Trojans fans still revere Norm Chow, and with good reason: He coached two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks at USC, and the team won two national titles while he was there.
Before coming to USC, Chow coached BYU to top-10 finishes in total offense in 12 of 18 years as offensive coordinator. In 2000 at North Carolina State, he helped make Philip Rivers a Freshman All-American.
Since leaving USC, Chow hasn’t fared as well. He never could get Vince Young to become a polished NFL quarterback with the Tennessee Titans, who fired Chow after three seasons. (This year, with veteran Kerry Collins at QB, the Titans are 11-1.)
In his first year at UCLA, Chow has presided over the 110th-ranked offense in the nation. The Bruins’ starting quarterback, Kevin Craft, has thrown 19 interceptions.
Given Chow’s recent struggles with less talent, plus the fact he’s facing USC on Saturday, we thought it was time to ask:
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Really, it’s absurd to say that Chow is overrated. Is it possible he’s past his prime? Of course that’s possible, but it shouldn’t blemish his record at BYU, NC St. and usc. A lot of credit does have to go to the QBs and offensive players who played under Chow, but you can’t make a good steak with low grade hamburger meat. UCLA doesn’t have an OL this year and Craft is very erratic.
Take a look at a couple of Craft’s successful drives, it’s all Chow. And the Tennessee game to open the season? Chow was brilliant in changing things up for Craft after Craft threw 4 INTs in the first half. Players have to want to be coached and willing to follow directions, not to mention some talent. Chow can’t do it alone.
Does the brilliant AP teacher lose credibilty because he can’t teach the autistic kids to pass the AP test?
No way is Chow overrated. If Coach Chow was calling the plays in the national championship game against Texas, they would have won easily. The year before, Oklahoma came in against USC as a stronger opponent than Texas (the following year), but SC used some timely turnovers and go-for-the-jugular play calls on offense to knock OU out of the game early. It was over by halftime. Against Texas, it would have been the same thing. When Texas fumbled that punt in the 1st quarter, USC would have scored and put the game away in a blowout. Pete and Judas (aka Sarkisian) will never win another national championship without Coach Chow. It’s karma for the way Coach Chow was treated. I’m an SC alum (class of 91), and I thank Pete for the fact that he revived a dormant program. But it was Pete’s ego and desire to promote Kiffin into a position he wasn’t ready for that will ultimately be his undoing. Coach Chow was the icing on the cake which made USC a National Champion. Without him, USC is just cake, which is good, but not great.
When I read that “Philip Rivers’ was a Freshman All-American it makes me question UCLA’s quarterback decision this Year? Why did they stick with Craft so long? I believe in many chances but there comes a time when you can’t succeed unless you are put in a position to succeed. Craft is so mentally beaten up that I think it’s become a disservice to him and the team to have him still in there. The only thing that makes sense is that he became an excuse to lose?
When I see that Rivers was a Freshman All-American it makes me think of former high school all-american and freshman Nick Crissman! Why not invest in him this year? And through all the struggles of Craft why not give current backup quarterback Forcier his shot? If I am Forcier I’ve got to be wondering if they will ever play me or give me my opportunity? The UCLA statement “Kevin Kraft gives us the best opportunity to win” is without credence because UCLA has not tried any other options or experiments? How can somebody make such a statement? You can’t eat or judge a pizza until it’s gone through the fire. Too not at least put some other quarterbacks in the fire this year not only crippled this year’s team but cripples next years as well. Unless they think Los Osos’s quarterback is a Philip Rivers and is slated to start next year no matter what? But even if that’s the case, isn’t Nick Crissman worth a look as well? So, with all this said if it’s Rick N. made this call he’s to blame if it was Norm chow then he’s to blame but this situation was flat out “bad”.
yes
Crissman is out for the season with a shoulder injury, torn labrum I believe. Plus he was behind fellow True Frosh Kevin Prince on the depth chart…
When you look at where Norm has been successful it has been at schools with dominant head coaches that could recruit well, coach well and provide the energy and enthusiasm behind the program–Norm’s not the recruiter; he’s the strategist. So Neuheisal should be able to do this as UCLA football changes its personality from low-key Dorrell to high-energy Neuheisal. Perhaps Norm could once again be a good OC then.
What I don’t like about Norm is that he took the same job he had at USC with our cross-town rival UCLA. That is unconscionable. If he was head coach (promoted) that would be different, but you just don’t spit in the face of the coach and team that gave you a big leg up.
Finally, I attended many USC football events at which Carroll and Chow were present. Publicly, Pete Carroll always made an effort to give Norm accolades. Interestingly enough, Norm was a pretty shy guy at those events and stayed within a comfort zone of a few people.
If Crissman is indeed out then give Forcier a shot or true freshman Kevin Prince. But don’t go out and say Kevin Craft gives us the best chance to win without going through your inventory. The guy who would give UCLA the best chance to win against USC is Ben Olson! It’s unfortunate with all his injuries and I think everybody would hate to see him get hurt again but I think that is Ben Olson’s call. If he’s ready to go he gives UCLA the “Best Chance To Win”.
So Rick N. quit giving us that line that “kevin Craft gives us the best chance to win stuff” until you’ve exhausted all your other options first. Then that phrase might have some credence.
No way is Norm Chow over-rated! He just made a bad career move! It’s clear that he has what it takes to coach football players in college to play 2 win. The problem at UCLA right now is that they don’t have talent! And it’s not just about the QB! Yes, the QB is a major factor for the offense, but the rest of the offesive line must compliment each other. It’s not a secret, UCLA needs a QB and offensive line that needs to hit the ground running! This season they have not. Norm is great at designing plays with a talented QB that can manage the game on the field. Right now he’s very limited with how he can utilize his players and he’s wasting his time! He should have NEVER left USC! With Pete on “D” and Norm on “O”, this was the best coaching combination that got USC to the national championship with a highly skilled team on both sides of the ball! UCLA should stick to basketball and give up football all together! I’m sure USC will find an awesome O-coordinator that will compliment Pete and the Trojans in the near future, things happen for a reason!
Common sense test:
1) Norm Chow NEVER coached a Heisman QB.
2) Norm Chow NEVER coached a team to two National Titles.
3) Norm Chow NEVER coached anyone to a first round draft selection.
REASON: Norm Chow was a Position Coach or called plays on these teams. He was never The Coach, therefore, he never “Coached” anyone or team to anything. He was directed to do things by the Head Coach. He called plays in an offense he didn’t design.
Norm Chow attempted to be a Head Coach, more than once, but was not selected. At the time he was interviewing, he was advertised as an “offensive genuis or guru.” He was on the coaching staff on a National Championship team. He couldn’t find a school who wanted him.
After 27 years with the BYU football team, BYU didn’t want Chow, they selected another person. Chow interviewed at Stanford, where he received his Masters, and they didn’t want him. In fact, this “guru” has never been able to find an organization, that played football, who wanted to hire him as a head coach. After he was fired by the Titans - they improved. After he was fired from the Titans he was on the street, but no one went after the “offensive genuis.” Why?
Some call him the “greatest offensive mind in history.” What a joke. How could it be that no one wanted to have this “genius” running their team? Norm Chow is a play caller in an offense that someone else designed while working for the person credited with “Coaching the team,” the Head Coach.
Craig, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The few times they have put Forcier in, he was a deer in headlights. His inexperience was readily apparent and his “happy feet” led him to tuck the ball and run for it.
They put all these QBs through the drill during camp. If there really was a “Phillip Rivers” among them, he would have got the nod. Reality is that UCLA has a severely deficient O-Line. They are not about to risk “developing” a true freshman under fire behind that line. It would waste a year of eligibility and would be a disservice to the young player.
The deficiency of the O-Line has had a huge influence on Craft’s play. He is always rushed to get the ball off. They don’t dare to wait for a longer pass pattern to develop, else he’ll get crushed. They have no run game to balance the passing game, so everyone is keying on the passing game. That basically limits the offense to short yardage pass plays. The rush pressure on Craft has without a doubt contributed to his high level of interceptions. Put a freshman QB in that situation and they’d be scarred for life.
I totally disagreed with “Doug” who said Norm Chow is not that good because no one selected him to be head coach. Well, I know another football genius that was not selected to be head coach for a long time also. Who was that? Bill Walsh!!! Bill Walsh was not always called a “genius”. In Fact, he was not even recommended for a head coach job for a long time and was by passed many times before he was finally selected head coach at Stanford and then head coach of the 49ers. Then, of course, as every one knows, he became a “genius” and won all those Superbowls. Bill Walsh was never a boy genius and did not become head coach until a ripe old age. Look how many years he worked as an assistant coach in Cleveland. Bill Walsh’s head coach for many years never thought very highly of Bill Walsh and never once recommended him for a head coaching job. Yet, now I believe most people consider Bill Walsh to be not only a coaching winner, but one of the most influencial football coach in history. Just look how many of his assistents became head coaches in football.
Steve, you don’t know what your talking about! You don’t think Kevin Craft is scarred? Do you actually watch any games or do you just read the clippings? Craft has had time to pass (Don’t blame the O Line for that) and receivers open and he consistently makes poor decisions and poor throws. His turnovers are so deflating and often times 14 point turn arounds. UCLA’s defense for the most part can keep them in games but Craft’s turnovers can’t be defensed. Don’t get me wrong, I feel for Craft because he’s being made a scapegoat. They should have thrown him a life raft a long time ago by starting somebody else! UCLA has not given a start to any other quarterback all season. If you’re Chris Forcier Steve wouldn’t you want to be judged by say a guy like “Steve” having at least been able to play a full game? It’s unprecedented Steve that a guy who has played as poor as Kevin Craft has all year would start every game for a whole season. If you’
re Chris Forcier you’ve got to wonder if you’ll ever ger a chance at UCLA if you didn’t get one this year.
Dear lord. You have one person claiming that Chow has nothing to do with the offense; you have another person claiming that Chow has too much “control” and is not utilizing his resources effectively. Have any of you yahoos actually participated on any high school or college football team other than the “Sunday morning armchair quarterback bowl?” Sweet Jesus!
I have no doubt that Dorrell would have UCLA in a bowl this year, so who is the better man?
Mason - Norm Chow had nothing to do with how USC beat up OU. And he isn’t the reason USC lost to Texas. OU played a horrible game against USC. Their players were falling down all night instead of catching the football. In the Texas game USC’s biggest problem was their defense. They had a lot of injuries so they just didn’t have much of a defense in that game.
I blame the media for why Norm Chow ended up leaving USC though. In the Orange Bowl game the talking heads spent a major part of the game overhyping Norm Chow. It seemed like it was his team instead of Pete Carroll’s team. That most likely caused the problem.
I don’t think Norm Chow is overhyped but I don’t think he can just go anywhere and solve all your problems either. He’s not a football god.
I could care less what Norm Chow has done away from SC. When he is at SC, he is 2nd to none period.
Dorrell got canned and is no longer coaching at UCLA, so that makes your rhetoric a moot point.
Sure there are coordinators better than Chow just as there are coaches better than Dorrell, so I don’t know how that logic would prove whether Chow, or Dorrell for that matter, is underrated or overrated. Likewise, simply stating that Bob Stoops can lead the Texas Longhorns to the promise land doesn’t necessarily negate the fact that Mack Brown is a good coach.
As with any sport, there’s always gonna be someone who’s better, but that doesn’t automatically make the other person a lesser talent - and that includes coaches and players.
Craig, I have season tix and just got back from the game. No O-line and Craft is a very inaccurate passer. However, Forcier ain’t any better. I’ve seen him play. He’s got some wheels, but he has a very weak arm. So behind the poor pass protection, he ends up tucking the ball and running which gets him very little. Again, Forcier ain’t the answer.
too bad the jokester who wrote becasue NOrm has not gotten a chance as a HC he isnt qualified never read about the great Cincy OC who was never given a chance. Most people said he was too old, and Cinncy magt called him a snake oil salesman. All his qb ’s without exception point to him including guys like Fouts , Anderson Montana and Young. He took a rag tag team in 81 and beat the doomsday cowboys in their prime. When he was finsihed he also started a system which is still used today and has been in just about every playoff in the nfl since 1981. Also, the 46 bears, Buddy Ryans Pghilly team wiht Reggie white and Jerome Brown, LT alnd the Giants and Minnesota front 4 with Milliard and Doleman all lost to his teams. He drafted 3 players who are considered maybe the BEST in their positions EVER in the Nfl. (MOntana, Rice and Lott) His name was Bill Walsh.
Mr. Lev:
The absolute, without a doubt, take it to the bank proof is there, but some are blinded by the likes of ESPN and it’s media subjects.
What am I saying? Simple. Where did Norm Chow (NC) begin this myth that he knew Offensive Football? BYU. NC graduated from BYU. He also was an Assistant Coach there for 27 years. When BYU needed a Head Coach, they refused to hire Norm Chow. That was his first slap in the face.
Chow then went East for a couple of years - no job offered and his second slap in the face. Was Chow the cause of Rivers doing well, or were other coaches the reason? There is one thing for certain - NC still couldn’t get anyone to allow him to run their program.
Next was USC. This is important to remember. Norm Chow had ZERO to do with creating the USC Offense - ZERO. Pete Carroll conferred with a few of his NFL friends and designed the Offense. He had Chow call plays down to the field, where he sometimes changed them or the QB did in the huddle. Chow was so important at play calling that Carroll reassigned him to the QB Coaching position and replaced him with an End Coach - Kiffin. During that time, Chow admitted he had nothing to do with the design of the Offense. He also applied for the Head Coaching position at Stanford- where he received his Masters Degree. They refused to hire him. Another slap to his face.
Important to note: Throughout all of the above years, Chow sought a Head Coaching job, but could never find one. Strange for such an “outstanding offensive coach.” He was then hired by the Titans, but fired two years later as a failure, blaming the QB, the Owner, and the Head Coach. Slap,, slap, slap.
On the street again, no one wanted the self proclaimed “greatest offensive mind in college football.” No organization that had a football, from Pop Warner to the NFL wanted him as a Head Coach. Chow tried at UCLA, but withdrew his name when Neuheisel put his name in. Neuheisel hired him, but was it just to upset the folks at USC?
Chow (now at UCLA) has now been exposed as over - hyped and overrated. How could he plan a game against BYU and lose 59-0? How could the UCLA Offense have been ranked 110th?
Take a clear look and notice that Chow has only seen success where the Head Coach was good and kept his hand on the Offense. The one exception was the Titans, where he was fired. UCLA is now stuck with the “Myth of Chow.” Have fun Bruin fans.
I have to add that it was really surprising to see Chow so helpless against USC. Didn’t he have some knowledge of the Trojans? His “Offensive Mind” was on the front page and it failed bigtime.
Did I just hear that someone wanted Chow as a Head Coach? Just kidding.
Dough-bag
Norm chow has 3 national championship not 2.