UCLA Coach Jim Mora will go from Eugene, Ore., to Seattle after Saturday’s game to attend a memorial service for Washington Coach Don James.
James died at his home from the effects of pancreatic cancer on Sunday. He was 80.
Mora, who was a walk-on defensive back under James from 1980 to '83, said, “I learned so much from him, playing for him, that I have applied to my coaching career.”
Mora knew James, “since I was 5 years old.” James’ oldest daughter would babysit him. When Mora was older, he would babysit James’ younger daughter.
As a player, Mora absorbed coaching lessons. He was part of two Washington teams that went to the Rose Bowl, in the 1981 and 1982 games. The Huskies beat Iowa, 28-0, in 1982.