Dorrell Is Hot Name of Day

While Mike Riley is mulling over a coaching offer from Alabama and wondering if UCLA will counter, Bruin Athletic Director Dan Guerrero has widened his search to include another NFL assistant with substantial support among boosters.

Guerrero on Wednesday scheduled an interview with Denver Bronco receivers coach Karl Dorrell, a former UCLA player and offensive coordinator at Colorado and Washington, perhaps as soon as today.

In addition, Kansas City Chief Coach Dick Vermeil, who coached UCLA in 1974 and 1975, was in contact with Guerrero and spoke highly of Chief defensive coordinator and former UCLA assistant Greg Robinson.

But Robinson -- as well as Washington Coach Rick Neuheisel and a long list of prominent college coaches that includes current Bruin defensive coordinator Phil Snow -- is taking a back seat for the time being.

“I believe it’s a two-horse race -- Karl Dorrell and Mike Riley,” said Tom Ramsey, a television analyst and former UCLA quarterback.

Riley, the New Orleans Saint secondary coach, met with Guerrero and athletics administrator Bob Field on Tuesday in New Orleans, but an offer was not made despite UCLA reserving a seat on the return flight to Los Angeles in Riley’s name.

Guerrero would not comment on the reason Riley was not made an offer, but if UCLA wants the former San Diego Charger head coach and USC assistant, quick action might be necessary.

A prominent Alabama booster said Wednesday that Crimson Tide Athletic Director Mal Moore told him an offer had been made to Riley, a former Alabama player. Moore convened a team meeting, possibly anticipating that he would announce Riley as coach, but was able to tell the players only that the search had been narrowed to “two or three names.”

“They didn’t say anything,” Alabama receiver Antonio Carter said. “That was a waste of time.”

UCLA probably would not make Riley an offer at least until interviewing Dorrell, which could force Riley into a choice of accepting the Alabama offer or risk losing out on both jobs.

Riley, who was 14-34 with the Chargers from 1999-2001, could not be reached after reports of the Alabama offer surfaced. Earlier Wednesday he said, “I’m really at peace with whatever happens.”

Guerrero has his own risks. Failing to make an offer to Riley could prompt him to take the Alabama job, yet failing to interview Dorrell, 39, would enrage the influential boosters who have bombarded the athletic department with endorsements in recent days.

Advocates describe Dorrell as one of the brightest lights in the coaching landscape despite having been an assistant his entire career.

Michael Young, a former Bruin receiver who works in the Bronco front office, and Homer Smith, a highly respected UCLA assistant for 13 years, are among his most avid supporters.

“With regard to leadership, character and energy, you can’t find a better role model for kids than Karl Dorrell,” Young said. “He is extremely principled and comes in completely clean. And he’s done everything you need to do in a so-called apprenticeship working toward becoming a head coach.”

Said Smith, who has remained in contact with Dorrell since coaching him from 1982-86: “I recruited and coached Karl Dorrell from start to finish. He was characterized by his error-free play. He may never have made a mistake.

“He certainly would handle players well. He is self-motivated as so many great leaders are.”

Dorrell appreciates the backing and made it clear he is very interested in becoming UCLA’s 15th coach, even for the relatively low salary of $700,000 that is believed to be Guerrero’s starting point.

“There have been a lot of supportive people who are calling me and are recommending me,” Dorrell said. “I’m very flattered.

“I think the money issue will take care of itself. I’m not as concerned about that as a lot of the candidates. My deal is wanting the job and bringing the program back to where it should be.”

If hired, he would become only the fourth African American head coach in Division I football.

Meanwhile, Robinson, 51, expressed interest in the position, using Vermeil as a mouthpiece. Robinson was the Bruin defensive line coach during the time Dorrell was a player.

“Whether they give him a great shot, I don’t know,” Vermeil said. “He certainly knows what it is to coach at UCLA and the competition between USC and UCLA. All I can say right now is that he’s considered a candidate.”

A source close to Robinson said that his only drawback besides not having served as a head coach is an occasionally confrontational style.

“He’s volatile,” the source said. “He won’t get along with [college] players.”

Evaluating all this is the first-year Guerrero, whose closest confidant is Field, a gentlemanly and loyal Bruin who was pushed from his post as defensive coordinator into an administrative job two years by Bob Toledo

Now Toledo is gone, fired Monday after seven seasons. He has been unreachable, even having his home phone number disconnected.

Neuheisel reportedly is willing to take a pay cut to come to UCLA and is trying to set up a meeting with Guerrero. But the athletic director is busy courting Dorrell, who studied at Neuheisel’s knee for four years as his offensive coordinator at Colorado.

Bruin players who starred during the UCLA heyday of the 1980s felt marginalized by Toledo and want one of their own as coach. That was always thought to be Neuheisel, 41, but support for Dorrell is swelling.

“There are a bunch of ex-players saying they want to come back to the program,” one source said. “These are the people pushing for Karl.”