UCLA Officials Meet With Riley

UCLA athletic administrators Dan Guerrero and Bob Field had extra room to stretch out on their flight from New Orleans to Los Angeles on Tuesday night: The seat they had reserved in Mike Riley’s name was vacant.

Riley, the New Orleans Saints’ secondary coach, was the first candidate interviewed by Guerrero, the first-year athletic director, and Field, a trusted lieutenant, since Bob Toledo was fired as Bruin coach Monday.

However, Riley said that despite a lengthy, cordial meeting, an offer was not made -- and Guerrero never mentioned the open seat on the plane.

Still, it was a busy day for Riley, a former San Diego Charger coach and USC assistant. He also met with representatives from Alabama -- his alma mater -- and had discussions with Kentucky.

“I’ve been on the West Coast most of my life, so it was an honor to talk to [UCLA],” he said. “And I went to ‘Bama, so that’s pretty interesting.

“I don’t have any offer, I just have to play it out.”

Riley yearns to return to Southern California, sources said, because his wife and two high school-age children live in San Diego. He was the offensive coordinator at USC for four years and head coach at Oregon State for two years, so he fits the profile Guerrero is seeking of a West Coast-savvy coach with experience in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Riley, 49, said he believed UCLA would continue to explore candidates, and sources indicated there is something of a generational split among officials and boosters on who the coach should be.

The old guard likes former Oregon coach Rich Brooks, 60, who has been out of coaching since quitting as Atlanta Falcon defensive coordinator a year ago, and Washington State Coach Mike Price, 56. Both have discreetly indicated interest.

Thirty-something alumni, including many former players, favor Karl Dorrell, 39, a Denver Bronco assistant and former Bruin receiver. Dorrell was offensive coordinator under Rick Neuheisel at Colorado and for one season at Washington.

And then there is Neuheisel, the Washington coach and another former UCLA player. Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue reportedly contacted Neuheisel about the opening and friends of the coach have passed the word to UCLA boosters that he is interested.

“He is extremely interested,” one source said. “He really wants the job and is willing to take a pay cut.”

However, it would take considerable belt-tightening for Neuheisel to leave Washington, where he makes $1.5 million a year. UCLA is believed to be offering $700,000 to $800,000, plus incentives.

Other college coaches under discussion include Walt Harris of Pittsburgh, June Jones of Hawaii, Ron Turner of Illinois, Kirk Ferentz of Iowa and Dan Hawkins of Boise State. USC assistant Norm Chow said he has not been contacted by UCLA.

Hawkins, who led Boise State to an 11-1 record in his second season, could be a strong candidate despite his low profile. He turned down an offer of $1 million by Baylor last week and today is expected to finalize a five-year deal at Boise State worth $465,000 a year.

“He’s a unique guy,” said someone close to the Boise State program. “He’s an excellent coach, but he makes it clear there are more important things than money.”

Candidates besides Riley and Dorrell from the NFL ranks include Kansas City Chief defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, who reportedly has the support of former Bruin Coach Dick Vermeil.

Guerrero is not expected to visit another long-distance candidate in person for a few days. He is scheduled to attend a news conference in Las Vegas on Thursday associated with the Bruins’ appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day.

It’s important that UCLA moves quickly. About half of the dozen or so recruits scheduled to make visits to the UCLA campus this weekend have canceled their trips, a football source said.

Riley remains at the forefront. He has a one-year deal with New Orleans and is owed $750,000 by the Chargers for the last year of his five-year guaranteed contract.

A source close to Riley said that his desire to return to Southern California would prompt him to accept a salary in the $1 million range from UCLA, even if Alabama offers more.

His family does not want to leave Southern California, and that is paramount to him.

“We’re still living separate lives, and we’ve got to remedy that no matter what happens,” he said.

The Saints would be expected to allow him to leave for a head coaching job before the end of the NFL season. Although Riley lost his last nine games with the Chargers in 2001, his easygoing, enthusiastic temperament is considered ideal for the college ranks.

Riley made one point clear to Guerrero--he wants to be a head coach again.

“If I get the opportunity,” he said, “I’d like to do it.”