Does anyone else notice how USC is offering so many recruits in mid-December? That is simply not the sign of a healthy program. Did they suddenly discover a “diamond in the rough” after months of evaluation? More likely, the coaches are getting desperate for whatever reasons. USC offered a recruit this week who apparently had Utah State as the leading choice. The die-hards and over-the-hill … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Scholarship Offers Keep Coming

Former USC defensive backs coach Greg Burns is returning to the Trojans. He was at Oregon State last season. I haven’t been around Burns since 2005 but I know Pete Carroll talked Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin into taking him off his hands in 2006. That was a disaster and Burns last only one season. He has since been at schools like Kansas State, … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Mike Goff, a 12-year NFL veteran who helped coach the USC offensive line, has been hired as the offensive line coach at Western Kentucky. This is actually a loss for the coaching staff. Goff was widely respected at USC and probably deserved a shot to be offensive line coach. He also was a rarity at USC, a man of principle: Goff always coached the offensive … Continue reading USC Loses A Coach

Mater Dei linebacker Mase Funa announced today he would honor his commitment to Oregon. Funa recently visited USC, which made a late push. The four-star prospect is the highest-rated linebacker to ever commit to Oregon. So here is the question: Why did USC have to make a late push? USC got three players from Mater Dei last season and usually seem to get who they … Continue reading USC Recruiting Is Something Else, Part IV

USC is still in the process of hiring a secondary coach. But there is a far bigger problem with the defense than hiring a defensive line or secondary coach. The defense needs new ideas. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast plays man-to-man coverage and never changes his strategy. That is one reason USC intercepted only four passes last season. It’s funny how the offense is going to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What’s So Wrong With New Ideas On Defense?