Huskies coach says he doesn't want UCLA job

Friday December 13, 2002

By TIM KORTE
AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) Rick Neuheisel isn't going anywhere.

The Washington coach, who played quarterback at UCLA and began his coaching career as an assistant there, said on Friday he's not interested in the Bruins' vacancy created when Bob Toledo was fired this week.

``It's a natural nexus to put my name with that job,'' Neuheisel said. ``I think it's important that everybody understand I have no designs on the job. I don't have any interest in the job. I'm as committed as I've ever been to the University of Washington.''

Neuheisel said repeatedly he was disappointed in himself because the Huskies struggled this fall. At one point, they lost three in a row and four of five before closing with three consecutive wins.

Neuheisel vowed to redeem himself next season.

``I'm telling everybody in the country, especially in the Pac-10, that the Huskies are coming out ready to fire next year,'' he said. ``I'm hopeful that I'll be along for the ride.''

The Huskies (7-5) will play Purdue (6-6) at the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.

The UCLA question has lingered since Monday, when Toledo was fired and Neuheisel was asked if he wanted the job. The issue initially came up at a news conference to publicize the Sun Bowl trip.

At the time, Neuheisel refused to discuss ``hypotheticals.'' On Friday, he explained that he was reluctant to discuss it on Monday because ``I didn't want to embarrass anybody.''

``It's premature to say I'm not a candidate for a job when they haven't even made a call. And they still haven't made a call,'' Neuheisel said. ``The amount of speculation has made it necessary for me to come forward.''

Neuheisel believes some of his friends in Los Angeles might have circulated his name as a potential candidate.

``Why they would want me back is easy to figure out. They're pals. Maybe they want field passes,'' he joked.

He said he doesn't maintain connections with UCLA's current administration because he's the coach at Washington.

``The bottom line is I'm committed to this program,'' he said. ``I've been given an unbelievable opportunity. I'm disappointed in my performance this last season and I'm anxious to atone.''

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)