumni perspective and in population in general.  It isn't provincial like other states.  If Bucky Badger or Alabama or Texas flagship aren't doing well, the state view it as the entire state is being devalued on the court or gridiron.  Calif....there are probably 25 D1 schools if I had to guess. At least 7 FBS programs and several FCS. There is no central rallying cry here to back one school with funding and all the niceties that one or two trick pony states have.  Completely different animal and it extends through the politics of money allocation here, facilities and so much more.

[Cheeks]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ucla-alford-plaschke-20181231-story.html

Take Plaschke with a grain of salt....he is brutal here locally.  He will back a coach up until the day he is fired and then tell you how he never liked the guy.  He is always pining for massive expenditures on stadiums, etc, and the bitches about ticket costs and food prices as if not to recognize the two are 100% linked.  This town since Jim Murray and Scott Osteller are gone, is without quality sports columnists.

He also overstates the charter stuff, his own paper talks of UCLA chartering to games especially in football.  He is dead on right about the Pac 12 Network and TV deal, but a 1st grader knows that out here.

[GGGG]

And people want to know why UCLA has fallen behind?  Chicos' post is full of evidence why.

1. Why fly private jets to recruit even though most other schools do it?  Because you only have to recruit locally!!!  I mean, why have a national profile if you can do well with just kids from LA!!!

2.  We are a public university and therefore can't afford it.  I mean, those other public universities do it, but not us...

3.  We are more sophisticated than the rest of the country anyway.

California might be the most isolated, self-important state in the union.  And UCLA basketball is symbolic of that.

[Herman Cain]

Take Plaschke with a grain of salt....he is brutal here locally.  He will back a coach up until the day he is fired and then tell you how he never liked the guy.  He is always pining for massive expenditures on stadiums, etc, and the bitches about ticket costs and food prices as if not to recognize the two are 100% linked.  This town since Jim Murray and Scott Osteller are gone, is without quality sports columnists.

He also overstates the charter stuff, his own paper talks of UCLA chartering to games especially in football.  He is dead on right about the Pac 12 Network and TV deal, but a 1st grader knows that out here.

UCLA is still a great job and there will be a line around the block who will want it. The bottom line is top level recruits will always have the school on their short list. However, to compete at the highest levels in D1 sports  a coaching staff has to be engaged 24/7/365. In this case Coach Alford wasn't doing that , and so despite getting top recruits, the wheels are starting to come off the wagon. I am fairly confident that with the right coach UCLA will be back to Elite 8, Final 4 type status quickly.

[79Warrior]

And people want to know why UCLA has fallen behind?  Chicos' post is full of evidence why.

1. Why fly private jets to recruit even though most other schools do it?  Because you only have to recruit locally!!!  I mean, why have a national profile if you can do well with just kids from LA!!!

2.  We are a public university and therefore can't afford it.  I mean, those other public universities do it, but not us...

3.  We are more sophisticated than the rest of the country anyway.

California might be the most isolated, self-important state in the union.  And UCLA basketball is symbolic of that.

California now has the world's 5th largest economy. California's economy has surpassed that of the United Kingdom to become the world's fifth largest, according to new federal data . California's gross domestic product rose by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017, surpassing $2.7 trillion.

Sultan, like California or not, the state is a juggernaut. The state is hardly isolated. You may not like the politics, that is your issue. It is also home to some of the very best research universities in the country, and UCLA is one of them. 

[Cheeks]

And people want to know why UCLA has fallen behind?  Chicos' post is full of evidence why.

1. Why fly private jets to recruit even though most other schools do it?  Because you only have to recruit locally!!!  I mean, why have a national profile if you can do well with just kids from LA!!!

2.  We are a public university and therefore can't afford it.  I mean, those other public universities do it, but not us...

3.  We are more sophisticated than the rest of the country anyway.

California might be the most isolated, self-important state in the union.  And UCLA basketball is symbolic of that.

California is a giant turd bowl.  16 months, 8 days left...tick tock tick tock.  Last one almost out of high school.  What once was the greatest state in the union now is number 1 in poverty, #44 in education and the highest taxation in the last...and more people leaving than coming for over a decade. Good times.  Ah yes, good good good times.

Do you have evidence that most schools fly private jets?  UCLA doesn't have to only recruit locally, but if they landed the local kids they would be fantastic.  A number of Alford's recruits he landed were not local.  He had 7 NBA first rounders, and four top 10 recruiting classes. 

Flying private isn't an issue for recruiting at UCLA, they are landing great recruiting classes regardless, so your point is lost on this one. They have consistently had great recruiting classes for years, so the private jet for them is a red herring.  For other programs, yes they need it.  UCLA doesn't. I'm sure they would take it, but it hasn't slowed them a bit in recruiting as evidenced below.  Several years left out because only had 1 recruit in class, as an example.  247 rankings.

2018 class ranked 6th
2017 class ranked 5th
2016 class ranked 11th
2015 class ranked 24th
2014 class ranked 7th
2013 class ranked 12th
2012 class ranked 2nd
2009 class ranked 5th
2008 class ranked 3rd
2004 class ranked 7th


SOME other public universities do it, but they also have different state legislatures, different policies and different emphasis on sports. Alabama's entire state pride is linked to a flagship football program...think about that for a second. They are not alone. Not the case in California, not close.  Much bigger priorities and fish to fry

Calif thinks it is more sophisticated, but the folks that run this state have run it into the ground the last 20 years. It is a monumental joke saved each year by high tech.  No argument there.  Sadly, how California goes the nation eventually goes.  Sadly.

[GGGG]

California now has the world's 5th largest economy. California's economy has surpassed that of the United Kingdom to become the world's fifth largest, according to new federal data . California's gross domestic product rose by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017, surpassing $2.7 trillion.

Sultan, like California or not, the state is a juggernaut. The state is hardly isolated. You may not like the politics, that is your issue. It is also home to some of the very best research universities in the country, and UCLA is one of them. 

It is culturally isolated from the rest of the US.  The rest of your post is irrelevant to the point.

[Cheeks]

UCLA is still a great job and there will be a line around the block who will want it. The bottom line is top level recruits will always have the school on their short list. However, to compete at the highest levels in D1 sports  a coaching staff has to be engaged 24/7/365. In this case Coach Alford wasn't doing that , and so despite getting top recruits, the wheels are starting to come off the wagon. I am fairly confident that with the right coach UCLA will be back to Elite 8, Final 4 type status quickly.

I agree.  Plaschke is the one saying the job sucks, but Plaschke always talks like that.  The recruiting is fine, the talent in the area is off the charts, great academic school, perfect weather.  Sure, expectations are high, but so what.  Great job for the RIGHT kind of coach, and that does mean most coaches aren't going to fit.  LA is a town that worships actors and other hucksters with the right charisma salesmanship.  I can't stand it, but that's the town pedigree and that is no different in athletics.  Many of the sports there are no expectations, but there are for the Dodgers, Lakers, USC football, UCLA basketball.  Everything else is arrive 45 minutes late, leave 30 minutes early, make sure the photo is taken with the wine and cheese...Oh who are those blue and gold people on the field with lightening bolts on their helmets...but that's the way it is. 

USC has the number 2 basketball recruiting class in the nation next year and if you asked 100 Angelinos, 100 of them would have no idea.

https://247sports.com/college/usc/Season/2019-Basketball/Commits/

Even when Howland was winning, the locals hated HOW he was winning...they were playing defense and that's boring to local intelligentsia. When he ran into controversy, they couldn't wait to pile on and get him out.

Right type of coach would do well here.  Alford never that guy, didn't have success in the past.  If Pitino wasn't so tainted, he would be very high on the list.  Coach Cal would work here.  Luke Walton might.  You have to win, and you have to do it the way they want....flash and sizzle.

[Cheeks]

California now has the world's 5th largest economy. California's economy has surpassed that of the United Kingdom to become the world's fifth largest, according to new federal data . California's gross domestic product rose by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017, surpassing $2.7 trillion.

Sultan, like California or not, the state is a juggernaut. The state is hardly isolated. You may not like the politics, that is your issue. It is also home to some of the very best research universities in the country, and UCLA is one of them.

California has had a top 8 economy in the world for the last 40 years, but many of the things this state used to do well, we no longer do well and the stats show it. Very sad.

[Newsdreams]

In before the lock as Cheeks makes it political

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

In before the lick as Cheeks makes it political

Is this a new Scoop policy for 2019?

[4everwarriors]

Is there a story behind why UCLA teams fly coach? I've seen it mentioned numerous times, but no explanation is given.

Fookin' SWA besides, hey?

[4everwarriors]

In before the lick as Cheeks makes it political

Depends hoos doin' da lickin', hey?

[Herman Cain]

I agree.  Plaschke is the one saying the job sucks, but Plaschke always talks like that.  The recruiting is fine, the talent in the area is off the charts, great academic school, perfect weather.  Sure, expectations are high, but so what.  Great job for the RIGHT kind of coach, and that does mean most coaches aren't going to fit.  LA is a town that worships actors and other hucksters with the right charisma salesmanship.  I can't stand it, but that's the town pedigree and that is no different in athletics.  Many of the sports there are no expectations, but there are for the Dodgers, Lakers, USC football, UCLA basketball.  Everything else is arrive 45 minutes late, leave 30 minutes early, make sure the photo is taken with the wine and cheese...Oh who are those blue and gold people on the field with lightening bolts on their helmets...but that's the way it is. 

USC has the number 2 basketball recruiting class in the nation next year and if you asked 100 Angelinos, 100 of them would have no idea.

https://247sports.com/college/usc/Season/2019-Basketball/Commits/

Even when Howland was winning, the locals hated HOW he was winning...they were playing defense and that's boring to local intelligentsia. When he ran into controversy, they couldn't wait to pile on and get him out.

Right type of coach would do well here.  Alford never that guy, didn't have success in the past.  If Pitino wasn't so tainted, he would be very high on the list.  Coach Cal would work here.  Luke Walton might.  You have to win, and you have to do it the way they want....flash and sizzle.

CBB:
For many years I was a generalist Investment Banker and at one point did about 75 percent of my business in California. Represented all of the great industries of the state such as entertainment/media, aerospace/defense, agriculture, technology and real estate. Really got to know the inner working of the different regions of the state.

You are very correct about the personality of LA, which is very distinct, they love the glitz. We used to do all our LA road show luncheons at Jimmy's,  a restaurant  in Beverly Hills that was well known back in the day for celebrities.  The investors  who bought the securities loved it when someone like Pat Riley,  Jamaal Wilkes or Gail Goodrich  walked in. UCLA fits into all of this because the school is located on the edge of  Bel Aire where all the prominent and elite live. 

If you go to the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica there is a giant photograph of John Wooden displayed very prominently, the environment there , private club overlooking the pacific, is sort of a microcosm of what UCLA is all about. 

[GGGG]

If you go to the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica there is a giant photograph of John Wooden displayed very prominently, the environment there , private club overlooking the pacific, is sort of a microcosm of what UCLA is all about. 

Exactly.  And that's the problem.

[79Warrior]

It is culturally isolated from the rest of the US.  The rest of your post is irrelevant to the point.

Thank you.

[MU82]

Most high level teams used to.  Other programs have invested in charter jets (like Marquette), but UCLA simply hasn't.

If people still think this is an elite job, read this from the LA Times.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ucla-alford-plaschke-20181231-story.html

"I never thought I would write this, but the stark reality is that coaching the UCLA men's basketball team is not a great job.

Your bosses seem to care more about football. Your arena sits mostly quiet and half-empty. Your recruiting efforts rarely benefit from the legend of John Wooden because most of today's prospects have never heard of him.

You don't have the amenities of a Kansas or Kentucky, where every road trip is on a chartered plane and where the coaches recruit from private jets. You mostly fly commercial, which affects everything from practice schedules to body clocks.

You don't have the national exposure of a North Carolina or Duke, where every game is played in a full arena. You play home games that are scheduled at 6 p.m. during the middle of the week because of the enduring embarrassment of the Pac-12 Conference's TV deal, and your players are virtually unknown because of the sham that is the Pac-12 Network.

The ticket prices at new Pauley Pavilion are too high. The local perception of the program is shockingly low. The school's support of the program has lagged such that when the Bruins traveled to Dayton, Ohio, for an NCAA Tournament play-in game last March, the pep band didn't even make the trip.

In ways that stretch far beyond the current 23-year national championship drought — the longest since before Wooden stepped on campus — the reality is as chilling as the malaise that often runs through Pauley when the team occupies the floor.

UCLA basketball is no longer UCLA basketball."

That is an outstanding piece of writing, and it is an amazing look at what once was THE most storied basketball program in the country.

There are so many great jobs ... what great coach needs that headache?

[Cheeks]

If you go to the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica there is a giant photograph of John Wooden displayed very prominently, the environment there , private club overlooking the pacific, is sort of a microcosm of what UCLA is all about.

Some of my colleagues are members of the JC in Santa Monica.  Not my cup of tea to spend that kind of jack, plus I don't live in that area to make it work my while.  Though I've lived here a good chunk of my life, I was raised by two midwesterners and almost everyone I work with believes I'm not from L.A.  Just not my scene, never has been, but been around long enough to know how it all works.  People love the sizzle here.  It's all about the sizzle.

Where I disagree with Sultan, who is in Indiana and doesn't live out this way or experience day to day, UCLA can be very successful but they need to have the right kind of coach.  What UCLA is about isn't a "problem" unless you aren't smart enough to know what kind of coach to captain the ship with.  UCLA's problem is not identifying the right type of coach.  It's only a "problem" for UCLA if they continue to force someone that will be rejected by the masses from day one as an outsider.  There are guys that can do this job, the recruiting is practically on auto-pilot, but you need the front man. 

[Cheeks]

It is culturally isolated from the rest of the US.  The rest of your post is irrelevant to the point.

Arizona, Oregon, Nevada used to say that, all part of the same block now. Colorado next. As California goes, so does the nation....eventually. Just a matter of time.

[GGGG]

Not sure how that is relevant to UCLA basketball, but good for you!

[GooooMarquette]

ND sucks.

[Cheeks]

That is an outstanding piece of writing, and it is an amazing look at what once was THE most storied basketball program in the country.

There are so many great jobs ... what great coach needs that headache?

UCLA's football has to get fixed, which is why they are "caring" more about football.  The fact of the matter is that Casey Wasserman is the one doing the caring and footing the bill.  When you play in a 100K seat stadium and are not very good, plus 10 miles away is one of the historical college football juggernauts you have to either play ball or not.

In terms of national relevance, playing on the west coast hurts them due to the time difference, especially in a game like basketball. For football, games are played during the day on Saturdays, east coast can watch and distribute.  East coast and Midwestern folk are not staying up late to watch college hoops. In fact, if you look at even NBA the Golden State Warriors ratings on weekdays is pretty average compared to bad NBA teams that play in the east...geography / timezone matter.

His pep band comment is dumb.  If I recall, UCLA was entering their finals week as they are on a quarter system so they didn't travel.  When I was Asst. NCAA Tournament Director in Milwaukee 1999, two schools didn't bring their band....it happens.

Nothing they can do about Pac 12 Network until the thing is purchased by a broadcaster, and as far as I know it isn't for sale....at the moment.  As an alum of Kansas....there is nothing....literally NOTHING to do in Lawrence from Dec to March but go to a KU basketball game.  In LA, there are 1000's of things to do, daily.

[Heisenberg]

Last night during the UCLA/Stanford telecast, ESPN was promoting a leading candidate for the UCLA job ... Barack Obama!

I like it.

Side note

Bill Walton has really lost it.  He is a non-stop babbling of incoherent stream of consciousness thoughts. 

He needs to be put out to pasture.