Mike Bohn Talks Like He Means Business About USC Basketball

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  Andy Enfield’s contract runs through the 2022-23 season. USC AD Mike Bohn said that at this time there have been no discussions of an extension for Enfield.

The season earned Enfield his first Pac-12 coach of the year award, and the first for any USC coach since 1992. The Trojans’ .778 winning percentage is the highest of Enfield’s eight-year tenure at USC.

“Our focus has been on the safety of our players. At the right time, we’ll have an opportunity to think about those things,” USC AD Mike Bohn said. “But I’m very pleased with what Andy and this team and his staff have been able to accomplish. I think that some of the key aspects of our brand of basketball that we play are attractive to recruits, and attractive to fans.”

Generally speaking, Bohn said when considering whether to extend a coach’s contract, he looks at on-court success, recruiting, academic performance, and how the team represents the university.

“I believe that today’s head coaches have high standards to meet,” Bohn said. “That’s no different than what we would expect at USC for all of our head coaches to be able to ensure that we’re running a program that’s competitive, that is creating an incredible experience for our student-athletes, and represents USC with pride and distinction.”

In December 2019, USC received a notice of allegations from the NCAA related to former assistant coach Tony Bland, who was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Bland admitted to accepting a bribe to direct recruits to a specific advisor during their recruitment.

Asked if that investigation would play a role in deciding whether to extend Enfield’s contract, Bohn said, “I think that you have to look at all those aspects. We’ll see how all those different pieces come together, but again, I think what Andy and his staff and these players have done is a special season and I think it’s really important to focus on that.”

Building a vaunted atmosphere at the Galen Center is part of what Bohn wants to accomplish at USC. He understands the high standards for basketball in Los Angeles, and wants to cultivate an enthusiasm on campus for the program that leads to a rowdy student section at games.

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