Money Won’t Stop Riley

The UCLA coaching search and shuttle service is fully operational. Mike Riley has returned to New Orleans after an interview with campus decision-makers Monday, and Karl Dorrell is on his way to Westwood today.

Riley, a New Orleans Saint assistant, did not talk about a contract during a two-hour meeting with Chancellor Albert Carnesale, Vice Chancellor Peter Blackman, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Assistant Athletic Director Bob Field.

However, he said nearly every other topic pertaining to Bruin football was discussed.

“Goals, discipline, recruiting, rivalries, facilities, we went over everything except money,” Riley said before boarding a flight to New Orleans. “I don’t think [contract details] would hold this up, and I think they know that.”

If Riley takes a head coaching job, he forfeits $750,000 owed to him by the San Diego Chargers for the last year of a five-year contract he signed in 1999. He would not expect UCLA to compensate for any part of it.

“I’ve already made more money in this profession than I ever dreamed of making,” he said. “I’m not worried about it.”

A contract is also the last thing on the mind of Dorrell, a Denver Bronco assistant who will interview today and return to Colorado in time for morning meetings Wednesday.

“The money would not be a problem,” Dorrell said. “If you get an opportunity to coach and do something with it, that is an area that will take care of itself.”

A third candidate, Kansas City Chief assistant Greg Robinson, has no plans to travel to Los Angeles today, a source said.

UCLA’s decision could be made as soon as late today, although the process is likely to continue into the latter part of the week, sources said. Riley believes he will be informed of a decision over the phone and will not be asked to return for another interview.

The search, which began within hours of Bob Toledo’s being fired Dec. 9, has focused from the beginning on Riley and Dorrell, with Robinson close behind. Guerrero and Field interviewed Riley in New Orleans one week ago and interviewed Dorrell and Robinson on Saturday in Denver.

Mike Price of Washington State was contacted by UCLA on Friday but a day later told his team he had no interest in the job.

Guerrero, who is in his first year as athletic director, said there is no timetable on a hire because UCLA must exercise due diligence. Even if a new coach is announced this week, interim Coach Ed Kezirian will lead the Bruins in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day. “[A new coach] wouldn’t know the assistants and wouldn’t know the kids,” Guerrero said. “It wouldn’t make much sense.”

Riley, 49, has had head coaching stints with the San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001, Oregon State from 1997 to ’98 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League from 1987 to ’90. He also was an assistant at USC from ’93 to ’96.

“I’m at an age where I want to settle in and stay somewhere a long time,” Riley said. “I told [UCLA] they’d have to tear the uniform off me.”

Riley turned down a lucrative multiyear offer from Alabama, his alma mater, Thursday and for the first time admitted that the lure of UCLA played a role.

“Frankly, I wanted to give myself a chance to explore this opportunity,” he said. “I know myself. I’ve been to enough places. I’ve coached all over, and I have a good idea where I want to be.”

Returning to college football is part of his plan.

“I love the NFL, the guys I’m coaching in New Orleans are great, but I miss coaching college kids,” he said.

Dorrell, although reserved by nature, is expected to display every bit as much enthusiasm in his interview. The former Bruin receiver is in his second year with the Broncos after serving as offensive coordinator at Colorado and Washington.

Dorrell, 39, has no head coaching experience but enjoys the support of a large group of alumni. One former UCLA player said that by hiring Dorrell the athletic department would gain more than an excellent up-and-coming coach: an immediate and substantial increase in alumni donations.

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Defensive tackle C.J. Niusulu is expected to enter a plea to reduced misdemeanor charges today in Barstow Superior Court. Niusulu, a freshman, is charged with felony battery for allegedly punching a ticket-taker at a Barstow drive-in theater in July.