The Gutty Little Bruins, a lovable yet frustrating moniker that lived with the UCLA football team for 52 seasons, died a spectacular death Saturday.
A nickname that was attached to the Bruins after their 1966 Rose Bowl victory over Michigan State was demolished with the acquisition of a football coach who instantly changes the marquee.
UCLA football is now the Glitzy Big Bruins, with both wonderfully giant expectations and frighteningly big risks.
Kelly is arguably the most celebrated coaching hire in the school’s history. He was the hottest coach on the market, one of the most innovative coaches in the game, a bold and brainy football outlier.