I just asked an athletic dept. source about Clancy Pendergast, John Baxter and the strength and conditioning program. The response was “status quo at the moment.” I’m not sure why Clay Helton thought he needed to fire three coaches last week but not touch defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator or strength and conditioning. Maybe he felt he needed to keep things together through the early … Continue reading When Does Change Mean Change?

There is already a T-shirt on Kliff Kingsbury coming to USC. Not an attractive shirt but a shirt. How many national titles have been won by teams running an Air Raid offense, by the way? Like I said, he is a good hire, but there is such a desperation among a segment of USC fans they are going overboard over his arrival. Also this: Clancy … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: King Kliff Coronation Continues

When a coach hires a big-time offensive coordinator, he is not supposed to worry about who gets the credit because the head coach always benefits from winning. That was apparent when Pete Carroll co-existed with Norm Chow until Carroll eventually got tired of Chow getting credit and wanted to prove he could do it on his own. Big mistake. But Carroll got tons of credit … Continue reading Will Clay Helton Get Any Credit For Kliff Kingsbury?

This is interesting. Besides becoming USC’s offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury is taking the role of quarterbacks coach. This means Clay Helton won’t even have a stooge to weasel into the set up for drawing schemes or setting up plays like in past years. He had Tyson Helton looking over Tee Martin’s shoulder for a couple years and then Bryan Ellis last season. Remember last year … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury’s Dual Roles Leave Little Room For Clay Helton

There is already specutlation that a year from now Urban Meyer will replace Clay L-ton. What happens to Kliff Kingsbury in that scenario? Does he move on? USC fans are so excited right now about Kingsbury they act like he is the greatest offensive mastermind in football history. Meyer to USC would be something. He is not a yes man, which would be rough for … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Does USC Need An Urban Makeover?

USC fans are pretty happy that Kliff Kingsbury accepted the offensive coordinator’s job. But the program still needs someone to instill discipline, which almost has to be an outside source because Clay Helton isn’t really respected enough to put fear into the players. And it needs to address the strength and conditioning. Practices also need to get a lot tougher. Let’s see if those changes … Continue reading Kliff Kingsbury Got Hired, Now What?