UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel will not commit to bringing back offensive coordinator Norm Chow

Rick Neuheisel made it clear during a Monday afternoon news conference that he was not ready to commit to bringing back offensive coordinator Norm Chow next season.

Chow made it clear Monday evening that the decision was out of his hands, saying, “I would like to come back. I have an agreement. No one is more disappointed in the offense than me. Certainly it is his prerogative to do that. He can let us go, stay with us or not.”

Chow is in the third year of a three-year contract but has agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension believed to be worth about $500,000 a season. The extension is currently working its way through University of California channels. Neuheisel said that UCLA will honor that contract but still wouldn’t commit to having Chow back next season.

“I am going to evaluate everything in our program at the finish line,” Neuheisel said. “I am not going to make any assumptions until the conclusion of the season. That’s what I want to do.”

Neuheisel balked when repeatedly asked whether he would commit to Chow. Chow’s response following practice Monday was more or less a shrug.

“I’m a big guy, I’ve been around this business a long time,” Chow said. “I have been fired before. That’s part of the deal.

“Obviously, it is something he’s thinking of doing. What else can you say?”

UCLA’s offense has struggled, particularly in the passing game, this season. Although the running game has improved, the Bruins are last in passing efficiency among the 120 major-college teams. The Bruins average 19.4 points a game, ranking them 104th nationally.

“I make no excuses,” Chow said, adding that whatever Neuheisel “thinks needs to get done, will get done.”

Larimore surgery

Linebacker Patrick Larimore will have surgery Wednesday to repair the labrum in his left shoulder.He dislocated the shoulder against Oregon on Oct. 21.

Larimore said he can begin rehabilitation within “four to five” weeks after the surgery. He was unsure if he would be ready for spring practice in April.

chris.foster@latimes.com

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes