UCLA coaching to be evaluated after recruiting, Rick Neuheisel says

Speculation about possible football coaching changes at UCLA has centered on offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

Dangling even more precariously is defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough.

Coach Rick Neuheisel has said he will evaluate each of his assistant coaches at the end of the season, but Chow recently was awarded a two-year contract extension. Though it has yet to be signed, that would require Chow quitting or a hefty buyout for him not to return.

Meanwhile, Bullough is at the end of his contract, and the shaky performance of a young Bruins defense could make him a fall guy for the team’s poor record.

Recruiting, though, will be Neuheisel’s first priority.

“When the season ends on [Saturday], we have until the 20th to recruit in the contact period,” Neuheisel said. “We’ve got to get into a full-speed sprint and get into recruiting up until the 20th. Once that’s done, when the [recruiting] calendar goes to a dead period, then I will have an opportunity to analyze things.”

Neuheisel said he would evaluate everything from the coaching staff to the team’s new “pistol” offense. As for how long he would scrutinize before acting, he said, “I don’t have a timetable when all decisions will be made.”

Among assistants, only Chow and offensive line coach Bob Palcic have contracts that extend beyond this season. Palcic is signed through next season.

“I don’t know where it is in terms of analysis,” Neuheisel said. “Certainly, given the fact that coaches have lives and families and all that kind of stuff, people need to know exactly where they stand.”

Recruiting watch

Neuheisel said he feels a “good vibe” when talking to recruits on the telephone even though in the last two weeks the Bruins have lost two players who had orally committed.

Lakewood Mayfair tackle Darryl Jackson and Stockton Lincoln wide receiver Brandin Cooks both changed their commitments to Oregon State.

UCLA has nine commitments and 14 scholarships to offer, though that number could go up depending on changes in the roster.

By the numbers

UCLA is giving up 30.6 points per game, third-highest in school history since 1921. If the Bruins give up 33 points against USC, they move into the No. 2 slot, ahead of the 30.7 they gave up in 2000. UCLA would need to give up 65 points to top the 34.2 points it surrendered per game in 2005.

Johnathan Franklin, who has 1,018 yards rushing, needs 92 to pass DeShaun Foster and move into 10th place on UCLA’s single-season list.

UCLA has not scored more than 20 points against USC since 2004 — in a 29-24 loss. The Bruins have scored 53 points in their last five games against the Trojans.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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