The Cardinals are hiring James Saxon of the Pittsburgh Steelers as their new running backs coach according to the NFL Network. That means USC will apparently retain Mike Jinks as its running backs coach. So Kliff Kingsbury thought Jinks was good enough to coach tailbacks at USC but not the Arizona Cardinals? Another thing to ding Kingsbury on. Continue reading Looks Like Mike Jinks Is Staying At USC

I will note again no sweeping changes have been made at USC. There is no offensive coordinator. Players are transferring. At least two donors tell me they will not purchase tables at next month’s recruiting dinner after doing it for years. Season-ticket sales? Who knows. It just seems like a good time for the athletic director to be taking a hands-on approach to USC football. … Continue reading It’s Another Day Without Real Change

I spoke to an NFL scout today who attended North Texas practices. The offensive coordinator is Graham Harrell, who was recommended to USC by Kliff Kingsbury. “I was able to figure out their offense watching one practice,” the scout said. “There are variations with the receiver but it doesn’t take long to figure out where the ball is going. There aren’t that many different plays.” … Continue reading Do USC And Its Fans Just Want An Air Raid Offense?

Isn’t it interesting how Nick Saban played in the national title game Monday and already had Steve Sarkisian and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chip Long in Tuscaloosa over the weekend as he searches for a new offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, crickets are chirping at USC and Lynn Swann is at Augusta National Golf Club as USC seeks to replace Kliff Kingsbury. Former USC wide receiver Randal … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz

ESPN reports Steve Sarkisian is headed back to Alabama and turning down King Kliff’s job offer with the Arizona Cardinals. He is expected to become the Tide’s offensive coordinator. I can see a few reasons why the cunning Sarkisian would choose Alabama: He will call the plays in Alabama while Kliff Kingsbury calls plays in Arizona. A season or two in Alabama will position him … Continue reading Steve Sarkisian Could Choose Alabama Over Arizona Cardinals

Remember Bob Connelly, the oft-criticized offensive line coach at USC under Steve Sarkisian? He came to USC after coaching at Oklahoma State, Arizona State, UTEP, UCLA, Alabama and Washington State. He spent the 2017 season coaching at Long Beach Poly. Well, he is going to Northern Arizona according to Football Scoop. Connelly might have the longest resume in college football. Continue reading Former USC Assistant Bob Connelly Surfaces

A big USC donor told me today he is not renewing his season tickets that he owned for decades. I’ve heard this from plenty of other people too, who are either fed up with their seats being moved or just sick of Clay Helton. So maybe it is good time to buy some season tickets. You might get better seats. And they might be valuable … Continue reading Buy Low, Sell High?

If Graham Harrell or Jake Spavital are so great, why is Kliff Kingsbury looking to hire Steve Sarkisian? Wouldn’t Kingsbury be better off with someone who understands his offense? Does he want a “veteran” like Sarkisian who can deal with prima donna quarterbacks? I can think of better candidates for that job. Meanwhile, Kingsbury’s agent said King Kliff turned down seven NFL offensive coordinator jobs … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury Keeps Making News

Gee, who is missing? Top graded QB's in Pac-12 in 2018 according to @PFF_College 1. Gardner Minshew 88.72. KJ Costello 87.93. Manny Wilkins 80.14. Jake Luton 77.55. Jake Browning 75.56. Tyler Huntley 75.17. Justin Herbert 74.98. Steven Montez 74.59. Chase Garbers 73.910. Khalil Tate 72.1 — Mike Singer (@Rivals_Singer) January 10, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading USC List Of The Day

You notice how fast coaching moves seem to take place at other schools? Michigan loses its offensive coordinator and hires Josh Gattis of Alabama. The next day Jim Harbaugh is interviewing Boston College co-defensive coordinator coach Anthony Campanile for a secondary job. There seems to be a plan. Alabama has lost five assistants. But it lost six the year before. No one is worried because Nick … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What Is The Game Plan?

In this environment, anybody can get a job. Kliff Kingsbury to the Arizona Cardinals. Zac Taylor, 35, is the Rams QB coach and now the frontrunner to become head coach of the Bengals. He was the Rams assistant wide receivers coach two years ago. So now the hot name for USC offensive coordinator is Graham Harrell, the former Texas Tech QB who is offensive coordinator … Continue reading Would Graham Harrell Excite Fans?

This is really rich. There are reports Steve Sarkisian is a candidate to be offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals. Is Kingsbury dumber than USC fans thought? Maybe it would be a harmless hire since King Kliff intends to call plays. But still . . . Sarkisian? Maybe Kingsbury needs a wing man to hit the Mill Ave. bars in Tempe or hot spots in … Continue reading Is Kliff Kingsbury Dumb Enough To Hire Steve Sarkisian?

Kliff Kingsbury was on the Jim Rome show today and asked about USC fans who felt betrayed by him. “It’s unfortunate obviously,” Kingsbury said. “It was never my intention. I turned down a bunch of opportunities to be a Trojan. This came up and was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities I couldn’t pass up.” Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury On Leaving USC

Can you imagine the athletic director at Washington, Alabama or Texas hiding inside Heritage Hall the past few days like Lynn Swann? It is hard to believe this guy worked for ABC or ran for governor of Pennsylvania the way he avoids making any public comments. Let me be clear: The point of these comments is for the fans. The people who buy tickets and … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Message For Lynn Swann

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll fired Chris Carlisle, the Seahawks’ head strength and conditioning coach. This is the end of relationship that started in 2001 when Carroll got hired at USC and quickly hired Carlisle, who became a well-known figure during the Carroll era. They spent the past 18 seasons together. Carroll’s always been known behind-the-scenes as someone who could be ruthless when he wanted … Continue reading Pete Carroll Fires His Strength Coach

Here is what else Kliff Kingsbury said about USC today: “I enjoyed my time at USC. It just kind of turned out to be what it was, and we moved forward from it.” We moved forward from it? Was it a burden to him? Who is we? Kingsbury and his agent? You know why I haven’t moved on? Because Kingsbury never gets the Cardinals job … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury Sounds Ungrateful

Here is what Kliff Kingsbury said at his press conference today about USC: “When I took the job at USC, I couldn’t be more thrilled to have that job. I thought that was an incredible opportunity with Coach Helton, Mr. Swann, that program, that tradition, but this is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” That about sums it up. UPDATED: Look what Cardinals president Michael … Continue reading Cardinals Say Kliff Kingsbury Resigned From USC Before Interview

One of the Golden Ages of USC football was when John McKay was the coach. You know what the coaching staff did in the offseason? They would go visit places like Alabama and try to learn from Bear Bryant and his coaching staff. Another Golden Age was under Pete Carroll. He would send his staff to places like Tampa Bay in the offseason. Now fast … Continue reading Here’s Another Reason USC Doesn’t Get Better

Some quick thoughts on USC at the moment: Does USC even have an offensive philosophy? It was going to switch to an Air Raid offense. Now what? Still Air Raid or something else? The program has no core beliefs about anything so the offensive dilemma is not unique. Here are some examples of why Lynn Swann has no clue as athletic director. He gave Clay … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Some Post-Kingsbury USC Thoughts

Here is Clay Helton’s statement on Kliff Kingsbury: USC has always attracted the best coaches in the country? Except for Helton and his assistant coaches, of coaches. Continue reading Clay Helton’s Ridiculous Statement On Kingsbury

I’ve heard Major Applewhite, the former Houston coach, as a candidate to replace Kliff Kingsbury. But I wonder if someone as independent as Applewhite would be willing to come to USC and be second fiddle to Clay Helton? Maybe he would. But it will be another uncomfortable pairing since Helton has no rapport with other coaches, unless they go to Western Kentucky. UPDATED: If Applewhite … Continue reading Who Could Replace King Kingsbury?

BetOnline gives USC odds of 80/1 to win next year’s national championship. Frankly, I thought it would be higher. Maybe it will be if Kliff Kingsbury leaves. Here is the full list: 2020 NCAA Championship – Odds to Win Clemson                       2/1 Alabama                       5/2 Georgia                        12/1 Michigan                       12/1 Ohio State                    12/1 Oklahoma                     14/1 Florida                          25/1 Nebraska                      25/1 Notre Dame                  25/1 Texas                           25/1 Washington                   25/1 Oregon                         … Continue reading Next Season’s National Championship Odds

USC superfan Colin Cowherd says he believes the Arizona Cardinals will hire Kliff Kingsbury and naturally everyone is running with it. He also said a lot of wrong things about the last USC coaching search like when he said the Trojans would hire a big-name coach who agreed to an $8 million a year contract. Then USC hired Clay Helton. It would be nice if … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury To Arizona?

It’s amazing watch a true freshman QB actually perform. And without all kinds of excuses. Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1-ranked QB in the nation last year but he didn’t play at Mater Dei so he didn’t get to be the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Continue reading A True Freshman QB Can Live Up To Hype

If Kliff Kingsbury left USC, who else is out there that would have the juice to get full control of the offense? For that reason alone, Clay Helton has to be happy. He might still get to call plays He gets to start JT Daniels There is no one on staff who might take his job He has to hope Kingsbury gets another job. Continue reading Clay Helton Has To Be Happy

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports Kliff Kingsbury is interviewing with NFL teams. Glazer said this “likely mean he has resigned as USC offensive coordinator.” There has been no confirmation of this yet. Adam Schefter also reported Kingsbury would start interviewing but did not address if he is still with USC. Stay tuned as the circus continues. UPDATED: Initial reaction from USC is Kingsbury has … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury Gets Permission To Interview With NFL Teams

USC safety Troy Polamalu was among 13 players and 2 coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Full list below:   Continue reading Troy Polamalu Makes College Football Hall Of Fame

I spoke to an NFL defensive coordinator Sunday night about the Kliff Kingsbury situation and whether he could end up as head coach of the Jets or Cardinals? “I think these teams want to get him in for an interview and in the process convince him to become the offensive coordinator,” the coach said. “They really want him for offensive coordinator but know that might … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: An NFL Insider Theory On Kliff Kingsbury

Pro Football Talk is back, reporting the New England Patriots could pursue Kliff Kingsbury to be offensive coordinator if Josh McDaniels goes to Green Bay or Cleveland. Imagine Kliff Kingsbury’s dilemma: Who will help his reputation more? Working for Clay Helton or Bill Belichick? Gee, tough choice. The #Patriots are preparing for the departure of Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to either the #Browns or #Packers … Continue reading Clay Helton vs. Bill Belichick? Hmmm

You know who might be happy if Kliff Kingsbury leaves? JT Daniels. Why? Because if Kingsbury leaves it means Clay Helton might get to decide who starts at quarterback and everyone knows he does not want anyone but Daniels to be the quarterback. If Kingsbury stays, he does not owe anyone anything and will choose the quarterback he thinks is best. That gives Jack Sears … Continue reading If Kliff Kingsbury Left, Would Everyone Be Sad?

Would Kliff Kingsbury really use the nuclear option and resign from USC? Maybe if only he feels Lynn Swann forced him to. But here’s something I heard from a USC coach: Kingsbury has already sized up the rest of the coaching staff and knows he carries their own weight. So he figured out the circus-like pieces of the coaching staff. Is that a huge development? … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: Who Will Blink First With Kliff Kingsbury Saga?