Forget about that USC-UCLA score from last night, here’s an important question: Which football game did you own as a kid? Or is there one missing that you played? I was a See-Action participant myself. Continue reading An Important Football Question Asked Here

Larry Turner-Gooden, a four-star safety from St. Bernard High School, committed to Arizona State today. USC was one of his final choices. Here’s a reason he chose the Sun Devils. “Then you have my old high school coach, Chris Claiborne, who I played for my first two years at Calabasas and that was huge for me too,” Turner-Gooden told 247Sports. “My whole family loves him … Continue reading Notes: USC Loses Recruit To Arizona State

I often write about the over-representation of coaches connected to Texas on the USC coaching staff. There are currently 11 coaches with Texas ties. But here’s another trend I find troubling for the coaching staff: USC coach Clay Helton is a former quarterback. Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell is a former quarterback. Running backs coach Mike Jinks is a former quarterback. Offensive line coach Clay McGuire … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A Friday Notes Column

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper is so high on USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker that he has him to the Minnesota Vikings with the 14th pick in the NFL Draft in his mock draft. Excerpt: “I’ll stick with Vera-Tucker here because of his versatility. He played guard before moving to left tackle for USC last season. He impressed there and rocketed up draft boards. I … Continue reading Mel Kiper Loves Alijah Vera-Tucker

When Pete Carroll coached at USC, I nicknamed him “Caesar” because he could do whatever he wanted. Here’s an excerpt from a story in the Athletic today, which shows some of the same traits, and how they are apparent to quarterback Russell Wilson. Continue reading History Repeating Itself In Seattle

One of the funnier aspects of the USC football, for those on the inside, is how few decisions Clay Helton makes. I’m not even talking about the ones being made by his superiors like hiring assistant coaches. I’m talking about little decisions, that Helton still gets to make, which he continually farms out to a support staff member. I could name him but it’s not … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Even Little Decisions Prove Tough

Former USC athletic director Lynn Swann keeps a low profile. But he is making a semi-public appearance by doing something he doesn’t enjoy: Signing autographs. It doesn’t appear as though Swann will actually mingle with the public. The event involves him signing items and then mailing them to the public. Perfect for Swann. You can get an autographed mini-helmet for $269. His last autograph show … Continue reading A Lynn Swann Sighting

Here’s linebacker Ed Gutierrez tackling Oregon State QB Scott Richardson in USC’s 56-0 victory at the Coliseum in 1976. Gutierrez, running back Lynn Cain and quarterback Walt Ransom were on the 1976 team and also played on the California state championship team at East Los Angeles College. Gutierrez ranked seventh in minutes played among defensive players and intercepted two passes in 1976. Continue reading USC Picture Of The Day

USC has hired from Texas safety John Bonney as a quality control analyst. That means there are now 11 coaches on staff who have some Texas ties (native, played there, etc.). It might be the most insular coaching staff in the nation. UCLA announced it will play Alabama State (2022) and North Carolina Central (2023). That means USC and Notre Dame will be the only … Continue reading USC Notes: Don’t Look Now Another Texas Coach On Staff

In today’s USC newsletter, I have a must-read item on a halftime adjustment (or lack thereof). And I name the coach. You can read it too if you sign up here. And then you can come back and discuss it here. I find it amazing. It just backs up my theory about the USC football program being sideways. Which brings me to the offseason workouts. … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Coaching Story And Workout Evaluation

I would rather focus on a classic era photo, USC-Stanford in 1975, with the small S on the helmet and those revered 70’s Trojans uniforms. It’s a great photo. And now we have this dumb graphic USC produced on Instagram that refers to UCLA as “Other LA school.” Can’t just enjoy being in first place without taunting someone else? Continue reading USC Pictures Of The Night

Even though the decision of nose tackle Marlon Tuipulotu to turn pro was a no-brainer, I’m told it surprised USC coaches. Probably because it hurts the defensive line, which is still a question mark despite the hype of incoming defensive end Korey Foreman. The USC coaches think Alabama transfer Ishmael Sopsher will replace Tuipulotu and say they have no linemen built like him. But Alabama … Continue reading What’s The Status Of The USC Defensive Line?

USC is currently one of nine schools that is not part of the partnership for the new EA Sports College Football video game. Before getting excited, I suspect USC wants to cut its own deal. Do you really think USC would not be in the game with all the recruiting implications and bragging that could be done on social media with a the new game? … Continue reading Tuesday Notes: Will USC Be In New EA Sports Game?

USC’s had an active transfer market but the Trojans’ greatest need — an offensive tackle — has not yet been filled. And they could use a linebacker too. Those positions require transfers more than wide receiver or tailback, where USC brought players in already. The best offensive tackles in the portal — Wanya Morris, Doug Nester — went to Oklahoma and West Virginia, respectively. The … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Some Positions Cry Out For Immediate Help

If you haven’t signed up for the USC newsletter, here’s an excerpt from one item: During a game last season, a coordinator did something Clay Helton did not like, and I’m told at halftime, Helton said, “This is my program and I’m in charge. We’ll do it my way.” The coaching source who told me this said the coordinator listened begrudgingly but he wasn’t sure … Continue reading USC Coaching Harmony 101

So often when you hear Clay Helton or Graham Harrell, they make excuses for why they can’t run the ball or score more from the red zone or maybe use field position as an excuse. Which is why I present this chart on Alabama’s offense. This is what an anti-fragile offense looks like. This is the @AlabamaFTBL offense in 2020. Field position had virtually no … Continue reading A No-Excuse Offense

WINNERS USC students After paying full tuition for this virtual school year, they were informed that USC is planning “in-person classes and residential life” in 2021-22. USC men’s water polo The Trojans defeated No. 2-ranked UCLA, 9-4, Sunday to improve their overall record to 4-7. Jeff Martin Another LSU refugee who wanted to move to Southern California and he gets to make six figures doing … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week

I ran some classic photos this week and here’s one from the 1974 USC-Cal game. You’ve got Cal wearing its “C” on helmets in a simple but distinct look and the partially obstructed guy on the left with the popular single-bar down middle face mask. And USC wearing the uniform many still find the Trojans’ best. I’m not even going to let the fact Pat … Continue reading USC Picture Of The Day

Oregon has promoted Kodi Look to director of football operations. I’ve heard USC assistant Donte Williams, who knew her when he was at Oregon, was previously interested in hiring Look. USC has hired former center Toa Lobendahn as a defensive graduate assistant. Remember when Clay Helton said, “Toa is one of the loves of my life.” USC received a commitment from three-star linebacker Ty Kana. … Continue reading Saturday Notes: More Staff News

There’s a weird dynamic some feel at USC when it comes to the running of the football program. Although Mike Bohn is the athletic director, his No. 2, Brandon Sosna, is viewed as the “general manager” of the football program. “He’s the one who hires and fires people,” a source said. “He’s got his little clique of (football support staff) people he talks to in … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

It’s time for another classic picture: This is the 1973 USC-Washington State game. What I love most is the face mask for the Washington State player, which was a staple of the 1970’s. Continue reading USC Picture Of The Night

If you have not signed up for my new USC newsletter, you have missed two examples of coaching tension that show all is not well in paradise. You can sign up for the newsletter here. Continue reading Don’t Miss Out On The USC Drama

So USC deleted a tweet today that mocked the weather in Texas. It seems to delete more and more things since it started BLVD Studios and partnered with J1S. Remember the debacle of the video above, which caused an apology from Mike Bohn. It’s all about hype, hype, hype! NEVER about on-field performance, performance, performance. Even USC safeties coach Craig Naivar, who grew up in … Continue reading USC Hype Outpaces Performance

It’s really time Mike Bohn and his minion do something to control the social media team they allow to continually make USC look bad. Let’s see, people in Texas don’t have power or water in freezing weather, what can we tweet? It was finally deleted after an outcry. But why is the the USC football account (and others) so consistently tone deaf? Is the misery … Continue reading USC Social Media Once Again Embarrassing

I hear USC defensive line coach Vic So’oto has been raving about defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher, who transferred from Alabama, since the four-star prospect announced he would become a Trojan. One source said So’oto claimed Sopsher will be USC’s top defensive lineman next season. This is good to know. If it happens, So’oto will deserve credit for his evaluation skills. If it doesn’t happen, we … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Good Test Of Coaching Evaluation Skills

It’s a classic photo from 1974, when USC won the national championship. I believe this is the great defensive lineman and All-American, Gary Jeter, against Iowa. Continue reading USC Picture Of The Night

I’m not sure why it is “news” to some Steve Sarkisian is recruiting hard in Southern California. It’s the area he knows best in the nation, so whether he is at Washington, USC, Alabama or Texas, he is going to recruit locally. Any “national” school needs to recruit in Southern California. Just like USC recruits in Texas and Florida. The difference is Alabama does it … Continue reading USC Notes: Everyone Needs To Recruit Locally, But Not Obnoxiously

I often write about Clay Helton firing 14 assistant coaches since he took over at USC. Mainly because USC would never point it out. Sometimes, I didn’t even really like some of those former coaches for one reason or another. But one reached out to me Monday night, which surprised me because we didn’t really know each other that well. But he had a point … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: And Yet Another Ex-Coach Has A Say

Jake Taylor, a four-star offensive lineman from Las Vegas, announced his final three choices today: Alabama, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. He was one of USC’s top offensive line recruiting targets. Again, did he want to block in the Air Raid scheme? Or did he just desire a marquee program? Continue reading Offensive Line Trend Continues

I always feel like Clarence Davis is an underappreciated player at USC. He gained 1,377 yards in 1969 and 1,175 in 1970. I mention him today because I wonder if a player like Davis would have a place at USC today? He certainly would not have gained as many yards today. USC might not have even wanted him. Who knows? All I know is the … Continue reading Would There A Place For A Great USC Tailback Today?

WINNERS Tahj Eaddy A year ago he was playing at Santa Clara. Now he’s scoring 29 points for USC vs. Washington State. Steve Sarkisian The new Texas coach rolls into Southern California and gets QB Maalik Murphy from Gardena Serra to commit to the Longhorns. Already earning that $5.2 million! USC men’s volleyball First win over UCLA in Pauley Pavilion since 2014. Connor Murphy The … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week

USC coach Howard Jones addresses the team during the first practice in 1938. Jones won five Rose Bowls and four national titles at USC. Interestingly, Jones did not enjoy recruiting and let his coaching staff focus on bringing in players to USC. Continue reading USC Picture Of The Night

About two weeks ago, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports wrote an interesting article about USC recruiting. The thing that caught my eye was how USC coaches told Dodd only Clay Helton knew Korey Foreman had committed in mid-December because Foreman wanted to keep it a secret until his official announcement on Jan. 2. Dodd even wrote that super-recruiter Donte Williams “was climbing the walls” waiting … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Tales Of The Unbelievable