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Bob Connelly to UCLA

Former Tide O-line coach Bob Connelly has been hired for the same position at UCLA:

"Bob is an outstanding communicator and teacher," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said in a release. "He produced all-league performers at both Washington State and Alabama. I think he will bring a level of energy and expertise that will be a great fit for the young men in our program."

Now I know that plenty of calls for Connelly's head have been made here and elsewhere, but this actually makes a lot of sense for the Bruins and I really believe that he'll be far more successful out there than he did here in the SEC. So for the benefit of our friends out west, here are a few pros and cons on Connelly.

Pros:

  1. Connelly came to Alabama with Mike Price from Washington State, so he's returning to the Pac-10 where he had plenty of success before.
  2. His blocking schemes were designed more for a spread offense instead of the pro-style attack Shula ran, a big reason his lines performed so terribly here but reasonably well at Washington State.
  3. I have a sneaking suspicion that the ridiculous personell decisions on the line were more Shula's doings than Connelly's, playing younger (and less talented) guys for the sake of continuity into the next season.
  4. He's considered an excellent recruiter, being named to the Rivals Top 25 list of recruiters in 2005.
Cons:
  1. When it was apparent his blocking schemes weren't working, he did nothing to change them.
  2. As much crap as we've given Chris Capps, at some point the blame needs to go to the position coach for not teaching him what he's doing wrong and taking steps to rectify it.  Again, part of that may be that Shula insisted Capps was the starter even though Capps just couldn't do better, but I think a good line coach could have shown him how to at least hold his hands so that the defense couldn't guess if it was a run or pass play based solely on him.
  3. Either he felt like his line and schemes here were sufficiently effective (which makes him an idiot) or he just didn't care if his players were performing on the field because Shula apparently had no inclination to fire him (which makes him lazy and not the kind of guy you want on your staff).  Either way, it doesn't speak well of him.
Honestly, I feel like this is a good move for the Bruins.  I think Connelly and his schemes and coaching will work better at UCLA than they did here, and want to wish him luck at his new job.  As much as I didn't like the guy here, he's another victim of the past decade at Alabama, moving across country with a coach that would be fired shortly thereafter and sticking around for another that was essentially a glorified (and highly paid) babysitter for the program.  So best of luck to you, Coach Connelly, I hope you get your career back on track with UCLA.

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BYE BYE BOB
I am glad he got another position beacuse that mean the UNIVERSITY does not have to keep paying him.  I am sure his crap techniques will work out west where footabll is less physical up front.  I saw all I need to know about his coaching.  ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tubs sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!

by BAMA PHREAK on Feb 15, 2007 11:56 AM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gee, Tide, thanks, I guess
I'm one of many Bruins who hope that Coach Connelly will work out.  I'm not sure from the pros and cons that it will happen.  It looks like another lackluster hire for Coach Dorrell (who truly makes Coach Shula look like a genius.)  

For the Bruins' sake, I hope Coach Dorrell leaves.  For the Tide's sake, I hope he takes over at Auburn.

by Fox 71 on Feb 15, 2007 2:36 PM CST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know...
...at least Dorrell has beaten your main rival once.

by Todd on Feb 15, 2007 3:23 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True
I know what the Auburn game means to you guys, so I know what you're going through.  But you know the saying about a blind hog and an acorn.  We hit sc (no Bruin capitalizes those letters) when they were flatter than a pancake and looking past us, and our defense played the best game of the century.  (This is the same D that gave up 44 to Florida State in some bowl game that's so pathetic I can't even remember it's name.)

Nevertheless, I sure remember the game against sc.  I hope you get off the schneid against Auburn soon.  Hey -- Dorrell might just be the guy who could pull this off!  Why don't you make him an offer he can't refuse!

by Fox 71 on Feb 15, 2007 11:06 PM CST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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