What Is 1962 UCLA Bruins football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1962 UCLA Bruins football team, coached by Bill Barnes, finished with a 5–5 record, including a 2–3 mark in the AAWU conference, and played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Key Facts

The 1962 UCLA Bruins football team had a 5–5 overall record
They competed in the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU)
Head coach Bill Barnes led the team for the seventh consecutive season
The Bruins played home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
UCLA defeated rivals USC 34–0 in their final game of the season

Overview

The 1962 UCLA Bruins football team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), the team was led by head coach Bill Barnes in his seventh year at the helm.

Playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Bruins finished the season with a 5–5 overall record and a 2–3 conference record. Despite a mediocre season by later standards, the team achieved a dominant 34–0 victory over crosstown rivals USC in their final game, marking one of the most lopsided wins in the rivalry’s history.

Season record: The 1962 UCLA Bruins finished with a 5–5 overall record, their first non-losing season since 1957, signaling modest improvement under head coach Bill Barnes.
Conference affiliation: The team competed in the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), the predecessor to today’s Pac-12, finishing 2–3 in conference play.
Head coach: Bill Barnes, who served as UCLA’s head coach from 960 to 1964, led the 1962 team in what would be his penultimate full season before being replaced in 1965.
Home stadium: The Bruins played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue they shared with USC and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams at the time.
Rivalry highlight: The team’s most notable achievement was a 34–0 shutout of USC in the season finale, the first time UCLA blanked their rivals since 1936.

How It Works

The 1962 season reflected a transitional period in UCLA football history, balancing inconsistent performance with emerging talent and a landmark rivalry win. Understanding the structure and dynamics of the team’s season helps contextualize its place in college football history.

AAWU Membership: The Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) included teams like California, Stanford, and Washington; UCLA’s 2–3 record placed them near the middle of the conference standings.
Offensive Output: The Bruins scored 137 total points across 10 games, averaging 13.7 points per game, a modest output reflective of the era’s defensive style of play.
Defensive Performance: UCLA allowed 131 total points, averaging 13.1 points per game against, showcasing a balanced but unspectacular defensive unit.
Key Players: Quarterback Jack Schneider led the offense, while linebacker Jim Lynch emerged as a defensive standout before later playing in the NFL.
Season Schedule: The team played a 10-game schedule, including non-conference matchups against teams like Utah State and Pacific, which were common for Western programs in the early 1960s.
Coaching Strategy: Bill Barnes emphasized fundamentals and discipline, though his conservative approach eventually led to his replacement by Tommy Prothro in 1965.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1962 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in UCLA football history:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Key Result
1960	3–7	2–4	Bill Barnes	Lost to USC 34–14
1961	4–6	2–4	Bill Barnes	Lost to USC 26–0
1962	5–5	2–3	Bill Barnes	Beat USC 34–0
1963	4–6	2–4	Bill Barnes	Lost to USC 14–0
1964	2–8	1–5	Bill Barnes	Lost to USC 10–7

This table highlights how the 1962 season stood out as a turning point, both statistically and symbolically. While the overall win total was modest, the shutout of USC provided a psychological boost and remains a celebrated moment in UCLA football lore. The team’s performance laid groundwork for future improvements, even as Barnes’s tenure eventually declined in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 1962 UCLA Bruins season holds historical significance beyond its record, influencing team morale, fan engagement, and the trajectory of the program. Though not a championship contender, the team achieved a rare milestone that resonated for decades.

Historic USC Win: The 34–0 victory over USC was UCLA’s most dominant in the rivalry up to that point and remains one of the most memorable upsets in series history.
Program Momentum: The 5–5 record marked a step forward after four losing seasons, helping sustain support for the football program during a rebuilding phase.
Stadium Legacy: Playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum connected UCLA to a storied venue shared with USC, enhancing the rivalry’s prestige.
Coaching Transition: The season occurred during the final years of Bill Barnes’s tenure, setting the stage for the hiring of Tommy Prothro, who would lead UCLA to greater success.
Player Development: Athletes like Jim Lynch gained experience in 1962 that contributed to future NFL careers, highlighting the program’s role in player development.
Rivalry Intensity: The decisive win intensified the UCLA–USC rivalry, adding a new chapter to one of college football’s most enduring matchups.

The 1962 season may not stand out in terms of championships or national rankings, but its impact on UCLA football culture and rivalry history ensures its place in the program’s legacy. It serves as a reminder that even middling records can include moments of lasting significance.