Monday, February 22, 1999
That’s Aliotti for UCLA’s defensive coordinator
RESIGNATION: With harsh criticism after Rose Bowl loss, coach
opts to return to University of Oregon
By Jeff Kmiotek
Daily Bruin Staff
Nick Aliotti, who served as UCLA’s defensive coordinator this
season, has decided to return to the University of Oregon, where he
helped mold the Ducks’ "Gang Green" defense.
Aliotti had been asked by head coach Bob Toledo to remain a
Bruin following UCLA’s Rose Bowl defeat against Wisconsin. But
after a season of defensive struggles which lead to public
criticism, he has chosen to go back to Oregon, where he was an
assistant coach from 1988-1992 and defensive coordinator from
1993-1995.
Aliotti said the harsh criticism he received about his defensive
unit had an effect on his decision. UCLA’s defense finished ninth
in the Pac-10 by allowing 432.5 yards per game, including 689 yards
by Miami in a 49-45 loss that knocked the Bruins out of the Fiesta
Bowl.
"You need to go to work every day and feel good about yourself
and the people you’re around. That situation was not there. I just
didn’t feel I had the support," said Aliotti.
Following UCLA’s Rose Bowl loss, Toledo announced that changes
would be made to the defense next year, including a new 4-3
alignment.
"I’m sorry that things didn’t work out for Nick here at UCLA. He
had to deal with a young, inexperienced defensive unit," Toledo
said. "Nick is a good football coach and a good person."
It was Aliotti’s defensive unit which catapulted the Ducks to
the 1994 Rose Bowl, Oregon’s only Pac-10 title. Following that
season, Aliotti served as an assistant coach for the St. Louis Rams
for three years before coming to UCLA.
"It’s great to come back to a place like Eugene. There’s just a
sense of community and college-town atmosphere that (my family)
missed for the last four years," said Aliotti.
"I could have stayed at UCLA but something was missing. Oregon
was a place that made us happy."
Oregon’s previous defensive coordinator Bob Foster will step
down, but will remain on the Ducks as the linebackers’ coach.
"I am very pleased that Nick has decided to return here and am
equally pleased Bob Foster has chosen to stay on," said Oregon head
coach Mike Bellotti. "They will work together very, very well and
insure a smooth transition while continuing the improvement in the
Oregon defense."
A new UCLA defensive coordinator has yet to be named, but Toledo
said he will select from the Bruins’ existing staff in the near
future.
John Pearce, who served as head football coach at Stephen F.
Austin State University for the past seven years, has been hired to
coach the defensive ends.
"John has been successful at all levels. I have known him a long
time and I feel he will be a great fit on our defensive staff,"
said Toledo.
Pearce compiled a record of 46-32-2 at Stephen F. Austin. Prior
to that job, he worked with Toledo as an assistant coach at Texas
A&M.
UCLA assistant coach Bob Field will shift from defensive ends to
the secondary to accommodate the addition of Pearce.Nick
Aliotti
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