Column: Get it right this time, USC. Hire somebody who’s somebody as your next football coach
Bill Plaschke (LA Times) — On a day when the USC football program finally put torment in its past, there was no containing the size of its future.
It burst through my in-box Monday afternoon almost immediately after Clay Helton was fired.
It came in the form of a statement from Rick Caruso (nice yacht Rick!), chairman of the USC Board of Trustees.
“I appreciate everything that Clay Helton has done for our students over the last several years,” Caruso wrote. “However, it has become abundantly clear that it is time to make a change and I am supportive of the actions taken today by President [Carol] Folt and AD [Mike] Bohn. We have a proud football tradition of excellence, and I am confident in our ability to attract a world-class coach who will return the USC football program to the most competitive and highest levels of collegiate football.”
Did you hear that? “World-class coach?” “Most competitive and highest levels of collegiate football?”
Those lofty goals should go without saying, but the Trojans’ leading power broker said it anyway. The tone has been set for a football coaching search unlike any the school has conducted in 20 years.
They need to go big, go powerful, go national, go gravitas.
Go greatness.
They need to forgo the odd, inner-circle hirings of the last two decades and hire the absolute biggest, brightest and most influential figure possible. This is still a plum job, and, while it might be intriguing to uncover a diamond in the rough, don’t get cute.
Hire somebody who is somebody.
No more precocious Trojans sons like Lane Kiffin. No more slick Trojans disciples like Steve Sarkisian. And no more Trojans interims like Clay Helton.
No more searching for a coach like you’re putting together a family reunion. No more looking for the quiet brother, the safe cousin, the spunky nephew.
Folt and Bohn need to put aside the fears of past USC administrators who worried that if the football coach was too dominant and dynamic, the program would become its own fiefdom and the university would lose control.
USC president Carol L. Folt stands next to USC athletic director Mike Bohn during his introductory news conference in November 2019. (Brian van der Brug /LAT)
Call it the Pete Carroll Effect. In the strangest of evolutions, the coach who led USC to the greatest sustained glory in the program’s history has been affixed with a scarlet letter by some university officials because of the rules he broke and independence he created.
Well, all those rules are barely rules anymore because the NCAA, the organization that enforced those rules, is barely an organization anymore. And all those wins happened because Carroll was not only a coach, but also a chief executive who ran the program like the Fortune 500 company that successful Power 5 programs mimic today.
Carroll lifted both the USC football program, and the university’s overall stature, to greatness because he had the power, swagger and independence to create that greatness.
For too many years, USC quietly tried to separate itself from The Carroll Effect, but it should now seek it, embrace it and hire it.
Swallow the egos. Cede the control. Don’t fear the giant.
Mike Garrett hired Carroll because Garrett was secure in his legacy and wasn’t threatened by the coach’s NFL pedigree, his charisma, the power he would wield.
Pat Haden hired Kiffin, Sarkisian and Helton partially because Haden believed in a more patriarchal system in which the athletic director maintained all that power.
Lynn Swann gave Helton that insane contract extension that saved Helton’s job for the same reason. Swann knew Helton would keep quiet and follow orders.
The Trojans don’t need that, they need a force who will boldly give the orders, and it’s now on Folt and Bohn to follow Caruso’s mandate and find one.
While this will be the most visible move in Folt’s brief tenure, even more is at stake for Bohn. It may seem unfair to the many other successful Trojans sports teams, but the hard truth is that the USC athletic director has basically one job: hire the right football coach.
There were many other championships won under Garrett, but his legacy as athletic director is forever defined by him hiring the right football coach.
There were many great things that happened under Haden, and a few great things that happened under Swann, but their legacies are both defined by the hiring and backing of the wrong football coaches.
For Bohn, this is everything. And considering he’s never made a hire this big in his previous stops at Idaho, San Diego State, Colorado or Cincinnati, this probably will make some Trojans fans nervous.
So, Mike, a few ideas.
Start with Stoops. Make your first call to Bob Stoops, the retired former Oklahoma national championship coach. He built an empire on the plains, and, at age 61, he’s still young enough to do it again in Hollywood.
Phone up Petersen. Make a call to Chris Petersen, the retired former Boise State and Washington coach. He built two Pac-12 champions, won two Fiesta Bowls, has an .800 winning percentage and, at age 56, is younger than Stoops.
Think aura. Think presence. Think inside the box.
There will be a lot of inside-football talk about Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell, but beware of hot names from smaller markets. This hire can’t be a person who can build national credibility. This must be a person that already has national credibility.
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Let me put in a good word for Haden and Caruso. Haden won the 1974 National Championship in the last minute of the 1975 Rose Bowl. The comeback and guts to go for 2-points to win it was perhaps the No.1 sports thrill of my life. Oh, and Haden once said one can a lot done in a 3-hour period. I use that to motivate me sometimes when I don’t feel like working on a Saturday or Sunday. Come on, man, just put in 3 hours. And you know what?– One can get a lot done in 3-hours if he… Read more »
When Sark called up to Haden about a penalty call for protection and then was carried by Haden…….Oh brother!
Hopefully we get a head coach that is a man.
That may have been Haden’s lowest moment, when he raced down to the field to intervene. Just weird. I have no idea what creeped into his mind to possess his thought processes that day. I had always thought Haden was a fairly sophisticated, smart guy. But he had a senior moment then to say the least. I always liked Pat from a personal vantage point through the years, though I never knew him well. The USC AD job turned out to be kind of a disaster for him. It makes me a little sad, actually, because he was always a… Read more »
WeAreSC (Scott Schrader) — USC announced today that former LB and current Trojan Defensive Quality Control Analyst Michael Hutchings has been elevated to an on-field role as LBs coach. Hutchings has been part of the defensive crew in the press box with Todd Orlando and Donte Williams during games this season. He was a graduate assistant in 2018 and 2019, played LB for the Trojans from 2013 to 2016, and won a Rose Bowl in his final season. After finishing his playing career at USC, Hutchings took a job in the commercial real estate industry, but realized after two years… Read more »
Donte Williams is the SC coach now, and I hope he remains the coach through the 2020s. Of course to qualify, he must put an improved SC product on the field. And I bet he does. Whether it will be enough to convince the SC powers and fans is another story…. And can you imagine Donte’s first speech to his new team?– An unbelievable and nasty loss to Stanford, so what do you tell your young ‘soldiers?’ “Well boys, first of all, you stunk at the Stanford game. But they were lucky and we were not, and that played a… Read more »
LJ, you are generally the abstract voice in the crowd…and you continue with a hypothesis of Hope and Rah-Rah for a yet unproven assistant coach. The time and circumstances for that are long passed and worn thin by his predecessor. The current program, if you can even imagine it as such, is so diseased and dysfunctional that trying to rehabilitate it is an fools errand. Donte does not have the experience to even be considered as the next head coach….sorry, he doesn’t! We no longer need to be a University with a OJT program, (On The Job Training), that ship… Read more »
LJ….
Your feelings are only natural…it’s part of the American DNA, rooting for the underdog, we all share the trait, myself included, though, we can’t allow it to cloud logic and common sense in making meaningful long term strategic choices.
To add my voice to the choir. My preference is for a proven, experienced HC. Running a big time program is a huge task and rebuilding SC will take a Herculean effort. This is not the time or place for a rookie HC. I don’t know who the new coach will be. But I am confident in saying Urban, Dabo, Saban & Kiffin won’t be. To back up confidence I will put my entire 20,000 TBD betting points on the line.
What about Bill O’Brien? Successful at Penn State, had some success with the Texans before it unraveled. Now in the Saban rehab program.
We should be talking to him.
Chris, I am so with you on that. That was one of my tongue in cheek comments. After Sark was a list of names that are now it seems from the far past. A current championship coach for me now after having slept on it a couple of nights and things have settled down, at least in my head. A guy that has the charisma to recruit, a leader, a guy that can develop talent, and a guy that has the will and knows how to win. Having that he will come with the ability to hire excellent staff.
Steve, this is all good stuff, at least we have hope. I honestly think there are 5-6 guys who can come in and be really really good. If Clay can win a Rose Bowl, think what a really solid guy can do. But I’m hoping for great. Right now I am most excited about Stoops. He went to a NC or playoff 5 times. He only won one, I get that, but he was always in the conversation. I would be so happy to always be in the conversation and winning 10, 11, or 12 games every year with a… Read more »
I think it is important to at least have a shot at it. We haven’t been close in a decade so the change you suggest would be very very welcome. If Stoops is the guy then we need to put aside our preferences and back the program completely. This is fun with all this conjecture and opinions and it gives us a gateway to things we haven’t considered yet. I know my feelings have changed quickly reading comments and considering others opinions.
And now for something completely different. Just saw on the news. NASCAR Clash is coming to the Coliseum Feb 6, 2022 with a 1/4 mile asphalt track inside. The race will be broadcast after the NFL Pro-Bowl on FS1.
Yes, but way down to the lower-mid-major range. He can rehab himself for a while and could end up at a school that favors his positive non-trouble persona over anything else. Could happen IMO. USC on any resume isn’t bad.
Hopefully, Clay will write a book. Should be a best-seller. I’ll buy it!
He needs to try to get on the Saban rehab for a year or 2 and learn what real football is all about. Not sure what position he could get. Even QB coach would be tough for him to get. More like a special assistant in charge of hugs. 😂
One thing we can all agree, Caruso, Folt and Bohn aren’t part of some politically correct, Marxist plot to destroy USC football. Can we bury that dead horse? They needed time to fix USC. Hopefully they have turned the broken down Yugo into a Formula 1 race car and are now ready to put that Ferrari engine of a head coach into it and off to the races we go.
I disagree heartily about Folt—the sooner she is gone from SC, the better. Caruso maybe trying to mend fences with the rich alumni he has irritated. After all, he will need their support when he runs for Mayor!
Not a big Caruso fan. When I was a student at USC, J. Robert Fluor was the Chairman of the BOT. He signed both my Bachelor’s in Business and MBA diplomas. Fluor built Anaheim Stadium for Gene Autry. Autry gave Fluor Corporation the suite right next to his behind home plate. I worked for Fluor from 2002-2008 and was fortunate to take my group to the suite 3 times as a reward for superior results as a group. Caruso seems to be an aloof dude who would have Olivia Jade on his yacht when the Varsity Blues scandal was going… Read more »
Being a dad I had a different take on Olivia Jade on the boat. Caruso likely had not idea who his daughter invited, he wasn’t there.
Caruso’s daughter, “Dad I want to invite some friends on the boat for Spring Break”.
Caruso, “sure, behave yourselves, the crew will keep an eye on you”.
Then the news breaks.
Caruso to daughter, “You invited WHO out on the boat! Do you know how this looks!”
Boy talk about getting rich and famous without any talent. Riding off her parent’s hard work. At least her mom can act. Never watched DWTS, most of the “stars” didn’t seem like it.
I don’t ever watch it but it’s a pretty big deal to those that do. It’s good for those trying to reinvent their careers and Olivia Baby needs some brand push. Good for her! Who needs to be a fake rower when you can be a fake dancer?
The best scenario for all of us would be for Donte to be a revelation and just kill it for us the rest of the year. He wins the job because he is so good and leads us through another era of greatness. That would be fantastic.
will it happen? Most likely no, but it would be best for us.
I do sincerely hope he does well enough to turn it into the next great opportunity for him. He’s a guy that is easy to root for.
Just the thought of USC with yet another interim coach turned permanent guy scares the heck out of me. As much as I like Donte as a recruiter, I’m not near sold that he’s ready to lead USC, which has been a total graveyard for coaches lately. It’s a tough place obviously, with lots of good rivals who are always looking to smack the Trojans down. USC can’t afford to get this next football hire bad. I’m not into rooting for anyone to prove he’s worth a shot. I’m into Bohn scouring the earth and proving he can return USC… Read more »
100% agree with all of it. Just saying that if the guy that would be best fit is already here would be best case. I do not think that is the case at all, but it would be great if he wins out and at least makes Bohn think about it.
I would hope the next coach will be such a well known winner that losing Donte just won’t mean much. But, it would be pretty great to have Donte recruiting under someone like Urban, Stoops, Lincoln Riley, etc. he just about go and get whoever he wanted on west coast, I’m good with that.
Well thought out post Allen. as usual, the myopic hysteria strikes when a coaching change arises. As was posted, the Statement from Caruso seeking a “World Class Coach” eliminates the run of the mill “Latest Hot Names” in College football mentioned. Fickell, Campbell….etc. World Class means success and notability and recognition…sorry, but those mentioned are shy of those credentials. There are also frequently mentioned “Over The Hill Gang” Del Rio, Fisher etc. none of which carry any degree of outstanding success. Colin Cowherd has some valid points regarding SC’s coaching search, Pro experience brings a lot to creating the, as… Read more »
Great points Alfa1. I have to admit I have thought Williams is HC material, and perhaps this stint as interim will fortify that, although I now realize it is time to take a BIG step up and get a world class guy, at what I am sure is going to be an astounding price. It is obvious Donte has HC aspirations and we may lose him eventually depending on his present status outcome. That is the nature of the game. I just pray he does well.
I don’t think Donte killing it the rest of the year is the best case scenario as it makes the decision tougher. I want him to do well, but one partial year is not predictive of the long term potential. We need a proven hire, not a speculative one.
“League sources believe Chiefs’ OC Eric Bieniemy will emerge as a head-coaching candidate for USC. Bieniemy is from Southern California (played La Puente Bishop Amat and CU) and has told confidantes in the past, that USC is one of the only college jobs that might interest him.”
I’ve always wondered why Bieniemy wasn’t a CFB HC by now. He’s a recruiting maniac (at least he used to be) and he’s been up for a lot of HC jobs.
That’s how Bieniemy is out front. I’m talking about behind the scenes, and wondering if there is anything about him that has kept him back and from getting HC jobs. So I googled him and this is what I found on Wiki. He’s got quite a history it turns out, dating way back, and this is just the public stuff: As a player at Colorado, Bieniemy was arrested along with a teammate following a February 1988 bar fight. He pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and fighting in public, and was sentenced to community service. He also received discipline from… Read more »
Sounds like he had a lot of fun growing up. Nothing in the last 20 years sounds like he may have grown up and quit making stupid decisions. I am sure his past would help him identify with younger guys and perhaps steer them straight.
I guess the question is has he owned his past and gotten on with life in a responsible way.
I don’t call any of that “fun” that’s for sure. I have no doubt that all of these numerous arrests have negatively affected his career. I had no idea until today actually. Mystery solved. I also have no doubt that Carol Folt will find this public rap sheet entertaining and thought-provoking to say the least. The part I liked best was where he told this girl, “a bunch of black males all at once being her worst nightmare,” before he pulled his pants off. Ya, you’re right. I totally believe her. I’m predicting right here and now that USC doesn’t… Read more »
That’s funny. Well it seems problems solved, we move onward and upward. This is exciting times again, we have plenty to talk about without bashing Helton anymore. I have hope now and my enthusiasm has returned. I see yours has too.
Totally. Yesterday, 9/13/21 (about 2:30 pm) should be declared a Trojan Holiday! I’m still basking in it. The world became a better place.
I’d say that’s true for Clay Helton too. He was in way over his head at USC and he deserves to be doing something that he’s good at. It’ll be healing for his soul.
Super interesting. We are not going to get a better play caller. He is the OC for the best offense in the NFL. I know Mahomes and Reid make a gigantic difference, but they are a creative offense. It would be fun to see what he can do with a talent advantage in almost every game.
but the more I think about it, the more I want Stoops.
Not sure Eric would pass the “Carol Test”. Sure he has the drive/energy, the knowledge of the game and the ability to mesh with his players. But would his seemingly fun time loose approach give her warning of concern and, no HC experience to prove himself able in running a tight program? Eric needs HC experience?
Did you read my comment below Jam about how much “fun” he’s had? Maybe that’s the only reason he might become available.
I don’t see Bieniemy as the next HC of the Chiefs, that’s for sure. But maybe he’s a star? The great college coaching football merry-go-round. It truly is one of the more interesting aspects of sport to me.
Per a 2020 blue-chip recruit’s parent, USC under Helton just couldn’t cut it:
“USC needs to get a coach with gravitas. You’re competing against Lincoln Riley, you’re competing against Dabo. (Nick) Saban has the resume. You go to those meetings, then you talk to Clay Helton and they sell you Hollywood. It doesn’t work, so they’ve got to get it back.”
Imagine the meetings, Saban has a plan to make you great, it will be tough but you will be the best you can be, Helton is just glad you want to be his friend and show a good time.
Hooray for Hollywood!Helton — “Let’s sneak up and see the Hollywood Sign up close junior. It’s not that far from Tommy’s. We can head on over tonight after you see your name on the Coliseum scoreboard. What number do you want to wear? I think 000 is now available!” Just joking!
Clay Helton’s USC firing ends a tenure defined by its setbacks and one massive overriding weakness: zero accountability Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — “Everyone knows Helton as a nice guy, and what happens with nice guys sometimes is they can get tricked,” one former USC staffer said. “He does everything the right way, and if you tell him to do something and tell him to be there at 8:30, he will be there at 8:30. Unfortunately, players and adults, sometimes they might not be there at 8:30, and there’s no accountability to that. It was just kind of disappointing. There… Read more »
You would Williams, Orlando and Harrell know how to bring that accountability back. Improving intensity and focus should help immensely within a few games.
I know personally that a change in HC can bring an immediate change. Once the law is laid down most players will change their ways. A few will test the system and will suffer for it. All Williams needs to do is convey to the team his expectations, then stick to them. Let them know practice will be harder and will not be missed, that those that really want to play will show it in practice and as a result will end up with PT. Once the team gels around the concepts of going 100% in practice, playing full out… Read more »
Okay, I will throw my opinions in the mix here. When will we know? The bigger the hire the longer we will have to wait. No big name will be announced till the end of the season, he doesn’t want to drag down his current team. That means Sunday November 28th for college guys. I don’t know when an NFL guy would be allowed by his current team to talk to USC. Who should it be? I have no idea. The most important thing for college football is can he recruit 5 star players. If I’m in the shoes of… Read more »
Why would anyone voluntarily leave the Rams head job and Sofi Stadium to coach the Trojans? Not I, that’s for sure, unless I had a daddy complex like Clay.
We have to throw names out there, some are not good, some are untouchable, and some show promise. I am just hoping for a tuff coach, a guy that can recruit, and develop talent. Give me that and there will be positive results. Now, who develops talent the best. Campbell and Wittingham come to mind first. Neither guy is flashy, just pure football business. I am sure there are others, like Fickell, who it appears is very trendy right now.
Urban Meyer seems to be laying an NFL goose egg. Bringing on Tim Tebow should have been a warning sign, though it’s still very early. I’m not sure he can make the leap.
I really loved Urban on Fox. He was a lot better than Stoops IMO.
At least USC has a very long runway here. In two months, there will undoubtedly be a couple of other names that look like a possibility.
I agreed with Plaschke until he mentioned Stoops and Petersen. My God, how do you break these silly spells? Just STOP!!! Tune it out. Go big FOR REAL this time. Stoops got the nickname “Big Game Bob” for a reason, and they didn’t mean it in a nice way. He racked up wins against crappy Big12 teams, won his share of matchups with his only tough opponent on the schedule — Texas (mostly during its down years … OU couldn’t handle Vince Young any better than we could), and then he got SMOKED in some of his biggest games, including… Read more »
I’m 100% with you on home run cut. Let’s take big swings and let the big boys tell us no. But Cower hasn’t coached in 15 years and never college that I am aware of. There are many other NFL guys out there who I would take above him if we are talking home run hires. I would be super excited about Bob Stoops as well. That’s why this is fun, hoping we don’t just go the easy route and wait for Luke Fickell to finish the year.
Holy cow, it’s already been 15 years for Cowher? I am getting OLD! Anyway, I don’t care. That guy was the quintessential head football coach, tough as nails. He would instill toughness and attitude in any team he coaches. The very fact that he walked from coaching when he did, with lots of money left on the table, shows he’s the real deal. I still think Cowher with the right assistants would be a home run and it would be a recruiting dream.
Rock, We are on the same page here. I agree with Cowherd. You want someone who the NFL would hire as a Head Coach. And, no one on the present staff qualifies. Let’s see what Bohn does. So far, he has made the right moves for 2021. He got rid of Clay immediately when the circumstances allowed (Clear that Clay was going to get canned unless SC finished top 10 this year, so better to do it earlier than later – he just needed the proper circumstances) and announced the job qualifications up front, so as to eliminate the present… Read more »
just heard Jake Olson interview. He had a fairly rough take- he basically said USC has recruited “glitzy” players who care more about Instagram followers than football. He also said talking with guys who have transferred from USC he found the culture at other schools to be much better in regard to work ethic and loving football. We have been getting out worked. That has to change.
Tough news. But the STAN game showed us all some shocking examples of why the Trojans can’t win big games anymore. I have no doubt the USC football program culture is solidly deficient compared to many other schools, some of which, like NEB and IU, are still going nowhere and nothing to write home about.
I wonder if the kids realize just how bad the Clay culture was. I doubt there is much Donte can do with it, particularly since the problem on D is lack of talent in the front 7.
It sounds like Olson used the wrong terminology. I would say neither of the Drakes are glitzy. Slovis isn’t glitzy. Vavae and Keontay aren’t either. None of the O line is glitzy. Is Pola-Mao, Griffiths or Mauga glitzy? I would love to know who is glitzy at USC.
I have always felt that when a organization (Professional or college ) limits their search to someone they allready know you are not having a very broad-check-all-options search !
The # 1 comment from my family (NY Giants fans ) when the Giants are hiring a new Head Coach (from now on) ….ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS now always say >>>>”Please do not hire a new head coach that has previous connections to the Giants ” And that is because the last 3 coaches that got hired because they had previous connection to the Giants where TOTAL FAILURES !!!!!
CIN HC Luke Fickell has dismissed rumors linking him with the vacant USC job.
“Look, I don’t talk to anybody—I barely talk to my own family during the season,” he said Tuesday. “So I wouldn’t ever talk about it, nor would I even answer a phone call or anything like that. … It’s nothing but distractions if people allow it to be, and for us it can’t be.”
Exactly what he should say as do all the others. Not during the season, not many coaches would to that to a team, although I can think of one recently. Everything is in the media, hyping it all up. The fact is it is all hype and conjecture. We need to get through the rest of the season first. Perhaps Donte is the guy and performs exactly the way we need. It will be interesting to see what he does with the offense, he knows where the defense is already. Will he make life rough for Harrell and have him… Read more »
Hype and conjecture got Sarkesian hired at Texas, as if YOU or I could not be successful as a coordinator with the players that school recruits. How’s that working out? I thought that was one of the worst hires EVER! There was no excuse for hiring Sarkesian when WE did, but to do it after knowing how he panned out at USC? No number of years at Alabama would’ve convinced me to hire that guy. I feel sorry for Texas fans, and their nightmare is just beginning (although they will pull the trigger faster than we did with Helton for… Read more »
I’ve always thought Sark was a big reach to be successful at TEXAS. After getting totally whomped by ARK last Saturday, there might be a lot of Longhorn fans who agree with me.
Colin Cowherd is pushing hard for USC to go to the NFL for its next coach. Here’s a short recap of his rant this morning. “USC fired their coach yesterday. Nice guy. Didn’t get it done. No reason to stomp on him. Wonderful family man. Good luck to Clay Helton. I love college football, and I especially love USC. You know that. College football though has worn me out in recent years because college football is in a perpetual cycle of thinking small, looking down. “Every single reporter that covers college football has the same 12 names up for the… Read more »
I’m with Cowherd. Enough with Fickell, Campbell. If Fickell were amazing he would be coaching Ohio State right now. First of all, I wouldn’t even THINK about a coaching search until Bill Cowher told me “no.” He probably will, but that’s my first call. If I even consider a college guy, it’s because there are five NFL teams that also want him, and I am willing to outbid them. Otherwise, I look to the NFL ranks for the best guy available.
How about Harsin? He is 76-24. Or Kalen Deboer at 71-6. I keep looking at the coachs in the nfl and can’t see one that would fit or would want to come.
What Cowherd says is right to the point. Some current successful college coaches don’t want the hassles of big city politics-clics. They like being in small college towns where they have the power to get their way with the administration. Would Saban put up with LA? If he did, it wouldn’t be for long and bolt. And if Mike Bohn isn’t smart enough, he will be easily used by his target to get a better deal and stay put. Nick Saban is the benchmark to compare all others in CFB. Only Dabo Sweeney & Urban Meyers have had success against… Read more »
Been reading what many College football writers have been writing about this morning who would most likely say YES to taking the job ?…..The same name is being mentioned the most ……Luke Fickell .
I can see Bohn seriously considering Kris Richard, the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks. He checks a lot of boxes. Successful pro experience, African American, Ex Trojan, Pete Carroll protege. I would be happy with him, Chris Petersen, or Bob Stoops, as choices. Dan Patrick hears that Fickell wants to stay in the Midwest, and now that they are joining the Big 12, he will have better opportunities to make the playoffs. Speculation is fun
Do we really want an ex-Trojan? I thought that factor has worked absolutely dismally for USC football, hasn’t it? I hope the USC connection factor is not a reason the Trojans use to bring in its new coach, but I’m not sure USC can get away from that type of thinking.
I’m fine with Kris Richard as a candidate. But that’s because he’s the DC of the Seahawks, not because he played college ball at USC, which should be irrelevant to me based on what I have watched USC football go through.
I spoke to 2 USC Fans that possibly setting themselves up for disappointment because they said to me they felt positive that one of the “Big Name ” coaches WILL say yes …I am not sure about that yet .
I do not want to set myself up for disappointment…….So When I look at all the “Big Name ” coaches I will not count on us getting a “Big Name ” coach…………First most (if not all ) are presently employed somewhere ……2nd Just how attractive are we as a program right now and third you GOT TO HAVE A BACK UP PLAN if all the “Big Name ” coaches say NO !!!!!…….FIGHT ON !!!!!
There was only one great coach available in Urban Meyer, and that ship has sailed as SC fumbled again. Hey, Trojan football fans are still giddy from yesterday’s news as the following comments from posters illustrate: Praise the Lord, and pop the bubbly! Finally! This is 3 years overdue This is terrible news…to the rest of the Pac-12! About Dam. Time. And about the future: This should be a mini-celebration– the real work is still ahead Bohn better get this right or he’ll be saying adios soon too And stay out it, Carol. Harrell is already pouting Helton’s wife might… Read more »
We are now hearing what we had hoped to hear for the last 5-6 years at least. Spend the money(which can easily be afforded) and hire a HC in the Stoops-Saban-Meyers-Sweeney top tier level. They will attract the coaching staff that knows how to recruit-develop-detail coach winning championships. We all hope Mike Bohn got the message loud & clear.
Great column. I agree 100%, why not talk to Sabans agent. Sure, call the Jags and see if their coach is available. There are very few that fit the model the author has described, but there has to be one out there. To me it isn’t Petersen. Stoops perhaps. Meyer always.
Williams Into Action: Donte Williams — “My biggest thing is about enhancing everything we do. How can we enhance everything we do? Whether it’s the way we lift weights, the way we eat, the way we practice, the way we play, just enhance everything we do. That’s the biggest message right now. Making sure we take care of all the little things, because too many little things become huge and big things and they cost us, They cost us penalties, they cost us dumb mistakes, they cost us as a team, they cost us as a university. And that’s the… Read more »
It came in the form of a statement from Rick Caruso (nice yacht Rick!), chairman of the USC Board of Trustees.
USC president Carol L. Folt stands next to USC athletic director Mike Bohn during his introductory news conference in November 2019. (Brian van der Brug /LAT)
Mike Garrett hired Carroll because Garrett was secure in his legacy and wasn’t threatened by the coach’s NFL pedigree, his charisma, the power he would wield.
For Bohn, this is everything. And considering he’s never made a hire this big in his previous stops at Idaho, San Diego State, Colorado or Cincinnati, this probably will make some Trojans fans nervous.
Let me put in a good word for Haden and Caruso. Haden won the 1974 National Championship in the last minute of the 1975 Rose Bowl. The comeback and guts to go for 2-points to win it was perhaps the No.1 sports thrill of my life. Oh, and Haden once said one can a lot done in a 3-hour period. I use that to motivate me sometimes when I don’t feel like working on a Saturday or Sunday. Come on, man, just put in 3 hours. And you know what?– One can get a lot done in 3-hours if he… Read more »
When Sark called up to Haden about a penalty call for protection and then was carried by Haden…….Oh brother!
Hopefully we get a head coach that is a man.
That may have been Haden’s lowest moment, when he raced down to the field to intervene. Just weird. I have no idea what creeped into his mind to possess his thought processes that day. I had always thought Haden was a fairly sophisticated, smart guy. But he had a senior moment then to say the least. I always liked Pat from a personal vantage point through the years, though I never knew him well. The USC AD job turned out to be kind of a disaster for him. It makes me a little sad, actually, because he was always a… Read more »
WeAreSC (Scott Schrader) — USC announced today that former LB and current Trojan Defensive Quality Control Analyst Michael Hutchings has been elevated to an on-field role as LBs coach. Hutchings has been part of the defensive crew in the press box with Todd Orlando and Donte Williams during games this season. He was a graduate assistant in 2018 and 2019, played LB for the Trojans from 2013 to 2016, and won a Rose Bowl in his final season. After finishing his playing career at USC, Hutchings took a job in the commercial real estate industry, but realized after two years… Read more »
Donte Williams is the SC coach now, and I hope he remains the coach through the 2020s. Of course to qualify, he must put an improved SC product on the field. And I bet he does. Whether it will be enough to convince the SC powers and fans is another story…. And can you imagine Donte’s first speech to his new team?– An unbelievable and nasty loss to Stanford, so what do you tell your young ‘soldiers?’ “Well boys, first of all, you stunk at the Stanford game. But they were lucky and we were not, and that played a… Read more »
Luck had nothing to do with it. They smashed us. Donte is a really straight shooter, he will tell them “you guys got your butts kicked”.
LJ, you are generally the abstract voice in the crowd…and you continue with a hypothesis of Hope and Rah-Rah for a yet unproven assistant coach. The time and circumstances for that are long passed and worn thin by his predecessor. The current program, if you can even imagine it as such, is so diseased and dysfunctional that trying to rehabilitate it is an fools errand. Donte does not have the experience to even be considered as the next head coach….sorry, he doesn’t! We no longer need to be a University with a OJT program, (On The Job Training), that ship… Read more »
Well thought-out Alfa1, as usual. I just have been overtaken with emotion that this guy from South L,A. can make it.
LJ….
Your feelings are only natural…it’s part of the American DNA, rooting for the underdog, we all share the trait, myself included, though, we can’t allow it to cloud logic and common sense in making meaningful long term strategic choices.
To add my voice to the choir. My preference is for a proven, experienced HC. Running a big time program is a huge task and rebuilding SC will take a Herculean effort. This is not the time or place for a rookie HC. I don’t know who the new coach will be. But I am confident in saying Urban, Dabo, Saban & Kiffin won’t be. To back up confidence I will put my entire 20,000 TBD betting points on the line.
That is a brazen bet for sure 5. Hope you put it on the right team and not flame out in week 3. Good luck.😊
What about Bill O’Brien? Successful at Penn State, had some success with the Texans before it unraveled. Now in the Saban rehab program.
We should be talking to him.
I am surprised the name Jeff Fisher hasn’t come up yet.
That’s a hard no, same with Del Rio.
Chris, I am so with you on that. That was one of my tongue in cheek comments. After Sark was a list of names that are now it seems from the far past. A current championship coach for me now after having slept on it a couple of nights and things have settled down, at least in my head. A guy that has the charisma to recruit, a leader, a guy that can develop talent, and a guy that has the will and knows how to win. Having that he will come with the ability to hire excellent staff.
Steve, this is all good stuff, at least we have hope. I honestly think there are 5-6 guys who can come in and be really really good. If Clay can win a Rose Bowl, think what a really solid guy can do. But I’m hoping for great. Right now I am most excited about Stoops. He went to a NC or playoff 5 times. He only won one, I get that, but he was always in the conversation. I would be so happy to always be in the conversation and winning 10, 11, or 12 games every year with a… Read more »
I think it is important to at least have a shot at it. We haven’t been close in a decade so the change you suggest would be very very welcome. If Stoops is the guy then we need to put aside our preferences and back the program completely. This is fun with all this conjecture and opinions and it gives us a gateway to things we haven’t considered yet. I know my feelings have changed quickly reading comments and considering others opinions.
And now for something completely different. Just saw on the news. NASCAR Clash is coming to the Coliseum Feb 6, 2022 with a 1/4 mile asphalt track inside. The race will be broadcast after the NFL Pro-Bowl on FS1.
Question, do you think Clay Helton ever gets another head coaching gig? Non power 5 or anywhere else?
Yes, but way down to the lower-mid-major range. He can rehab himself for a while and could end up at a school that favors his positive non-trouble persona over anything else. Could happen IMO. USC on any resume isn’t bad.
Hopefully, Clay will write a book. Should be a best-seller. I’ll buy it!
He would be an excellent choice for a small Christian college.
Do they have Division IV football? or does it stop at Division III. The lower the better for the Cat….
He needs to try to get on the Saban rehab for a year or 2 and learn what real football is all about. Not sure what position he could get. Even QB coach would be tough for him to get. More like a special assistant in charge of hugs. 😂
One thing we can all agree, Caruso, Folt and Bohn aren’t part of some politically correct, Marxist plot to destroy USC football. Can we bury that dead horse? They needed time to fix USC. Hopefully they have turned the broken down Yugo into a Formula 1 race car and are now ready to put that Ferrari engine of a head coach into it and off to the races we go.
The HC hire will tell us all we need to know on the subject.
I disagree heartily about Folt—the sooner she is gone from SC, the better. Caruso maybe trying to mend fences with the rich alumni he has irritated. After all, he will need their support when he runs for Mayor!
Not a big Caruso fan. When I was a student at USC, J. Robert Fluor was the Chairman of the BOT. He signed both my Bachelor’s in Business and MBA diplomas. Fluor built Anaheim Stadium for Gene Autry. Autry gave Fluor Corporation the suite right next to his behind home plate. I worked for Fluor from 2002-2008 and was fortunate to take my group to the suite 3 times as a reward for superior results as a group. Caruso seems to be an aloof dude who would have Olivia Jade on his yacht when the Varsity Blues scandal was going… Read more »
Being a dad I had a different take on Olivia Jade on the boat. Caruso likely had not idea who his daughter invited, he wasn’t there.
Caruso’s daughter, “Dad I want to invite some friends on the boat for Spring Break”.
Caruso, “sure, behave yourselves, the crew will keep an eye on you”.
Then the news breaks.
Caruso to daughter, “You invited WHO out on the boat! Do you know how this looks!”
But not to say he isn’t slimy.
Very true. It’s easy to stretch unrelated situations into guilty-looking, reprehensible acts.
I think I heard somewhere that Olivia Jade is going to be on Dancing With The Stars. Indeed, it turned out she didn’t need that USC diploma after all!
Boy talk about getting rich and famous without any talent. Riding off her parent’s hard work. At least her mom can act. Never watched DWTS, most of the “stars” didn’t seem like it.
I don’t ever watch it but it’s a pretty big deal to those that do. It’s good for those trying to reinvent their careers and Olivia Baby needs some brand push. Good for her! Who needs to be a fake rower when you can be a fake dancer?
Most of the “stars” I have never heard of.
Donte talks about what he hopes to see during the remainder of the season.
The best scenario for all of us would be for Donte to be a revelation and just kill it for us the rest of the year. He wins the job because he is so good and leads us through another era of greatness. That would be fantastic.
will it happen? Most likely no, but it would be best for us.
I do sincerely hope he does well enough to turn it into the next great opportunity for him. He’s a guy that is easy to root for.
Just the thought of USC with yet another interim coach turned permanent guy scares the heck out of me. As much as I like Donte as a recruiter, I’m not near sold that he’s ready to lead USC, which has been a total graveyard for coaches lately. It’s a tough place obviously, with lots of good rivals who are always looking to smack the Trojans down. USC can’t afford to get this next football hire bad. I’m not into rooting for anyone to prove he’s worth a shot. I’m into Bohn scouring the earth and proving he can return USC… Read more »
100% agree with all of it. Just saying that if the guy that would be best fit is already here would be best case. I do not think that is the case at all, but it would be great if he wins out and at least makes Bohn think about it.
Ya, many Trojan fans have long worried that USC would lose Donte and watch him walk away to another job because of his overall desirability.
Now, USC gets first pick on him. That is exciting, and a relief to many.
I would hope the next coach will be such a well known winner that losing Donte just won’t mean much. But, it would be pretty great to have Donte recruiting under someone like Urban, Stoops, Lincoln Riley, etc. he just about go and get whoever he wanted on west coast, I’m good with that.
Now that is a better scenario.
Well thought out post Allen. as usual, the myopic hysteria strikes when a coaching change arises. As was posted, the Statement from Caruso seeking a “World Class Coach” eliminates the run of the mill “Latest Hot Names” in College football mentioned. Fickell, Campbell….etc. World Class means success and notability and recognition…sorry, but those mentioned are shy of those credentials. There are also frequently mentioned “Over The Hill Gang” Del Rio, Fisher etc. none of which carry any degree of outstanding success. Colin Cowherd has some valid points regarding SC’s coaching search, Pro experience brings a lot to creating the, as… Read more »
Great points Alfa1. I have to admit I have thought Williams is HC material, and perhaps this stint as interim will fortify that, although I now realize it is time to take a BIG step up and get a world class guy, at what I am sure is going to be an astounding price. It is obvious Donte has HC aspirations and we may lose him eventually depending on his present status outcome. That is the nature of the game. I just pray he does well.
I’m hoping David Shaw is on the list of candidates for USC HC. I couldn’t imagine what he could do with USC’s talent.
I don’t think Donte killing it the rest of the year is the best case scenario as it makes the decision tougher. I want him to do well, but one partial year is not predictive of the long term potential. We need a proven hire, not a speculative one.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
“League sources believe Chiefs’ OC Eric Bieniemy will emerge as a head-coaching candidate for USC. Bieniemy is from Southern California (played La Puente Bishop Amat and CU) and has told confidantes in the past, that USC is one of the only college jobs that might interest him.”
I’ve always wondered why Bieniemy wasn’t a CFB HC by now. He’s a recruiting maniac (at least he used to be) and he’s been up for a lot of HC jobs.
He could be a good one. Very tough as a player and as a coach.
I don’t know what Bieniemy is like behind the scenes. But I hope USC hears him out if he wants to talk.
Not aware of what you are speaking about.
It should have read — I don’t know what Bieniemy is like behind the scenes.
A pretty old school tough nosed type of guy when he needs to be is what I have learned about him.
That’s how Bieniemy is out front. I’m talking about behind the scenes, and wondering if there is anything about him that has kept him back and from getting HC jobs. So I googled him and this is what I found on Wiki. He’s got quite a history it turns out, dating way back, and this is just the public stuff: As a player at Colorado, Bieniemy was arrested along with a teammate following a February 1988 bar fight. He pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and fighting in public, and was sentenced to community service. He also received discipline from… Read more »
Sounds like he had a lot of fun growing up. Nothing in the last 20 years sounds like he may have grown up and quit making stupid decisions. I am sure his past would help him identify with younger guys and perhaps steer them straight.
I guess the question is has he owned his past and gotten on with life in a responsible way.
I don’t call any of that “fun” that’s for sure. I have no doubt that all of these numerous arrests have negatively affected his career. I had no idea until today actually. Mystery solved. I also have no doubt that Carol Folt will find this public rap sheet entertaining and thought-provoking to say the least. The part I liked best was where he told this girl, “a bunch of black males all at once being her worst nightmare,” before he pulled his pants off. Ya, you’re right. I totally believe her. I’m predicting right here and now that USC doesn’t… Read more »
That’s funny. Well it seems problems solved, we move onward and upward. This is exciting times again, we have plenty to talk about without bashing Helton anymore. I have hope now and my enthusiasm has returned. I see yours has too.
Totally. Yesterday, 9/13/21 (about 2:30 pm) should be declared a Trojan Holiday! I’m still basking in it. The world became a better place.
I’d say that’s true for Clay Helton too. He was in way over his head at USC and he deserves to be doing something that he’s good at. It’ll be healing for his soul.
Football should have given him a nice net worth. I hope he can take his financial nest egg and devote himself to his faith and family.
He’s gotta coach again. You know it GT. Clay’s only 49.
I think he’ll hook on as an “advisor” somewhere and kiss butt back to being on an actual staff, but never as a HC. JMHO.
No thanks. Keep looking please.
Super interesting. We are not going to get a better play caller. He is the OC for the best offense in the NFL. I know Mahomes and Reid make a gigantic difference, but they are a creative offense. It would be fun to see what he can do with a talent advantage in almost every game.
but the more I think about it, the more I want Stoops.
Not sure Eric would pass the “Carol Test”. Sure he has the drive/energy, the knowledge of the game and the ability to mesh with his players. But would his seemingly fun time loose approach give her warning of concern and, no HC experience to prove himself able in running a tight program? Eric needs HC experience?
Did you read my comment below Jam about how much “fun” he’s had? Maybe that’s the only reason he might become available.
I don’t see Bieniemy as the next HC of the Chiefs, that’s for sure. But maybe he’s a star? The great college coaching football merry-go-round. It truly is one of the more interesting aspects of sport to me.
Per a 2020 blue-chip recruit’s parent, USC under Helton just couldn’t cut it:
“USC needs to get a coach with gravitas. You’re competing against Lincoln Riley, you’re competing against Dabo. (Nick) Saban has the resume. You go to those meetings, then you talk to Clay Helton and they sell you Hollywood. It doesn’t work, so they’ve got to get it back.”
Imagine the meetings, Saban has a plan to make you great, it will be tough but you will be the best you can be, Helton is just glad you want to be his friend and show a good time.
I am, for one, not surprised.
Hooray for Hollywood! Helton — “Let’s sneak up and see the Hollywood Sign up close junior. It’s not that far from Tommy’s. We can head on over tonight after you see your name on the Coliseum scoreboard. What number do you want to wear? I think 000 is now available!” Just joking!
When your product is ordinary, run of the mill, and mediocre you need to “sell the sizzle, not the steak”.
Clay Helton’s USC firing ends a tenure defined by its setbacks and one massive overriding weakness: zero accountability Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — “Everyone knows Helton as a nice guy, and what happens with nice guys sometimes is they can get tricked,” one former USC staffer said. “He does everything the right way, and if you tell him to do something and tell him to be there at 8:30, he will be there at 8:30. Unfortunately, players and adults, sometimes they might not be there at 8:30, and there’s no accountability to that. It was just kind of disappointing. There… Read more »
You would Williams, Orlando and Harrell know how to bring that accountability back. Improving intensity and focus should help immensely within a few games.
I know personally that a change in HC can bring an immediate change. Once the law is laid down most players will change their ways. A few will test the system and will suffer for it. All Williams needs to do is convey to the team his expectations, then stick to them. Let them know practice will be harder and will not be missed, that those that really want to play will show it in practice and as a result will end up with PT. Once the team gels around the concepts of going 100% in practice, playing full out… Read more »
Okay, I will throw my opinions in the mix here. When will we know? The bigger the hire the longer we will have to wait. No big name will be announced till the end of the season, he doesn’t want to drag down his current team. That means Sunday November 28th for college guys. I don’t know when an NFL guy would be allowed by his current team to talk to USC. Who should it be? I have no idea. The most important thing for college football is can he recruit 5 star players. If I’m in the shoes of… Read more »
Deion Sanders.
As a head coach?
From what I have read he is doing a heck of a job although the comment was tongue in cheek.
Seriously though, how about Shawn McVay
He is a born and bred NFL guy. The college game is not in his DNA.
Why would anyone voluntarily leave the Rams head job and Sofi Stadium to coach the Trojans? Not I, that’s for sure, unless I had a daddy complex like Clay.
We have to throw names out there, some are not good, some are untouchable, and some show promise. I am just hoping for a tuff coach, a guy that can recruit, and develop talent. Give me that and there will be positive results. Now, who develops talent the best. Campbell and Wittingham come to mind first. Neither guy is flashy, just pure football business. I am sure there are others, like Fickell, who it appears is very trendy right now.
Urban Meyer seems to be laying an NFL goose egg. Bringing on Tim Tebow should have been a warning sign, though it’s still very early. I’m not sure he can make the leap.
I really loved Urban on Fox. He was a lot better than Stoops IMO.
At least USC has a very long runway here. In two months, there will undoubtedly be a couple of other names that look like a possibility.
I agreed with Plaschke until he mentioned Stoops and Petersen. My God, how do you break these silly spells? Just STOP!!! Tune it out. Go big FOR REAL this time. Stoops got the nickname “Big Game Bob” for a reason, and they didn’t mean it in a nice way. He racked up wins against crappy Big12 teams, won his share of matchups with his only tough opponent on the schedule — Texas (mostly during its down years … OU couldn’t handle Vince Young any better than we could), and then he got SMOKED in some of his biggest games, including… Read more »
I’m 100% with you on home run cut. Let’s take big swings and let the big boys tell us no. But Cower hasn’t coached in 15 years and never college that I am aware of. There are many other NFL guys out there who I would take above him if we are talking home run hires. I would be super excited about Bob Stoops as well. That’s why this is fun, hoping we don’t just go the easy route and wait for Luke Fickell to finish the year.
Holy cow, it’s already been 15 years for Cowher? I am getting OLD! Anyway, I don’t care. That guy was the quintessential head football coach, tough as nails. He would instill toughness and attitude in any team he coaches. The very fact that he walked from coaching when he did, with lots of money left on the table, shows he’s the real deal. I still think Cowher with the right assistants would be a home run and it would be a recruiting dream.
Rock, We are on the same page here. I agree with Cowherd. You want someone who the NFL would hire as a Head Coach. And, no one on the present staff qualifies. Let’s see what Bohn does. So far, he has made the right moves for 2021. He got rid of Clay immediately when the circumstances allowed (Clear that Clay was going to get canned unless SC finished top 10 this year, so better to do it earlier than later – he just needed the proper circumstances) and announced the job qualifications up front, so as to eliminate the present… Read more »
just heard Jake Olson interview. He had a fairly rough take- he basically said USC has recruited “glitzy” players who care more about Instagram followers than football. He also said talking with guys who have transferred from USC he found the culture at other schools to be much better in regard to work ethic and loving football. We have been getting out worked. That has to change.
Tough news. But the STAN game showed us all some shocking examples of why the Trojans can’t win big games anymore. I have no doubt the USC football program culture is solidly deficient compared to many other schools, some of which, like NEB and IU, are still going nowhere and nothing to write home about.
He specifically mentioned Auburn, but I can’t think of who transferred there.
I think Pete Carroll’s culture was something very basic like Always Compete. So simple. So hard to implement.
The Portal lists nobody going to Auburn from USC from 2018-2021
I wonder if the kids realize just how bad the Clay culture was. I doubt there is much Donte can do with it, particularly since the problem on D is lack of talent in the front 7.
It sounds like Olson used the wrong terminology. I would say neither of the Drakes are glitzy. Slovis isn’t glitzy. Vavae and Keontay aren’t either. None of the O line is glitzy. Is Pola-Mao, Griffiths or Mauga glitzy? I would love to know who is glitzy at USC.
I have always felt that when a organization (Professional or college ) limits their search to someone they allready know you are not having a very broad-check-all-options search !
The # 1 comment from my family (NY Giants fans ) when the Giants are hiring a new Head Coach (from now on) ….ALL MY FAMILY MEMBERS now always say >>>>”Please do not hire a new head coach that has previous connections to the Giants ” And that is because the last 3 coaches that got hired because they had previous connection to the Giants where TOTAL FAILURES !!!!!
CIN HC Luke Fickell has dismissed rumors linking him with the vacant USC job.
“Look, I don’t talk to anybody—I barely talk to my own family during the season,” he said Tuesday. “So I wouldn’t ever talk about it, nor would I even answer a phone call or anything like that. … It’s nothing but distractions if people allow it to be, and for us it can’t be.”
That is why we got to be prepared to the possibility that we might not get a “quote-unquote” famous name guy !
Exactly what he should say as do all the others. Not during the season, not many coaches would to that to a team, although I can think of one recently. Everything is in the media, hyping it all up. The fact is it is all hype and conjecture. We need to get through the rest of the season first. Perhaps Donte is the guy and performs exactly the way we need. It will be interesting to see what he does with the offense, he knows where the defense is already. Will he make life rough for Harrell and have him… Read more »
Hype and conjecture got Sarkesian hired at Texas, as if YOU or I could not be successful as a coordinator with the players that school recruits. How’s that working out? I thought that was one of the worst hires EVER! There was no excuse for hiring Sarkesian when WE did, but to do it after knowing how he panned out at USC? No number of years at Alabama would’ve convinced me to hire that guy. I feel sorry for Texas fans, and their nightmare is just beginning (although they will pull the trigger faster than we did with Helton for… Read more »
I’ve always thought Sark was a big reach to be successful at TEXAS. After getting totally whomped by ARK last Saturday, there might be a lot of Longhorn fans who agree with me.
Colin Cowherd is pushing hard for USC to go to the NFL for its next coach. Here’s a short recap of his rant this morning. “USC fired their coach yesterday. Nice guy. Didn’t get it done. No reason to stomp on him. Wonderful family man. Good luck to Clay Helton. I love college football, and I especially love USC. You know that. College football though has worn me out in recent years because college football is in a perpetual cycle of thinking small, looking down. “Every single reporter that covers college football has the same 12 names up for the… Read more »
I’m with Cowherd. Enough with Fickell, Campbell. If Fickell were amazing he would be coaching Ohio State right now. First of all, I wouldn’t even THINK about a coaching search until Bill Cowher told me “no.” He probably will, but that’s my first call. If I even consider a college guy, it’s because there are five NFL teams that also want him, and I am willing to outbid them. Otherwise, I look to the NFL ranks for the best guy available.
How about Harsin? He is 76-24. Or Kalen Deboer at 71-6. I keep looking at the coachs in the nfl and can’t see one that would fit or would want to come.
Are you saying that if Fickell was a good coach, OSU would have fired Ryan Day and replaced him with Luke?
I am not sure what you are getting at.
What Cowherd says is right to the point. Some current successful college coaches don’t want the hassles of big city politics-clics. They like being in small college towns where they have the power to get their way with the administration. Would Saban put up with LA? If he did, it wouldn’t be for long and bolt. And if Mike Bohn isn’t smart enough, he will be easily used by his target to get a better deal and stay put. Nick Saban is the benchmark to compare all others in CFB. Only Dabo Sweeney & Urban Meyers have had success against… Read more »
Been reading what many College football writers have been writing about this morning who would most likely say YES to taking the job ?…..The same name is being mentioned the most ……Luke Fickell .
From WWWSPORTS BETTING Website >>>>> Odds to Be Next USC Football Head Coach…….CoachOdds …….James Franklin+450 …………Luke Fickell+450 ……….Urban Meyer+500 …………Matt Campbell+950 …………………..PJ Fleck+1000 ……….Mario Cristobal+1200 ……Tony Elliott+1600 ……….Dave Aranda+1600 …………………..Bob Stoops+2000 ……….Eric Bienemy+3000 ……….Chris Peterson+5000 ………..Lane Kiffin+5000 …………..Steve Sarkisian+10000 ……..Pete Caroll+10000
I can see Bohn seriously considering Kris Richard, the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks. He checks a lot of boxes. Successful pro experience, African American, Ex Trojan, Pete Carroll protege. I would be happy with him, Chris Petersen, or Bob Stoops, as choices. Dan Patrick hears that Fickell wants to stay in the Midwest, and now that they are joining the Big 12, he will have better opportunities to make the playoffs. Speculation is fun
Do we really want an ex-Trojan? I thought that factor has worked absolutely dismally for USC football, hasn’t it? I hope the USC connection factor is not a reason the Trojans use to bring in its new coach, but I’m not sure USC can get away from that type of thinking.
I’m fine with Kris Richard as a candidate. But that’s because he’s the DC of the Seahawks, not because he played college ball at USC, which should be irrelevant to me based on what I have watched USC football go through.
I spoke to 2 USC Fans that possibly setting themselves up for disappointment because they said to me they felt positive that one of the “Big Name ” coaches WILL say yes …I am not sure about that yet .
I do not want to set myself up for disappointment…….So When I look at all the “Big Name ” coaches I will not count on us getting a “Big Name ” coach…………First most (if not all ) are presently employed somewhere ……2nd Just how attractive are we as a program right now and third you GOT TO HAVE A BACK UP PLAN if all the “Big Name ” coaches say NO !!!!!…….FIGHT ON !!!!!
There was only one great coach available in Urban Meyer, and that ship has sailed as SC fumbled again. Hey, Trojan football fans are still giddy from yesterday’s news as the following comments from posters illustrate: Praise the Lord, and pop the bubbly! Finally! This is 3 years overdue This is terrible news…to the rest of the Pac-12! About Dam. Time. And about the future: This should be a mini-celebration– the real work is still ahead Bohn better get this right or he’ll be saying adios soon too And stay out it, Carol. Harrell is already pouting Helton’s wife might… Read more »
We are now hearing what we had hoped to hear for the last 5-6 years at least. Spend the money(which can easily be afforded) and hire a HC in the Stoops-Saban-Meyers-Sweeney top tier level. They will attract the coaching staff that knows how to recruit-develop-detail coach winning championships. We all hope Mike Bohn got the message loud & clear.
“World-class coach.” – Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Urban Meyer and Pete Carroll. Fight On! ✌
Great column. I agree 100%, why not talk to Sabans agent. Sure, call the Jags and see if their coach is available. There are very few that fit the model the author has described, but there has to be one out there. To me it isn’t Petersen. Stoops perhaps. Meyer always.
Dennis Dodd
Williams Into Action: Donte Williams — “My biggest thing is about enhancing everything we do. How can we enhance everything we do? Whether it’s the way we lift weights, the way we eat, the way we practice, the way we play, just enhance everything we do. That’s the biggest message right now. Making sure we take care of all the little things, because too many little things become huge and big things and they cost us, They cost us penalties, they cost us dumb mistakes, they cost us as a team, they cost us as a university. And that’s the… Read more »
Agree with the article.