Focus Turns to Recruiting

USC football Coach Pete Carroll sympathized with Bob Toledo, calling the firing of his cross-town counterpart a “hard time for coaches and their families.”

“I feel bad for him,” Carroll said at a speaking engagement Monday. “He had a winning program and did a lot of great things.”

Unfortunately for Toledo, beating USC wasn’t one of them. The Trojans extended their winning streak against UCLA to four games with a 52-21 victory Nov. 23, and the fear in Westwood is that Bruins are getting thumped again by their rivals -- in recruiting.

With only six commitments from high school seniors, UCLA lags far behind USC, which has received nearly 20 commitments.

Rick Kimbrel, who works for an Internet recruiting service, says UCLA needs to act quickly in finding a new coach to avoid falling further behind and possibly losing some recruits.

Now until Feb. 5, the start of the signing period, is considered a critical time.

“They have some catching up to do, but UCLA is in a unique situation,” Kimbrel said. “Kids want to play there. They just have to get the right guy in there. And the sooner the better.”

Alex Ghebreselassie, a wide receiver from Chula Vista Bonita Vista High, said he was uncertain if he would honor his commitment to the Bruins. He was unaware Toledo had been fired when contacted Monday night.

“I’m shocked, to tell you the truth,” Ghebreselassie said. “They had a really young team this year. I thought they would give him at least another year.

“But, to be honest, I’m kind of happy about it. This season was kind of a bust for them. I just hope they find a new coach soon so I can talk with him.”

Another recruit, offensive lineman P.J. Irvin of Agoura High, took news of the coaching change in stride and said he would honor his commitment to the Bruins.

“It probably all happened for the best,” Irvin said. “Athletic Director [Dan Guerrero] knows what he’s doing.”

Two highly regarded high school seniors -- linebacker Michael Okwo of Manhattan Beach Mira Costa and receiver-defensive back Steve Smith of Woodland Hills Taft -- said a coaching change might prompt them to reconsider the Bruins. Neither player had UCLA high on his list of prospective schools.

“It could help them move up more,” Okwo said. “They’re starting a new program.”

Devin Stearns, a wide receiver from Gardena Serra High, planned to visit UCLA this weekend but said he intends to reschedule his trip.

“It doesn’t really affect my decision,” Stearns said of the coaching change. “I thought Coach Toledo was going to stay and was a good coach. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”

The father of Dennis Keyes, a running back-defensive back from Lake Balboa Birmingham High, said his son would honor his commitment to UCLA if the new coach retains one of two assistants -- Gary Bernardi or Todd Littlejohn.

“My son fell in love with UCLA and the campus,” said the elder Keyes, who is also named Dennis. “He wants to go there. But he doesn’t want to go there if he doesn’t know any of the coaches.”

If neither Bernardi nor Littlejohn is retained, Keyes will choose from Washington, Arizona and USC, his father said.

Staff writer Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.