UCLA's Rick Neuheisel denies recruiting allegations made by USC's Ken Norton
UCLA FOOTBALL
The Bruins' coach says neither he nor any member of his staff told recruits that Norton, the Trojans' linebackers coach, would be UCLA's defensive coordinator if DeWayne Walker leaves.
UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel today denied accusations by USC assistant Ken Norton that the Bruins were using bait-and-switch tactics on football recruits.
Norton, the Trojans' linebackers coach who was an All-American linebacker for UCLA, said in an interview with The Times on Sunday that the Bruins were trying to lure recruits by telling them he would become the team's defensive coordinator if DeWayne Walker were to take another job. The tactic, Norton said, was comparable to recruiting practices that got Neuheisel in trouble during jobs he held previously at Colorado and Washington.
Walker is a front-runner to become head coach at New Mexico State, and he was meeting with officials there today when UCLA released a statement by Neuheisel concerning Norton's claims.
The statement opened with support of Walker, who Neuheisel said, "has done a great job for us and I hope he stays at UCLA for many years. . . ."
But Neuheisel added, "That being said, I was sorry to read the comments Kenny made in the Los Angeles Times. I have not told any recruits that if DeWayne left, Kenny would be the defensive coordinator at UCLA and neither have my assistant coaches.
"Despite the fact that Kenny is a great Bruin, we have more than enough positives at UCLA to interest recruits and convince them that this is the school at which they can flourish both academically and athletically."
If offered, Walker is expected to accept the New Mexico State job. Neuheisel said, "If he has the opportunity to become a head coach, I know he would do a fine job and I would support him in any way possible."
Neuheisel and Norton did speak a year ago about Norton possibly joining UCLA's staff as an assistant head coach.
Neuheisel said he has not considered anyone for the defensive coordinator position if Walker becomes coach at New Mexico State. Norton said Sunday that he was staying at USC.
"There has been a lot of speculation about Kenny's return to UCLA in the media and on the Internet, and perhaps that has confused people about who has said what," Neuheisel said in the statement. "If DeWayne leaves, I would consider several candidates for the defensive coordinator job. Kenny probably would have been among those considered, with no guarantees. However, his quotes in the paper say he is staying at USC, so we wish him well."
chris.foster@latimes.com
