Remember two years ago when Norv Turner contacted Clay Helton for the quarterbacks coach job and couldn’t even get an interview? Turner then became offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. But this one might be better: In the past few years, Norm Chow has made multiple calls to Helton — not seeking a job but to see if he there was anything he could do … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Clay Helton Likes To Spurn Big-Name Coaches

USC practices were closed to the media this season but a coach told me it was amazing how much time was spent on special teams, often to the detriment of other units. “You wouldn’t believe how much time we spent,” the coach said. “No one could.” That said, USC was still awful on special teams this season, as everyone knows. USC did not have 11-men-on-field … Continue reading Special Teams Hurt USC In Another Way No One Mentions

You know it’s bad when a USC assistant coach tells me if Austin Jackson goes pro the Trojans will have a “terrible offensive line” next season. The line wasn’t great this season and Jackson is projected as a first-or-second round pick in spite of the Holiday Bowl. Who will start a pool next season on how long Kedon Slovis lasts before he gets hurt? And … Continue reading Here’s One Outlook On Offensive Line

Remember how wide receiver Tyler Vaughns did not play in the first quarter against Iowa? It immediately led to speculation Vaughns was either suspended or injured. He eventually played and caught six passes for 54 yards. Well, a source tells me Vaughns had a back injury that kept him out for the first quarter. So at least we know it wasn’t a disciplinary matter. The … Continue reading Tyler Vauhgns Mystery Solved

Clay Helton interviewed Rams assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Barry for the defensive coordinator’s job on Friday, according to sources. Barry is the first coach to be officially interviewed. He was previously at USC and liked by the players. He also has a good reputation. But . . . let’s hope USC interviews some other candidates too because it feels like business-as-usual with Helton, where … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Clay Helton Interviews Joe Barry

I had forgotten that former USC offensive line coach James Cregg is in the same position at LSU. He left USC when Lane Kiffin got fired and didn’t make a huge impression in four seasons. He then spent four years in the NFL as an “assistant offensive line coach” before LSU hired him in 2018. Who would imagine he would be thisclose to winning a … Continue reading LSU Also Has A Little-Discussed USC Tie