BRUINS' ASSISTANT SPEED, STRENGTH COACH IS FIRED UCLA FOOTBALL: HORTON WAS NOT A CERTIFIED TRAINER.

Byline: Brian Dohn

Staff Writer

Less than year after UCLA brought in Randy Horton to improve the Bruins' team speed in football, new athletic performance coach Mike Linn fired him.

Horton, an assistant speed and strength conditioning coach, was a former sprinter and played football at Oregon State.

But he did not graduate, which UCLA knew when he was hired.

According to sources, Horton was fired because he was not a certified trainer, and Linn wants all his trainers to be certified.

In order to be certified, one must have a college degree, according to a school official.

Horton could not be reached for comment, but during the season he said he was working toward his degree and hoped to complete the required course work by September.

News of Horton's firing, which occurred Friday but was not announced, was met with anger and disappointment by players, according to sources.

During the season players said they noticed improved quickness and speed thanks to Horton's teachings.

"Mike Linn was brought in to be the head athletic performance coach, and as it is with all head coaches, it's up to Mike to decide who to retain, and who not to retain," UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins said. "He wanted to go in a different direction."

Horton, who came to UCLA at the recommendation of defensive coordinator De- Wayne Walker, will continue to be paid by UCLA for the next few months.