LAS VEGAS — As interim head coach Ed Kezirian stood on a
makeshift platform, leading an eight-clap after UCLA defeated New
Mexico 27-13 in the Sega Sports Las Vegas Bowl, Wednesday, a
quieter ceremony took place nearby.
Standing back from the crowd, offensive coordinator Kelly
Skipper sought out defensive coordinator Phil Snow for a handshake
and half-embrace.
“We walk away with our chin up high,” Snow said
after UCLA recovered after a sluggish first half and pulled out a
win against a fired-up Lobo team.
Skipper and Snow created the game plan together, for the first
and last time since head coach Bob Toledo was fired Dec. 9 and
denied the opportunity to coach the bowl game. The assistant
coaches were given all the responsibilities for the game plan, at
the same time knowing that they will most likely be out the door
when new coach Karl Dorrell steps in.
“We showed respect (in winning) because the assistant
coaches stayed and coached us and that really showed they cared
about us,” junior linebacker Brandon Chillar said.
Most of UCLA’s players had not experienced a bowl victory
in their careers, and it showed in their exuberance after the game.
To the Lobos, recipients of just their second bowl invite in 41
years, the loss was a victory nonetheless, a stepping stone for a
small Mountain West program. But for the small Bruin senior class
and the assistant coaches, it was a sendoff.
“This will leave me with a good taste in my mouth
forever,” senior defensive end Rusty Williams said.
“Because I will never wear a UCLA uniform again.”
“I love Coach Snow,” sophomore safety Ben Emanuel
said. “We finally won a bowl game, it is some kind of
credential, some kind of reward. We won for us. The coaches are
included in us because we are all a big family.”
It was also something of a resume-builder for the assistant
coaches who showed their ability to put together a winning game
plan and retain the respect of their players in an awkward
situation.
“The nine assistant coaches put together a game plan for
the last two and a half weeks and worked with few
distractions,” Kezirian said after the game.
“All the assistant coaches are like our dads,” said
Kezirian’s son, senior tight end Blane Kezirian.
As Snow went out the door, Williams shook his hand, forcing him
to pause.
“I learned a lot, Coach,” he said
“I learned a lot.”
Williams repeated himself, holding on before it was all
over.