FOOTBALL

Jaxson Dart And James Franklin In The News

Jaxson Dart returned to practice Tuesday but did very little and is not cleared by doctors.

However, the fact is he “week-to-week” according to Donte Williams could be setting up an interesting decision for the Notre Dame game on Oct. 23.

Dart won’t play this week vs. Utah and then USC has a bye week. If he participates in some practices the bye week, he could be available for Notre Dame.

Would Williams really roll into Notre Dame Stadium and play the freshman over Kedon Slovis, who played in South Bend two years ago?

That would be a huge gamble. On the other hand, this is Williams’ shot to impress people so if he thinks Dart is ready, maybe he would consider it.

The safe approach would be to start Slovis and if he struggles, go with Dart.

But Williams wants to make his mark and one of the few ways to do it is to beat Notre Dame.

  • Penn State coach James Franklin seems to divide USC fans like no other candidate. He got mentioned Tuesday as a top candidate if the LSU job opens.

Here is the difference between Franklin and some other candidates for the USC job: Franklin has made it known he is interested and open to moving to L.A. That’s more than can be said at the moment about Luke Fickell or Chris Petersen.

And let’s remember how many times USC hired a football coach by default because the most-desired candidates turned it down. Franklin could move up the ladder simply by not saying no.

61 thoughts on “Jaxson Dart And James Franklin In The News”

  1. Good observation, Scott. With Bohn, anyone who doesn’t say no moves up the ladder — mainly because he knows he can’t entice people into saying yes. There are two or three outstanding coaches who’ve already —more or less parenthetically —indicated they’re happy where they are and aren’t interested in coming to USC. A great Athletic Director wouldn’t let them off the hook that easily. He’d go after them with everything he’s got if he saw them as possible saviors of the program. Bohn isn’t a great Athletic Director. His list will be comprised of the guys who didn’t say no.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. NOW AFTER TWO YEARS OF AIDING AND ABETTING THE DESTRUCTION OF USC FOOTBALL due to their failure to fire horrible helton, the lying, unctuous fraud, reading that carol and mikey would even consider any coach but a National Championship winner or one clearly capable is both disgusting and depressing. Please not Franklin or Stoops who fizzle out in competitive games……..look at Franklin against Ohio State. It is said that this is bohn’s most important hire and will define his career. It would be fine if only he suffered, but USC would be devastated by another failed AD. Is there anyone on the BOT that cares about USC football tradition and heritage??? If so, they should have a tight rein on the two incompetent interlopers they hired to make this important decision.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. Every year Dan Weber would predict that Helton’s team would go undefeated (or maybe lose one game) and that Helton really had things humming during practice week before a big game. When he’d ask Helton a tough question and Helton would give him an unkind look he’d either take the question back or accept horse-nonsense as an answer. But now that Helton is gone Dan says “this whole mess is Helton’s fault.”
        #Ladies&Gentlemen,THISIsWhatTrueBraveryLooksLike…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. And don’t forget Franklin’s Nittany Lions against Helton’s Trojans at the Rose Bowl. That loss by Franklin or win by Helton set SC back 5 years!
        Oh, the ecstacy and agony of it all.

        Like

    3. USC is one of maybe 5 programs you could legitimately win an NC at, and one of maybe two or three that you could win multiple championships at, and those are all taken and will stay that way. SC also is an easy touch– the conference is shtty as it can be, and it won’t get much better because it doesn’t have any real brands. Miami, FSU will wake up, because they have everything going for them. SEC, we already know. Even the Big 10 has Mich and tOSU always waiting to be something and two half brands in Michigan St and Penn St. The PAC 12 is SC, and the half brand Oregon, which is in Oregon. Not only does SC in a position to pay through the nose and give those ridiculous housing deals, speaking and endorsement deals are exponentially higher in LA. The talent is in the coach’s backyard, the facilities are top notch, and traditionally SC has always had extra coaches on the sly with McNair and Johnson, etc. who work with players within the pro system that we used to use during the off season… And in the NIL era Hollywood and SC is the place to be for talent and thus coaches.

      And we didn’t wind up with who didn’t say no in the past. When PC came in, the decision was between Belotti who got two conference championships and prob should be awarded an NC that they got gypped out of, and he was in the process of luring his OC Chip Kelly. Belotti was interested but SC was looking for something bigger. Erickson, the same thing, he was winning conferences and prob got gypped out of an NC at freakin’ Oregon State no less and he had NCs under his belt at Miami– he got NFL fever. Garrett wisely sidestepped an interested Riley who was the Charger’s HC, even though he was the boosters choice, having been an Associate HC at USC and close to JR. Garrett wasn’t picking at also rans as people like to say– PC by all accounts delivered a hell of a plan, including already having a verbal agreement with who would be his OC, and wowed Garrett. Even pre Garrett, people pretend as if Hackett wasn’t (and still is) considered one of the great minds in offense. He also was too cerebral to be very good with student-athletes or boosters because of it, at a time when SC was like a parody of CFB blue blood excesses– people forget that his house cleaning made the next regime’s job easier.

      That’s the difference it seems. Any of Garrett’s targets would have piled up some trophies, because he understood what was needed, whether the obvious or not obvious names. Right now there doesn’t seem like a search for a fit or particular strengths to suit needs, just an AD looking at the newspapers, and trying not to do homework or think, or do anything dangerous. Remember, this is the same guy who did Helton no favors by taking the reigns and doubling down on Harrell when a glimpse at Bama would have showed him Stoutland or O’Brien, and Saban publicly reaming out Sarkiffin to run the ball first, then do all the cool passing stuff — Saban himself hired and put the OL, run game, TEs and pass pro under Stoutland. But that’s the sort of guy– even with his Super Bowl and CFB championship rings, and being the top NFL OL/TE and Run Game guy, that Bohn would never even look up. It’s not that great coaches are turning down SC, SC isn’t offering or even looking for great coaches.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  2. LSU AD hired Chris Petersen at Washington, Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M, Kim Mulkey at LSU, and NOT Ed Orgeron at LSU. He’s a star. Mike Bohn!? Not so much. One of the most salient advantages of USC is that it’s NOT the SEC. Much easier to get to the CFP.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. Gomer fleeced USC (and Lynn Swann and the Bohner) without having an iota of coaching experience and his only qualification was that he was the only adult left standing when Sarkissian imploded. At least Jimbo had a track record at FSU. I fear that the Bohner is just as incompetent as the previous ADs for having kept Gomer an additional 2 years when it was obvious to everyone that Gomer couldn’t coach. The fact that the Bohner is listening to anyone who won’t say “no” to USC is disturbing. It smacks of the laziness of previous AD’s coaching searches.

        Stop being passive and hunt down the coach you want! Fly to Cincinnati, start telling Fickell and wife that USC will have a fleet of planes to shuttle family from Ohio to LA and back, that the kids will have drivers to shuttle them to their top notch private schools and top notch SoCal athletic activities, offer to provide a big house in Pasadena, PV, or Manhattan Beach and watch Mrs. Fickell reduce her apprehension about coming to LA.

        Liked by 4 people

      2. Bohn has to do everything on your list (1) without being so obvious that it hurts the candidate’s present team, (2) without slinging bullshit about the Path of Righteousness (that crap only goes over in California) and (3) without saying one word about how “it’s all about the seed”……

        Like

  3. Franklin has his Nittany Lions ranked #110 in rushing offense, that’s worse than USC’s current rushing offense.

    I don’t give a crap that Penn St. is undefeated, Franklin is an over-rated average coach.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Say it from the rafters. The real reason some at SC like him among other ridiculous reasons, is that he lost to Gomer, and was part of their treasured (faulty) memories.

      Like

      Reply

  4. That idiot Donte Williams is going to end up ruining Jaxson Dart’s career.

    All those Trojan polynesian girls can sprain a toe nail, they get put in a cast and are out 6 weeks.

    This poor kid Dart tears up his knee and because Willuams and the rest of the idiot coaches want to leave USC with a better won/loss record, they’re trying to get Dart back on the field a.s.a.p.

    USC nerds to hire and bring in an entire new coaching staff now before these clowns screw up the program and players even more than they already have.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, don’t worry your pretty little head about this, tebow. Donte will probably wait to let it all out and just use Dart against UCLA….
      #NiceWayToEndTheSeason…
      #NicerWayOfSayingGoodbyeToLosAngeles

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. First this season is another “ wait til next year” year. So using Dart too early would be like using a condom after finding out she’s pregnant. Unless the kid has such a massive ego he needs to be used, let him redshirt.
    Second the only thing this continuing speculation is doing for the coaching search is improving the situation of those being mentioned. I expected massive pay raises for the top three without any movement from any of them.
    Third big Ed O isn’t going anywhere. He needs a better defensive coordinator, but there is still some love for him down south.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  6. No coach wants to step into a pressure cooker by taking the LSU job, not as long as Nick Saban is at Alabama. The easiest road to a National Championship is at USC, because it wouldn’t take much to go undefeated in the PAC 12, and get to the playoffs. So I expect all the agents for the top candidates to be contacting Mike Bohn.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. These guys might consider SC since no coach with champsionship caliber will come to SC as long as the Administration, Folt, and Bohn are in charge. The coaches i refer to is:

    Tedford, ex Cal coach. He was good
    Pat Hill, ex Fresno St. coach
    Johnathon Smith, Oregon St hed coach.

    This is where SC sits as far as a head coach looking to apply for the SC job, and that is below championship caliber football.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    2. pasadenatrojan, If we didn’t have wine cooler drinking punk bitches like you and your dad, we would have a chance at a better coach. Stop being such a bitch and come to a game this year!

      Like

      Reply

      1. P.T. has gone to more games than you ever will …he’s been going to games since forever…
        #TheFactALotOfUsHaveStoppedIsOnUSC…
        #…NotOnUs

        Like

    4. Tedford and Hill had their day, and I don’t think they became better coaches for it, though Hill especially is a solid coach and fits what SC needs in some ways. It isn’t their age, they just seemed to ceiling out. Obviously Jonathan Smith and his staff at ‘SC = Multiple National Championships, but he’s not a media darling thus Bohn and his sycophants will never think of him. 🤷

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. The only home run hire USC can possibly make, if they’re lucky, would be Chris Petersen.

    If it ain’t Petersen, expect USC to be mired in mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

    Meyer would work, but he just keeps adding baggage that no one wants to take on.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Crap –tebow is right again.
      It would be a miracle —literally a miracle — if Folt wanted to take on a great coach who brings baggage (and the KIND of baggage that makes Folt blush). But is she had the balls to issue the invite (yes, Folt wears the balls on the Folt/Bohn team) Urban would live up to his side of the bargain….the way he always has (with a National Championship).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Just because a coach wants to be at USC does no make them a fit. Did we not forget that Clay Helton wanted to be at USC and look what occurred.

    Take the year to slowly look for the right guy. No need to rush.

    Franklin is not the guy. He would only be a mild upgrade from Helton.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. I kinda agree. Slovis knows the offense better. He’s had more reps (way, way more). He’s shown he can deliver the ball on a string from almost 30 yards out (that last TD against Colorado).
      I think Dart is better cuz of his leadership abilities and mobility —but let’s save him for the next coach (in a season that hopefully matters)….

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. MG, the reason I say “sane” is that Dart will have one game of experience, none away from home, he will be a month removed from knee surgery, and if something goes bad, every AD who will ever consider Dante for an HC job (when that time comes for him) will say “Hey, isn’t Dante the guy who threw Jaxon to the wolves and the poor guy tore his ACL?”

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I bet Dart is ready to play football (with a nice big knee brace) but I agree it would be crazy to START him at South Bend if he hasn’t played since Washington State.
        On the other hand, if Slovis starts the game the way he started the game against Oregon (acting like a head case and throwing two quick interceptions deep in our own territory)……..
        #…I’dBeTemptedToTellDart,”ShowUsHowIt’sDone,Son”

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Slovis can only deliver jump ball. He’s damned awful. But Dart needs to heal and be ready for the next coach, and not be ruined by our current staff.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Domers can be had this year – Cincinnati showed how.

        But sadly, I agree that the Trojans won’t replicate Cincy’s success.

        Still too many mistakes and penalties, and lack of discipline. Still an o-line that can be pushed around. Still an incredibly inconsistent defense that relies too much on blitzes, and a linebacking corps that seems confused. Still too many missed tackles and overpursuit. Still too much reliance on the pass. The list goes on…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Mostly agree —but Donte had them showing signs of opening up last Saturday…. but, then again, that was Colorado…..

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dart is going to have a tremendous college career. Until we get a new coach, I don’t expect we will be able to beat top 10 teams, as in Sam vs. Ohio State…Neither Sam nor Jaxon can go 1 on 11 against a really good defense. But I would loved to be proven wrong on this.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. 67 —Thank you for mercifully stopping the list where & when you did…
        #IWasSadlyNoddingYesToEveryBulletPoint….
        #…Couldn’tHaveTakenTooMuchMore…

        Like

      5. It (traditionally and historically speaking) has always been difficult for a QB to beat a good team ALL BY HIMSELF ….due to our improving receiving corps Dart wouldn’t have to do that….but he’d still have to do it without a consistent running attack and the worst o-line in USC history….
        #BurnInHell,Helton

        Like

    3. So…..
      I brought this up prior to the season and will restate.
      Sean Payton–a real offensive genius–designed some clever plays with both Drew Brees
      AND Taysom Hill (another Utah QB, hmmmm) on the field at the same time.
      With a dual threat QB on the field along with Slovis, and our usual trips WR, the options are endless.

      ND would have none of this in their defensive prep prior to game week. Ergo, the minute Chubby B Kelly saw the set up he’d call a time out. Fine with that. They’d
      have no prep for whatever the OC could dream up.

      Sadly, we have an uninspiring offense with no real innovation.
      While Bienemy gets some cred for being the OC at KC, I think Andy Reid is the Xs/Os guy, and Maholms, Kelce, and Tyreek Hill the talent that makes that O run (along with usually a pretty good O line–superbowl not-withstanding).

      Slovis is a wonderful QB with nary 20 games under his belt. Dart will prove to be the next coming of Rodney Peete. An innovative coach would be salivating at this opportunity and find ways to leverage BOTH THEIR TALENT.

      Like

      Reply

  11. After the historic Oregon State debacle, Donte Williams has no shot at the USC job.

    #FirstBeaverWinInLosAngelesInSixty-OneYears

    #BeatingNDWon’tChangeThat

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I like and respect Donte Williams. However, I do believe he needs more training to become a head coach of a program like USC was under Pete Carroll. I think he can become a great coach in the future, but he needs a quality mentor. As to blaming him for the current USC losses, I don’t agree he should be held accountable. More should rest on Orlando and Harrell, neither of whom are good coaches, but they are who Donte received when he got the interim job. I don’t think he can push either princess because they are too stupid to realize their performance will affect their ability to get hired by a quality program. Harrell has copied Leach with very little change except to throw to the same wide receiver over and over again, not a creative game plan!!! Yet, he exudes arrogance. Orlando has Korey Foreman lined up wrong and isn’t training him. Look at his history at Texas. Only helton the fool would have hired him. Donte was dealt a bad hand and his hands are tied.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. Direct hit. Donte coulda said no to this gig —but he took it on (knowing it was impossible given his supporting cast — 2 of whom probably resent the shit outta him). Beating Notre Dame and UCLA would be huge for him —even if those wins mean nothing in the current USC head coach sweepstakes……

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Like Aranda!

      Coach O? Not sure…he shows he can succeed if he has the talent andthe assistants. But I suspect every fourth year or so would be a .500 team if he was HC. Plus he is what, 60 or 61? Would he still have the energy needed three or four years from now?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Orgeron will have “the energy” when he’s 99 — but his preferred [take-no-prisoners] offense depends on an extraordinary QB. Dart might be that guy —so who knows?
        #ButDon’tWorry –OrgeronIsStillNotAUSCCountryClubType…
        #…AndDoesn’tStandAChanceInHellOfGettingTheJob

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I love Ogeron and he could be great IF HE GOT THE RIGHT ASSISTANT COACHES. Ogeron is an inspiration leader, but he isn’t necessarily a football genius.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. We dont need an old re-tread to take USC to a dominant force. We need a relentless winner who will dominate one side of the ball and can hire the best OC for the other side. Tough, physical mentality. Great recruiting.

        LSU is a mess and Ogeron is not doing well without Dave Aranda. Some of these head coaches are not great coaches, but have simply been around for years.

        Dave Aranda is a much better bet. But the coach I want as the next head coach is Dan Lanning. He only knows how to win. The #1 defense in the country, by far, and playing in the SEC, so he isnt playing against weak competition. The #1 recruiter in the country.

        I understand he doesnt have HC experience, but he has watched the best and been in a top organization. The only thing that should prevent him from success is if he is not able to get a top OC to work for him. So Bohn/Sosna should vet out his offensive strategy and who he plans to hire.

        Let Lanning keep Donte as DC and we have two of the best recruiters in the country. Lanning can mentor Donte and make sure we get an excellent staff.

        I think that SC might be throwing a head-fake to other guys, while they keep the real top candidates close to the vest. My favorites are Lanning, Aranda and Sitake. Throw in Jonathan Smith as an outlier. I am assuming that Fickell says no, because he is the obvious HC, but I just dont see him coming. If not those names, then someone from the NFL.

        Liked by 2 people

    3. I love Ed O, but he is not a good football coach. He had two great assistants who ran the show and a brilliant QB. He caught lightning in a bottle and it was a fun ride. Now he is left on his own and scrapes by to keep head above the waters of .500. That’s a hard No on coach O.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Wish Ed quit after the National Championship —he’d be remembered as a miracle-maker…..
        #OfCourse,WithRightCoordinators&QBHeMightBeAbleToDoItAgain

        Liked by 1 person

    4. Dave Aranda MUST BE in the top 3.
      While Baylor’s offense is shoddy, Aranda’s defense in looking good.
      I think it easier for a defensive minded HC to hire a smart OC than vice-versa.
      Kinda worked for Nick Saban, didn’t it?

      Like

      Reply

  14. I just hope that they get the best guy available. I wouldn’t complain if it turns out to be Franklin. He’s an outstanding coach. I still say Utah will beat SC this week.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.