Likes:
1. Program/culture continuity: the culture thing is the most important to me, personally. Greatness is built on a foundation of culture. Personally, I loved the culture of Ucla under Chip: books. Ball. Top notch fitness. Nutrition. Recovery. Amazingly efficient practices. Team morale building sessions that were essentially group therapy sessions so that guys could get to know each on a deep level. DF is highly likely to be able to keep and grow the good culture stuff. Keith Belton, I'm pretty sure, is gonna stay. He's SO critical, imo.
The guys on the current team love the culture. They love the process orientation. They love grinding. They love their brothers. And DF is 1000% in their sweet spot. That's nice. It's not the end all/be all. Big picture, it might not mean anything over the next decade. But it's a better start than 20+ guys fleeing the program.
2. Commitment to running the ball: He's DeShaun motherfvcking Foster, b!tch. You better buckle tf up when it's time to play Ucla. Resurrect John madden or Chris "Ethel merman" Berman to do the Ucla broadcasts and send Josh lose-win and Matt Steven's out to pasture. Being able to run the ball is insanely important to me. Aesthetically and strategically.
3. Staff continuity (short term): Drevno is critical in the short term. He's a pro's pro OL coach. This 1st year is really important for Ucla's "watency" fanbase. 3-9 fvcks df forever. So the more harmony within the leadership, the greater the chances of success.
4. NIL fundraising: I think df will do ok here! I don't think Ucla's watency fan base will be THAT begrudging to df to start. DF will schmooze more than chip did. Imo, Jarmond MUST have someone accompany DF to all events 1st year minimum as a sidekick. A Robin to DF's Batman. Wayne Cook would be my #1 choice. Pay Wayne to be there, and they would KILL it together.
Dislikes:
1. DF has never been a HC before. Is he ready? Will he make critical mistakes that fvck the season or outright lose games? (Electing to receive at the start of ot... oh wait, an experienced hc just passed that brain fart in a crowded elevator...nvm)
2. Overseeing the "goodness" of the o game plan and the d game plan. The media had questions about D'Anton Lynn last year: he's never called plays before! (But he's been mental engaged in calling plays for the last 12 years). Those same questions from the same shiitbird media know-nothings will nip at DF's heels all year. God forbid that Ucla start slow in a game next year. The message boards will erupt. "DF lacks the 'necessities' to be a HC!" or shiit of that variety.
3. "Closing" as a recruiter. There are 3 phases of the recruiting life cycle, imo: a) identification: who are the good players Wyeth the academics and character to fit at Ucla? b) seduction: getting players turned on by Ucla. c) closing: getting players to choose Ucla over all the other schools to give their virginity to. I'd give chip an A for part a, a B for part b, and an F for part c. Will DF be better at parts b and c than chip was? We'll see. What if DF is a C on part c? What kind of lift would the program get? I think Darren Uscher (great halftime performance, btw, killed it) will get Ucla to a B+, maybe A- on part b. But we might see a situation where the recruiting needle doesn't move much. I hope I'm wrong. Most "fans" didn't like Karl Dorrell's recruiting results. DF and KD have a lot of similarities.
Things I could not care less about:
1. Money. It's not my money, so I don't care how much or little Ucla spends
2. Media relations. Necessary evil. I would love to see DF go ham on one or both of the broskis. It would put Chris Everett to shame. Probably not going to happen. But homie don't play that, broski. Be forewarned.
Unknowns:
1. Personnel decisions: will df make good decisions about who plays (or not) and how much? Will DF be able to hire good assistant coaches?
(Maybe I'll add to this, we'll see)