Jim Mora is the latest Pac-12 head coach to make enemies within the media.
Mora locked reporters, UCLA’s sports information department and even some players out of practice after television crews set up equipment in restricted areas on Wednesday.
The UCLA head coach had harsh words for his sports information department, blaming them for the incident.
“I’m not going to jeopardize what we’re doing as a football team because of the incompetence of some people,” said Mora.
The LA Times reports that the incident occurred right as practice was starting and that late arriving players Dalton Hilliard, Jerry Rice Jr. and Darius Bell all had to wait for gates to be unlocked to be let into practice.
Mora ensured that this media lockout was just a one day occurrence and that everyone would be allowed back on Thursday.
“Our practices are open. Our practices will be open [Thursday],” said Mora.
UCLA started their 2012 season hot going 3-0 before falling to Oregon State. You have to wonder if Mora would have had the same reaction if UCLA won last week.
Mora isn’t the first Los Angeles-based college coach to offend reporters. USC’s head coach Lane Kiffin angered the media last Wednesday when he held a 30-second press conference.
To see Mora’s comments on the incident after practice, watch the video below.
