FOOTBALL

Don’t Question John Baxter

Special teams coach John Baxter is a lightning rod for criticism . . . for many, many reasons. Before this season, one of my favorite moments was that he had only eight men on the field multiple times to defend extra points in the 2016 USC-Stanford game.

Then came this year’s Fresno State game with the two No. 7’s on the opening kickoff.

With such shoddy special teams, one might expect Baxter to be contrite. But that will never happen.

Here is what he told the L.A Times about the personal foul by Juliano Falaniko on a fourth-quarter kick return vs. BYU.

“Here’s the deal, that’s for the head coach to deal with. There’s no place for that,” Baxter said.

And here is what he said about punter Ben Griffiths’ short kicks after he routinely had 60-yard punts in August practices.

“Here’s the deal,” Baxter said. “He’s playing great, for the record. The thing is, you can never look at numbers. I’m not a statistically driven guy.”

By the way, Michigan fans would remind you none of this surpasses Baxter’s greatest moment here on YouTube.

23 thoughts on “Don’t Question John Baxter”

    1. Michael, it was only a matter of time before a Baxter “gut” photo would appear.

      The only question is whether he would go full throttle with the original “gut” photo, or go with a more flattering photo of Baxter.

      Scott did not disappoint – we got the full on gut photo.

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      1. 67 — Baxter’s demeanor answering questions is a key to what’s wrong with USC. It’s clear he doesn’t give a shit about his recent screw ups. I’m not saying he doesn’t give a shit about USC football —he does — but he doesn’t see his own screw ups as a big deal. Contrast that attitude with Pete Carroll’s after a loss to Kansas State. When asked what needed to change Pete said “everybody’s got to work a lot harder, every little detail matters, we can’t take anything for granted —and we won’t.”
        #BaxterExemplifiesHelton’s”It’sAllGood”ApproachToFootball….

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  3. Virtually every member of of CH’s coaching staff is either substandard or inexperienced because those are the only people he can attract. Any quality coach would be a damn fool to be a part of the USC dumpster fire. It’s a career breaker. . . .

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      1. Re-read the post, genius. . . What quality asst coach would stall their career by joining Helton’s staff? It’s a black hole. Would you rather have a reference from David Shaw, Kirby Smart, Tom Herman, or Clay Helton? Good assistants want to work for the best head coaches possible. It’s a career stepping stone. Helton on the other hand is a career breaker unless your interested in learning from the worst.

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  4. Other famous Baxter quotes:
    1.”Here’s the deal, If I mow your lawn don’t expect me to edge it too, and sprinklers are for the head mower to deal with.”
    2.” Here’s the deal, I can never finish 64 ounces of malt liquor in one sitting, so don’t expect me to leave your bar until closing.”
    3.” “Here’s the deal, Close is only good in two things horseshoes and hand grenades or maybe field goals, yeah maybe three things but not sex I can’t talk about that until I experience it, so don’t expect me to tell the two or three things apart I’m not a statistical guy.”
    4. “Here’s the deal, If God had wanted me to count to 11 I would have ben born with 6 fingers on one or both of my hands.”
    5. “Here’s the deal, I ran a tight ship at Michigan one slip up and I’m back at SC where nobody cares, you gotta love Lynn Swann and Coach Bubba Helton.”

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  5. CH: John, I need to talk to you about the state of our special teams. I don’t think it’s going to work out. I’m going to have to let you go.
    JB: Here’s the deal. You want me to stay or do you want me to kick your ass? I’m not going anywhere.
    CH: Keep up the good work John.

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    1. Very funny, Dude. [Betcha that’s about the same conversation that Helton’s had, at one time or another, with Clancy, Toa, Drevno, Callaway, Carr, Biggie Marshall, etc., etc]……

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      1. Exactly, Chip remains employed while laying waste to others.

        After Guerrero gave Chip such a huge contract, and with a 3-12 cumulative record that realistically could be 4-20 by the end of the season, Guerrero had to be gone.

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      3. P. S.
        Breaking News: Guerrero has been told not to fill any further coaching vacancies that might arise during his abbreviated tenure. UCLA just released a letter to Guerrero that reads in relevant part, “in the event of any UCLA coach retirements before June 2020, please be advised to simply stand down and allow players to coach themselves until UCLA has secured the services of a real Athletic Director.”

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  7. After Bozo Helton, and his comedy coaching staff get fired, I can’t wait to see which one of them gets hired by a reputable program. I know there’s a brotherhood among college coaches, but I just can’t imagine any of them other than, Tim Drevno at another power 5 school .

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  8. Here’s the deal
    I actually use these shoes as loafers because I don’t get paid enough to spend time bending over for loose shoelaces.

    #IThinkICouldReallyGetToLikeCoachBaxter

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  9. You know what the head scratcher is? That he once was a good special teams coach. He had some good ST’s at Fresno State and his first time around here at USC. Maybe he only works well under a good HC which everyone for sure knows Helton is not.

    But then you look back and the guy who brought him to USC was none other than Lane Kiffin.

    #Baxter’sSTCouldGiveUpAKOReturnForATDInEveryGameThisYearAndHeltonStillWouldn’tFireHim

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    1. Why should Helton fire Baxter as Special Teams Coach? Helton’s year in/year out lack of discipline leads to Trojan losses to inferior teams —and, I can assure you, it’s never occurred to Helton to step down as Head Coach….
      #It’sHowItIs….

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  10. Great find Scott and yes as others have already stated, to wise off and say it’s up to the head coach or stats don’t matter – how did this morbidly obese sack of dog exhaust get hire? Why isn’t he over there with Kelly as a match set for ‘Fat and Fatter?

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