Contract extension for Toledo too hasty

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The 2001 football season was tough on UCLA fans ““ but
things might become more difficult once they learn that the man who
made it all possible is sticking around for an extra season.

UCLA head coach Bob Toledo signed a contract extension with the
Athletic Department Tuesday that keeps him in Westwood through the
2008 season, as opposed to the original contract’s ending
date of 2007.

Granting Toledo a one-year extension on the heels of a
disappointing and controversial season was too hasty. While
Toledo’s 42-27 record, two Pac-10 championships and one Sugar
Bowl victory in six years are impressive, the justified skepticism
many have about Toledo’s ability to keep his team in line has
not been addressed by the Athletic Department or the university to
a satisfactory degree. Toledo’s inability to keep players out
of trouble off the field has affected his team’s performance
on the field.

After starting the season 6-0 and pushing for a Rose Bowl
invitation, the team lost star senior tailback DeShaun Foster to an
NCAA extra benefits violation, then lost their next three games,
including a 27-0 defeat at USC. The blowout loss to USC was
prefaced by rumors swirling around junior starting quarterback Cory
Paus and his DUIs. Toledo claimed to have no knowledge of either of
his starting players’ violations until they were made public.
The pattern extends to past seasons as well, most noticeably when
Foster was accused of possessing marijuana and when members of the
team illegally used handicap parking placards.

Toledo has shown flashes of being a great coach, but he leaves
much to be desired. The Athletic Department had six more years to
confirm this, but they needlessly opted to act now. For their sake
and ours, let’s hope 2008 doesn’t bring the university
further embarrassment.