If nothing else, Gary Patterson could always take over the program if Lincoln Riley got fired. Not that I’m saying USC has the courage to do that. But it’s an easy transition in an emergency situation. I’m sure Chad “Charmin” Bowden has thought that, if only for a fleeting moment. Continue reading USC Notes: Emergency Plan B Is In Place
The USC defensive staff has become a hodgepodge but at least now we know what we are getting. There is the new coodinator (Gary Patterson); the holdovers (Eric Henderson, Trovon Reed); the shoehorned addition (Mike Ekeler) and the yet-to-be-hired safeties coach. Now what about Rob Ryan. He will be an analyst, which seems like an unwieldy role given his presence. Why did Ryan stay? Well, … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Puzzle Finally Comes Together
The reason Mike Ekeler left Nebraska is because USC is also letting him coach linebackers. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Rob Ryan is out. Ekeler will likely assist Ryan unless a new defensive coordinator makes a strong push to replace Ryan. I remember Ekeler from his lone season at USC under Lane Kiffin (2013). It was unremarkable. Let’s face it: He’s being brought to USC … Continue reading USC Notes: Coach Juggling Continues
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Last week, I wrote USC was telling prospective defensive coordinators that it wanted to keep the coaching staff intact. And I said most self-respecting defensive coordinators want to bring some assistants with them. That explains why USC safeties coach Doug Belk was fired. Did Gary Patterson demand it? He hasn’t been hired yet but he seems to be the focus right now. I’ll just point … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Bows On Defensive Change
There is no way who makes excuses more than Lincoln Riley defenders. One excuses getting a lot of play is that Indiana won the national title because it has old players. Does anyone remember that Chad “Charmin” Bowman made a big point after he got hired about signing the biggest freshman class ever and the importance of high school recruits over the transfer portal? So … Continue reading USC Notes: Do You Want An Old Or Young Team?
Can we learn anything from Indiana winning the national championship? Curt Cignetti is a leader of men. Lincoln Riley is not. Systems are nothing vs. culture. USC used to succeed because of an unmistakenly strong and defined culture of rugged football. It imposed its will on the other team. Now? It tries to be operate a fancy-pants offense with sand-castle defending. Who would you want … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What Can We Learn From Indiana?
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 