Karl Dorrell's Time Is Up

As much as I may get upset over a given UCLA loss here and there, I've never been the type to call for a coach's firing before he's actually been given a fair shake to turn things around. In the case of football coach Karl Dorrell, I've given him the benefit of the doubt the last several years, mostly because I understand that to turn around a football program, it takes a lot longer than say a basketball program where one recruit can change a team's fortunes in an instant. In football, it takes a foundation, an attitude and the establishment of a climate of confidence. USC isn't only good because of the recruits they attract, but also because Pete Carroll makes those guys believe they are going to win every time they step onto the field. And if you know me, you know how much it pains me to have written the previous sentence. But it's the truth. And it's the fundamental reason why things such as Utah 44, UCLA 6 continue to happen in Dorrell's fifth season as head coach of the Bruins. Karl Dorrell simply doesn't inspire confidence. It's a personality thing. And if he doesn't have it now, he'll never have it. That's reality. Now don't get me wrong, Dorrell seems to be a good person and quality human being, but unfortunately that alone isn't enough to warrant sticking around. The Utah loss was a debacle to end all debacles. We are five years into the "experiment" and now's the time when results should be consistent. Utah puts us back in Year 1. If there were a simple explanation, it might be easier to take. But this embarrassment came so out of nowhere that the shockwaves that were created will not soon dissipate. A few years ago, UCLA was 8-0 and went to Arizona and lost, 52-14. At the time, we were told this was an aberration and that it was a stepping stone to greater things, and that to remember that the Bruins were 8-0 after all. It would surely get better from here. Well it didn't. They finished 2-2 that year and that led to 7-6 last season. This, of course, came after 6-7 in 2003, 6-6 in 2004 and bowl losses to Fresno State and Wyoming to boot. And after what happened in Salt Lake City last Saturday against an 0-2 team without its starting quarterback, running back, top receiver and top two tight ends, it's time to try something new. Now I know UCLA won't fire its coach midseason, it's simply not the style in Westwood, but when this year ends, A.D. Dan Guerrero needs to do something bold. I'm not holding my breath though.