We Don’t Know How to Tell Them This, but Donahue Hasn’t Left

Dear Coach Donahue:

Thanks for the memories. I’ve enjoyed your seven bowl victories in a row as well as the five wins in a row over USC. You have become the winningest coach in Pac-10 history.

Now Terry, it’s time for you to do the right thing for UCLA and announce today that you will be moving on after the Aloha Bowl.

Don’t miss this opportunity to leave as a winner rather than as the coach who let Rick Neuheisel slip out of UCLA. As wonderful as that upset of the Trojans was, the fact remains that UCLA is one game over .500 since Troy Aikman’s departure.

What the UCLA football team needs is a strong contingent of blue-chip recruits. It’s obvious that you’ve lost the desire when it comes to hitting the recruiting trail and this is only exacerbated by your recent comments regarding your status as coach.

Coach Donahue, it’s time for you to do the right thing for UCLA, your family and yourself and announce today that this Christmas in Hawaii will be your last game as the UCLA head football coach.

TAYLOR E. BROWMAN

Newport Beach

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Thanks, Terry. You got the Pac-10 record, beat USC and admitted that your heart hasn’t been in your work for a while. You gave us about 10 good years, four so-so years, and six years of .500 ball. Not a bad career.

A lot of people think you will be excellent in the television world as a color man. I agree, and have the support of many other UCLA alums. Our biggest debt of gratitude is that you didn’t emulate Don Shula and drag a program down through your dotage. This is the essence of UCLA class. Good luck in your new career.

JOHN MARTIN

San Pedro