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I'm surprised nobody has commented on this. Yesterday during the second half of the A&M/Penn St. game Craig James while commenting on Neuheisel taking the UCLA job made the statement "that I've been in contact with Rick Neuheisel 3-4 times over the last month". James had a glowing report on Neuheisel and said it was the best hire by any school during this off-season. Could this be confirmation that James was in some way involved in the SMU Coaching search? Why would Craig James contact a Baltimore Ravens assistant Coach 3-4 times over the last month? Sounds like Neuheisal was James' choice at SMU

Not a bad choice. Too bad it did not work out. Wonder if he has a back up.

I thought about that when I heard it but then figured that he probably has contact with a lot of coaches because of his position in broadcasting. May be that he was helping pursue,however, which would bolster the belief that RN was not interested in SMU, and we did not ignore him.

... which would bolster the beleif that RN was not interested in SMU, and we did not ignore him.

Mrydel - I think you hit the nail on the head.

I heard it as well. Orsini stated a while back, that James has been involved in the process.

If RN was not interested in the SMU job due to our Model, CJ should communicate that to the SMU faithful.

That is the only way to effect change.

Then you have ESPN's Mark May who repeatedly called this move by UCLA very questionable and that the Bruins would be on probation in 3 years.

Again, I'm just relaying May's opinion for those who missed it.

SoCal_Pony wrote:If RN was not interested in the SMU job due to our Model, CJ should communicate that to the SMU faithful.

That is the only way to effect change.

Before we are critical of ourselves, RN is an Bruin alum. I am sure UCLA has always been his choice, when returning to college.

NavyCrimson wrote:

... which would bolster the beleif that RN was not interested in SMU, and we did not ignore him.

Mrydel - I think you hit the nail on the head.

Yup.

Stallion wrote:I'm surprised nobody has commented on this. Yesterday during the second half of the A&M/Penn St. game Craig James while commenting on Neuheisel taking the UCLA job made the statement "that I've been in contact with Rick Neuheisel 3-4 times over the last month". James had a glowing report on Neuheisel and said it was the best hire by any school during this off-season. Could this be confirmation that James was in some way involved in the SMU Coaching search? Why would Craig James contact a Baltimore Ravens assistant Coach 3-4 times over the last month? Sounds like Neuheisal was James' choice at SMU

He has been involved. My understanding is that he is back in full support of the program.

mrydel wrote:I thought about that when I heard it but then figured that he probably has contact with a lot of coaches because of his position in broadcasting. May be that he was helping pursue,however, which would bolster the belief that RN was not interested in SMU, and we did not ignore him.

We were NOT interested in him.

well I'm pretty sure James wanted him-he thought it was the best hire of the entire season

i think we were screwed as soon as UCLA fired Dorell. how can you turn down your alma mater in the Pac10 for a 1-11 program in C-USA?

Stallion wrote:I'm surprised nobody has commented on this. Yesterday during the second half of the A&M/Penn St. game Craig James while commenting on Neuheisel taking the UCLA job made the statement "that I've been in contact with Rick Neuheisel 3-4 times over the last month". James had a glowing report on Neuheisel and said it was the best hire by any school during this off-season. Could this be confirmation that James was in some way involved in the SMU Coaching search? Why would Craig James contact a Baltimore Ravens assistant Coach 3-4 times over the last month? Sounds like Neuheisal was James' choice at SMU

Any news about college football would be worth CJ reporting. Don't get it twisted. CJ has nothing to do with this search or University.

Orsini said specifically that James was involved in the search when he was involved in that DMN chat in November.