Or its an indication that media folks get (upset) if a coach doesn't answer their question the way they want it answered. Sorry, IMHO it cuts both ways.

*This post was edited for language

I just finally went and watched and Dorrell's snipe at you guys was... a bit understated as my expectations were high from all the hype about it.

But I really like one thing that you said.... you can get away with stuff like that night and day if you're WINNING. So let's see him go hang a "W" in Corvallis and then maybe he earns a pass.

Brian,
I saw the comments made by CKD and was not put off by that answer. I don't know enough to know who asked the question, but my sense is that from time to time, all sides of the equation have thin skins - due to time pressures, having to do jobs even when questions raise hackles, etc., and this was one of those times. As to your other points, I cannot comment, but I do find CKD generally open to honestly answering all questions put to him. Sometimes the answers are not satisfactory and sometimes the questions are really elementary. Having said that, I enjoy tremendously your take on all that entails Bruin sports!
bc

Dorrell's snip about Football 101 came across as though he can't take the pressure of the negative press he's been getting. It was the first sign of a crack in the dam.

what a load of crap! you didn't like his response - too bad. his is not to give you the responses you want. like he approves of everything you write about him.

John,

Don't apologize (tongue-in-cheek or not). This blog is for everyone, and for an exchange of ideas. I thought this Football 101 thing was worthy of a separate post because it has grabbed so much attention.
I don't think it is the end-all, be-all of what is going on within the program, but if things do not work out for Dorrell at the end of this season, I think it will be a hot-button issue.

BruinDen,

No, he doesn't like everything I write. But one thing he can never tell me is I wasn't professional. I can say that about him in regards to a few things.

Brian, let me first say that I have a ton of respect for you, and you do a great job. You always have been professional and fair to the program. This blog is EXCELLENT, and my #1 source for UCLA sports info.

That said, this blog entry seems personal, and mentioning a number of incidents throughout Dorrell's history seems a little cheap. NONE of those incidents are a big deal to me, a fan. I don't blame Dorrell for being a little ornry with the media, especially early in hi career.

Brian, sometimes a coach gets short with the questions. Did you watch the recording of the telecast? At halftime KD was so mad it was all he could do to stand there and answer pretty obvious (but legitimate) issues; he just wanted to get to the locker room and lay into the team.

I think the question asked was legitimate - your job is inform us about what's going on. Of course all the Xs and Os would bore a lot of folks to death so tho the questions may seem basic at times, they're legit. I think it's a small thing but if it shows that Karl Dorrell is frustrated with this team and a bit thin-skinned, I'm actually quite happy about that - this particular group is a bunch of great kids but they NEED to be driven (as shown by their responses to some pretty heavy talks at halftime at both BYU and Washington. You too are right to point it out but I think it's not a big issue - it's been discussed; let it go and move on. As you said, the focus is on recruiting and the results as seen on the field.

I don't think you guys get it. KD plays in a town in which media coverage is dominated by SC - in part because they are so strong right now and in part because they actually know how to relate to the press. UCLA desparately needs media coverage to maintain fan interest. Here we have a situation where a reporter is begging to write a story about the team and wants an angle to make it interesting. That's his job to decide what might make it interesting to fans, not KD's, and chances are he is better at that. He is there to help KD in that sense. The questions were designed to help KD say something interesting and semi intelligent about the upcoming opponent (i.e, more interesting than "[t]hey're good". The questions were not offensive or antagonistic in any way whatsoever. This is his opportunity to for free advertising. KD's response "Tsk! Like you guys would know!" What the bleep is that?

None of you people defending him here on this point should ever ever complain again if UCLA doesn't get media coverage as favorable as the trojies.

Also, the media constitutes the fans window into the program. This bizarre hostility to simple and inoffensive questions probably reflects his attitude toward the fan base in general. Note to KD: You are not curing cancer or saving the world from aliens. This is entertainment. If you don't want media coverage, go coach pee wee football.

Not that I care, as I think this whole issue is totally overblown. But, I think some of the quips you published in your paper have been unprofessional regarding this whole ordeal. For example, the note about the Football 401.

Articles like that belong in the Editorial section.

By the way, I think you would make a great editorial columnist ... not that Simers and Plashke provide much competition in this area.

It's funny how many media folks get all butt-hurt when a coach cracks back. If you don't like it find another job.

Brian - I think you make a fair point re: Dorrell's inability / refusal to adequately carry out the PR / messaging portion of his job. It IS part of being the head coach of a major college program. Your examples of his insistance on going into "shell mode" when important questions are asked speaks volumes, IMO.

As you point out, it would be one thing if his teams came out focused and ready after his media blackouts, but they do not. The Florida State game was a disaster from that perspective. All he talked about (when he finally DID talk) was how important it was for the team to win the bowl game. Yet when it's time to take the field, HIS TEAM WAS NOT READY TO PLAY.

How many times does this have to happen before he gets held accountable? Is he hearing ANYTHING from his boss on this - since "firing out" was one of the specific requirements cited by our esteemed AD at the time of Dorrell's hire?

Brian,
thanks for putting your take on this in there, even though you are a beat reporter and not a columnist. I think it's good that you wrote on this, and that you cited other examples, so that this wasn't a one-time thing where Coach Dorrell falls short. and what's bothersome is this is his fifth year.

and of all the places to restrict players from talking the media, I thought we were supposed to have athletes who are usually brighter than normal. plus am i right that, if he wants, or maybe it's policy, that a player can have a sports information person present with interviews?

okay, all that being said, I still support him as the coach and want him to succeed. But I also want him to grow, and I think he has in many parts of being a coach, but there are still some things I want to see addressed by this season's end.

Way to go Brian! I like the way you are telling it like it is. If Dorrell can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! Maybe once he gets fired by UCLA, Dorrell can get a real job and quit complaining. I hear there will be a lot of openings next season in the NFL for receivers coaches.

BTW, for all you complainers out there who read (and post) in this blog, you should learn to appreciate Dohn's work ... he is one of the true hard workers out there, and his blog is excellent - how many other blogs out there can you find where the sportswriter replies to YOUR questions and comments? Most newspaper writers don't give you this quality work; they won't answer your emails or phone calls, let alone answer you in a live blog. So grow up already. The Daily News is lucky to have him.

P.S. I neither know nor have met Brian Dohn, I just admire his work. If you don't want quality coverage of UCLA, then go read some "homer" site that won't provide honest reports.

The least of the worries of a head coach is "media heat".

Let's be frank. Many times you simply need "filler" and quotes are the best kind because you simply "copy" what is said in response to a general question.

If you really think that you know more about coaching football then a football coach then you need to get a reality check.

You DO know more about being a sports-journalist then Dorrell.

That being said let's start you off coaching Pop Warner and if you do well at that we might bump you up to asst. coach for a high school.

Petty all-around and I think this has more to do with the "injury-restrictions" then anything even if you don't want to admit it to yourself.

Remember, a coach doesn't have to give the media ANYTHING at all. The media is not ENTITLED to a thing from a college football program and a coach makes the decisions he thinks are best for the program and/or himself even if it doesn't please reporters.

Good points ExSportswriter.

Brian's work and blog are a greatly appreciated. Yours too Jill!

The Daily News and this blog are now a daily read for me.

do they hand out kleenex to reporters at these press conferences? sounds like they need to with all the tears flowing...

if a coach feels he needs to take it out on someone that is what you reporters are for.

Coach Karl Dorrell said comments he made this week regarding the Oregon State defense were misinterpreted. “I have nothing but respect for them,” he said.

Brian,

Enjoy the site, I don't see the problem with Dorrell's response as I have watched a lot of his press conferences over the years and it seems to me that some sportswriters go there with an agenda. Dorrell by all accounts is a highly classy and professional guy, so how exactly has he not been professional?

Brian,

Long time reader, 1st time poster. I agree with Ex-Sportswriter above, your Blog has been straight to the point & you are the only columnist to respond quickly to points made by readers (good or bad). I actually miss the jabs between passionate bruins like dump-dorrell vs the dorrell supporters, but I agree with your decision on censorship.

I've followed the Bruins since the mid-80's and while Dorrell is a good person, he really falls short to Carroll in how he handles the media. When I watch the press conference shows, there is no comparison of how vague Dorrell is vs the talkative Carroll. Who wants to tune in for Billy Mac & J-Dub, I want to know what the coach has to say.

Go Rutgers, your alma mater.

Belmont Bruin,

You are now one of my favorite posters.

Sounds like a (deleted) contest between you & the Coach. Hopefully the two of you can work it out.

Now I'm all for coaches getting paid for the business they bring the University.

But it blows my mind that a guy getting paid nearly $1 Million dollars a year can't answer the most simple question about the opponent. Not only can he not answer it, but gets all bent out of shape when someone asked him the question.

"What makes the defense so good?" ... How on Earth can anyone find THAT question offensive?? Why can't a million dollar a year football coach answer that basic question??

Thanks Brian,

Bruin 1 makes a good point. I remember TJ Simers being exceptionally hard on "Dullard" last year during the mid-season skid, do you sense that after the Utah loss ?

However, back to your point, I hope Karl recognizes that Pete has the spot light because he knows how to befriend the media. The only way to get a share of the limelight is to notch another win, remain humble & approachable, and stop flopping against Trojans, Cowboys, Indians, and Utes.

what I hope Coach Dorrell realizes is that he is not necessarily only talking to you (member of the media), but that he is talking to us (the alums, the students, the fans) through you.

that said, I don't mind if he's prickly on occasion, or circles the wagons even if there's nothing really out there.

Wow! That is a scathing indictment of Mr. Dorrell.

Pat

Dohn, I still love your blog......next time Dorrell pops off just say, "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me."

Folks,

So you know, this is not a personal issue with me. I have been in this business for a long time, and had some heated "discussions" with athletes and coaches over the years. I don't care if the people I cover like me. That isn't the issue. What stood out to me about this was the arrogance of the coach, and in the tens of thousands of questions I've asked in my career, and the hundreds of thousands of questions I've heard asked, this stood out to me as being completely out of line -- on a professional level.
Again, my feelings were not hurt, because feelings are left at the door in this business. I've had my differences with Dorrell in the past, but this was something different.

Brian, you are correct. KDs arrogance shows through in almost everything he does, whether it is the stubborn insistance on an offense that doesn't work, his continueing to move back to a "CEO" role when he has seen the team plays much better when he is the emotional leader, etc etc.

The morgan center needs to realize that KD will never bring in anywhere near the revenue an exciting media savvy, creative coach would to UCLA.

Regardless of how one thinks of him personally, he produces a mediocre product win/loss wise, a poor product excitement wise, and dresses it in a sour, unappealing demeanor that turns most people off.

He is not cut out for this job. He should be coaching high school somewhere where he can plan his WCO and be left alone, which is what he really wants.

brian, how would you compare Dorrell's vicious "Football 101" smack (brrrrrr.....chilling) with Gundy's by-now passe "COME AFTER ME! I'M A MAN! I'M 40!" love sonnet to the so-called mainstream media? is Dorrell who you thought he was? and did you let him off the hook?

Dorrell is a good man and his response to the media is not-professional and not representative of UCLA athletics. He is in way over his head and I think the strain is taking a toll. I watched him doing the OSU postgame interview and I was struck by how gaunt his face looked. This job is killing him. Dan Guerrero are you watching this?

Replace Karl Dorrell immediately with an interim coach and restore competitiveness to this program. The precedent for this action is Florida, a program we compete with in basketball, which replaced Ron Zook mid-season under similar circumstances to what we are facing at UCLA.