Head football coach Rick Neuheisel has been fired by UCLA. Given that UCLA has a high profile football program, there is a great deal of speculation about other candidates for this position. Since his firing, coach Neuheisel claims that UCLA needs to invest more in the football program financially. This is an interesting statement that I hope to look into further later in the future.
Since this is Neuheisel's last season as UCLA's head coach, let's take a look at how UCLA has performed in terms of productivity since 2008. I will take the most recent season first and finish with the 2008 season.
In 2011, the Bruins are (as of Nov. 26th 2011) 6-6 and currently are bowl eligible against a strength of schedule equal to 54.08. UCLA has petitioned for a waiver to remain bowl eligible if they lose in the Pac 12 championship game this coming weekend. In terms of production, UCLA is currently the #73 most productive team overall, with an offense that is #48 in terms of production and a defense that is #95 in relative productivity.
In 2010, UCLA was 4-8 playing against a strength of schedule measure of 55.17. In terms of production, UCLA had the #106 ranked team, with the #100 ranked offense and the #105 ranked defense. This was the lowest production during Neuheisel's tenure.
In 2009, the UCLA Bruins were 7-5 in the regular season, with a loss to Temple in their bowl game. UCLA played against a strength of schedule equal to 55.15 - which is above (stronger) than average. In terms of production, UCLA had the #63 ranked team, with the #83 ranked offense and the #40 ranked defense. This was the most productive team under Neuheisel's tenure.
In 2008, UCLA was 4-8 against a strength of schedule of 50.25. UCLA played against a strength of schedule equal to 50.25 - which again is above (stronger) than average. In terms of production, UCLA had the #101 ranked team, with the #109 ranked offense and the #75 ranked defense.