The Life and Career of College Football Coach Rick Neuheisel

Over the last 30+ years, Rick Neuheisel has become one of the most prominent and well-known figures in college football. He‘s made his mark as both a player and coach across the NCAA landscape. Let‘s take an in-depth look at Neuheisel‘s background, accomplishments, coaching style, and impact on the game.

Early Life and Introduction to Football

Born on November 28, 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin, Richard Gerald Neuheisel grew up as the son of a former Baltimore Colts player. Athletics and football were ingrained in Neuheisel from an early age.

Neuheisel‘s family moved to Tempe, Arizona when he was young, where he emerged as a star multi-sport athlete. At Tempe High School, Neuheisel earned All-State honors in both football and baseball. As the starting quarterback, he led his team to the state championship game in 1979.

"Football was always number one for Rick growing up," his father Dick Neuheisel told Sports Illustrated. "He had a passion for sports from the time he was old enough to walk."

Becoming a Star Quarterback at UCLA

Neuheisel began his college career at UCLA in 1980 and saw immediate success. After initially splitting time as a freshman, Neuheisel took over as the full-time starting quarterback in 1982.

That year, he threw for over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading UCLA to a 10-1-1 record and Rose Bowl berth. Neuheisel cemented his legacy when he was named MVP after leading UCLA to victory in the 1983 Rose Bowl.

In his senior season in 1984, Neuheisel earned First Team All-American honors after throwing for nearly 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns. His impressive college career laid the foundation for what was to come.

UCLA Passing Stats:

• 1982: 165/273, 2,515 yards, 20 TD
• 1983: 129/224, 1,920 yards, 11 TD
• 1984: 214/357, 2,761 yards, 27 TD

"Rick was one of the most competitive and driven players that I ever coached," said former UCLA head coach Terry Donahue. "He loved the big moments."

Brief Professional Playing Career

Although he went undrafted in the NFL, Neuheisel signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 1985. His time as a pro was short-lived, however, as a knee injury forced him to retire after just two seasons.

Neuheisel finished his NFL career with 21 total passes for 233 yards, no touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

"Not being able to make it as an NFL quarterback is one of my biggest disappointments," he later said. "But it led me to coaching, which turned out to be my true passion."

Getting His Start in Coaching

Right after his playing days ended, Neuheisel entered the coaching ranks in 1986 as a volunteer assistant coach at UCLA while he attended law school. This was his entry point into the profession that would define his career.

Over the next decade, Neuheisel steadily advanced up the coaching ladder with stops at Colorado and Washington as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator:

• 1986–1993: UCLA (Volunteer Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach)
• 1994: Colorado (Quarterbacks Coach)
• 1995–1998: Colorado (Head Coach)
• 1999: Washington (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)

Neuheisel first made a national name for himself during his time at Colorado in the mid-1990s. As head coach from 1995-1998, the charismatic Neuheisel led the Buffaloes to a 33–14 record and Cotton Bowl victory over Oregon. His early success generated buzz that he was a rising star in the coaching world.

Breakout Success at Washington

In 1999, Neuheisel returned to his alma mater Washington as their new head coach. In just his second year, he orchestrated one of the greatest seasons in school history.

The 2000 Huskies went 11-1, won the Pac-10 title, and capped off the year with a dominant 34-24 victory over Purdue in the Rose Bowl. Neuheisel was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year as Washington finished #3 in the final polls.

Key Stats from 2000 Season:

• QB Marques Tuiasosopo finished 8th in Heisman voting
• RB Willie Hurst ran for 1,143 yards and 13 TD
• Defense allowed just 16.9 points per game

"I think that 2000 team was one of the best in Washington history," said Neuheisel. "Everything came together for us that year with leadership, talent and belief."

However, Neuheisel‘s tenure at Washington ended unceremoniously when he was fired in 2003 for participating in illegal gambling activity related to NCAA basketball. This controversial exit marked a turning point in his career.

Rollercoaster Run at UCLA

In 2008, Neuheisel landed back in a head coaching role when he was hired by UCLA, his alma mater. This kicked off a rollercoaster four-year stint full of ups and downs.

Neuheisel energized the Bruins program early on and put together an impressive recruiting class in 2008 ranked 13th nationally. UCLA showed flashes of potential, winning the Pac-12 South title in 2011.

But the team struggled to build consistency, finishing with a 21-30 record over four seasons missing a bowl game in 2010. After a 50-0 blowout loss to cross-town rival USC in 2011, Neuheisel was fired.

UCLA Record from 2008-2011:

• 2008: 4-8 (7th in Pac-10)
• 2009: 7-6 (8th in Pac-10)
• 2010: 4-8 (9th in Pac-10)
• 2011: 6-8 (1st in Pac-12 South)

"We worked hard to turn things around at UCLA, and I think we made some real progress," reflected Neuheisel. "But I regret not being able to finish the job."

Later Coaching Years and What‘s Next

Following his exit from UCLA, Neuheisel spent several years as a football analyst for CBS Sports and the Pac-12 Network offering his insightful commentary.

He returned to the coaching sphere in 2017 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the UCLA Bruins. After two seasons back in Westwood, Neuheisel is now serving in the same offensive coordinator role at Arizona State.

Now 61 years old, Rick Neuheisel has compiled one of the longest head coaching tenures and careers of anyone in recent college football history. While his coaching style has drawn criticism, few can match his deep knowledge and passion for the game.

"I love football, I love the competition, and I love being around the players," Neuheisel has said. It‘s clear that Neuheisel‘s lengthy career shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Coaching Style, Strengths and Weaknesses

Over his many stops, Neuheisel has developed a distinct style of leadership and coaching:

Strengths:

• Strong motivator – Inspires players with energetic, passionate speeches

• Innovative offensive mind – Ran progressive passing schemes for his era

• Dynamic recruiter – Lands top high school prospects year after year

• Relationship-focused – Develops tight bonds with players

Weaknesses:

• Discipline issues – Program lacked accountability at times

• Inconsistent results – Team performance fluctuated year-to-year

• Poor game management – Struggled with in-game decisions

• Defensive deficiencies – Offense-first coach, never fielded elite defenses

"Neuheisel is an offensive guru – both as a strategist and recruiter – who connects with players on an emotional level," said former UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero. "But he needed more structure and consistency to take that next step."

Notable Career Accomplishments

In his over 25 years in coaching, Neuheisel has compiled a very impressive résumé:

• 4-time Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year (1993, 2000, 2005, 2012)
• Rose Bowl winner as player (1983) and coach (2001)
• Cotton Bowl winner as coach (1996)
• 2 Pac-10 titles (2000, 2011)
• 66-30 overall record as head coach at Colorado and Washington
• Highest winning percentage in Colorado history (.727)
• Longest head coaching tenure at UCLA since early 1980s (2008-2011)
• Talking Rain 100 Bottles Up Humanitarian Award (2021) for philanthropic work

Looking Back: Key Quotes from Players, Coaches, and Analysts

Over the years, many top figures in the sport have offered perspectives on Neuheisel‘s abilities and impact on college football:

"He was one of my favorite coaches because of the belief and confidence he instilled in me as a player." – Marques Tuiasosopo, former Washington QB

"Rick had the ability to light a fire under his team and get the most of their talent. But he struggled to maintain discipline over the long haul." – Mike Bellotti, former Oregon coach

"Neuheisel is one of the brightest offensive minds of the last 30 years. He just couldn‘t ever string together enough consistent winning seasons." – Brock Huard, FS1 analyst

"I learned so much from Rick about reading defenses and being a quarterback. His energy and excitement rubs off on the entire team." – Cade McNown, former UCLA QB

Neuheisel has clearly left a notable imprint on college football through the eyes of many in the sport.

Family Life with Wife Sue and Children

Off the field, Neuheisel places family above all else. He married his wife Susan in June 1983, and they have two daughters together – Emily and Ashley.

His son Jerry played quarterback at UCLA from 2012-2014 with Rick as his coach. Jerry is currently the offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach for the Bruins.

"Having Jerry on our staff is a dream come true," said Neuheisel. "I‘m so proud of the man and coach he‘s become."

Both Rick Neuheisel and his son Jerry studied political science, not law, during their time as students at UCLA.

What the Future Holds

Now 61 years old, Neuheisel remains hungry for more success on the gridiron. As he enters his third season as offensive coordinator at Arizona State, the college football lifer looks rejuvenated.

While his head coaching days appear to be over, Neuheisel‘s wealth of knowledge and passion for the game still burns bright. It is surely only a matter of time before he makes his mark with the Sun Devils.

And based on his track record, this wily coaching veteran likely has more than a few new tricks up his sleeve. Expect more memorable moments and big wins wherever Neuheisel roams the sidelines next.