I NEVER did remember to ask newly named UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel if he was an altar boy but we know he wasn’t one in first two coaching stints. But does “Slick Rick,” as he was dubbed, really belong in the same category as Jackie Sherrill?
Colorado was placed on probation for recruiting violations after Neuheisel left for Washington. This wasn’t the $10,000 in an Emory Air Freight variety of infraction, rather the calling recruits outside of NCAA sanctioned time.
He was fired by Washington, the gig he left Colorado for, for lying about participating in an NCAA Tournament pool. First of all, Washington enforcement personnel had previously issued an in-house memo that allowed such conduct.
Neuheisel won a settlement for his termination. All those who have never participated in an NCAA Tournament pool take one step forward. Anyone? Anyone?
Didn’t think so.
“I made some mistakes in judgment,” said Neuheisel. “I was young and I wanted it now. I tried to outwork and outhustle everyone else. But I promise, I will never do anything that doesn’t bring honor to UCLA.”
Time will if Neuheisel has learned from his mistakes or if he’s just saying that right things. Neuheisel would be a fool to foul up this gig. He was once UCLA’s golden boy. He arrived at Westwood as a walk-on and by the time he was a senior, he was the starter.
“I’m a college football junkie,” said Neuheisel. “I remember watching Michigan-Ohio State and then UCLA-Southern Cal. Those games decided the season. Michigan-Ohio State still does. I want UCLA-USC to be a day of reckoning in college football.”
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Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis tells The Post that the Irish will be significantly better next season for three reasons. Because the Irish weren’t bowl eligible, he started the team’s strength and conditioning program eight days after the end of the season.
Second of all, all of the Notre Dame players that needed surgical procedures had them done. He expects them to be ready for spring ball. And Weis is bringing in his third straight Top 10 recruiting class.