So, what's the deal with Norm Chow?

by JazzyUte on Jan 17, 2011 10:38 PM MST in Football

Is he coming?

Are we being played?

Was this some cruel joke?

Don't worry, I still feel confident. But, as it was with the news about the Pac-10 expanding, stuff like this takes time. Chow is still technically under contract with the Bruins and the whole situation is pretty messy at the moment. If Chow leaves on his own accord, he gets bupkis from the Bruins. If he's forced out, though, UCLA owes him some money.

Of course, the latter is an option the Bruins would rather not take. But they know Chow doesn't want to be there and Chow knows UCLA's head coach, Rick Neuheisel, doesn't want him there - so something will need to happen.

I expect that something to be a compromise. But until that actually happens, we'll be left in the dark.

Do I still think Chow ends up at Utah? Yes. Do I think it happens this week? Possibly. Will it be by next week? Most certainly.

So there you have it. Not much to report, but don't take the quietness as evidence things are falling through. With Neuheisel essentially fighting for his job this season, it's unlikely he would keep Chow on the staff just for monetary reasons. He's got too much to lose for that.

So patience my Ute friends. This will settle itself soon.

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Stormin' Norman

I hope we get Chow. We need him to whip that offense into shape. Thanks for the update Jazzy.

The goal of every Ute fan should be to caffeinate Cosmo's punch and watch him self combust.

by Happyvalleyute on Jan 17, 2011 11:40 PM MST reply actions

Seriously can't wait

I am so excited man. Norm Chow coming to Utah would be huge. http://t.co/7v8va8C

by 4th_and_1 on Jan 17, 2011 11:42 PM MST reply actions

Still think it happens...

I just think UCLA and Utah are playing chicken to see who will have to pay a little more to him.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jan 18, 2011 10:07 AM MST reply actions

I hope you guys are right...

and that we soon hear that Chow is our new OC. I’m so excited about the prospect I must have checked the online newspapers about two dozen times this weekend. :)

I do think Chow and UCLA will work out a settlement, and my money is on Chow being the next Utah OC. My fear, however, is due to the added variable of UCLA knowing that letting Chow go most likely means he’ll end up at a division rival. Is this enough for them to throw a monkey wrench into the works as long as they can (a very expensive monkey wrench if they keep him on staff in a diminished role and Chow doesn’t walk)? Can the timing be messed up enough to close the window for Utah? Most UCLA fans that I’ve heard from may be OK with letting Chow walk (something’s clearly not working with him and RN), but I think there is still a healthy level of respect that in the right situation Chow could be dangerous. No AD wants to drop a coach into a situation where they could turn around and burn them within a year… and potentially for years to come.

by la tortuga on Jan 18, 2011 12:51 PM MST reply actions

Need him out there recruiting

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by Aardvark on Jan 18, 2011 2:37 PM MST reply actions

I was with you guys until this one

You’re kidding right? Norm would be a great addition but recruiting…ouch.

by ev on Jan 18, 2011 5:09 PM MST up reply actions

Only if he stays clear of the islands

He’s a great closer. That’s typically the role that the HC, OC and DC take in the process. They’re not out there knocking on doors.

by bbmagic on Jan 18, 2011 9:21 PM MST up reply actions

Who told you he was a great closer?

From watching him at USC and UCLA, it sure doesn’t seem that way. I think Norm is a great OC, and Utah would be lucky to have him. That said, there is a reason he has a horrible reputation as a recruiter.

by ev on Jan 18, 2011 10:28 PM MST up reply actions

Chow's reputation is enough to get people on board...

…he doesn’t even need to set foot in the door. Whittingham shows up with a list of QB’s that include Steve Young, Phillip Rivers, Carson Palmer, and any pro-style QB recruit is going to seriously consider signing.

by Middy_U on Jan 19, 2011 11:24 AM MST up reply actions

UCLA wouldn't agree with that

They struck out on their top four picks in each class while Norm was there. He is a selling point, just not as great as a person would assume. That said, he is one hell of an OC.

by ev on Jan 19, 2011 7:06 PM MST up reply actions

A waiting game

If UCLA fires Chow they owe him a ton of cash and Chow does not want to quit and we all know Utah can not offer the same cash that Chow make which I think is about a million a year.

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by Jeremy Mauss on Jan 18, 2011 4:37 PM MST reply actions

$500,000/yr - 2 year contract worth $1mil total.

by Middy_U on Jan 19, 2011 11:22 AM MST up reply actions

UCLA is playing hardball here...

Chow doesn’t want to take a pay-cut. Utah doesn’t want to pay 1/2 Mil per year to get UCLA off the hook for Chow’s contract. (Anything less than that .5 Mil has to be picked up by UCLA, according to Chow’s current contract).

UCLA doesn’t have to release Chow, but could demote him and let him languish in purgatory for the next 2 years…but it would be cutting off their nose to spite their face…to the tune of $1 Mil.

I’d love to see the exchange between the U, UCLA and Chow…waiting to see who will blink first. Everyone has some leverage here, so it’s really a matter of UCLA testing how deep Utah’s pockets are for an OC. I don’t think Utah goes past $350,000…so I’m guessing the buyout will be in the range of $250,000…but since UCLA is in no rush, the longer they wait, the more they can test Utah’s resolve.

by Middy_U on Jan 19, 2011 11:43 AM MST up reply actions

Here's something interesting:

The Seahawks recently fired their offensive coordinator. We all know who’s the head coach in Seattle. So guess who worked closely and shared success with Chow for a couple of years at USC and probably wouldn’t mind having his help in the NFL. Not to be all doom and gloom, but the Seahawks can match—even exceed—Chow’s current salary and Chow does have NFL OC experience. It’s just another wrinkle, but I wouldn’t be surprised if ol’ Norm is coaching up in Seattle next fall.

by Smoke Bellew on Jan 18, 2011 7:36 PM MST reply actions

Arg!

And THERE’S our first example of a timing problem… The Seahawks job could be a real obstacle. Is it too much to hope that NC is motivated by a little spite at being replaced by RN? :)

Let’s close this deal already!

by la tortuga on Jan 18, 2011 8:36 PM MST up reply actions

Norm Chow and Pete Carroll parted on bad terms

See this Dr. Saturday post, for example. They were two egos clashing.

Carroll has many options that he would prefer over Chow. I’m a little nervous that it has taken so long for UCLA to do something, but I’m fairly certain Chow is not headed to the Seahawks.

by Ute in DC on Jan 18, 2011 11:54 PM MST up reply actions

Cool. No worries, then.

There’s a link in that Dr. Saturday post to another little blurb about how Chow was forced out. In it, they mention how extroverted Carroll is and introverted Chow is. I got the gist that Chow will do better with a lower-key, less IN-YO-FACE staff. Considering that, Utah and Coach Whitt sound like the right place for him.

by Smoke Bellew on Jan 19, 2011 12:59 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah. Not too worried about that...

Carroll won’t hire Chow again.

by JazzyUte on Jan 19, 2011 1:51 AM MST up reply actions

Just to make the plot even thicker...

Last night on PMS they said that Norm was seen in the Seatle airport.

by Damage Inc. on Jan 20, 2011 1:06 PM MST up reply actions

The real question

Is whether Chow comes or not, what happens to Roderick, Schramm, and IMO More importantly Brian Johnson.

Schramm and Roderick can’t be too happy about being removed from OC duties. Though in all honesty, Schramm was pretty well stripped of that last year after Wyoming.

How will Roderick handle it? He’s a pretty good WR’s coach.

My question though is BJ. I think he was the best play caller on the staff for the last three seasons, and he is going to be a real up and comer in the coaching ranks. The way he handled Wynn, especially as Wynn was struggling, and to keep his mind in it after being Benched during the Holy War is a testament to how good of a coach BJ will be.

Will Chow coach QB’s as well, as has been reported? If so, what does that mean for BJ? Will BJ Be groomed as the eventual successor?

by UnHoly Ram on Jan 18, 2011 8:01 PM MST reply actions

From what I've heard...

1. Roderick would be shifted over solely to wide receivers coach.
2. Chow very well could also coach quarterbacks from what I hear. If true, expect Johnson to stay on the staff, but his role will definitely be reassigned.
3. Schramm might be the odd man out here.

by JazzyUte on Jan 19, 2011 1:53 AM MST up reply actions

I don't see how BJ could be upset with a "demotion"...

…learning under one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of college football…you’ve gotta shelve your ego and look at it as an opportunity. The kid is still in his mid 20’s. Even the best HC’s don’t “arrive” until their mid 30’s…he’s lucky to be where he is at right now.

Jazzy, don’t you think Schramm would just shift to RB’s? That was/is his responsibility, right?

by Middy_U on Jan 19, 2011 11:31 AM MST up reply actions

I don't think it is a demotion for BJ.

Any changes would be more of a lateral shift to give more of a broad base of experience.

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by daedalus17 on Jan 19, 2011 1:42 PM MST up reply actions

Norm has a reputation of not playing well with others.

That came with him from BYU and has never changed anywhere along the way. I don’t think it’s really that bad, but it does exist.

by ev on Jan 19, 2011 7:10 PM MST up reply actions

Could actually work out well in that regard

Coach Whittingham is a defense guy and is largely hands off with the offense.

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by CrimsonUte on Jan 19, 2011 10:43 PM MST up reply actions

that's laying it on a little thick, don't you think?

learning under one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of college football

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Jan 21, 2011 6:00 PM MST up reply actions

To quote ESPN Pac-12 blogger Ted Miller...

Norm Chow is widely regarded as one of the best offensive coordinators of all-time.

by Middy_U on Jan 24, 2011 12:33 PM MST up reply actions

Personally wouldn't be too upset over Schramm

I’m not too overly impressed with him and what he’s done.

by UnHoly Ram on Jan 19, 2011 3:52 PM MST up reply actions

So excited!

I am excited to see norm Chow walk the sidelines here, what an upgrade that Will be! I hope we seal the deal!!! Soon! Go UTE’S!!!!

by UTErabidfan on Jan 19, 2011 3:38 PM MST reply actions

Norm is strictly a booth guy. He doesn't walk sidelines.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Jan 21, 2011 6:01 PM MST up reply actions

Really, have you seen UCLA offense

Being a PAC 10 (12) fan my whole life, I have seen a ton of UCLA football. Their offense under Chow is horrible. I hope Chow goes to Utah, because then I would know that Utah will suck for the next 3 or 4 years. Seriously, you guys do not want this clown. His offense has not worked in years, and really only worked at USC, who has more 5 star recruits than the rest of the conference combined.

by astanfi on Jan 21, 2011 12:14 AM MST reply actions

No

It worked at NC State and BYU before that. The only college team it hasn’t worked for is UCLA. Perhaps there’s something wrong with your head coach?

by Ute in DC on Jan 21, 2011 10:40 AM MST up reply actions

Seeing as how you are a UW fan, I should say, “perhaps there’s something wrong with UCLA’s coach.”

by Ute in DC on Jan 21, 2011 11:02 AM MST up reply actions

I keep telling you guys what most of us around Pac 10 teams already know...

… this coach that you think you want is not who you think he is. He’s devolved into a somewhat lazy self promoter who is money motivated and has lost any ability to relate to high school kids, their coaches and their families. Whatever he gives you in terms of “scheme” insights is available in spades with dozens of other coaches – all of whom would be thrilled to coach at Utah and would not play “Money Tug O War” right in the middle of recruiting closing season.

But, hey, to each his own.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Jan 21, 2011 6:06 PM MST up reply actions

We will see.

Even if Utah doesn’t end up with Chow, it is almost certain that he ends up somewhere new next year. And wherever that is, I’ll bet he improves their offense.

by Ute in DC on Jan 21, 2011 11:04 PM MST up reply actions

ucla tried the pistol offense. they did not have the personel for that kind of offense. i'm sure it was mr. rick n's decision.

On february 5th 2011 at UFC 126 Jon "Bones" Jones will show the world that their was no need for the MMA community to hype this man because this guy is a beast with many skills and i personally will feel Ryan "Darth" Bader's pain after this fight. SB Nation's public enemy #1.

by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 21, 2011 4:14 PM MST up reply actions

And yet UW hired one of Chows

star students in coach Sark.

by Damage Inc. on Jan 22, 2011 7:52 AM MST up reply actions

LOL - and they hired him instead of hiring Chow. Curious.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Jan 23, 2011 9:17 PM MST up reply actions

Just read this:

Bill Riley reports on his blog that a source close to Utah football is saying Chow coming to Utah is unlikely and that most of the speculation has due to the Norm Chow camp. He also says Chow’s name has come up as a potential replacement for the vacant OC job for the Seattle Seahawks.
Personally, I highly doubt Chow will go back to the NFL but furthermore I doubt he wants to reunite with Pete Carroll.

Fear the MUSS!!

by GambitUte on Jan 22, 2011 9:54 AM MST reply actions

Seattle has already filled their OC position

Darrell Bevell accepted the position Thursday, before Bill Riley wrote that blog post.

Chow might not come to Utah, but that pretty major error makes me question Riley’s contacts.

by Ute in DC on Jan 22, 2011 10:30 AM MST up reply actions

I only hope that Whittingham isn't sitting around waiting on this.

I mean, he better have a contingency plan. Utah needs an OC now, not just the promise of one. What worries me is that he’s sitting on Roderick and Schramm just in case Chow falls through. Whether it’s Chow or not, we need a change at offense badly and neither Roderick or Schramm are the answer.

Having said that, I know better. I’m sure things are moving along nicely. These are professionals after all. I’m also officially done with “Chow-mania 2011!”. There’s no sense in speculating any longer. I kinda doubt Chow is coming, but I’m certain a new OC will be announced soon and it’ll be a seemingly good hire.

by Smoke Bellew on Jan 22, 2011 11:47 AM MST reply actions