Blog: UCLA's Coach Mora May Steal Pac-12 Rivals O-Coordinator
Brad Gold (CBS) --The "Pistol" may be gone from the Bruins offense, finally!
UCLA is reportedly trying to pry Noel Mazzone away from Arizona State and make him offensive coordinator, something that is possibile because of the uncertainty in Tempe at the head coaching position.
The Sun Devils have gone over three weeks without naming a replacement for the fired Dennis Erickson, and that uncertainty can be the green light for the Bruins to swoop in and steal the highly regarded Mazzone.
Mazzone's offenses have been exciting in the desert, running a version of the spread, a fast-paced attack that wears down defenses with lots of passing.
His track record leads me to think he will excel at UCLA as well, thanks to his ability to spot talent at the QB position.
His latest project has transformed Sun Devil QB Brock Osweiler into a sure fire NFL draft pick after next season, while he's also credited with launching Philip Rivers' career at NC State.
Tim Tebow even hired him to prepare for the NFL draft.
Mazzone expects his QB to complete passes at a 75% clip, Kevin Prince completed 57% last season, but there is an easy way to push that number higher, the swing pass.
That has been the staple of the ASU offense, so guys like Jonathan Franklin and Jordan James better get polished in their receiving skills.
The biggest knock against Mazzone, his offenses seem to stall in the red-zone, something that was magnified at ASU with their kicking issues.
If UCLA lansds Mazzone, Mora will have crippled one of their conference rivals, ASU, and should have the Bruins lighting up the scoreboard from game one.
Twitter: bgold13
