UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: SOURCES: NEUHEISEL WILL BE INTERVIEWED.

Byline: Brian Dohn

Staff Writer

UCLA will interview former Rose Bowl-winning quarterback Rick Neuheisel and Philadelphia Eagles assistant John Harbaugh, the brother of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, sources outside the athletic department said Thursday.

Neuheisel, a former head coach at the University of Colorado and the University of Washington, is the offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.

His interview could take place as early as today.

Neuheisel, 46, has had run-ins with the NCAA, which is a concern for UCLA.

However, after being fired by Washington after his involvement in an NCAA basketball betting pool, it was later revealed through an internal memo the school's compliance officer said it was permissible for Neuheisel to be involved in the pool.

He won a $4.5 million settlement to be paid by the NCAA and Washington for wrongful termination.

He is 66-30 in eight years as a head coach at Colorado and Washington. But the Buffaloes were forced to forfeit five wins because of use of an ineligible player while Neuheisel was there.

The NCAA also put Colorado on twoyears probation for rules violations, many of which stemmed from recruiting improprieties during Neuheisel's tenure.

However, that was nearly a decade ago, and several people close to Neuheisel said he is more mature, and understands he made mistakes.

There has been a surge of support for Neuheisel in regards to UCLA, with former players and alums calling and emailing the athletic department on his behalf.

Neuheisel interviewed for the opening at Georgia Tech. He was beaten out by Navy coach Paul Johnson for the position.

"He would be the perfect guy," said a former UCLA player, who requested anonymity. "He would love to go against (USC coach) Pete Carroll. He would be the charismatic guy UCLA needs. He would definitely give the program energy."

Harbaugh, 45, is the secondary coach in Philadelphia. He does not have head coaching experience, but comes from impressive bloodlines.

His father, Jack, was the long-time coach at Western Kentucky, and his brother, Jim, was a long-time NFL quarterback before coaching at the University of San Diego. He finished up his first season at Stanford this fall.

John Harbaugh spent nine years as the Eagles' special teams coach, before moving to the secondary this season.

"John wants to be a head coach some day and maybe a defensive coordinator," Philadelphia coach Andy Reid is quoted as saying in the Eagles' media guide. "This gives him a different responsibility. It gives him a professional opportunity to step out of that special teams mode and it strengthens our staff."

Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami of Ohio and was a candidate for the Western Michigan job in 2004.

It was uncertain when Harbaugh's interview would take place. The Eagles play at Dallas on Sunday, and Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero will be in Kansas City this weekend to interview Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow. The Titans play at the Chiefs.

Bruins defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who is serving as the interim coach, interviewed for the job earlier in the week.

Olson to start Las Vegas Bowl

With Patrick Cowan's left knee still ailing, Ben Olson will start at quarterback against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec.22, according to sources.

Olson played sparingly since being injured Oct. 6 against Notre Dame.

He relieved Osaar Rasshan in the second half of the Nov. 24 win against Oregon, and played the final seven minutes of the regular-season finale against USC after Cowan was injured.

Olson, who transferred to UCLA from BYU after a two-year church mission, is 71 of 147 for 1,040 yards, six interceptions and seven touchdowns in seven games, including five starts.

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UCLA's Ben Olson will start at quarterback against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images