Washington Huskies getting ready for Rick Neuheisel’s return

By Don Ruiz | Tacoma News-Tribune • Published November 14, 2008

• Comments (0)

The last time Rick Neuheisel coached at Husky Stadium, he left a winner, leading Washington to a 41-29 win over Oregon State.

That was Nov. 9, 2002, and the Huskies have won on their home field only a dozen times since then: six in two seasons under Keith Gilbertson and six in four seasons under Tyrone Willingham.

At 7:15 PST on Saturday night, two eras of Washington football collide as Neuheisel returns for the first time as coach of the UCLA Bruins, and Willingham coaches his final home game as a Husky.

That coincidence has been the primary story line in the days leading up to Saturday night’s nationally televised game, and both coaches have taken the high road.

Willingham: "I don’t think it’s that big a deal. My situation is done. Everyone knows what is going on with me. So, that’s pretty much old news, today’s fish wrap. He’ll come in and he’ll be directing his team. He has proven with his record he’s an excellent coach."

Neuheisel: "I have great respect for Coach Willingham. I know how hard he works. My first year in the Pac-10 he was the Pac-10 Coach of the Year and had the conference champions in Stanford. So, I know there isn’t any lack of effort, and I know that they are going to play their tails off this weekend. And so will our team. And even though the records don’t indicate it, it should be a whale of a college football game."

Before that game can begin, Neuheisel must make his way from the visiting locker room to the visiting sideline. And despite guiding UW to its last Rose Bowl, he doesn’t not expect a hero’s welcome.

"If my family comes, there will be some people clapping when I come in," he said. "It will be what it will be. There will be some people that will be angry and look at me as the guy that caused some of the problems that exist; and there will be some people that will want to be excited about my being on the field. But the fact of the matter is that hopefully they are coming to watch a bunch of good young kids play hard."

Neuheisel’s first UCLA team is 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Bruins come in with a two-game losing streak.