Why did UCLA change offensive coordinators four days before Penn State?

Penn State entered game week with UCLA on Sunday knowing it would have to deal with a defensive coordinator who was in his second week of calling plays for the Bruins. Then, on Tuesday night, the Lions were thrown another curveball by their second Big Ten foe of the season. The Los Angeles Times first reported that Tino Sunseri was ​out as the UCLA offensive coordinator. He held the role for just four games plus three days of prep work — including two practices — this week to prepare for a visit from James Franklin’s team.

“Coach Sunseri and the university agreed to mutually part ways,” Skipper said after Wednesday’s practice, according to BWI sister site Bruin Blitz. “I want to thank coach Sunseri for what he’s done here. Had great conversations with him during my time here and just talking ball. And, he’s a coach’s kid and just getting better that way.

“It was all just mutual agreement — that’s all I want to say about it, you know? All of the elements were together on it and it was mutual.”

Jerry Neuheisel, the current tight ends coach, assistant coach, and son of longtime football coach and current broadcaster Rick, is taking over Sunseri’s role. Per his school bio, he has never called plays before. His debut will force him to match wits with one of the game’s top defensive coordinators in Penn State first-year assistant Jim Knowles.

More: How did Playoff percentages change for Penn State following its loss to Oregon?

It goes without saying that UCLA is looking to make any changes it thinks will help amid a 0-4 start. Former head coach DeShaun Foster was fired two weeks ago. And before Skipper installed Neuheisel as his new play caller on offense, he brought in former Syracuse analyst Kevin Coyle to take over the Bruins’ defense just days before a loss to Northwestern last Saturday.

“He’s another coach’s kid. Played quarterback. Coached receivers. And, he’s coached tight ends,” Skipper said, per Bruin Blitz. “He has a full-rounded professional development for him to be a good playcaller. And, I am excited to watch him do his thing.

“I mean, it’s not like everything’s going great, right, so you have to adapt and overcome. So, a lot of advice (to Neuheisel) of, ‘Look, don’t do too much — you have to do what the guys need to know for this game and then we’ll move forward with the next game.’ So the main thing was just, ‘Hey, be yourself but don’t think you need to install a whole new playbook and all that stuff. Do what we need to do for this game and then we’ll move forward.’”