Dec. 30--Kansas State defensive coordinator Tom Hayes spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at UCLA, from 1980 through 1988, the last seven as the Bruins' defensive coordinator.
"I had a lot more hair and it was dark," said Hayes, whose Wildcats are set to face the Bruins Jan. 2 in the Alamo Bowl at San Antonio.
UCLA won three Rose Bowls during Hayes tenure in Westwood, part of a seven-game bowl winning streak.
Hayes said that then-UCLA Coach Terry Donahue, "gave me an unbelievable opportunity. I was 31 years old and got to spend a decade with that team during a very successful time. A lot of good things happened."
There are 11 Kansas State players on the roster, all fifth-year seniors, who also have a UCLA connection: Their first game was a 31-22 victory over the Bruins in Manhattan, Kan.
None played in that game, but safety Randall Evans said, "It's something special to finish with them."
