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Saturday Buzz: USC Is Now Linebacker Coach U.
Rob Ryan is still working at USC with the title of assistant head coach for the defense but he is not listed among the coaching staff. Instead, he is listed as support staff. That could limit what duties he can perform. It also begs the question what he does on a daily basis (on a no doubt exorbitant salary). Even if he isn’t part of … Continue reading Saturday Buzz: USC Is Now Linebacker Coach U.
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A Bad USC Game Just Got Worse
The USC-Fresno State has been moved to Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. PT. That is a Friday night. So what was previously just a bad game is now a bad game on a Friday night. How will the Trojans manage with a short week to prepare for the Bulldogs? At this moment, I’m not in the mood to watch USC play Louisiana, San Jose State … Continue reading A Bad USC Game Just Got Worse
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
USC assistant coach Paul Gonzales posted a video of him and other staffers taking a helicopter from downtown L.A, to La Verne to see Damien safety Gavin Williams. This reeks of Chad “Charmin” Bowden. But I’m not sure why USC went to the trouble when they are strong favorites to land Williams. I think a much more interesting video would be to show the guy … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Pete Carroll Will Be Hanging Around USC In Fall
Pete Carroll said in an interview with 247 that he intends to teach a class at USC for the fall semester. “I’m done coaching,” Carroll said. “I’m looking forward to the class we’ll do at USC in the fall. I’m finished (coaching). I should have done it the year before. “Unfortunately, I had to wind up as the oldest coach in the history of the … Continue reading Pete Carroll Will Be Hanging Around USC In Fall
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USC Morning Buzz: Pete Carroll-Mack Brown Rematch Scheduled
Pete Carroll and Mack Brown have been named coaches of the 2027 Polynesian Bowl, a rematch of their legendary national title game at the Rose Bowl. Does Carroll promise to have Reggie Bush on the field on fourth down this time around? Carroll probably loved the idea of going to Hawaii for a football since he’s had a home there for years. Someone is going … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Pete Carroll-Mack Brown Rematch Scheduled
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USC Notes: Basketball Adds Another Scorer, For Better Or Worse
Just to follow-up on this morning’s post where I noted how coaches do not want to compete. One reason Lincoln Riley took the USC job was because he did not want to go to the SEC with Oklahoma. And he took the USC job before the Trojans moved to the Big Ten. So he gets no credit for playing a Big Ten schedule. He also … Continue reading USC Notes: Basketball Adds Another Scorer, For Better Or Worse
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USC Morning Buzz: Competing Is A Lost Art
Do football coaches want to compete anymore? Lincoln Riley vs. Notre Dame is a prime example they do not. Now the American Football Coaches Assn. (AFCA) is recommending the College Football Playoff be expanded to as many as 24 teams. Why? Because the coaches only care about their job security. The more teams in the playoff, the more coaches who can keep their jobs. Do … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Competing Is A Lost Art
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USC Morning Buzz: Football Is Simple For Elite Coaches
Wouldn’t it be nice if Lincoln Riley adapted this attitude at USC? Here’s an Athletic excerpt that reveals Curt Cignetti’s attitude against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. You know what wins college football games? Defense and running the ball. Does Riley prioritize those? I bet Cignetti does. Vince Lombardi used to say football is two things: blocking and tackling. All these things were hallmarks of … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Football Is Simple For Elite Coaches
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The Crosstown Rivalry Has Neighborly Edge
I hear new UCLA football coach Bob Chesney has purchased a home that makes him neighbors with a member of the USC Board of Trustees. After USC played Notre Dame in the early 1970’s, Hubbard flew back to Los Angeles on the team plane. But then he disappeared for two weeks. “They couldn’t find him,” Levy said. “They eventually found him in Germany on a … Continue reading The Crosstown Rivalry Has Neighborly Edge
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USC Morning Buzz: A Smaller Recruiting Class On Horizon
Did you catch that USC expects to sign only 16 recruits for the Class of 2027 because it determined the class lack the quality to sign more players per On3? No doubt this comes via general manager Charmin Bowden. On its face, I don’t have a problem with signing fewer players if the class isn’t good enough. But here is my concern: USC is bringing … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Smaller Recruiting Class On Horizon
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USC-UCLA Split Dual Track Meet
USC and UCLA have split the dual track meet. The Bruin men won, 87-76 while the Trojan women won, 93-69. I said before the meet that the men’s portion was a toss up but it’s still a tough loss for USC coach Quincy Watts, who has lost the men’s meet to the Bruins two straight years to his former USC assistant, Joanna Hayes. It also … Continue reading USC-UCLA Split Dual Track Meet
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It Pays Off To Do A Spring Game
Look at the crowd and the goodwill generated by UCLA today at its spring game at the Rose Bowl. It is insane that Lincoln Riley would cede this to the Crosstown Rival. Every school should do a spring game for their fans. Never listen to the entitled coach just because he doesn’t want to do something. USC fans would have loved a day like this. Continue reading It Pays Off To Do A Spring Game
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Saturday Buzz: USC Gets Its Payday
The USC men’s volleyball team is going to be in a hornet’s nest tonight when it plays Hawaii at Honolulu in the NCAA Tournament at 7 p.m. PT. As of Friday night, 9,723 tickets were sold ahead of tonight’s match. The record for attendance in an NCAA men’s volleyball tournament match is 9,822 in 1998. That match was also held at the University of Hawaii. … Continue reading Saturday Buzz: USC Gets Its Payday
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
USC director of football recruiting operations Zaire Turner has been hired by SMU, where she will be senior director of recruiting. She was brought to USC by Chad “Charmin” Bowden. I wrote about USC presdident John Hubbard a couple times in the past week and could probably write about him every week. Here’s another gem: Hubbard used to have his own private cubicle in the … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Everything Has A USC Connection
Grant Gustavson, the grandson of USC mega-booster Wayne Hughes, is leading the primary group hoping to relocate the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team to Las Vegas, according to Sportico. Hughes, who founded Public Storage, gave USC around $400 million before he died in 2021 and was the biggest booster in the history of USC athletics. According to Sportico, Gustavson’s mother, Tamara (the dauthter of Hughes), is … Continue reading Everything Has A USC Connection
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USC Morning Buzz: Several Defensive Questions Heading Into Season
Here are some questions I have about USC’s defense going into the season: On coming back next season: “It’s a statement for me and a statement for USC,” Arenas said. It’s also a statement that his draft stock wasn’t where he thought it was. In fact, Arenas is an example of one of my pet peeves, players who reclassify and graduate early from high school. … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Several Defensive Questions Heading Into Season
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USC Morning Buzz: If You Can’t Compete, Just Expand
A 24-team College Football Playoff. A 76-team NCAA Tournament. It sounds like two guys who haven’t been able to make post-season at USC (Lincoln Riley, Eric Musselman) are coming up with the latest expansions plans, which you just know USC would support unconditionally. It’s all about making more money and making it easier to participate in the playoffs. Why compete when you just expand? It’s … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: If You Can’t Compete, Just Expand
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The MIP (Most Interesting President)
In Friday’s column, I recounted the time USC President John Hubbard went and ate dinner at a dorm with the students. So I thought this is a good time to mention how colorful a life he lived, according to his memoir. Continue reading The MIP (Most Interesting President)
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USC Morning Buzz: Overhyping Players Always A Danger
Former USC linebacker Tackett Curtis is now at Central Florida and playing for former USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. If you went back and read some of the stuff written about Curtis when he first arrived at USC, it would be a great lesson in how some people overhype players before they even get a chance to properly adjust to college. It’s actually happening again … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Overhyping Players Always A Danger
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Alijah Arenas Changes Mind, Will Return To USC
The whole Alijah Arenas situation has become so sloppy. He hasn’t made any public announcements, entered his name in the NBA Draft and now has suddenly withdrawn it. Arenas returning to USC will be cheered in many quarters. But I will stand by what I said earlier today. He took 13 shots a game last season (too many); shot 34 percent from the field and … Continue reading Alijah Arenas Changes Mind, Will Return To USC
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Alijah Arenas Declares For NBA Draft
The NBA released its list of its of underclassmen who have declared for the NBA Draft and Alijah Arenas was on the list. Not exactly a surprise but I find it kind of classless to enter the draft without even a statement for the USC fans or a word of appreciation for the basketball program that supported you. Does this affect USC’s Top 25 ranking … Continue reading Alijah Arenas Declares For NBA Draft
USC Morning Buzz: Back To Grind For Trojans
The goal for the No. 19-ranked USC baseball team is to host a regional. The good news is USC’s RPI is No. 9 in the nation. The bad news is USC is 0-8 against Quad 1 teams and its best victory is against UC Santa Barbara (RPI 36). Its next-best wins are over No. 65 Purdue. USC has a big series against Oregon coming up … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Back To Grind For Trojans
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USC Wins NCAA Water Polo National Title
USC defeated Cal, 10-9, to win the NCAA national title tonight at UC San Diego. Goalie Anna Reed was fantastic for the Trojans and made a multitude of saves through the game, including in the fourth quarter when USC’s offense went stagnant. She finished with 10 saves. “She’s incredible,” USC coach Casey Moon said. “She plays like she’s 7-feet tall. She made four or five … Continue reading USC Wins NCAA Water Polo National Title
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USC Sunday Buzz: The NFL Draft Reinforced One Stereotype
Two wide receivers (Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane) and a safety who transferred from UCLA (Kamari Ramsey) got drafted yesterday. This certainly doesn’t do much to dispel the stereotype that Lincoln Riley can develop quarterbacks and wide receivers and everyone else is pretty much left to their talent/work ethic. Even five of the six free agents transferred from somewhere else. Here are the USC players who … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: The NFL Draft Reinforced One Stereotype
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USC Defeats UCLA To Advance To NCAA Water Polo Championship
USC defeated UCLA, 11-10, Saturday night in the Final Four of the women’s water polo championships at UC San Diego. The Trojans will play Cal tomorrow for the national championship after the Bears upset No. 1-ranked Stanford, 13-11. USC will play Cal at 6 p.m. PT and it will be televised by ESPNU. Continue reading USC Defeats UCLA To Advance To NCAA Water Polo Championship
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USC Saturday Buzz: NFL Draft An Indictment Of Lincoln Riley
Makai Lemon, Romello Height, Zacariah Branch, Ja’Kobi Lane and Emmanuel Pregnon were all selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Lincoln Riley had all these players in 2024 and went 7-6 at USC. Talk about an indictment of his coaching. Seven wins. Branch and especially Height also got noticeably better after leaving USC. USC won’t want to promote that five of its … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: NFL Draft An Indictment Of Lincoln Riley
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Six players drafted last night were five-star prospects in high school according to the 247 rankings. And 12 were four-star prospects while 14 were three-star recruits. It’s important to remember that only about 1 percent of high school prospects are five-stars, so there should be fewer drafted each year. And now for some history: THIS DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAPPEN TODAY Here is something that would … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC Morning Buzz: Will He Stay Or Will He Go (They Usually Go)?
I heard yesterday that USC still did not know if Alijah Arenas was returning next season. The deadline to declare for the NBA Draft is Friday night. Most people I talk to at USC would be surprised if Arenas came back. It would be interesting to see if Colgate point guard Jalen Cox, who committed Thursday, would follow through and come to USC if Arenas … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Will He Stay Or Will He Go (They Usually Go)?
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USC Notes: Important DeBoer Contract Details
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer signed a contract extension. Here are the important details to Jen Cohen. If DeBoer leaves, he will owe Alabama: Through Jan. 31, 2027: $10 millionThrough Jan. 31, 2028: $8 millionThrough Jan. 31, 2029: $6 millionAfterward: $0 The question I have is whether a guard like Cox would come to USC if he thought Alijah Arenas was returning next season. Continue reading USC Notes: Important DeBoer Contract Details
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USC Morning Buzz: Some Pushback To A Ludicrous Line
Ir was good to see some push back to Lincoln Riley’s comment that he had to “fight like hell” to open USC’s championship window. He made a similar comment after USC lost in the Alamo Bowl but it was overshadowed by the game. Since no one at USC questions him, he tried to line again in the offseason. If you read anyone on social media … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Some Pushback To A Ludicrous Line
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History Always Gets Short-Changed
USC finally got around to mentioning that linebacker Rod Martin passed away . . . and then doesn’t realize he won two Super Bowls. Continue reading History Always Gets Short-Changed
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USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley’s Latest Excuse
Lincoln Riley is creating false narratives, which of course, gullible people (like the fanboy media) believe with no pushback. Riley told On3 that USC has now entered its championship window. “Taking this over, you knew you had to go fight like hell just to try to get this window opened,” he said. Does Riley think everyone forgot that in his first season, USC only needed … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley’s Latest Excuse
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Former USC Linebacker Rod Martin Passes Away
Rod Martin, a standout linebaker with USC and the Raiders, has passed away, the Raiders announced today. Martin was a first-team all-conference in 1976 on the Rose Bowl-winning team and then drafted by the Raiders in the 12th round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Raiders in 1980 and 1983 and intercepted a record three passes in … Continue reading Former USC Linebacker Rod Martin Passes Away
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USC Morning Buzz: Remember These Positions For Weak Spots
I looked again at the USC roster over the weekend and it confirmed some things to me. Mainly, I see some real question marks at linebacker and in the secondary (cornerback and safety). I’ve mentioned it before but there are some players expected to play who haven’t done much in their careers. Some might exceed what they have done but not everyone. And I’m not … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Remember These Positions For Weak Spots
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Sunday Buzz: What Might Have Been At USC?
Here is a tweet I stumbled across that I wrote in 2010 after Pete Carroll resigned from USC. Imagine how much better off USC would have been if they took my advice. USC should offer $4 million a year to Mike Riley, Jim Harbaugh, Gary Patterson and Kyle Whittingham and see who takes it — InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) January 10, 2010 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js RUN-RULE WALKOFF! HUSKERS WIN! … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: What Might Have Been At USC?
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USC Saturday Buzz: The Petty GM At Work
Is Chad “Charmin” Bowden just a petty person or did he leave Notre Dame on bad terms? The Trojans just mocked Notre Dame in a video (below) and it’s basically taking shots at a video the Irish previously produced. Who else at USC would even remember a Notre Dame video than the small-minded Bowden? He even did a voice-over in the USC version, which takes … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: The Petty GM At Work
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Meltdown In Nebraska
USC had an epic meltdown on a cold Friday night in Nebraska, blowing a 7-2 eighth-inning lead and losing, 8-7, in 10 innings. The Trojans lost on a walkoff bunt (see below) and Nebraska scored the tying run on a wild pitch. The bullpen was a disaster, ruining a fine effort by USC ace Mason Edwards, who stuck out 12 and allowed two runs in … Continue reading Meltdown In Nebraska
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Columm
This column will be Gary Patterson free, for better or worse. The Big Ten and Fox Sports are pushing for a 24-team College Football Playoff. That’s grotesque but if it happens, will Lincoln Riley agree to play Notre Dame again? The Festival of Books is one of his coups after he stole the event from long-time host, UCLA. It was the TV show, “Rooster” shooting … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Columm
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USC Morning Buzz: Gary Patterson Has One Weak Spot
Gary Patterson loves to watch and talk football 24 hours a day. But here’s something people out here don’t really know about the football savant. If you want to make him happy and get him to forget about football, just take him to a country-western bar or club. It won’t take much to get him to start singing and if you toss him a guitar, … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Gary Patterson Has One Weak Spot
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Gary Patterson Loves Being Captain Video
Gary Patterson talked today and one thing he re-confirmed to those familiar with him is his love of watching film. “I already watched a couple games of San Jose (State) and they throw it all over the place,” he said. “I watched Oregon a couple times. I’m not going to be the smartest guy in the room so I’ve got to outprepare people.” Patterson said … Continue reading Gary Patterson Loves Being Captain Video
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USC Morning Buzz: A Sore Subject Returns
Remember Chad Baker-Mazara? He was dismissed from the basketball team by Eric Musselman. Baker-Mazara finally got around to addressing his dismissal. The former USC player said there are “false and misleading narratives regarding his character and age have circulated publicly.” He added that he “is a committed, team-first competitor who approaches the game with intensity, professionalism, and respect, and has consistently shown resilience while persevering … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Sore Subject Returns
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What A Difference Four Years Makes!
Four years ago, USC set a record for its highest-attended spring football game with 33,427 fans. How did we go from that to the few hundred who showed up at a fan appreciation day? I’ll take a stab: In his first year, Lincoln Riley wanted a spring showcase on ESPN to try and promote the program and get people talking about USC again, with a helpful … Continue reading What A Difference Four Years Makes!
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USC Morning Buzz: The Difference Between Genuine And Forced Stunts
Chad “Charmin” Bowden made a splash (literally) when he walked to the top of the diving platform Saturday in the USC swim stadium at Swim with Mike fundraiser and jumped in the water. Did he know Pete Carroll did the same thing years ago? The difference was Carroll did it as a way of taking part with Swim with Mike and interacting with his players. … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Difference Between Genuine And Forced Stunts
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USC Sunday Buzz: A Familiar Sight Unseen
I thought this would be a weekend free of USC losing to UCLA. I was wrong. USC’s beach volleyball team met UCLA in a tournament yesterday at San Luis Obispo. The Bruins won, 3-2. Awesome day celebrating the power of the Trojan Family! Thanks to our players and everyone who joined us for Fan Appreciation Day and Swim with Mike✌️ pic.twitter.com/D2golbYTCG — Jennifer Cohen (@ADJenniferCohen) … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: A Familiar Sight Unseen
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USC Saturday Buzz: Were You Appreciated?
Did anyone go to the 2-hour fan appreciation today? Did you get Lincon Riley’s autograph? Was he there? Some key players were missing. But Chad Bowden jumped off the diving platform. Not kidding. Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Were You Appreciated?
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
USC is popping up in several early Top 25 men’s basketball polls. Do people think Alijah Arenas is coming back? The players metioned so far as potential incoming transfers sound underwhelming. Levy was a member of the UCLA football team in 1953 and then in 1954 became a coach for the UCLA freshman football team. He was assigned a locker in the coaches’ lockeroom. It … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC Morning Buzz: Offseason Champions!
I generally don’t find the usual banter between Oregon and USC fans on social media to be that interesting. For one thing, there is no comparison between the schools when it comes to history and national titles. At the same time, I don’y why USC lowers itself by taking shots at Oregon over recruiting commitments. With that said, I thouight this post was funny, because … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Offseason Champions!
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 