[Goose]

Mora's tenure is one of the stranger I can remember. His first couple years were good, above expectations. He recruited very well, at least by ratings. It basically all fell apart the moment Myles Jack got injured. I don't like the guy, so I don't feel particularly sorry for him, but it's a reminder that coaching careers are weird.

Coaching is a lot like being President. You get credit for things you didn't do and blamed for things you can't control. The number of long-term successful coaches is so small in some measure due to this. Actively bad coaches, like actively bad presidents, tend to be obvious, but beyond that, it is pretty much a mystery who will succeed.
The "new coach" halo effect is certainly real. UCLA has witnessed it three times in a row. It seems the cycle is "The new coach will lead us to the championship",
reality and circumstances step in and things don't go as well as expected, the team loses faith, the fans lose faith, there are a few real bad seasons, repeat. That is why I am not yet sold on Wilcox at C.al.

I think Mora will go 7-5 or 8-4 and keep his job. At least that's what I hope.

Me too. The UCLA administration also has to ask themselves at this point "Compared to what?". I don't know who they could get, assuming Chip Kelly doesn't want the job, that would be a credible upgrade. The need at least two 3 win seasons so they can say anybody would be better.

[Goose]

Mora's tenure is one of the stranger I can remember. His first couple years were good, above expectations. He recruited very well, at least by ratings. It basically all fell apart the moment Myles Jack got injured. I don't like the guy, so I don't feel particularly sorry for him, but it's a reminder that coaching careers are weird.

Coaching is a lot like being President. You get credit for things you didn't do and blamed for things you can't control. The number of long-term successful coaches is so small in some measure due to this. Actively bad coaches, like actively bad presidents, tend to be obvious, but beyond that, it is pretty much a mystery who will succeed.
The "new coach" halo effect is certainly real. UCLA has witnessed it three times in a row. It seems the cycle is "The new coach will lead us to the championship",
reality and circumstances step in and things don't go as well as expected, the team loses faith, the fans lose faith, there are a few real bad seasons, repeat. That is why I am not yet sold on Wilcox at C.al.

I think Mora will go 7-5 or 8-4 and keep his job. At least that's what I hope.

Me too. The UCLA administration also has to ask themselves at this point "Compared to what?". I don't know who they could get, assuming Chip Kelly doesn't want the job, that would be a credible upgrade. The need at least two 3 win seasons so they can say anybody would be better.