Score one for the internets and the folks at DumpDorrell! Brian Dohn, UCLA beat reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News reported this morning that UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has fired Karl Dorrell.
A press conference is scheduled for later this afternoon, but the release is already in the public domain. Guerrero remarks that, "at the end of the day, the focus has to be on results and I felt that a change was in the best interest for the future of our program."
In his official reaction, Dorrell politely thanked Guerrero for the opportunity and adds, "I am proud of what the program accomplished during my five years, especially in the areas of academics, citizenship and recruiting."
Of course, of the BCS gave points for academics, citizenship and recruiting, we'd be seeing Notre Dame versus Stanford in New Orleans.
Although it is not officially decided, Dohn also reports that Dorrell will be allowed to coach one more game as UCLA faces BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl.
After losing to USC in football and Texas in basketball over the weekend, Bruins Nation finally has something to be happy about.
Previously on FanHouse: Three Make UCLA Short List.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2007 @ 5:29PM
USCFAN said...
Dorrell doomed himself when he accepted a penalty that allowed USC to have another chance to score a TD instead of forcing them to kick a field goal....and they scored the TD!! Dumb decision making will doom a head coach every time.
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12-04-2007 @ 12:39AM
Bob said...
Karl Dorrell,
You have a lot of class, and you did the program well since you took over. Remember the shambles the program was in under Bob Toledo? Too bad you got a far more superior USC team in the same town and conference (but you did beat them once). UCLA Football is snake bitten (kind of like the former Red Sox curse). Even before you took over, how many National Championships has the football team won throughout the 60's, 70's, 80's 90's to now? It's not like UCLA had terrible players too. It seems the football program (and baseball program) has always had great players and very good teams but UCLA can never get over the hump and get that one perfect season. UCLA had their chance a few years ago (Cade McNown-the make up Miami game). The AD screwed that game up and flew the team to the east coast the day before instead of 48 hrs early before game time. UCLA lost the Miami game, and got clobbered in the Rose Bowl. Karl, whomever UCLA hires, will not be able to get it done and win it all. UCLA does not have the "It" like USC has.
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12-04-2007 @ 12:42AM
Bob said...
BTW-In Dorrell's 5 seasons, can anyone really picture & name who they had at QB?
UCLA does a terrible job on missing local prostpects at the QB position.
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12-04-2007 @ 1:39AM
Geraldo Cullen said...
Karl Dorrell worked long and hard as head coach of UCLA college football program. Congratulations to a
man of integrity, stedfastness and courage.
UCLA provided unfailing support during his tenure.
A major factor in dismissal was the unrelenting comparison with the success of USC.
Presently, if integrity was a big staff issue at USC
the program may be a headless white horse's rump.
Await developments.
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12-09-2007 @ 4:52PM
johnnie said...
Karl Dorrell's struggle to elevate the UCLA football program to the next level commendably represents the A Native Son 'Fighting Courageously In The Arena'. He has no reason to slump head and/or shoulders. And certainly, this scenario does not warrant the opportunity to play the 'race card'.
A man, and those who surround him, must acknowledge his limitations and move on once he does just that. Just as the slew of UCLA basketball coaches preceding the current Ben Howland akcnowledged their limitations in failng the 'Bruin Chemistry' test, Karl's successor will have to acknowledge his when reached and determine if it passes the alumni/fan/supporter/AD test. Truth be told, he overstayed his tenure ignoring obvious 'move-on' signals: 1.) inablility to implement his trump suit (offense) effectively for four years 2.) over-dependence on defense for game bail-outs, including the 13-9 USC victory 3.) timidity in taking fourth down risks 4.) failure of 'gadget play' success 5.) failure to establish a 'running game'. No need to continue with the obvious missing ingredients regardless of recruiting limitations imposed by high UCLA academic standards. Wooden showed that 'smart' beats 'strictly athletic' ten seasons.
Let's hope the next head UCLA football coach quickly reads the 'tea leaves' and gracefully bows-out when/if he reaches his limitations regardless of the public/private pain and humiliation associated with professional career transition.
Signed,
A Die Hard UCLA Alum ('74)
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