He has also proved to be capable of competing at a high level in the conference. Neuheisel led Washington to a Rose Bowl victory and No. 3 finish nationally in 2000. The Huskies also had two second-place finishes in the conference.
What he also brings to UCLA is a strong personality that could counterbalance USC Coach Pete Carroll.
"I admire what they have built over there and it is up to us at UCLA to become the type of rival that when USC and UCLA square off it is the game of the year," Neuheisel said.
USC has won eight of the last nine games against the Bruins.
"He's always been a really good recruiter," Carroll said. "The time up in Washington, he proved he could recruit and battle against the tops of this conference. They were an excellent program when he left there and so I don't think there's any doubt that he has a lot of energy for it. He's a very competitive guy and I think he'll do a great job."
A job Neuheisel is happy to have.
"I missed Saturday [football]," Neuheisel said. "I'm not only returning on Saturdays, I'm returning to my alma mater. It's a dream come true."
--
Times staff writers Chris Dufresne and Gary Klein contributed to this report.
--
chris.foster@latimes.com
--
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Neuheisel's record
Rick Neuheisel's head coaching record with Washington and Colorado, which forfeited its five victories in 1997.
--
Neuheisel file
PLAYING CAREER
Played at UCLA from 1980 to 1983.
Threw four touchdown passes (two to Karl Dorrell) and was named MVP as the Bruins upset fourth-ranked Illinois, 45-9, in the 1984 Rose Bowl.
Played two seasons in the USFL (1984-85) and one with the 1987 San Diego Chargers.
HEAD COACH (66-30)
Served as assistant to Bill McCartney at Colorado in 1994, then took over the program when McCartney retired and posted a 33-14 record in four seasons (1995-98), including three bowl berths.
Had a 33-16 record in four seasons at Washington (1999-2002), leading the Huskies to four bowls. Won the Pac-10 in 2000, culminating in a 34-24 Rose Bowl win over Purdue.
