From the hire point, the descent can be sudden for L.A. coaches

If you want to coach a major sports program in Los Angeles these days, lose your sense of pride, find your sense of humor and prepare to spend every waking hour apologizing for not being Phil Jackson.

University of New Mexico says the basketball coach owes them $1 million under contract extension terms. Alford has offered $200,000 and says the new pact never became effective.

• Steve Alford e-mail

With career rushing leader Johnathan Franklin off to the NFL, the Bruins need to find a running game to take pressure off quarterback Brett Hundley

• UCLA's Marcus Rios likely to miss season because of an infection

Trojans' Bryshon Nellum and Aaron Brown and Bruins' Turquoise Thompson are standout performers at Loker Stadium.

• Bill Dwyre: Shot heard 'round the track world hasn't stopped USC star Nellum

After Coach Jim Mora offers to cover UCLA students' $7 bus fare to Saturday's spring football game at the Rose Bowl, the school decides to pick up the tab.

• UCLA football program gets a new 'assistant'

Running back Johnathan Franklin, No. 7 on depth chart as a UCLA freshman, will fulfill a lifelong dream when he's drafted by the NFL. He could go in second round.

• UCLA's Anthony Jefferson, Brandon Sermons impressive in practice