Rick Neuheisel isn’t exactly finding success in his first NFL coaching season. But he’s having fun, all the same. He’s coaching. At this point, that is enough.
While the Baltimore Ravens’ 4-8 record has taken the edge off the good times Neuheisel was hoping for, he is moving ahead in his chosen career.
“It’s been a tough season and there have been challenges, but that’s the profession,” the Ravens’ quarterbacks coach said. “This is all about growing, and this experience has been enlightening and fun.”
Neuheisel, always philosophical, has made many moves during his lightning-rod career. He’ll get to reflect on his coaching résumé this week as he prepares to return to Colorado, when the Ravens play the Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday.
It will be Neuheisel’s first professional return to the area since the former University of Colorado coach was fired from the University of Washington after participating in an NCAA basketball tournament pool in 2003.
“I have moved on; I try not to be bitter,” Neuheisel said. “But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it. I don’t think you have to let it go. It’s part of what has happened in my life.”
After serving as a high school quarterbacks coach in Seattle, Neuheisel’s career appears back on track even though the Ravens have struggled – as have the quarterbacks he has tutored this season, Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright.
“Rick has done an outstanding job for us,” Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel said. “He’s very organized and prepared, and the guys respond to him. It’s been fun working with him. You can tell that he was, and will be again, a very good head coach.”
Neuheisel’s name has been linked to San Diego State, which fired its head coach Monday. He could be on the move from Baltimore, if speculation about Ravens coach Brian Billick’s demise proves true. In that case, Billick likely would be a candidate for other NFL jobs and Neuheisel could follow him if that scenario develops.
After a wild decade, the man detractors have referred to as “Slick Rick” refuses to join in the speculation.
“I really try to take this all one day at a time,” Neuheisel said. “I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
Neuheisel said he believes he’ll get another opportunity to coach in college, even though he said he hasn’t decided whether he would rather pursue a college job or an NFL head coaching job. He said his history with the Buffaloes and the Huskies warrants another chance. He compiled a 66-30 record at the schools.
“We had a lot of good Saturdays, a lot of them,” Neuheisel said. “I think another chance will come.”
Neuheisel said if he runs his own program again, he will tone down his verbal game. He said his confidence made him an unpopular figure in some circles in Colorado and Washington and “created a polar extreme” for him.
“I was young and brash, and I probably wouldn’t talk as much,” he said of changes he would make. “If I were to advise a young coach, I’d probably tell him that he doesn’t have to talk as much – just coach.”
Neuheisel said he is looking forward to his trip to Denver because he has several friends in the area, some who will be at Invesco Field on Sunday. Some say the next time Neuheisel returns, it will be as a head coach.
“He’s brilliant, a true genius,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, who worked with Neuheisel at UCLA in the late 1980s. “Rick has everything it takes to be a head coach. I hope he gets another chance because what happened to him (at Washington) wasn’t fair.”
Broncos cornerback Roc Alexander, who played for Neuheisel at Washington, agrees.
“I have nothing but love for Coach,” Alexander said. “The guy was a great player’s coach. I think all of us who know him thinks he should get another shot.”
Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
