Jim Mora didn’t know how much he’d enjoy college game before coming to UCLA

LOS ANGELES – In Jim Mora’s first three seasons as UCLA’s football coach, the Bruins have enjoyed more success than they have had in decades. His .718 winning percentage is the second-best three-year start in school history, behind Tommy Prothro, who had a .806 winning percentage from 1965 to ’67.

UCLA started this season ranked in the top 10, and the Bruins defeated rival USC for a third consecutive season. But ultimately, UCLA fell short of some of its major goals, losing to Oregon and Stanford and falling short of qualifying to play in the Pac-12 Conference championship game.

The Bruins take a 9-3 record into their Jan. 2 date against Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

Reporter Chris Foster recently conducted a brief question-and-answer session with Mora. Here’s how it went:

Question: What’s one thing that surprised you since you took over?

Answer: “How much I have enjoyed college football. I had never coached college football, it was a great unknown to me. I didn’t know I would enjoy it as much as I do.”

Q: What was your biggest high this season?

A: “Always seeing our players reach their potential is the biggest high. Seeing them grow together and bond as a team. It shows that we’re doing things right. It shows that we’re emphasizing the correct standards.”

Q: What was the low?

A: “Every loss is a low. They all hurt the same.”

Q: If you could take back one decision you made this season, what would it be?

A: “I have no regrets. I don’t go back weeks later, months later, and think about decisions and react to it. That’s my answer. I have no regrets. When you work hard as you can and your heart is in the right place, when you’re committed and devoted, when you make a decision, you can have no regrets. That doesn’t mean every decision is right, but I have no regrets.”

Q: What remains to be done to put this program on a par with Oregon?

A: “You’re assuming Oregon is the measuring stick and they’re not. Our measuring stick is playing to our standards. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Q: What are the challenges next season with quarterback Brett Hundley leaving?

A: “Playing a quarterback with limited snaps or no snaps at this level.”

Q: What will make it easier on that quarterback?

A: “The fact we return our offensive line; the fact we have the leading rusher in the Pac-12 (Paul Perkins) returning; the fact we have a veteran receivers corps returning will certainly help. The fact we return eight of 11 starters on defense will help.”

Q: Why has Stanford’s style of football been so effective against your team?

A: “We haven’t played as well as we need to play to beat them so far.”

Q: The construction of a football facility has been a major issue with you. Once that begins, what could pull you away from UCLA?

A: “I have no plans at this time to leave UCLA. It doesn’t matter if there is a facility or not.”

Q: Do you ponder what some critics might say about you?

A: “If you are your own toughest critic, you really shouldn’t have to worry about what others have to say. I am critical about myself about everything. I analyze everything every day constantly. I don’t cut myself much slack.”

Q: Why has UCLA had success against USC for three consecutive years?

A: “We just played well in those games.”

Q: Past Bruins coaches have pointed to beating USC as a barometer to judge the success of the UCLA program. Is that still the case?

A: “Of course they are our crosstown rival, but just beating USC does not make a season successful in my opinion. Our goals are more than just beating USC.”