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 UCLA hit hard in matter of months
Posted: Wednesday March 17, 1999 10:25 PM
Back in November UCLA had a 20-game winning streak and it looked like the Bruins were going to get a chance to play for the national championship. Since then, it's been all downhill in Westwood. The poor play of the defense in season-ending losses to Miami and to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl created a rift between offensive and defensive players that still hasn't healed. It also cost defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti his job. He resigned after a disagreement with head coach Bob Toledo over what defense to play in the future. Last month, the FBI began investigating several UCLA players' friendship with a convicted racketeer who had ties to organized crime. The players, including quarterback Cade McNown, were cleared of wrongdoing, but the Bruins' reputation took a public beating.
In addition, UCLA is training without strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall, who left to take the same job at Auburn. Yoxall was one of Toledo's first hires three years ago and has been a vital part of the program's resurgence. In his new job, Yoxall was shocked at the lack of discipline and commitment in the Auburn program, and by how difficult it was to get former coach Terry Bowden's players involved in a rigorous offseason conditioning program. That hasn't slowed Yoxall down. He asked Auburn to outfit his weight room with all new weights and they did it. Watch the Tigers get stronger in a hurry.
Kentucky accident aftermathAt another Southeastern Conference school, Kentucky players and coaches are still reeling from the automobile accident in November that killed a Wildcats player and another college student, and left senior center Jason Watts, who was driving, under indictment for manslaughter. Prosecutors say Watts's blood-alcohol level was one-and-a-half times the legal limit. He has pleaded not guilty, and when his trial begins in July, Kentucky coach Hal Mumme and several players are expected to testify, less than a month before the start of fall practice.
Applewhite not about to give upThrough three weeks of spring practice at Texas, the most intriguing performer has been sophomore quarterback Major Applewhite, who played brilliantly last fall, only to hear whispers that he'll be beaten out this coming fall by incoming freshman Chris Simms, the son of former Giants' quarterback Phil Simms.Applewhite has politely deflected any Simms-related controversy and has played spectacularly in Longhorn drills. Don't expect him to give up his job without a fight.
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