UCLA FOOTBALL

Jim Mora says he's committed to being UCLA's coach

There have been reports that University of Texas officials and Mora's representatives were in discussions about the Bruins' football coach taking over the Longhorns.

January 03, 2014|By Chris Foster

Jim Mora was among the names suggested as a possible candidate to replace… (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles…)

UCLA Coach Jim Mora has been trying to douse a Texas brush fire.

One that has engulfed Texas Longhorns football.

There were media reports that University of Texas officials and Mora's representatives were in discussions about UCLA's coach taking over the Longhorns.

Asked about those reports, Mora told the Los Angeles Times, "It is always flattering when someone is interested in you. But I am committed to being the UCLA coach."

Texas officials made contact with Mora's agent after Longhorns coach Mack Brown stepped down in mid-December. Texas was talking about a salary between $5 million and $6 million — about double what Mora makes at UCLA — according to a person familiar with the talks who did not want to be identified.

But Mora decided to stay at UCLA, where he has a 19-8 record in two seasons.

Texas is only the latest school to approach Mora about a job. Washington officials reached out to him after Steve Sarkisian jumped to USC in December. It was after that that Mora received a boost in pay and also raises for his assistant coaches. A year ago, Auburn and Tennessee made contact with Mora's representatives.

UCLA has committed to building a football facility and already has raised a little more than $30 million for the $50-million project.

The Bruins will open 2014 as Rose Bowl contenders provided quarterback Brett Hundley, a redshirt sophomore, decides to forgo the NFL draft. Players have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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