UCLA Coach Jim Mora wants accountability to be the Bruins’ mantra

UCLACoach Jim Mora’s first words at his first Pac-12 media day were: “What’s that?”

Mora had just been asked by the moderator to make an opening statement and was off to a slow start. Still, it may work out better than opening with a joke that became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

A year ago, then-UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel’s first words were, “I’m happy to be here. But as a coach on the proverbial hot seat, I guess you’re happy to be anywhere”

The buzzwords that might keep Mora around longer were tossed out. Mora frequently used “accountability” throughout the 20-minute group media session.

“We’re trying to implement toughness, discipline and accountability,” Mora said. “We’re not looking at the past, we’re looking to the future. We want to be accountable to the university, the fan base, the student body.”

The details will begin to be worked at Cal State San Bernardino, where the Bruins will hold training camp from Aug. 4-16.

In taking the team to an isolated spot for camp, Mora said he is hoping the team will grow tighter.

“If we go out and do something fun together, it’s going to be with a teammate or coach,” Mora said. “I don’t want girlfriends there. I don’t want friends there. I don’t want parents there. We have two weeks to bond so if we hit some rough patches we can depend on each other.”

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