Aliotti: Didn’t Have Support

Nick Aliotti acknowledged Friday that a lack of support from Coach Bob Toledo prompted him to leave as UCLA’s defensive coordinator and accept a similar position at Oregon.

“It obviously had an effect. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,” Aliotti said in making his return to Oregon official. “You need to go to work every day and feel good about yourself and the people you’re around. That situation was not there. I just didn’t feel I had the support.”

The Bruins, beset by youth and injuries, surrendered 432.5 yards a game during the regular season, 99th out of 112 Division I schools.

John Pearce, the head coach at Stephen F. Austin the last seven years, has been hired to coach the defensive ends, but Toledo held off on naming Aliotti’s replacement as coordinator. That promotion will come from within.