If you are unhappy Jay Toia transferred, it’s more important to look at the reason. I said he had a poor relationship with defensive line coach Vic So’oto. I’ve also written that another defensive lineman reportedly threw a punch at So’oto during a practice. So the question going forward is whether this stuff becomes a distraction? In the case of Toia, he left so it … Continue reading Defensive Line Needs No Drama

Former USC defensive tackle Jay Toia announced late tonight he was going to transfer to UCLA. Toia will be coached at UCLA by Johnny Nansen, who recruited Toia to USC before he got fired by Clay Helton. But don’t forget what I wrote about the reason for the transfer: The poor relationship USC defensive line coach Vic So’oto had with Toia. And the environment Toia … Continue reading Jay Toia Commits To UCLA

Former USC QB and NFL coach Jim Fassel died Monday of a heart attack. He was 71. Fassel was the Trojans’ backup QB in 1969 but left USC after the season because he wanted to play and could not beat out Jimmy Jones. Fassel and his high school teammate, fullback Tom Fitzpatrick, left USC and went to Long Beach State. Fassel played there in 1971. … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC QB/NFL Coach Jim Fassel Dies

I’ve been tracking Marv Goux’s acting career and Here is the premier episode of “Medical Center” in 1969. And this features Goux with a speaking part, as he plays a college football assistant coach (a big stretch, I’m sure). The episode features O.J. Simpson in his first credited role as a star tailback concealing an injury. I spotted former USC player/assistant coach Craig Fertig playing … Continue reading Welcome Back To Marv Goux Theater

In the USC newsletter today, I have the reason the College Football Hall of Fame had a glaring Trojan omission. WINNERS William Gay USC used to be a place where a tight end like Gay could switch to defensive end in the NFL and have a successful 10-year career with the same pro team. Now you don’t even know if a USC player who doesn’t … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Winners And Losers Of The Week

Look where USC is taking recruits this weekend: 📍 @SoFiStadium #BLVDBound🌴 pic.twitter.com/K8fHki8Rpq — USC Football (@USC_FB) June 5, 2021 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Did USC spend more than $300 million on the Coliseum renovation to take recruits to a “better” stadium? Then go play there. Oh, it’s to show recruits they can play in the NFL? The recruits would be better off looking at the list of USC … Continue reading Recruits Getting NFL-Themed Visit

This week’s USC column supplement looks at William Gay, who led the Trojans in minutes played in 1976 and 1977. Continue reading An Underappreciated Trojan

I’m starting to wonder how many people working in the USC athletic dept. are looking over their shoulders? Or are at least a little wary of the schism created by Mike Bohn, where people from the University of Cincinnati are now working throughout the dept. You have a hush-hush husband-wife team of administrators (one replacing Steve Lopes) and Bohn’s shadow (Brandon Sosna), then there is … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

The College Football Hall of Fame wisely dropped former USC linebacker Jack Del Rio from the new ballot released this week. People forget Del Rio was second-team All-Pac-10 his senior year, which is hardly a Hall of Fame credential. But it screwed up by not replacing Del Rio with Chris Claiborne, the only USC linebacker to win the Butkus Award. Even some of the contacts … Continue reading College Football Hall Of Fame Gets One Right, One Wrong

A USC player from the 1960’s could not resist contacting me after reading that a defensive lineman reportedly threw a punch at defensive line coach Vic So’oto. “I can remember when Marv Goux initiated an altercation with a high-profile player to set him straight. Nobody challenged him when I was on the team. A player would have been foolish to try something with him.” Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Football Role Reversal

Defensive tackle Jay Toia, who is in the transfer portal, will visit Michigan this weekend. It shows how serious Toia is about finding a new school. And Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua was previously at Arizona State, so he’s obviously familiar with Toia. Continue reading Jay Toia To Visit Michigan

Wide receiver Kevin Green of Alemany committed to USC last weekend. Now the question is how big is he? Green is 5-foot-10, 155-pounds according to Rivals. He is 5-11, 165 pounds according to 247. And he is 5-11, 175 according to MaxPreps. Good thing everyone is in agreement. Continue reading Getting A Recruit’s Size Is Tricky Business

With Jay Toia in the transfer portal, the fanboy media will go into overdrive to promote defensive tackle Jamar Sekona, who should see significant playing time. And what about Alabama-transfer Ishmael Sopsher? Well, the good news is he is walking around and no longer relying on a mobility scooter following surgery for compartment syndrome. Now let’s look at a quote from a Pac-12 assistant in … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Feeling Good About The Defense?

One thing about what I wrote regarding Jay Toia this morning: It does confirm the doubts I had last week (and way before that) about defensive line coach Vic So’oto. It always felt like he or USC was intent on portraying him as another Ed Orgeron in terms of energy/volume/strength. But where was the end result? So’oto has received complete backing from the fanboys but … Continue reading The Next Ed Orgeron?

If you subscribed to the USC newsletter, you would already know why Jay Toia transferred. But you can read why by clicking on this link. After reading, you can post a comment here. I’ve heard UCLA and Arizona State are among the schools interested in Toia. Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Defensive Line Has Drama

Kevin Green, a wide receiver from Alemany, committed to USC today. Green chose the Trojans over Stanford and Washington State. He is a three-star prospect on Rivals and four-star on 247Sports. Green is the sixth player to commit from the Class of 2022. No offensive linemen yet. Of course. Continue reading USC Gets Commitment From Receiver

Defensive tackle Jay Toia released a statement today: Continue reading Jay Toia Makes Statement

WINNERS Jay Toia Yes, a winner. I’ll have the reason why he transferred on Tuesday, which also explains why he is a winner. USC history It was a fun week getting to write about Marv Goux’s acting career and nose tackle Rich Dimler. USC schedule An over/under of nine wins? Yes, when you look at that easy schedule. LOSERS USC football There is still too … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Winners And Losers Of The Week

I’ve watched every Twilight Zone episode more times than I can remember and I’ve seen the episode “Third from the Sun” many times. But I never noticed Marv Goux. Even though he has a couple shots. I wonder how many people recognized Goux when the episode aired in 1960 without the technology to replay or rewind. I’ve watched this episode plus the 1959 episode of … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Marv Goux Enters The Twilight Zone

I’ve talked about USC’s linebacker unit being indifferent. It looks like Athlon’s agrees with its Pac-12 rankings of the linebacker corps: 1. Oregon 2. Washington 3. Arizona Sr 4. Utah 5. OSU 6. Cal 7. Colorado 8. USC 9. UCLA 10. WSU 11. Stanford 12. Arizona Kedon Slovis took part in the Steve Clarkson QB retreat in Santa Monica today: USC and Mississippi. Slovis and … Continue reading USC Saturday Notes: Linebacker Unit Under Scrutiny

This week’s USC newsletter column supplement remembers nose guard Rich Dimler (92).  “The toughest player I’ve seen in 22 years of coaching,” Marv Goux said. Continue reading Remembering Rich Dimler

Are the walls slowly closing around Clay Helton or will he have some more lucky escapes like last season? Will depth issues take a toll on the Trojans? Will the offensive and defensive lines be the luckiest coach in America’s undoing or will skill players bail him out again? Here’s one thing: Is Arizona State ever going to live up to its hype? If it … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Did you see this quote? Georgia AD Josh Brooks says they will drop concession prices at football games for hot dogs, candy, popcorn, bottled soda and bottled water. Did not specify it yet, but I've heard it will be about 50% each. "We can't look for profits at every turn and every corner," Brooks said. — Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) May 27, 2021 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Mike Bohn … Continue reading Memo To Coach Bohn

I’ve been intrigued by the potential attendance figure for the USC-San Jose State game. There’s not a lot of enthusiasm for USC right now. San Jose State won’t excite anyone. And now the kickoff time will be 2 p.m. On Sept. 4. How hot will it be that day? This is a trifecta for missing a game. Also that day at the Rose Bowl is … Continue reading A Small Crowd Can Roast At USC-San Jose State Game

Freshman defensive tackle Jay Toia has entered the NCAA transfer portal after being labeled one of the breakout stars of spring practice. I considered Toia a starter at defensive tackle and now another freshman, Jamar Sekona, could be starting at the spot. Remember that veteran Brandon Pili tore his Achillles’ during spring practice, so who knows what he can do this fall. And 24-year-old Caleb … Continue reading USC Defensive Tackle Jay Toia Enters Transfer Portal

Johnny Knoxville turned 50 today. So it’s a good reminder of a stunt that backfired on USC when Knoxville came to tape his show at a practice. Knoxville wanted to get pummeled by the team and USC agreed to oblige him. But the players wanted to hit him so hard that defensive end Matt Childers broke his hand or wrist trying to tackle him. If … Continue reading Johnny Knoxvile And The Stunt That Backfired

The South Point Hotel in Las Vegas has USC a 1-point underdog at Notre Dame in South Bend on Oct. 23. Is Notre Dame that bad? The Irish don’t even get the requisite 3-points for being at home? Against Clay Helton? USC’s offensive line and linebackers are a 1-point underdog? I’m actually not sold on USC’s corners either but that will set off the fanboys. … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Is Notre Dame This Bad?

Marv Goux was a colorful character and legendary assistant coach at USC. He could also be a difficult co-worker. One day, a staffer was using a mimeograph machine to make copies and Goux came into the office. “My stuff is more important than your stuff,” Goux barked and shooed away the staffer. “What could I do? It was Marv Goux,” the staffer said. Continue reading A Marv Goux Story

Here’s a column and video interview with Clay Helton by RJ Young of Fox Sports. The column doesn’t really reflect the claim that Helton is making USC a national title contender again, to be fair. USC is building itself into a national title contender again with an overhauled recruiting operation and hunting the transfer portal for players like an NFL team uses free agency. https://t.co/Ch9dxWyZrF … Continue reading USC National Title Contender Again?

WINNERS The USC elite Max Nikias, Carol Folt, Clay Helton, Andy Enfield, Coach Bohn. Millions of dollars are flowing to them on a yearly basis. And the daily question remains: Is USC getting its money’s worth? The two-highest paid (Helton, Enfield) did not earn the more than $8 million they made last year. Daniel Cukierman The USC tennis player was named Pac-12 singles player of … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week

There’s obviously no scientific formula to rank a student section but having five Pac-12 student sections in the Bottom 20 sounds right. Best/Worst Student Sections In College Football pic.twitter.com/5hgGnEBfzd — Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) May 17, 2021 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Ranking The Student Sections

I spend a lot of time analyzing USC. And I still can’t figure out what exactly is the philosophy of the football program. Right now, the Trojans are a three-headed monster. Graham Harrell has his philosophy. Todd Orlando has his philosophy. Clay Helton, the figurehead, has his philosophy. How do you establish a culture and discipline with Helton still in charge? He lets players do … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Here’s some preseason odds on who won’t be coaching the at the same school in 2022: Clay Helton, USC -110 Justin Fuente, VA Tech +125 Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma +175 Scott Frost, Nebraska +250 Jim Harbaugh. Michigan +300 Larry Scott made $4.6 million for the fiscal year 2020, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The cut was unrelated to the pandemic, which mostly came after … Continue reading Clay Helton Is Oddsmakers’ Favorite

USC hired Mick White, who graduated from Oklahoma State last week, as assistant director of football video production. And it did with little fanfare. Look at the reaction from Mike Bohn-lackey Brandon Sosna a year ago when the LSU video guys were hired. #FightOn✌🏼 https://t.co/q2kQQHjmrB pic.twitter.com/s4p8K0ZMo0 — Brandon Sosna (@BrandonSosnaUSC) May 6, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js White a tweet announcing his hire but perhaps because it got … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Hype Is Not Quite The Same A Year Later

There is a school of thought within the Pac-12 Conference that this could be the season that catches up with Clay Helton. You could pinpoint things like the offensive line or even some ordinary aspects of the defense. But some of it goes back to last season, when USC eked out some victories it easily could have lost and probably would have dropped more games … Continue reading Is This The Season That Catches Up With Clay Helton?