Just one day after putting together what UCLA football coach
Karl Dorrell called the most successful recruiting class of his
tenure, the Bruin coaching staff received some more big
shake-ups.
Offensive coordinator Tom Cable accepted a job with the Atlanta
Falcons, to become the organization’s offensive line coach.
Cable, who served as the Bruins’ offensive coordinator and
offensive line coach for the last two seasons, was offered the
Falcons job on Wednesday evening and accepted the job on Thursday
morning.
“Coaching in the NFL has been a career dream,” Cable
said in a UCLA press release. “I am grateful to Karl for
giving me the opportunity at UCLA. I know Karl will continue to
have great success with the program. It’s a great
opportunity, but I will really miss being at UCLA.”
Cable leaves the Bruins after a short but successful tenure.
Last season, the Bruins averaged 270.3 passing yards per game, 431
yards in total offense per game, and were ranked fifth nationally
in scoring with 39.1 points per game.
In 2004, Cable’s first season, the Bruins had similar
success, averaging 410 yards per game and 30.1 points per game.
“Tom has done a great job of coordinating our offense and
coaching the line,” Dorrell said. “He has been a friend
for a long time, and I am grateful for his contributions and wish
him well with the Falcons.”
Perhaps the most shocking element of Cable’s departure for
the players was the haste with which the decision was made.
“I think today was a surprise for our offensive players. I
don’t think any of those guys were anticipating anything like
that,” Dorrell said.
“Sometimes circumstances happen so quickly. They
understood, and I think Tom all along has always told them that the
only thing that would take him away from UCLA was if he got offered
a job in the NFL.”
The fact that Cable’s departure occurred just the morning
after recruit signing day on Wednesday is also somewhat
intriguing.
Cable had expressed his enthusiasm for the offensive linemen he
helped bring to Westwood, saying it was the best group he had ever
recruited. Dorrell admitted he felt fortunate that Cable’s
departure came after the signing period.
“I’m at least excited that when it did happen, it
didn’t affect our recruiting,” Dorrell said.
“I’m lucky from that standpoint. We had a very good
recruiting year.”
In finding Cable’s replacement, Dorrell said he would
first focus on hiring an offensive line coach, then look for a
coordinator. He reiterated that he would likely hire a coordinator
from within the program, mentioning running backs coach Dino
Babers, quarterbacks coach Jim Svoboda and even himself as
candidates qualified for the position.
Cable’s departure was not the only shake-up to the
Bruins’ coaching staff on Wednesday. Tight ends coach and
assistant coach Jon Embree is also on the way out, as he accepted a
job as tight ends coach with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Embree served as the assistant head coach for the Bruins for
four years and the tight ends coach for three years, developing
senior tight end Marcedes Lewis.
The tight ends coach position will now be filled by special
teams coach Brian Schneider, who will also keep his duties as the
special teams coach. Schneider coached the tight ends at Colorado
State for six years before coming to UCLA.
“We are sorry to see Jon and his family leave the program,
but this is a great opportunity for him,” Dorrell said.
Dorrell also announced the hiring of Chuck Bullough as the new
linebackers coach to replace Larry Kerr, who was relieved of his
duties as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach two weeks
ago.
Bullough coached the linebackers at Western Michigan University
last year and was an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears for
five years from 1999-2003.
“Chuck gained a wealth of knowledge during his five years
with the Chicago Bears,” Dorrell said. “I think he will
be a great addition to our defensive staff.”