FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: Clancy Pendergast On The Clock

From what I’m hearing. Clay Helton’s been ordered to replace Clancy Pendergast as defensive coordinator despite his attempts to save Pendergast.

It could happen the day after the Holiday Bowl. There is some question over how many defensive coaches might be replaced because if USC hired a big-time coordinator, he might want to try and bring in his own staff.

The way Mike Bohn is getting savaged, he might be more willing to spend to replace multiple coaches.

If you are also wondering about John Baxter, he would also be part of any purge.

  • I don’t get the Pac-12 Network but I would have loved to hear what Yogi Roth said on Signing Day about USC’s recruiting class. The network announced Thursday it signed Roth to a multi-year contract extension.

61 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Clancy Pendergast On The Clock”

  1. What have your sources told you that’s actually been accurate? I can’t recall anything you’ve heard and relayed to your readers that’s come close to fruition.. I get the sense your sources tell you rumors just to see how willing you are to write nonsense. You’re just playing the emotions of an already agitated alumni/fan network by spewing garbage.

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      1. On point about what? All of his “inside information” has been bogus. What actual facts from one of his “sources” has been true? If you or anyone wants to argue that his criticism of USC, the AD, coaching staff are valid, I won’t disagree with you or him. I think the overwhelming majority of USC alumnus and fans are dispirited about the current state of affairs.

        But is Scott Wolf a journalist or just writing opinion pieces? If he is writing opinion pieces, that is perfectly fine by me. One can choose to read them or not, as well as agree or disagree with his opinion. But when he includes supposed facts from his “sources” in his reporting which are routinely proven to be falsehoods and/or easily debunked, he is not in the right just because his opinions are consistent with yours, mine or anyone else.

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      2. trojanwb,
        Scott’s been right way more than he’s been wrong….. except when he reports something good is about to happen.

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    3. Well Slappy, by the detailed issues you appear to have with him, the Scooter’s got YOU reading pretty much all of his publishings.. That’s what he’s getting paid for! lol… Yeah, I’m still a little bent about CJ Spiller, but I’ve eased off over the years. I honestly enjoy what Wolfe spews, I take it with a grain sometimes but he does create some pretty fun commentaries on his musings. I really do hope he’s on target with the Clancy P and Bax predictions though.

      Now, how fun would a rumor mill be if the Caruso/Lopes establishment orders CP’s ouster, to be replaced by JDR.. who’ll soon replace Claydough after the Bama Slamma Jamma.. on that neutral site tarmac? Yikes did I even think that?

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      1. Why are you bent about CJ Spiller? A program insider said the very same the night before LOI day.

        The criticism of Wolf over Spiller is based on ignorance. He wasn’t alone in thinking Spiller was coming here.

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      2. Wolfe didn’t have the proper information though and he still reported it. He reported rumors which I indicated I used to object but now kind of am ok with them b/c of the interesting commentary they oft bring. He’s also reported successfully for the most part, So I take him for an entertainment valued option. So my recommendation.. lighten up buttercup, or quit coming coming around when you’re knowing full well what you will get here.. then just bitch and whine like a f’n baby! Fight On amigo

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  2. With Slappy here. You need to be right on this, Scotty. Check your sources … er, source. BTW, how bad of a recruiter does Happy Pendergast have to be to let a kid who grew up a lifelong Trojan want to live in Eugene? I mean, Clancy just must light up the living room.

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  3. The reality is this if Clancy would have been replaced before signing day flowe and others would have signed with usc.these are the facts,no family trust Clancy.the truth is this helton promised bohn they were going to finish with big name recruits on early signing period guess what pie all over his face.clancy is a cancer on the team.i would personally try to get jdr like the rumors are saying for dc but be honest jdr would have all the respect from players and coaches while helton the head coach does not.that will not work so then I would be realistic and bring up one old name Dwayne Walker with Chris Claiborne as lb coach.lets see what happens.

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    1. Bringing in Trojan legends who are better coaches than Gomer (like JDR as DC and Chris Claiborne as LB coach), might be the only way to placate the fan/alumni base until the start of the season.

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      1. Calabasas — The one unfortunate (short term) aspect of a complete 2020 defensive overhaul is that we’re not gonna be where we want for the opener against Alabama. Mike Leach predicted that Harrell wouldn’t have the offense where he wanted it until second half of the season —-and he was right. Same will go for whoever gets the new DC position. [And I hope it’s not Del Rio — we don’t need to replace the current burn outs with another burn out. Let’s get our players somebody who’s young and bright and hungry— there are plenty of candidates out there].

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      2. Another pro tip: If you’ve got a guy like Tee Martin, and he’s the only guy on your staff who knows how to convince local athletic teenagers to play for you, don’t put him in a position where he’s going to be hung out to dry. Oh, that already happened more than a year ago? If only there was a courageous blogger who spoke (his) truth to USC power.

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      3. So true, D. F. When Tee left, recruiting died. He may not be aces as an O. C. but when it comes to buttering up recruits, in the words of Carly Simon, “nobody does it better.”

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      4. D.F… There were talented and courageous bloggers by the hundreds (maybe the thousands) that heeded Bohn’s “I’m going to listen and learn” mantra.. only to be ignored when he incredibly kept Clay Helton. A lot of good that did. He may or may not have listened, but he didn’t Fawkking learn for sure!

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      5. I’m gonna disagree, MG, cuz I’m just feeling disagreeable right now.
        Recruiting’s got me down. I blew $1000 plus on the Holiday Bowl and I’m gonna be sitting in “F” ing Jack Murphy stadium in the rain, and I’m just feeling disagreeable (despite a nice dinner at Denver’s best restaurant and TWO tidy little bourbon toddy’s).

        I think a stud DC and strength and conditioning coach can spend the next 9months building up this experienced talent to compete with everyone but Bama.

        #isClancythatstud?

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    1. A friend had mentioned the possibility of him running the defense. Bohn needs to get CH over any insecurities he may have about that. But I’m hoping Wolf’s sources are accurate this time about CP and JB. It’s just disappointing (but not surprising) to hear that CH was so reluctant. If true, he just doesn’t get it!

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    2. Folt isn’t 100% in on Del Rio. She saw him order a second drink at a downtown Bar & Grill and was overheard to say, “I would have preferred he stopped at one —but maybe he’s still a good man.”
      #….NextComesChastityTest

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      2. I hadn’t thought about that, 67 —-but you’re right.
        #Wanda: “AsLongAsClancy&BaxterDon’tSleepAround,TheyStay!”
        #Wanda(Cont.):”…OfCourseTheyHaveToSwearOffDancing,Too…”

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      3. Michael, her interim presidency could have been a comedic skit, except what happened to SC under her watch wasn’t so funny.

        #SwannStayed-WhoKnowsWhy
        #HeltonStayed-ChastityNoDrugsNoPartying
        #JimEllisFired-BecauseSomebodyHadToGo

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      1. Good call, Oaktown. I heard the same thing. [btw, rumor is that Folt turned Del Rio’s resume over to L. A. P. D’s Major Crimes unit]….
        #”HeShouldRotInPrisonWithMeyer”…..

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    4. Jack’s on Keyshawn, Travis & LZ every week for 20+ minutes usually Tuesday around 7:00 am

      Why all the ‘smack’ about Jack? He’s a good defensive coach as evidence of his stint as with the Ravens and making something out of nothing with the Jaguars. His time with the Jags a lot tougher than PCs with the Pats.

      We could do a lot worse than Jack Del Rio.

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      1. Well argued, Alv. I just don’t think Del Rio has what it takes to motivate young players anymore than Clancy does. But, heck, “if we could do a lot worse than Jack” he’s probably met the new USC hiring threshold…..

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      2. JDR is a tough as nails coach, so I would take him over AHC CPen.
        I’ve noted before that I like
        Leonhard at UWisky and Scalley at UUtah as “young stud DC’s” who might consider coming to USC for the money and prestige.

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      3. I can’t believe I’m saying this —but I’m in favor of all young turk replacements for the old vets who’re (hopefully) on their way out the door. I see great things for this team if only their coaches can energize them —at practice, before games and during half time. No way on earth Helton or Clancy (or Del Rio) can pull that off……

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Why would a big time defensive coordinator jump on a sinking ship ? Mike Bohn better back the brinks truck up, because top DC make over a million a year.

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    2. I heard a rumor, can’t remember where, maybe on this blog….anyway Tosh Lupoi might be a candidate for our DC spot. We would go from a guy who doesn’t recruit to one of the best recruiters out there. Id rather have a younger and more hungry Tosh than JDR. But either would be an upgrade for certain.

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      2. Tosh was a Sark hire in Washington. NCAA Investigations followed. Both went to a Saban for rehab and protection.

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    4. We won’t get anyone respectable unless that person feels he has a shot of stealing the Head Coaching gig by outperforming Helton and becoming a players coach/fan favorite. I don’t think Helton has the I.Q. to realize that a flat tire should be fixed as soon as possible. The emergency tire is just to get you to the house or shop yet he believes Clancy is the guy still to lead his defense through all of this. It’s not easy to say what kind of man we need because we haven’t don well with Monty and Clancy teaching their NFL schemes plus we don’t practice to push kids only starters it seems. We need a hungry yet established defensive guy in my opinion. It really doesn’t matter because Helton won’t last next year if we lose the bowl game and ALABAMA gives Helton his 2nd beat down then the “Family Guy” Clay will be dragged by media, alumni, fans, most likely his players will be divided so he’s just here for now. He’ll look back later in life and realize that his loyalty to Pendergast was one of his biggest errors at USC.

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    3. Jack has issues with honesty…..he’s honest and not diplomatic.
      That said, I think he’s a DC and not an HC.
      I liked him as Denver’s DC for the years he was here.
      I think Jax just never developed the talent during his tenure and suffered as the CFB teams in the neighborhood succeeded. His defenses were OK during the time. He had NO OFFENSE at Jax.

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    1. Roth also has absolutely no sense. At the end of the season, Roth ranked Slovis as something like 8th best QB in Pac-12. Roth’s 8th best guy, Slovis, finished the regular season as 10th in country in passing efficiency, one-tenth of a percentage point behind Lawrence at Clemson. So how can the kid be just 8th in the Pac-12? The guy is an idiot.

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      2. And agreeing or disagreeing with you 67, I just wanted to point out that our offense is a friendly one for all 11 men. The lineman don’t have to hold blocks very long, the skill positions usually have two short routes in all plays so the stats add for a QB quickly. But in Slovis defense I will give the kid credit because he got hit hard at times and showed toughness, plus any true freshman that had the season he had has to be acknowledged for that fact. At times he made some of the most outrageous throws to the opposite team and there were many plays where should have went down or thrown the ball away. All freshman qualities that he will fix. I think J.T. Daniels would have had a great season with Harrell also but in my opinion I think a big reason we were in games was the playbook. We cant say other than Utah that we beat any good teams and even now they are a question to how good the Utes actually are. Every loss this year Slovis looks like a kid that needed help and at those times I think Daniels would have done better in my opinion. I don’t think Slovis should have been 8th. 5 or 6 maybe?

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  8. You really have to wonder if this complete failure at recruiting could cause Folt/Caruso/Bohn to re-think the Clay Helton situation.

    Maybe Bohn will demand that Clay is replaced. Folt said that Bohn would be allowed to pick his coach, so Bohn should tell her his decision and that she has to live with it, or he quits and sues the university for lying to him about his control.

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    1. All these ships have sailed, gametv. We’re stuck with Helton through at least the beginning of 2020.
      #LousyRecruiting&AlabamaLossWereBakedIntoTheDeal

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  11. INstead of all the rumors and b.s. talking USC must take care of the Problem just Fire Pendergrass and Baxter it is better than then all Talk and No Doo

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    1. Pendergast should have been fired after the Rose Bowl.
      Meyer, Saban, even Chris Peterson, Chip Kelly, and Kyle Wittingham would not retain there DC after seeing there team give up 7 straight TDs in the game that the DC should have put the most effort and preparation into.

      If Clancy is gone Helton may stay around longer to look like a football coach.

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  13. You know what Scott, whenever you begin one of your reports with, “From what I’m hearing…” it usually means that the opposite is true.

    Your ‘sources’ called for the removal of Helton, the hiring of Meyer, and a litany of other speculation that became nothing more than empty speculation and baseless rubbish.

    This sounds about the same. Pendergast probably will leave, but he’s not going to be shown the door. I hope the clown leaves – he’s been passed by the game he’s supposed to be an expert on. And, Baxter – dude is way too old for this… see Monte “Koffin” Kiffin.

    Exactly ‘who’ did you hear these ‘nuggets’ from, and are their statements verifiable? Remember that from Journalism 101? Verification of sources and information… remember???

    BTW – who on this blog cares at all what the idiot Yogi Roth thinks anyway? Seriously.

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