Earlier today, I ran this Todd Orlando quote on Chris Steele: “You want guys to be aggressive. If you get too much into a corner’s head and make them soft, you’ll never get that back.” You know why this is a bad quote? Because it means you don’t know how to correct it. It means you are not coaching. If USC cornerbacks are holding and … Continue reading Here’s Why Coaching Matters At USC

Petros Papadakis has weighed in on the Kedon Slovis controversy, specifically Clay Helton’s different answers when asked about Slovis having problems throwing a spiral. “It’s been very difficult for our friend, Clay Helton, to answer the question,” Papadakis said. “Just answer the question honestly. “Whatever the truth is, he doesn’t say it. There was no wind (a Arizona).” Continue reading Petros Papadakis On Clay Helton’s Response To Kedon Slovis Passes

In a normal program, the head coach has a philosophy that filters down to the staff. But in this case, I’m not sure Clay Helton didn’t ask Todd Orlando for an answer about Chris Steele and just repeated his answer. Here is what Helton said about Steele, who has five penalties in two games. “I don’t want to take that aggressiveness away from him.” Here … Continue reading Who Came Up With This Answer? Clay Helton Or Todd Orlando?

Here’s a couple quick observations from a Pac-12 coach on the USC-Arizona game: “Their defensve alignments didn’t look right both games this season.” “They just don’t look like a clean team. They have a ways to go.” “They got outcoached by Arizona and I’m not sure people expected Arizona to outcoach too many teams this season.” On running the shotgun in short-yardage situations: “I would … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Observations From A Pac-12 Coach

Munir and Abdul-Malik McClain intend to enter the transfer portal. Frankly, this only bolsters what I said this morning about 2021 because the brothers would be more valuable next season. Munir is currently suspended after receiving pandemic unemployment benefits. Abdul-Malik has played a bit but his mother has been critical of Clay Helton on twitter. The story was first reported by the L.A. Times. Continue reading USC’s McClain Brothers Enter Transfer Portal

Why do USC coaches make it so easy to criticize them? Clay Helton and Graham Harrell were totally divorced from reality this morning when discussing Kedon Slovis and his arm troubles. “There’s nothing wrong with Kedon’s mechanics,” Harrell said. “I don’t know where he pulled that out of.” Fair enough. But then Harrell kept speaking. “I think the ball slipped out of his head once … Continue reading USC Coaches Live On Earth 2