UCLA coaching search ends with Jim L. Mora

As reported yesterday, UCLA was heavy in discussion with someone in Washington, but that person was not Steve Sarkisian. The UW football coach refuted reports of contact and a job offer made by the Bruins, and we now know this to be true.

Jim L. Mora will be announced the new coach of UCLA football, according to the Los Angeles Times and its sources.

Mora comes to UCLA with NFL coaching experience, previously employed by Atlanta and Seattle. He was terminated by the Seahawks after coaching just one season, and quickly replaced by Pete Carroll. Mora’s father, also Jim, served as a UCLA assistant in the 70s, but this is the first trip to the college ranks for his son.

Did UCLA snare the coach of its dreams? I doubt it, but I’m sure the feeling is mutual. Appearing on a Seattle radio show in 2006, the then Falcons coach informed the audience of his greatest coaching desire, which was far from the boundaries of Westwood.

We heard for ourselves how arrogant Young Jimbo could be when, on the eve of a vital game against Dallas, he went on Seattle radio and said his dream job was to coach the University of Washington. (When confronted with the tape of his words, Mora initially told folks he saw no reason to apologize. He came very close to being fired on the spot.) —Atlanta Journal Constitution

In regard to this hire, I guess we can say both UCLA and its new coach are ‘settling’.

[Los Angeles Times]