On a pivotal Saturday afternoon, Rick Neuheisel transitioned from a neutral CBS studio analyst to a passionate father, captivating the college football world with an emotional display. His son, Jerry Neuheisel, was appointed as UCLA's offensive play caller just days prior, and he executed an impressive game plan that led the previously winless Bruins to a stunning 42-37 victory over the seventh-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.
This heartfelt scene unfolded live on CBS, allowing viewers to witness the emotional roller coaster of a father fiercely supporting his son. "I became a coach again," Rick Neuheisel remarked in an interview with The Athletic. "As Jerry led the opening drive down the field, I thought, 'Alright, we’ve got something here.' I couldn’t sit still; I didn’t even have a drink or a snack the entire time, except during halftime when I had to be on TV. I was completely focused on how to keep this momentum going."
UCLA's tumultuous season reached a turning point when the university fired head coach DeShaun Foster on September 14 after a disappointing start with a 0-3 record. Earlier that week, the program parted ways with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, paving the way for a new play caller under interim coach Tim Skipper. Jerry, a former UCLA quarterback and tight ends coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator just days before the game.
"You guys in the media work fast," Neuheisel commented, recalling how he learned about his son's promotion. "I received a text from Bruce Feldman at The Athletic asking if Jerry was the new coordinator. I was shocked and called him immediately. He told me he had just gotten the job three minutes ago!"
Throughout the game, CBS kept its cameras focused on Rick Neuheisel, showcasing his pride and frustration with every play. "It’s dad goggles in full mode, and then I’m coaching, getting frustrated with him," Rick explained. "'Why did you call that on fourth down? You should have called a timeout to read the defense first!' It’s a constant critique, just like any coach would do."
As the game approached its climax, Rick Neuheisel could be heard shouting from the studio, "Get him down! Get him dowwwnnn! Yeah!" when the Bruins, who were 27.5-point underdogs, secured the victory. He quickly shifted back to his role as a football analyst and extended an apology to Penn State fans for his enthusiastic reactions. "I’m supposed to be a neutral observer, and I owe the Penn State fans an apology," he acknowledged. "But I believe that if they had kids in similar circumstances, they would understand."
Among all of Jerry's play calls, Rick highlighted a particular pass for no gain on a critical third-and-1 late in the fourth quarter as the standout moment. While the execution may have faltered, the timing of the call was impeccable. Jerry Neuheisel had previously shown promise in his offensive contributions, and former UCLA coach Chip Kelly had assured him that he would get his chance to become an offensive coordinator sooner rather than later. This game marked Jerry’s first opportunity to lead a team that had scored a mere 57 points in their first four games against a defense allowing an average of just 11.8 points per game.
Instead of a one-sided contest, the game became the backdrop for multiple viral moments. As the game concluded, UCLA players celebrated by dumping a Powerade bucket over Jerry Neuheisel, carrying him off the field amidst cheers of "Jerry! Jerry!" from the Bruins' fans. This celebration echoed a similar moment from 11 years prior when a young Jerry Neuheisel stepped in for an injured Brett Hundley and led UCLA to a victory against Texas, also being carried off the field.
For Rick Neuheisel, these moments proved to be emotionally overwhelming. "Don’t make me cry," he told his colleagues on set, visibly moved as he reflected on his son's journey. "I’m just so happy for him because of how hard he’s worked to get here and that he finally got his chance. That’s what every parent wants for their children, whether it’s on a grand stage like this or at a piano recital. You want them to feel pride for their hard work, to see their efforts come to fruition."
