FOOTBALL

Morning Buzz: Why Would Eric Henderson Leave The Rams For USC?

Some fans asked me Monday why defensive line coach Eric Henderson would go from the Rams to USC?

The reasons are simple: He is probably getting a raise and he gets a title (co-defensive coordinator).

As one USC booster said Monday night, we’ll see how good a coach he is without Aaron Donald.

The title semantics show USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn feels pretty secure in himself, willing to share the defensive coordinator title, if not duties. USC made clear Lynn would call the defense, but Henderson can now tell future employers he was co-defensive coordinator at USC.

  • USC could be a beneficiary of another coaching transaction that should be announced later this week.

30 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: Why Would Eric Henderson Leave The Rams For USC?”

  1. I will keep saying, Riley has already told Cohen he wants to be at USC for only a few years and then going to the NFL. He just doesnt like the alumni interaction and doesnt want to be spending half his time recruiting. The staff has been told that there will be upward mobility. Lynn wants to be the head coach and if he delivers a top 15 defense, combined with Riley’s offense, USC will be on the fringe of being a contender for the national title (probably cant win the whole thing, but 10-2 record is very doable). Lynn can earn the head coach job and then one of the defensive coaches takes over as full DC.

    Hiring Lynn was a big risk with limited data to prove he can do it, but also really big upside that maybe he is special. His staff is really great. Look for more roster turnover after Spring Camp as Riley will do whatever it takes to build out a top program. Out of the 20 players that transferred out of the program, there wasnt really a big loss. Maybe Curtis or Domani could have become something, but they didnt deliver this past year. Nelson wasnt so hot that he got the starting job in a power 5 team. USC kept everyone who helped them win in the Holiday Bowl, except for Taj and Dedich.

    The o-line is the really big question. Very young and unproven, but with lots of potential for development. At least they will have a better d-line to practice against this off-season.

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      1. Mario “Butterfingers” Williams. I’ll never forgive him for the brain fart at the goal line against Tulane. That play changed the outcome of the game

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    2. I don’t know many unsuccessful college coaches that have been successful as head coaches in the NFL (Switzer, Jimmy Johnson and Pete Carroll). That said I also don’t see Riley leaving if he does succeed – why leave? He’s conquered the mess he both created and inherited.

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      2. Being a college coach is two jobs in one – coaching and recruiting. Some people love working 80 hours a week, other dont. Riley wants to spend time with family. He has said it.

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  2. And of course Wiley wants to build up his SC resume so he can
    catch on to some NFL team where he doesn’t have to recruit
    and can be in his $17-mil house more often

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      2. Wiles does not like Californians, but he will not find another PV situation in Galveston, Texas

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  3. Aren’t Lynn and Henderson friends ? Maybe he thinks the Rams are a sinking ship and he wanted out. Maybe he wants to go with Lynn if he heads to the NFL. Maybe he wants to back to the college game. The possibilities are endless and they don’t have to be negative or cynical.

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    1. Don’t all these coaches aspire to one day be a head coach, so perhaps this ex-Ram guy felt he had a better shot in the college ranks,
      or maybe it was because his drive to SC is shorter than to the Rams

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  5. All of the makeup Lincoln Riley is putting on the program with the new defensive coaching hires won’t mean a thing without 4&5 star players. And his pass happy no run offense will still leave the defense out to dry. Lynn was a weak recruiter at UCLA, and hasn’t proven any different so far.

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  11. “As one USC booster said Monday night, we’ll see how good a coach he is without Aaron Donald.”

    That booster doesn’t know what he’s talking about. If he did, he’d know that Henderson coached 2 other rookie sack leaders besides Donald.

    This guy is no fluke.

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      1. Henderson gets no credit with Aaron Donald under his watch. Going to USC is high profile and smart considering how USC opponents are self destructing and losing major continuity. No one would hire him as a DC in the NFL let alone head coach. It’s great to see these guys use Riley to get other head coaching gigs.

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      2. USC self destructed last season and is losing continuity also, the entire defensive staff has been replaced from last year and the starting QB went to the NFL.

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  12. I really believe LR will be at USC for another 3-4 years n if he wins a NC he will leave no doubt but he must show he can lead a team. Henderson is a up grade and he will show his worth

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  13. D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson were assistants together on the 2017 Chargers under HC Anthony Lynn. Money and title definitely matters, but more to it than just that.

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