USC coaching search stock watch: Three potential dark horses
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — The last three editions of this column have spent a lot of time on the theoretical favorites for this job. Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell. Penn State’s James Franklin. Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. Baylor’s Dave Aranda. Even Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck, though he is likely off the market after signing an extension last week.
But who are the potential dark horses? The names that don’t get mentioned a lot for the USC job, but have raised their profile enough this season to warrant consideration?
Even if the Demon Deacons’ undefeated start to the year came to a close this weekend, who would have ever predicted that Wake Forest would climb as high as the top-10 in the polls prior to the season? Clawson has Wake Forest ranked sixth nationally in total offense and third in points per game (44.7) in its fifth winning season in six years. The cons? A defense ranked 105th in yards allowed and a failure to win more than eight games in a season in a conference like the ACC that is not particularly deep.
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh
Narduzzi opened his press conference two weeks ago warning reporters not to ask him about USC, a joke about the other Pittsburgh head coach’s vehement denial of a rumor attaching him to the position. But it wouldn’t be crazy for USC to consider Narduzzi. The Panthers this year are a balanced team, ranked third nationally in total offense and 35th in defense. But discipline issues (seven penalties per game) and the fact Narduzzi has yet to win more than eight games in a season should give pause, too.
Kalani Sitake, BYU
A 4-0 record against the Pac-12 has been an impressive feat by the Cougars, and it could improve to 5-0 in the season finale against, of all teams, USC. Sitake has built BYU into a power the last two years, and the idea of a Polynesian head coach at USC is intriguing given the culture’s strong history at the university. But would Sitake leave his alma mater for USC? And would BYU, on the verge of joining the Big 12, allow him to leave without ponying up a large extension offer to keep him in Provo?
ocregister.com
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