Neuheisel Continues Staff Makeover

WESTWOOD (AP) -- UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has hired Jim Mastro of Nevada to coach the Bruins' tight ends and F-backs, and he also fired Todd Howard, who coached the defensive line for five seasons.

Neuheisel announced the moves on Thursday, continuing an offseason staff makeover.

Mastro coached the Wolf Pack's running backs for 11 seasons, building one of the top running attacks in the country.

At UCLA, he will play a key role in further developing the pistol formation used in the Bruins' offense.

Howard joined the Bruins five years ago from the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Neuheisel said he and Howard discussed his future in December, but decided to wait until after recruiting to make a final decision.

Howard said in a statement that he knew he might be let go and he'd been planning for such an outcome.

Neuheisel's makeover began Dec. 18 when he fired defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough and receivers coach Reggie Moore.

Last month, he hired Mike Johnson as offensive coordinator the same day Norm Chow left for a similar job at Utah.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)