| UW Makes Correct Coaching
Decision
By Pigskin Pete University of Washington Athletic Director Barbara Hedges finally got it right when she stuck by her too long delayed decision to dump Rick Neuheisel as head football coach. “Slick Rick”-as opponents loved to dub him-was given the gate for violating NCAA betting prohibitions, then lying about it. Now Husky football will be led by Neuheisel’s offensive coordinator, Keith Gilbertson, who received a four year head coaching contract. Gilbertson, 55, is the oldest at time of
hiring of the mentors who have guided the H The UW administration released a terse statement tieing the can to Neuheisel, terminating him “for cause”, which absolves the school from adhering to his contract and requires Rick to pay back, within 90 days, a $1.5 million loan Hedges foolishly gave him this year to finance a $4 million lakefront estate. Sure, the departed’s attorneys will file suit vs. the university and possibly the NCAA, but these actions will not alter the coaching situation. We think the UW administration should also replace athletic director Hedges over this imbroglio, which her mismanagement and favoritism brought to bear. Neuheisel’s lengthy list of recruiting violations as University of Colorado head coach made him a questionable hire. He leaves Huskyville with a strong 33-16 record, but struggled to 8-4 and 7-6 records in the last two seasons. Husky grid heritage notable a 65-37 record from 1930-41. Things gridwise foundered for awhile
after Phelan. Pest Welch went 27-20 from 1942-47 and losing records
were recorded by Howie Odell (23-25) and John Cherberg (10-18).
From 1957 to 1974, Owens, a star end with two Oklahoma national champion squads, compiled a 99-82-6 record. His Rose Bowl heroics included a 44-8 rout of Wisconsin in ’59, followed the next year with a convincing 17-7 win over #1 nationally ranked Minnesota. The ’63 Owens team also went Rose Bowlin’, losing to Illinois, 7-17. After that, fellow league members began to practice Owens’ coaching methods, which relied first upon defense, and his last two years saw losing records. Don James resuscitated the program with his 1975 arrival. Between 1975 & 1992, James won at a .726 clip (153-57-2). His teams won seven Pacific Coast Conference crowns, played in 14 post season bowls and in 1984 tied Miami (Fl) for the national title. James’ assistant Jim Lambright took over in 1993 and his 44-25 record in the ensuing five years was not enough for spoiled Husky backers. Slick Rick replaced him in 1999. The Dawgs rank third behind USC and UCLA in all-time Pac 10 member season
standings, at 625-341-50. Oregon (502-432) and
Oregon State (430-493-39) trail all other conference teams, but both programs
have
It now remains to be seen whether the latest tribulations in Seattle will answer the oft-seen Oregon bumper sticker wishing a “Husky-free Northwest” with a revived Washington program. We don’t expect the Gilbertson era to open with a win in the Columbus caldron where Ohio State plays host. (OMED: "Pigskin Pete" played on defense when he was a Husky during the 1950's.) ‘Gilby’ Notes—We suspect that the canning of Slick Rick could be the best thing to happen for Husky football since Don James retired. Keith Gilbertson, Rick’s successor, began his early years as a Husky fan, growing up just 36 miles from the UW campus. Prior to serving as Neuheisel’s offensive coordinator, Gilby had a stint performing the same role for Don James and called the plays when the Huskies wound up as co-national champs in 1991. His experience and reputation demand players’ respect and he will be guiding his proteges, QB Cody Pickett and receiver Reggie Williams, one of the finest proven tandems in college football. This is a coach that knows how to move the football, the challenge for the Dawgs will be to stop the other guy. ©2003 Oregon Magazine |