Field, Toledo Interview With Dalis for UCLA Job

UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis conducted his first formal interviews for his school’s vacant head coaching job Wednesday, meeting with Bruin offensive coordinator Bob Toledo and defensive coordinator Bob Field.

In the next week, Dalis is expected to talk with other candidates and make a decision on replacing Terry Donahue, who retired after 20 years to become a college-football analyst for CBS. Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder is expected to be interviewed over the weekend if he remains interested. Greg Robinson, defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, is also a candidate.

Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett is still on Dalis’ wish list, though Barnett is involved in negotiations for a long-term deal to remain with the Wildcats. A late entry on the list is Ron Turner, offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, according to a source in Chicago.

On Dec. 11, 24 hours after Donahue announced his retirement, Dalis spoke with Colorado Coach Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel said he was told he was UCLA’s top choice, but wasn’t ready to leave Colorado after only one year on the job.

Of the two Bruin coordinators, Toledo is believed to have the better chance. A former head coach at UC Riverside and the University of the Pacific, Toledo boosted his stock at Westwood with his imaginative game plan in the USC game. Faced with the disadvantage of playing the Trojans without its best running back, injured Karim Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA upset USC, 24-20.

“I’m just one of the candidates,” Toledo, 49, said. “I think he [Dalis] is just trying to get a feel for us. I presented my case. Now the ball is in his court.”

Dalis wants a coach in place by Jan. 6-7, a heavy recruiting weekend.