UCLA will throw its hat in the coaching market this offseason, as the school announced the firing of Jim Mora on Sunday afternoon. Mora, who finished his six-season tenure at the school with a 46-30 overall record, is 3-5 this season and coming off a loss to in-state rival USC.
The Bruins will now join a number of other schools in the coaching market. And while a national search begins, other teams may reap some semblance of reward. Below are five teams that stand to benefit from a dose of coaching uncertainty at UCLA.
RELATED: Recruits react to Mora's dismissal | Names to watch in coaching search
USC
This is the most obvious of inclusions. USC and UCLA recruit head-to-head as much or more than any other set of Rivals. They share a city and a recruiting base. And while USC has been winning on the field and on the recurring trail as of late, the early years of Mora saw the Bruins challenge the Trojans when it came to attracting top prospects. Olaijah Griffin, one of UCLA’s top commitments, has had one eye on USC for some time, and this may help him make the jump from the Bruins’ commitment list to the Trojans’.
ARIZONA STATE
UCLA has made a habit of poaching Phoenix area talent for some time. It goes in spurts, with some classes featuring more players leaving the Tempe area for UCLA than others. That said, the Sun Devils won’t be sad to see the Bruins fall on uncertain times. Under Todd Graham, ASU has put an increased emphasis on keeping in-state players at home, and Mora’s removal and the subsequent uncertainty that will take hold in Westwood will help that cause. Four-star prospect Bryan Addison, who was thought to be a UCLA lean despite having a brother at ASU, may more seriously consider the Sun Devils now that Mora has been removed.
WASHINGTON
Washington makes its living recruiting in California and in the Pacific Northwest. The program’s rise to national prominence has resulted in it targeting many of the same players that UCLA likes to pursue. Two of the Huskies’ six four-star commits are from California and two more hail from the states of Washington and Oregon, where the Bruins spot recruit. UCLA being in the market for a coach and on the verge of a rebuild will help the Huskies sustain the momentum they’ve built.
STANFORD
UCLA and Stanford find themselves going head to head often. It was the case with current UCLA star Josh Rosen, and the duo seems to clash over a few top-flight players every cycle. Stanford always holds the academic edge on the Bruins, but now the Cardinal also can tout their stability. Stanford won 10 games a year ago and boasts an 8-3 record this season, which is a pretty attractive situation, while the other school has fired its head coach and is looking to rebuild the program. Winning a recruiting battle against Stanford is hard enough when the on-field situations are equal. Doing so when your program is in the midst of a coaching change is nearly impossible.
OREGON
Oregon’s recruiting hasn’t been as California heavy under Willie Taggart, as the program has moved into Florida. That said, this is as good a chance as any to get something roiling in the Golden State. Oregon looks miles more stable than UCLA for the time being and the on-field product seems to be improving quickly. That stuff might be a compelling pitch to California-based prospects that would normally consider staying in state and playing for the Bruins.