I like to write about Gary Patterson because I know a lot about him through common friends.

Patterson said this week he has incorporated some zone concepts into his defense and favoring man-to-man schemes.

But I hear this is actually not really a departure. He’s always run hybrid defenses that played man defense within a zone.

So far, I hear things about him thatr remind me of Pete Carroll. When Patterson was at TCU, he was ther head coach but also extremely hands-on with the defense, coaching the linebackers and scripting practice for the defense.

This sounds similar to Carroll at USC, who was defensive coordinator and head coach.

The more I hear, the more I wish Patterson were USC’s head coach.

• USC is the favorite to land UConn center Eric Reibe. He is probably commanding at least several million dollars.
• Ryann Bennett, a 5-8 guard from UC Davis, is transferring to USC.

• Wild flowers are blooming at the green space at USC, which used to be the site of the Trojan Hall dorm.