Coach Toledo

When asked why DeShaun Foster wasn't suspended after a misdemeanor marijuana conviction, Coach Bob Toledo said, "He was guilty of having it. He wasn't guilty of using it." That's about as funny as Clinton's "I didn't inhale." I don't give much credence to coaches' expressions on morality and ethics. Still, I think Coach Toledo should have made more of an effort. TITUS J. SANTELLI Van Nuys

Former UCLA coach Bob Toledo is taking over at Tulane, a school desperate to rejuvenate its fan base in a city that will be rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina for years. "I was one of those people from far, far away watching when disaster struck," said Toledo, currently New Mexico's offensive coordinator. "They've had to overcome a lot of adversity, and that's one of the things that attracted me here."

I see how Coach Bob Toledo's UCLA football team is currently working on some innovative defensive schemes. After watching the last two Bruin seasons, I have one suggestion: Bruins, learn how to tackle. Jack Wolf Westwood The college football season is still three weeks away, yet the excuses for a mediocre season are flowing out of Westwood before their first missed tackle. Who came up with this year's team motto, "If we stay healthy"? Doesn't every team want and need to be free of injuries?

This is about a Los Angeles college football coach who couldn't lose. This is about long winning streaks and national championship aspirations and NFL job offers. This is not about Pete Carroll. This is about Bob Toledo. This is not about the party, this is about the hangover. "Pete is a terrific coach, and I'm wishing him the best," Toledo says. "Because eventually, everybody loses a game, and I know what happens then."

I am writing in support of J.A. Adande's critical presentation of the dilemma that the UCLA student-athletes on the football team faced in their last game. As a former UCLA student-athlete, I understand it to be common practice for student-athletes to make use of their college-level status in order to provide younger generations with role models they may not have in their own homes or communities who will inspire them to achieve in academia. Were it not for the powers that be who despise social policies such as affirmative action which serve to equalize the cultural status of minority people, and who tenaciously increase degrees of intimidation--through various methods whether legal, overt or subtle--for people in sublevel leadership position, such as Coach Toledo, there really would be no dilemma to speak of. As a graduate student, I understand the requirement that reports critically evaluate all sides of an issue.

Give it up, Bob Toledo! Everyone knows the real reason you didn't bench Cory Paus for the USC game and it had nothing to do with "gathering information." You let him play because you desperately needed a win to salvage your decaying season. The only thing unclear at this point is whether it was your integrity or your team that took the worst beating. Rob Osborne Redondo Beach Shame on Coach Toledo and the Bruins for delivering a self-serving punishment to Cory Paus. Demotion to third-string is not enough; it should be to a few steps lower: off the team.

I enjoyed Bill Plaschke's article "As New Star Rises, Will Lavin Fall?" and Chris Dufresne's article "Will Bruins Show Them the Money?" on Dec. 10. Unlike their obtuse colleague T.J. Simers, I think Dan Guerrero's decision was the right decision, and his comments at the news conference were right on point. UCLA needs to move forward with its football and basketball programs. UCLA should not be content with being a second-tier program in both sports. Terry Donahue brought UCLA from the third tier to a consistent second tier and occasional first-tier team.

Former UCLA coach Bob Toledo is taking over at Tulane, a school desperate to rejuvenate its fan base in a city that will be rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina for years. "I was one of those people from far, far away watching when disaster struck," said Toledo, currently New Mexico's offensive coordinator. "They've had to overcome a lot of adversity, and that's one of the things that attracted me here."

Purdue Coach Gene Keady, wary before the game since no Big Ten team had ever won in Toledo's Centennial Hall, was surprised afterward. "This team still amazes me," Keady said after the second-ranked Boilermakers rolled to an 89-67 victory over Toledo. "I thought this would be gut-check night, one that would go down to the last shot." Instead, it was effectively over early in the second half, after Purdue (7-0) made its first 11 baskets after intermission.

This is about a Los Angeles college football coach who couldn't lose. This is about long winning streaks and national championship aspirations and NFL job offers. This is not about Pete Carroll. This is about Bob Toledo. This is not about the party, this is about the hangover. "Pete is a terrific coach, and I'm wishing him the best," Toledo says. "Because eventually, everybody loses a game, and I know what happens then."

I enjoyed Bill Plaschke's article "As New Star Rises, Will Lavin Fall?" and Chris Dufresne's article "Will Bruins Show Them the Money?" on Dec. 10. Unlike their obtuse colleague T.J. Simers, I think Dan Guerrero's decision was the right decision, and his comments at the news conference were right on point. UCLA needs to move forward with its football and basketball programs. UCLA should not be content with being a second-tier program in both sports. Terry Donahue brought UCLA from the third tier to a consistent second tier and occasional first-tier team.

Give it up, Bob Toledo! Everyone knows the real reason you didn't bench Cory Paus for the USC game and it had nothing to do with "gathering information." You let him play because you desperately needed a win to salvage your decaying season. The only thing unclear at this point is whether it was your integrity or your team that took the worst beating. Rob Osborne Redondo Beach Shame on Coach Toledo and the Bruins for delivering a self-serving punishment to Cory Paus. Demotion to third-string is not enough; it should be to a few steps lower: off the team.

I see how Coach Bob Toledo's UCLA football team is currently working on some innovative defensive schemes. After watching the last two Bruin seasons, I have one suggestion: Bruins, learn how to tackle. Jack Wolf Westwood The college football season is still three weeks away, yet the excuses for a mediocre season are flowing out of Westwood before their first missed tackle. Who came up with this year's team motto, "If we stay healthy"? Doesn't every team want and need to be free of injuries?

When asked why DeShaun Foster wasn't suspended after a misdemeanor marijuana conviction, Coach Bob Toledo said, "He was guilty of having it. He wasn't guilty of using it." That's about as funny as Clinton's "I didn't inhale." I don't give much credence to coaches' expressions on morality and ethics. Still, I think Coach Toledo should have made more of an effort. TITUS J. SANTELLI Van Nuys

The next thing Bob Toledo knows, he'll be accused of everything short of putting that iceberg in front of the Titanic, though, come to think of it, having his UCLA offense compared to that of the notoriously conservative Terry Donahue might be a greater personal affront. Why, just look at the trick play he's running now. A naked reverse. Toledo has suddenly become the scourge of Bruin faithful, especially those with extremely short memories.

I am writing in support of J.A. Adande's critical presentation of the dilemma that the UCLA student-athletes on the football team faced in their last game. As a former UCLA student-athlete, I understand it to be common practice for student-athletes to make use of their college-level status in order to provide younger generations with role models they may not have in their own homes or communities who will inspire them to achieve in academia. Were it not for the powers that be who despise social policies such as affirmative action which serve to equalize the cultural status of minority people, and who tenaciously increase degrees of intimidation--through various methods whether legal, overt or subtle--for people in sublevel leadership position, such as Coach Toledo, there really would be no dilemma to speak of. As a graduate student, I understand the requirement that reports critically evaluate all sides of an issue.

Two-a-days. Morning football practice, followed by afternoon practice, followed by meetings, with the body never quite resting, never quite being rejuvenated. Two-a-days. Welcome respite for Bob Toledo. They are a welcome break for a man who, since he became UCLA's coach Jan. 4, has met graduates even the alumni office can't find, has told jokes, preached the gospel of Bruin football and spread the message. He likes them. He also knows what's coming, beginning Sept. 7 at Knoxville, Tenn.

The next thing Bob Toledo knows, he'll be accused of everything short of putting that iceberg in front of the Titanic, though, come to think of it, having his UCLA offense compared to that of the notoriously conservative Terry Donahue might be a greater personal affront. Why, just look at the trick play he's running now. A naked reverse. Toledo has suddenly become the scourge of Bruin faithful, especially those with extremely short memories.

Practice has been loose enough for occasional trash talk, focused enough that from the stands you can hear the lacy spin of a fingertip catch. A big game is two days ahead. (It's an 11-game season. They're all big games.) Now the head coach stands at midfield, sermonizing in the early-evening Westwood haze. As he speaks, the UCLA Bruins kneel in unison, forearms staked into empty helmets, heads bowed. Afterward, a reporter asks for the gist of the prayer. 'Prayer?" Bob Toledo answers, surprised.

Two-a-days. Morning football practice, followed by afternoon practice, followed by meetings, with the body never quite resting, never quite being rejuvenated. Two-a-days. Welcome respite for Bob Toledo. They are a welcome break for a man who, since he became UCLA's coach Jan. 4, has met graduates even the alumni office can't find, has told jokes, preached the gospel of Bruin football and spread the message. He likes them. He also knows what's coming, beginning Sept. 7 at Knoxville, Tenn.