Coachs son taking it in stride

Quarterback Jerry Neuheisel (6-1, 185, 4.8) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola has a unique set challenges being the son of UCLA's head football coach Rick Neuheisel and the son of Rose Bowl MVP. The younger Neuheisel has learned much being the son of a football coach, but is it hard being the son of a D-I football coach?

"It's not hard when he's successful, but when he's losing it is (laughs)," Neuheisel said. "I think it (being the son of a football coach) brings a lot attention to you.

"Everyone wants to criticize you more or give you more acclaim than you deserve, but I think it comes with the territory," Neuheisel said. "Growing up, you kind of learn to take the good with the bad.

"I guess if they are talking about you it's a good thing," Neuheisel said. "No press, is bad press, I have learned. You take it has it comes and you just build off of it."

Would it be hard for Neuheisel to be accepted as just another teammate if he ends up choosing UCLA with his dad being the head coach and one of its most famous alums?

"I think the team wouldn't mind," Neuheisel said. "I don't think I'm one of those guys who is going to act like somehow he's entitled because my dad is coach. Everyone has to go and earn their spot.

"D-I college football is the most competitive in the country and everyone there is one of the best players in their state and one of the best on their (high school) team," Neuheisel said. "If I go and earn my spot the right way, the guys would accept me.

"I wouldn't want my dad to somehow just grant me a spot just because I'm his kid," Neuheisel said. "I don't think it will be a problem.

"It never was a problem growing up growing up the son of a coach and I don't think it will ever be a problem."

Coach's son or not the younger Neuheisel is making a name of his own at the quarterback position. He was named his team's offensive MVP and was second-team all-league selection after throwing for 1,621 yards and 13 touchdowns while hitting on 61.6 of passes.

Neuheisel attended the first day of the FBU Camp last weekend held at East Los Angeles College and was considered one of the best quarterbacks at the camp. He is planning on taking in the Elite 11 camp and is hoping to go the FBU Top Gun camp, plus not surprisingly, UCLA's camp.

The scouting report on Neuheisel is he has a tight compact and quick release. He has worked on his arm strength in the offseason and his hard work has paid off. He's very intelligent and makes good decisions.

On the recruiting front, UCLA, Penn State and Illinois are known to be looking at him. There are more, but Loyola currently doesn't have a head coach so recruiting letters are slow to get to Loyola's recruits. The Cubs will have a new coach named by March 7th.

What is Neuheisel looking for in a college?

"I want to attend a school that has great academics, first off because the percentage of guys who make to the league or something else in football is so small you have to have some foundation in case football doesn't work out that you have another option," Neuheisel said. "I also want to go to a place where there is a coach who is going to mentor me and not just throw me on the bench and just kind of let me do my own thing.

"I would to work with a quarterback coach who is going to bring up through the ranks and teach me `what I need to learn," Neuheisel said. "A coach who will teach me more about coverages and help get my mechanics right, that's what I would want in a coach.

"Then a place where I would feel at home," Neuheisel said. "California has become like home to me. I love the sun and I love the beach. I want to attend a school where I feel at home and welcome."

Neuheisel is an outstanding student who carries a 3.8 GPA at one of the toughest academic schools in Southern California.