Noel Mazzone's Hidden Impact on UCLA's Offensive Resurgence

Jerry Neuheisel has been the face of the Bruins' turnaround, but Mazzone has arguably been just as important.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ask the casual college football fan who is leading the UCLA Bruins through this stunning turnaround, and they'll likely point to offensive play-caller Jerry Neuheisel, even before interim head coach Tim Skipper.

Since Neuheisel took over calling plays, the Bruins have averaged 40 points per game over two wins against Penn State and Michigan State, but what if I told you former UCLA offensive coordinator and current offensive analyst Noel Mazzone has made just as much of an impact on this midseason resurgence?

As soon as Neuheisel, a former Bruins quarterback and son of former head coach Rick Neuheisel, was promoted, he immediately turned to his former offensive coordinator in Mazzone.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It was a move similar to Skipper bringing on Kevin Coyle to help defensively, and the interim coach detailed Mazzone's impact since joining the staff.

• "It's definitely a special connection," Skipper said Monday of Neuheisel and Mazzone. "It's kind of like me with coach Coyle. They coached you, and then now you get to coach with them, and you're still learning from them. That's what's crazy about it. …

• "[Mazzone is very knowledgeable. I mean, very knowledgeable. He's a Rolodex of information when it comes to football and offense. I'm glad he's here. He helps us every single day. I enjoy talking to him because he has energy and juice and passion. He's a joy to have and be around and I'm just excited to keep on learning and seeing how this thing keeps on progressing."

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins interim head coach Tim Skipper (left) and new offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel (right) on the sideline during second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

There's a lot of credit to go around during UCLA's two weeks in the spotlight. But Skipper isn't too worried about all that.

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Skipper Addresses Misplaced Credit in UCLA’s Turnaround

Skipper may not be getting all the credit across social media, but his turnaround of the UCLA Bruins has been one of the biggest revelations of the college football season.

UCLA's assistant head coach Jerry Neuheisel adjusts his headset during the third quarter in the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Whether Nico Iamaleava is receiving the praise for his steady improvement every week, or if the Bruins' prodigal son is being propped up for completely flipping the offense, all Skipper cares about is what's in front of him.

"I guess it's good that I don't get on social media and all that stuff right now, because I don't feel that way," Skipper said Monday on some feeling he isn't given enough credit. "I don't really know what's going on in the outside world, I'm in this building so much.

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9,right) hugs new offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 42-37 at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

"But I love what I'm doing. I'm just working, man. And I just try to put us in the best positions to be successful on Saturday. That's all I can control. I just control the controllables. I don't know what the narrative is and all that stuff. I'm just doing what I do, man."

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