Friday was nominally Senior Day, a second-rate rivalry game, the last home game of another disappointing season. Of course, it was really none of that for UCLA.
Kelly might or might not end up in Westwood, he might or might not be the answer for the Bruins, but their pursuit of him alone is confirmation that UCLA athletics have entered a new era.
This is less about a shift in vision or philosophy and more about an injection of cash.
The public school that once had a modest athletic budget now has the most lucrative shoe and apparel deal in college sports history, which calls for Under Armour to pay UCLA $280 million over the next 15 years.