BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

Entertaining, remorseful and self-deprecating, Rick Neuheisel once again was holding court at the University of Washington.

This time though, his voice was coming through a speaker during a teleconference call with reporters Monday morning.

One of the most focused on figures in Washington football history, Saturday will be Neuheisel's first appearance at Husky Stadium since June of 2003. He's now in charge at UCLA, which faces Washington at 7:15 p.m.

Neuheisel, fired five years ago by Washington for NCAA violations, said Monday he wanted Husky fans to know he was sorry for the way his departure occurred. Neuheisel understands he is viewed by many fans as the person responsible for the start of the program's recent descent.

"For me, this thing, if there's any emotion, it's kind of between the fans and myself," Neuheisel said. "I just want the fans to know I'm truly sorry for the messiness of how things shook out."

It was preschool-paint-class messy. The university ended up in a prolonged lawsuit against Neuheisel, which culminated in a $4.5 million settlement paid to the coach who claimed he felt "fully vindicated" afterward.

After leaving Washington, Neuheisel spent a brief time as a volunteer coach at Rainier Beach High School, then resurfaced as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens for three years, 2005-07. Neuheisel was hired by UCLA, his alma mater, last December, replacing Karl Dorrell.

Three things have accompanied Neuheisel at his previous college stops with Washington and Colorado.

Enthusiasm. Neuheisel could give Flavor Flav a run for the title "Best Hype Man Ever," though his rap name could not be Slick Rick, his nickname among fans and opponents. It's taken.

Second, controversy. Neuheisel left both programs amid NCAA sanctions, the coach guilty of a variety of transgressions at each university.

Third, wins. Neuheisel was 33-16 at Washington, 33-14 at Colorado.

Monday Neuheisel reflected on the trifecta he brought to Washington.

"I have a fond memory bank of great things that happened to me when I was the Husky coach," Neuheisel said. "I've been in Husky Stadium when it was absolutely rockin'. I remember many, many late wins that the place was jumpin'. I remember a Rose Bowl season and great things during my time there. That's what I choose to reflect on rather than the unfortunate, messy ending."

That ending juxtaposed by Neuheisel's ability to win -- he was at the helm during Washington's last winning season in 2002 -- could make for a curious reception for the coach Saturday on Montlake. While he's reviled for the circumstances around his departure, Neuheisel's affable nature endears him to the fans, ones that haven't seen a Washington football win in almost a year.

"I don't know," Neuheisel said when asked what he thought his reception would be. "If my family comes there will be some people clapping when I come in.

"It will be what it will be. Some people will be angry and look at me as the guy that caused some of the problems that exist, and there will be people that will want to be excited about my being on the field. All I can tell you is the other coaches on the team have asked what I'm wearing to make sure they don't wear the same thing."

In Los Angeles, there are plenty of people excited that Neuheisel is on the field for UCLA. Following his hiring, Neuheisel was in full inspiration mode with a seemingly portable pulpit. He took the mic during halftime of the UCLA/Arizona men's basketball game, and introduced himself and his assistants, Norm Chow and DeWayne Walker, in a manner that would inspire Vince McMahon.

He rallied the troops at spring practice for all to see.

UCLA ran a full-page ad in the L.A. Times prior to the season claiming the USC college football monopoly in Los Angeles was over. The Bruins put together a promotional video with Neuheisel as the centerpiece of the pending football rebirth. Every highlight in the video is UCLA torching Washington. Coincidence, surely.

The Bruins opened with a win over what was thought to be a quality Tennessee team, Neuheisel spoke to the fans afterward, and it was Rose Bowl or bust. Go Bruins!

Then reality set in when BYU punished UCLA 59-0 in Week 2, a game Neuheisel referred to Monday as "humbling." The Bruins have slogged to three wins on the season, will not go to a Bowl game, can't stop the run and have an erratic passer. Yet Journey has been on a perpetual loop for Bruins fans in Neuheisel's first year.

"It was open arms and still is," L.A. Times columnist Kurt Streeter said of Neuheisel's reception. "He was received with great fanfare as you might imagine for somebody who was a school hero. He's somebody who UCLA fans have always held in high regard for what he did as a quarterback."

Neuheisel was the 1984 Rose Bowl MVP. He still holds the Bruins' record for completion percentage in a game, going 25-for-27 in 1983, against, you guessed it, Washington.

Not to mention he was replacing the quiet Dorrell. Much like Tyrone Willingham, Dorrell didn't feel it necessary to pat boosters on the back or hobnob with alumni. He preferred to display his vision for the program as opposed to sell it. Not so with Neuheisel.

"Rick has the reputation as somebody that can schmooze with the best of them," Streeter said.

Which he does with the fans. Neuheisel started addressing fans postgame during his tenure at Washington. He continues to do it at UCLA, despite the difficult season. After stoking hope, Neuheisel has connected with fans.

"I think fans are giving him a pass this year, kind of laying off for now," Streeter said. "He does a good job the way coaches need to to ease people's fears."

As far as Saturday goes, Neuheisel is hoping for a well-played game, knowing that once the ball is kicked, the spotlight over his head will start to dim.

It will be closure for many. Fans who want to boo, fans who want to cheer, two sets of fans desperate for more wins.

"In terms of all the outside stuff, frankly, it will be best when it's over," Neuheisel said. "I think too much gets made of it.

"I have nothing but fond memories of my time as the coach at Washington. Certainly it was turbulent in my departure, but I truly am grateful for the opportunity to coach there. I'm proud of what we accomplished on the field. I learned a great deal from the experience and made hopefully some long-lasting relationships. I've got nothing but good things to say about it. With respect to the turbulent stuff, much has been said, so I'll probably just leave it there."

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reach via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com