The upcoming regular season will be Norm Chow‘s third season as UCLA’s offensive coordinator. Based on the news coming out of Los Angeles this evening, he’ll be there at least a couple of more.
Citing an athletic department source, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Chow has agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension that will keep the 64-year-old coach with the Bruins through the 2012 season. Chow was entering the 2010 season in the final year of a three-year deal, and all the i’s are expected to be dotted and the t’s crossed before the season opener Sept. 4 against Kansas State.
The extension is expected to pay Chow between $400,000 and $500,000 annually; the Times believes the new deal would make Chow the highest-paid assistant in UCLA history.
Chow has spent 34 years at the collegiate level, and is widely regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. His time at UCLA, however, has not seen the same proficiency, at least statistically, just yet
In the year before he came to UCLA, the school was ranked 99th in total offense (333.6 yards per game) and 92nd in scoring offense (22.4 points per game). In 2008, Chow’s first season, the Bruins were 111th in total offense (283.3) and 110th in scoring offense (17.7). Last season, Chow’s offense got back to the numbers of the pre-Chow days, finishing 88th in total offense (337.4) and 94th in scoring offense (22.0)
Apparently, UCLA is banking a good chunk of coin on Chow reaching into his bag and pulling out some pre-Bruins magic.
