Is it too soon to dread spring football, where there will be endless comments about the new, improved defense under Todd Orlando? Remember all the comments last year about the culture change; improved strength program; commitment to discipline and decrease in penalties during spring practice? The same people that bought those arguments will start trumpeting Orlando and anything else they can find. Mike Bohn will … Continue reading Get Ready For Reports Of Big Spring Improvement

Todd Orlando is the new defensive coordinator, officially, per Clay Helton. “He is an experienced and successful defensive coordinator who has made an impact everywhere he has coached. He brings a passion, energy, toughness and discipline to his coaching and those characteristics were evident in our discussions,” Helton said. “His defensive system poses an extreme challenge to offenses.” An extreme challenge? The Texas pass defense … Continue reading USC Officially Hires Todd Orlando

USC has four recruits visiting this weekend, as it tries to fill the last couple scholarships of its recruiting class. Tight end Jack Yary, the son of former USC offensive lineman Ron Yary, will give the Trojans another chance after he decommitted late last year. The question is whether USC can convince him that the Air Raid offense uses a tight end. USC coaches are … Continue reading A Not Exactly Overwhelming Recruiting Weekend

We hear so much about Clay Helton’s contract and how it made firing him a stumbling block. So why did USC school president Carol Folt supposedly turn down an offer from a donor to pay off the contract? She didn’t want to be beholden to a rich booster. But you are only beholden if you allow yourself to be. USC would not survive without donations. … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

With only two African-Americans on the USC coaching staff, someone (Mike Bohn) might want to remind Clay Helton of this fact when filling out the staff. Depending on what high school coaches you ask, USC already has a perception prolem with some recruits and this doesn’t help. Like all other issues confronting USC, it will probably be ignored. USC secondary coach Greg Burns is recruiting … Continue reading USC Notes: Perception Problem Exists

Is USC going to have a recruiting dinner in two weeks? It doesn’t seem like it. You mean having the worst recruiting class in the Pac-12 won’t sell tickets? Last year, when people thought the recruting class was bad, less than 100 people showed up and Lynn Swann didn’t even attend. It was the worst-attended recruiting dinner since the event started in 1997. Imagine 15 … Continue reading Where’s That Recruiting Dinner?