Did you see Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich, basketball coach Kyle Smith, athletic director Pat Chun and school president Kirk Schulz will voluntarily take a 5 percent salary cut through the 2020-21 academic year? They also will not receive any contract bonuses or incentives. Now I fully realize Washington State is a much smaller school than USC. But I still think the time is … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: How Long Can Top Coaches Be Immune?

No fans? No problem. USC needs to contact the Rakuten Monkeys, a Taiwanese team that’s part of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The Monkeys first home game will feature mannequins and cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands. Actual humans are not allowed at the game because of the coronavirus. But I think USC should adopt this even when fans are allowed. And remember to … Continue reading Here’s What USC Should Do At Coliseum

One of the best players in USC history, Gus Williams, has been hospitalized since February after suffering a stroke, according to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. Williams, 66, lives in South Carolina. USC retired his jersey number in 2016. You can make a case that Williams (1972-75) was the most successful player in USC history. An All-American in 1975 (which by itself puts … Continue reading USC Great Gus Williams Hospitalized Following Stroke

Five-star forward Ziaire Williams of Sierra Canyon just announced he committed to Stanford over USC and Arizona. What happened to the people who said Williams was going to USC? On the plus side, there won’t be a cascade of GIFs by the Andy Enfield fanboys. USC nearly had two of the nation’s top 6-ranked players if Williams had joined Evan Mobley. USC is still recruiting … Continue reading Ziaire Williams Commits To Stanford

The first time Max Nikias crossed my radar was back in 2005 was when he became provost. A member of his staff marveled at the renovations that were taking place to his new office. “He has to be the next president because I doubt they would allow this to happen for just a normal provost,” the staffer told me. Years later, Nikias would tell me … Continue reading Would Max Nikias Really Let Estate Fall Into Dire Condition?

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott will take a 20 percent pay cut through June, according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News. The guy made $5.3 million in 2018, so he can afford it. Wilner reports the Pac-12 Netowrks are laying off 8 percent of their staff and Pac-12 executives are taking 10 percent cuts through June. You think if Scott took a 50 … Continue reading Larry Scott Takes A (Temporary) Pay Cut