Mater Dei has hired Frank McManus as its new football coach. McManus is a long-time assistant (16 seasons) and coached defensive backs the past seven seasons. Former USC/Mater Dei players Lenny Vandermade and Khaled Holmes were named as candidates for the job. The new coach is significant to USC because of its recruiting ties to Mater Dei. Here’s a statement from former Mater Dei coach … Continue reading Mater Dei Hires A New Coach

USC linebacker Eric Gentry is undergoing ankle surgery today, which means that high-ankle sprain injury he suffered vs. Utah never really healed properly. Gentry was USC’s best linebacker last season but missed three games after hurting his ankle in the first Utah game. He returned for the final three games but didn’t appear 100 percent. Gentry still nearly led USC in tackles despite the missed … Continue reading Eric Gentry Undergoing Surgery

There hasn’t been much said about wide receiver Gary Bryant, who appears to be waiting to get his degree before transferring. Bryant’s top choices are Arizona and UCLA. Here’s another one: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Dave Canales as offensive coordinator. Canales, who went to Carson High School, was an assistant at El Camino College when he started working summer camps at USC. Carroll … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: It Always Helps To Have Pete Carroll In Corner

Ohio State has canceled a home-and-home series with Washington in 2024 and 2025. This is a direct result of USC and UCLA moving to the Big Ten. In fact, Ohio State noted in a statement that its schedule could include “a Big Ten Conference game against either the UCLA Bruins or the USC Trojans.” Ohio State will pay Washington $500,000 to terminate the games. REACTION: … Continue reading Ohio State Doesn’t Want To Play On West Coast Twice

If you haven’t followed it closely, here’s a clear explanation of the Pac-12 media rights situation from media writers Andrew Marchand and John Ourand. Maybe it’s so clear because they don’t have to curry favor with the Pac-12 and note Ourand gives the Big 12 credit for doing its media deal first. “It’s clear now that (Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark) totally outmaneuvered the Pac-12 … Continue reading A Clear View Of Pac-12 Dilemma

What is going on with BLVD, USC’s in-house NIL collective? I’d heard in November it was “rebranding.” It hasn’t posted on Instagram in eight weeks and hasn’t sold new gear since the USC-UCLA game. Now, a group led by Keyshawn Johnson has started The TOMMY Group, a new NIL collective that will support USC athletes. “We’re excited to be at the forefront of this movement,” … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: BLVD Awfully Quiet As Keyshawn Johnson Starts Collective