Wang’s Word: Athletic director will need to resolve department, conference and brand issues

Many people expected Dan Guerrero’s final exploit before the end of his contract as UCLA’s athletic director would be hiring Mick Cronin as the new men’s basketball coach in April. They probably also thought – spoiler alert – that Grey Worm was going to die in the final season of “Game of Thrones.” Sometimes life […]

Long snapper’s unique role requires careful technique and a strong mentality

Aggressive traps and a stifling attack – that’s how Johnny Den Bleyker said he likes to play chess. Set to graduate a year early and pursue a master’s degree, the junior long snapper for UCLA football has been playing chess since elementary school. He took it up again this offseason when coach Chip Kelly brought […]

The stories and memories from the newsroom helped me understand who I am today -30-

What a wild ride it’s been. Imagine being an awkward, quiet 17-year-old Asian boy walking into a crowded office, and the first person you make eye contact with is Matt Cummings. It was like diving straight into the deep end of a pool before realizing you can’t swim. Yikes. I applied to the Daily Bruin […]

Press conference showcases process behind search for new men’s basketball coach

If UCLA’s 99-day head coach search was an increasingly strenuous workout, then Wednesday’s introductory press conference was a refreshing shower. How long it takes until the aches and pains set in is still to be determined, but the Bruins’ lengthy search – which included thorough background checks and at least three other reported candidates – […]

Jamie Dixon reportedly out of consideration to be next UCLA men’s basketball coach

There will be no UCLA men’s basketball coach for the time being. The Los Angeles Times reported TCU coach Jamie Dixon is no longer in consideration for the Bruins’ coaching vacancy due to the two schools’ inability to reach an agreement on Dixon’s buyout. A UCLA spokesman said he did not have any updates regarding […]

Running back duo hopes to fill big shoes as they progress from bench

Thunder and lightning. Cars and traffic. Peanut butter and jelly. Many everyday objects come in pairs, intended or unintended. In a sense, so do people – like Martell Irby and Kazmeir Allen. The rising sophomore running backs joined UCLA in August and both had cameo appearances in the Bruins’ backfield. But neither claimed the true […]

Wang’s Word: UCLA Athletics damages its reputation by recruiting fake athletes

Forget for a brief moment the celebrities who were indicted for buying their kids’ admissions to some of the top colleges in the country. And forget about the numerous qualified high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds who overcame the obstacles in their lives, only to be denied admission in favor of the human equivalent of […]