TrojanWire - Ed Orgeron

Getting To Know Coach O

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:16:04 -0800

The O.C. Register sat down for a two part interview with USC's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.

When asked why he decided to come back to USC with Coach Lane Kiffin, Orgeron responded:

We feel that USC is the best job in the country. I always felt that way. No doubt about it. I was here when Coach Carroll was hired. Lane and I were on the ground floor with Coach Carroll. We feel like USC is a very powerful place. You’re in the hotbed of recruiting. It’s a private institution. The weather, the people, the support, the tradition. I’ve never been to another university as powerful as USC. Nothing has ever come close.

Click on the links for Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview. And please enjoy this old commercial with Coach O from his head coaching days at Ole Miss.

Talking recruiting, and other stuff, with Ed Orgeron (Part 1) [ocregister]
Talking recruiting, and other stuff, with Ed Orgeron (Part 2) [ocregister]

What to watch in the Pac-10 this spring

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:28:59 -0800

Taking a look at what to watch for as teams head into spring practices, officially ringing the bell on preparations for the 2010 season.

Arizona
Spring practice starts: March 5
Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

The new coordinators: The Wildcats lost two outstanding coordinators -- Sonny Dykes on offense and Mark Stoops on defense -- and decided to replace them with four guys. Tim Kish, promoted from linebackers coach, and Greg Brown, hired away from Colorado, will run the defense, while Bill Bedenbaugh and Seth Littrell, both promoted from within, will run the offense, with an assist from new quarterbacks coach Frank Scelfo. These guys will need to develop a coaching rhythm this spring that will ensure things go smoothly in the fall.

The JC linebackers: The Wildcats must replace three starting linebackers, and JC transfers Derek Earls and Paul Vassallo weren't brought in to watch. If they step into starting spots, then guys like sophomore Jake Fischer, redshirt freshman Trevor Erno and redshirt freshman Cordarius Golston can fight over the third spot and add depth.

Foles 2.0: Quarterback Nick Foles was dynamic when he was on last year, but the shutout loss in the Holiday Bowl served as a reminder that he's not there yet. He's going to be surrounded by a lot of weapons at the skill positions, so he should be able to take another step forward this spring, even with the loss of Dykes.

Arizona State
Spring practice starts: March 30
Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

The QB battle: It's a wide-open battle between Michigan transfer Steven Threet and Brock Osweiler, though the new guy -- Threet -- is perhaps the most intriguing. Samson Szakacsy was supposed to join the battle, but his elbow problem is acting up again, coach Dennis Erickson said Thursday. The competition will be overseen by new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, who's been handed an offense that has sputtered the past two seasons.

O-line issues (take 3): The Sun Devils' offensive line has struggled three years running, and it won't matter who starts at QB if the unit continues to get pushed around. First off, is health. Will Matt Hustad, Zach Schlink, Garth Gerhart, Mike Marcisz and Adam Tello be ready to battle the entire spring? If so, there should be good competition here, particularly with a couple of JC transfers looking to break through.

The secondary: The Sun Devils were very good against the pass last year, but three starters in the secondary need to be replaced. Both starting corners are gone -- though if Omar Bolden successfully returns from a knee injury he should step in on one side -- as well as strong safety Ryan McFoy. The good news is a number of guys saw action here last fall, so the rebuilt unit won't be completely green.

California
Spring practice starts: March 6
Spring game: N/A

What to watch:

Embattled Riley: When things go well, the quarterback often gets too much credit. When things go badly... well, you know. Senior Kevin Riley has started 22 games and has played well at times. But there's a reason he's in a quarterback competition for a third consecutive season. Will he be able to hold off a rising Beau Sweeney this spring?

Rebuilding the D: The Bears had questions on defense even before coordinator Bob Gregory unexpectedly bolted for Boise State. Five starters need to be replaced, including mainstays like end Tyson Alualu and cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson, both first-team All-Pac-10 performers. And with Gregory gone, a new -- likely more aggressive scheme -- now must be incorporated.

RB depth: Shane Vereen is the obvious starter after the departure of Jahvid Best, but Cal has, during the Tedford years, always used two backs. So who's the No. 2? Sophomore Covaughn DeBoskie was third on the team with 211 yards rushing last year, while promising freshman Dasarte Yarnway redshirted. One or the other will look to create separation.

Oregon
Spring practice starts: March 30
Spring game: May 1

What to watch:

The D-line: The Ducks lost perennially underrated end Will Tukuafu, tackle Blake Ferras and backup Simi Toeaina up front. Considering the plan is to run an eight-deep rotation, there will be plenty of opportunities for players like ends Terrell Turner and Taylor Hart and tackles Anthony Anderson, Zac Clark, Wade Keliikipi as well as 6-foot-7 JC transfer Isaac Remington to work their way into the rotation.

The passing game: The Ducks' passing game was inconsistent last year, though by season's end receiver Jeff Maehl was playing at a high level. Refining that part of the offense with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli would make the spread-option even more dangerous. The receiving corps is looking for playmakers, which means youngsters, such as redshirt freshman Diante Jackson, might break through.

Who steps in for Ed Dickson? Oregon only loses one starter on offense, but tight end Ed Dickson is a big one. David Paulson was a capable backup last year, and mercurial Malachi Lewis may be ready to step up. Expect JC transfer Brandon Williams to work his way into the mix.

Oregon State
Spring practice starts: March 29
Spring game: May 1

What to watch:

Katz steps in: Sean Canfield is off to the NFL, so the Beavers' biggest question this spring is crowning a new starting quarterback. Most observers feel the job is Ryan Katz's to lose, and the sophomore looks good throwing the rock around. Still, being a quarterback is about more than a good arm. If he falters, Virginia transfer Peter Lalich might offer an alternative.

Better defensive pressure: The Beavers run a high-pressure defensive scheme, so when the stat sheet says they only recorded 17 sacks in 2009, which ranked ninth in the conference and was 22 fewer than in 2008, you know something is wrong. The entire defensive line is back, so the hope is a year of seasoning, particularly for ends Gabe Miller, Matt LaGrone and Kevin Frahm will mean better production this fall.

The O-line grows up: The Beavers' offensive line returns four starters from a unit that got better as the year went on. Still, it yielded 29 sacks and the run game struggled at times -- Jacquizz Rodgers often had to make yards on his own. Talented left tackle Michael Philipp, who did a solid job as a true freshman starter, should be much improved. A second year playing together with underrated senior center Alex Linnenkohl also should help.

Stanford
Spring practice starts: March 1
Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

Replacing Toby: How do you replace Toby Gerhart and his 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns? You do not. But the hope is sophomores Tyler Gaffney and Stepfan Taylor and senior Jeremy Stewart will provide a solid answer that keeps the Cardinal's power-running game churning. It helps to have four starters back from a good offensive line.

Rebuilding the D: If you toss in linebacker Clinton Snyder and end Erik Lorig, Stanford must replace six defensive starters from a unit that ranked near the bottom of the conference in 2009. The secondary is a particular concern after giving up 23 touchdown passes and a 63 percent completion rate. The hope is good recruiting from coach Jim Harbaugh will provide better athleticism in the back-half. Another issue: There was huge coaching turnover, particularly on defense during the offseason, so new coordinator Vic Fangio & Co. will be implementing new schemes and learning about what sort of talent they have to work with.

Luck steps up: This was Gerhart's team in 2009. Now it's Luck's. He might be the most talented QB in the conference. Heck, he might become a Heisman Trophy candidate before he's done. But life won't be as easy without defenses crowding the line of scrimmage because they are fretting about Gerhart. Luck will need to step up his game -- and leadership -- to meet the challenge.

UCLA
Spring practice starts: April 1
Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

Prince becomes king? The fact that offensive coordinator Norm Chow has been such an advocate for sophomore quarterback Kevin Prince should tell you something: He's got the ability. Prince flashed some skills during an injury-plagued 2009 season, and it's important to remember he was a redshirt freshman playing with an questionable supporting cast, particularly the O-line. Prince needs to improve his decision-making, and the passing game needs to develop a big-play capability that stretches defenses.

Front seven rebuilding: UCLA not only must replace six starters on defense, it must replace six guys everyone in the Pac-10 has heard of. And five of the lost starters come from the front seven, and the guys who were listed as backups on the 2009 depth chart won't necessarily inspire confidence. In other words, the Bruins will try to take a step forward in the conference with what figures to be an extremely green defense, particularly up front.

The running game? Know what would help Prince and a young defense? A better running game. The Bruins were significantly better in 2009 than in 2008, but that merely means one of the worst rushing attacks in the nation moved up to ninth in the conference. There's a logjam of options at running back -- with a couple of dynamic runners in the incoming recruiting class -- and the offensive line welcomes back a wealth of experience. It would mean a lot if the Bruins could boost their rushing total to around 150 yards per game (from 114.6 in 2009).

USC
Spring practice starts: April 31
Spring game: TBA

What to watch:

Welcome, Lane Kiffin: The Pete Carroll era is over. Enter Lane Kiffin & Co. In terms of scheme, things will be fairly consistent, seeing that Kiffin was formerly Carroll's offensive coordinator and Monte Kiffin was Carroll's defensive mentor. But there will be a period of adjustment. The guess is the hyper-intense Ed Orgeron might provide a bit of a shock to the D-linemen.

Barkley Year 2: Barkley won't have the president of his fan club -- Carroll -- around anymore. He's a true talent. Everyone knows that, even without Carroll's daily sonnets about his ability. But the numbers show he threw 14 interceptions in 12 games vs. 15 TD passes last year, so he's obviously not arrived. Kiffin runs the offense, so you can expect these two to work closely together. Barkley will have plenty of help on offense, but the talent won't be as good as it was in 2009, with six starters needing to be replaced, including his top two targets (receiver Damian Williams and tight end Anthony McCoy).

Secondary questions: All four starters from the defensive backfield are gone, including center fielder Taylor Mays. It helps that cornerback Shareece Wright, an academic casualty in 2009, will be back. He was a projected starter last fall. There's plenty of talent on hand, but last year's team proved that the Trojans don't always just plug-and-play.

Washington
Spring practice starts: March 30
Spring game: April 30

What to watch:

Unleashing Locker: The return of quarterback Jake Locker was the best news any Pac-10 team received this offseason. Locker's passing improved dramatically in just one year under coach Steve Sarkisian, so it's not unreasonable to expect him to be even better in 2010, particularly with nine starters back on offense and just about every skill player on the depth chart.

Replacing Te'o-Nesheim: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim was a four-year starter who blossomed into an All-Pac-10 performer despite almost no supporting cast. He led the Huskies with 11 sacks in 2009, which was 8.5 more than any other player. Also, opposite end Darrion Jones is gone, and the cast at the position is extremely young. Who's the next pass-rushing threat?

The Butler did it: Linebacker Donald Butler blossomed last year, earning second-team All-Pac-10 honors and leading the Huskies in tackles and tackles for loss (15.5). Toss in E.J. Savannah's failure to earn a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, and the Huskies have some questions at linebacker. Mason Foster is a sure thing at one outside position, and Cort Dennison likely will fill a second gap, but there's an opportunity for a young player to fill void No. 3.

Washington State
Spring practice starts: March 25
Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

Tuel time: Coach Paul Wulff decided that freshman Jeff Tuel was the Cougars' quarterback of the future last year, so he opted to start him instead of going with a redshirt season. Tuel showed promise in six games, completing 59 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and five picks. Most of his supporting cast is back on offense, so the expectation is the Cougars' offense could take a significant step forward this fall.

O-line intrigue: Some of the Cougars starting on the offensive line last fall didn't look like Pac-10 players. Injuries and youth made the line a glaring area of weakness, even with veteran Kenny Alfred at center. Alfred is gone, but the expectations are that last year's youth will be saltier after taking their knocks. Plus, a couple of juco additions should be in the mix for starting jobs.

Growing up: There is hope in that 19 starters are back from a team that played a lot of underclassmen in 2009. That youth should mature in 2010. And solid recruiting classes the past two seasons should offer an infusion of young promise.

Memories

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:46:28 -0800

Now that Ed Orgeron is settled in as an assistant coach, has he brought back the dry-erase board he punched a hole into when he took a swing next to former linebackers coach A.J. Christoff's head?

Coach O Has Officially Left The Building

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:45:43 -0800

(Photo by Michael Patrick)

From Tennessee fan site GoVolsExtra:

University workers remove a Red Bull cooler from the administrative offices in the University of Tennessee Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010. Former Defensive-line coach for UT Ed Orgeron is well known for his love of the Red Bull drink.

Lane Kiffin Leaves UT Gallery [GoVolsExtra.com]

Scroggins and Prater Pleased With Kiffin Hire

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:52:59 -0800

(Photo of Jesse Scroggins by Icon Sports Media)

Lakewood, quarterback Jesse Scroggins is on board. His father told USA Today’s Jim Halley:

"Tennessee and USC were in his final three when had to make a difficult decision back in August. I sort of have the almost-perfect marriage. The only thing that would have been more perfect would be if Pete Carroll was still coaching too. Because the offenses are so similar, those were in our final three, along with Florida. Lane wanted us so bad and Pete wanted us so bad. Both of them said Jesse was perfect for their offense. Lane's offense is similar, just a little bit more up-tempo and it's just perfect for Jesse. We love Lane Kiffin, we love Monte, we definitely love Ed Orgeron, but we get to stay home."

(Photo of Kyle Prater by Icon Sports Media)

Wide receiver Kyle Prater told ESPN:

“I'm 100 percent committed to USC and will be enrolling next week."

And now a govolsxtra.com is reporting that Ed Orgeron is contacting UT recruits that were set to enroll in classes today and encouraging them not to so that they can enroll at SC. Whether there is any truth to this, who knows. We will have to wait until signing day to see if we can actually rip any recruits from the Vols.

Sources say Orgeron telling UT enrollees not to go to class [govolsxtra]
Southern Cal recruits happy with hiring of Kiffin [usatoday]
Prater, Scroggins sticking with USC [espn]

The Skinny: Notes and Info On The Kiffin Hire

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:52:23 -0800

*Sports Agent Gary Uberstine was extremely influential throughout this coaching search. Uberstine is the agent for Pete Carroll, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and Ed Orgeron. He was also indirectly involved in the Jack Del Rio negotiations even though he doesn’t directly represent him. Once negotiations broke down with Del Rio Monday evening, Uberstine and his coaching clientele were USC’s fall back option.

Uberstine immediately went to work on both Kiffin and Sarkisian with the caveat from the powers that be at USC that a top tier staff be assembled around whoever gets the job. Kiffin was the logical choice due to the type of staff he could assemble and his tireless attitude regarding recruiting.

*Orgeron/Chow on board before Head Coach hired?: Over the weekend, Ed Orgeron pretty much knew he would be back at USC. Whoever was named the head coach was told that Orgeron would be on the staff.

The minute Pete Carroll resigned from USC, Norm Chow’s son (his agent) contacted USC and told them that Norm was interested in coming back. He really enjoyed the culture at USC and didn’t know if UCLA would be able to afford him now that the Tennessee Titans no longer have to pay the majority of his contract. USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett is a big fan of Chow and was always frustrated by the rift that developed between Carroll and Chow.

A strong mutual interest exists in having Chow back at USC. In fact, Norm Chow felt confident enough to tell UCLA Head Coach Rick Neuheisal this weekend that he would be moving on.

It is very plausible that USC already had handshake agreements with both Chow and Orgeron before the Kiffin announcement.

*More on Chow, Recruiting and Kiffin after the jump...

THE LANE KIFFIN USC PRESS CONFERENCE

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:12:42 -0800

SCENE: Los Angeles, CA. The USC Campus. A room of reporters wait for Lane Kiffin. AD MIKE GARRETT paces nervously in the background. An AIDE waits with him.

Aide: What do you want me to do?

Garrett: Stall. Just stall them a little longer. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Just tell them Orgeron bit a raccoon and they’re cutting his head off to see if he’s rabid or something.

Aide: Orgeron’s head, sir?

Garrett: Wouldn’t be the first time. Whatever. Just keep them busy ’till I figure this out.

GARRETT runs to the corner to take a hurried call. Reporters notice a colleague looking at a laptop. The reporter begins pointing to his laptop frantically. They huddle.

Aide: Sir, the reporters are–

Reporter: IT’S STARTING!!!!

Reporter two: Oh god–

Garrett: Wait, he’s not even here, and I can’t get him on a HOLY MULEFUCKING SHIT.

The ESPN News online feed shifts, comes into focus. ALL GASP.

Mumbling very quickly, Lane Kiffin begins addressing the crowd of reporters assembled in a conference room at South Carolina.

Garett: Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me.

Lane Kiffin: Hello, everyone. It’s an exciting time to be a Gamecock, that’s for sure. I can promise you a few things. I can promise that you’ll be real excited about this program. I can’t wait to run out of the tunnel to 2010. I can’t wait to beat Furman in Death Valley. I can’t wait to take shirtless pictures of our players oiled up and wearing chains in front of a–

Examines the colors of the backdrop behind him.

–red and black sports car of some make and model. I can’t wait to bring the passion and excitement our staff brings with us wherever you go. Here’s my wife. She has tits.

Garrett: Oh god. He’s at USC. The other one.

Aide: Why hasn’t anyone told them they’re in South Carolina? And that there’s already a coach there?

On the screen, KIFFIN continues.

Kiffin: And now, I’d like to introduce assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.

Garrett: That’s why.

ED FUCKING ORGERON steps shirtless to the mike. He holds a rooster in his hand. The rooster has a Glock strapped to either leg with duct tape.

Orgeron: DISSANEW MASCOT ANNA NEW FIGHTSONG! LEARNIT ANNA LOVEITAH!!!

REPORTERS die from pleasure.

Garrett: Someone get me a seven million dollar check and Jon Gruden’s phone number.

Aide: Seriously, where the hell is Spurrier?

Augusta National, 11th hole. STEVE SPURRIER is having a pastoral moment.

His phone rings.

Spurrier: clears throat Ballcoach here.

Assistant: Coach, Lane Kiffin’s here to take your job. Says he’s been named new head coach.

Spurrier: Really?

Assistant: Yeah. You gonna do something about that?

Spurrier: …

Assistant: ….

Spurrier: ….

Assistant: Well?

CALL ENDED.

FIN

CURIOUS INDEX, 1/13/10

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:10:23 -0800

The obvious early answer to this ball of insanity. Lane Kiffin will assume the role vacated by Conan O’Brien, use the show as a recruiting vehicle, and Ed Orgeron will play the part of the Masturbating Bear whether you like it or not.

Since he’s attempting to reunite the USC crew from THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND, it’s really the only appropriate response. Please recall that Lane Kiffin’s primary responsibilities on that staff per most sources including getting donuts and arguing with players until they left meetings shaking their heads. One assumes his role will remain unchanged in the current iteration, though he may assume duties attacking birds, smaller rodents, and insects, too.

Information-type Information. The wee hours rundown here is still mostly unchanged and true, especially the part where we wrote that Bobby Petrino and Houston Nutt are candidates because SEE: HOUSTON NUTT AND BOBBY PETRINO. While Jimmy Sexton wrings a bit more money out of SEC ADs with this, we’ll just continue linkbombing.

–Pictures of the minor mayhem at UT last night. They burned a mattress! And some shirts! It’s pandelerium! INSANITY WOLF IS ON THE LOOSE.

–Ed Orgeron did call recruits on campus at Tennessee and attempt to get them to leave with the coaching staff to go to USC, and did it in the room during Kiffin’s announcement. Players put the calls on speakerphone to show astonished teammates. This all happened and is not being made up. Your move, fiction.

—Kiffin is the rebound girl for Tennessee, albeit one who stuck to hand jobs, the moral victory of sexual chess moves.

–You’ll always have 2009, Kiffin-ites.

Analysis-type things. Pat Forde stabs often and well in Kiffin’s direction. Doug says Kiffin ran through the T and kept on going, while Doc Saturday says Tennessee got treated like Bowling Green. We’d clarify that, since even Meyer had the decorum to stay at Bowling Green two years. Conquest Chronicles is cautious, but hey, it’s stability. Plus he knows where all the donuts and fax machines are. Clay wouldn’t be writing this if all that rejection of tradition had ended with some winning seasons and hadn’t ended with a nocturnal getaway,

Muschamp: He’s the target.

We still prefer Mrs. Richt (call us.) They also lost Layla Kiffin to USC, which is the real tragedy here since Mike Hamilton never even got to smell her hair. OMG TBL IS FUCKING RETARDED OR A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE ARTIST BUT HE CAN’T BE BOTH.

Recruiting impact: Good for USC

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:08:59 -0800

There appear to be two initial reactions to the Lane Kiffin hire at USC.

First, fans and media -- particularly around Tennessee -- are outraged. And the media reaction in LA isn't exactly a warm hug.

But one place where Kiffin landing at USC is seemingly being met with great cheer is recruiting. At least on the Trojans' end of things.

Tennessee? Not so much.

You can follow along here -- count on numerous updates over the coming days as national signing day nears.

The early returns are the Vols are getting a number of decommits from their class, which was ranked sixth in the nation before Kiffin bolted, while USC's class is getting good news, starting with a reaffirmation from elite receiver Kyle Prater, who told ESPN's Greg Biggins that he will enroll at USC next week and be available to participate in spring practices.

What about QB Jesse Scroggins?

"[I'm] Overjoyed. Excited," Scroggins told ESPN affiliate Web site WeAreSC.com. "Lane recruited me at Tennessee as his No. 1 quarterback. I went on an unofficial visit to Tennessee in April. At that time he told me he was going to run an offensive system similar to USC and that I was perfect for the system."

The big question: Will some of these marquee Tennessee guys follow Kiffin to USC?

And what about big-ticket recruits like DE Ronald Powell (a Florida commit over USC), DE Jackson Jeffcoat (uncommitted), OT Brice Schwab (a USC decommit after Pete Carroll's departure to Seattle) and OT Seantrel Henderson (uncommitted)?

Here's the shocker: With Kiffin and recruiting star Ed Orgeron back in Heritage Hall, the Trojans' class might actually moves up in the national rankings -- it's presently 11th -- after Carroll's departure.

Who saw that coming?

Look Out, Ed O's Got A Few Weeks 'Til Signing Day And A Fresh Case Of Red Bull!!!

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:53:16 -0800

Hell hath no fury like Orgeron on the recruiting warpath. He's not going to stop at stealing Tennessee recruits -- he's coming for yours too.

Consider yourself warned.

Trojan Depo: Kiffin Move Pays Recruiting Gold

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:37:39 -0800

There's no doubt the Kiffin move was crazy. He didn't seem to be on anybody's short-list to fill the Carroll void. Hell, he didn't even appear on the radar. Oregon State's coach Mike Riley turned the job down without ever having to say a word. Jack Del Rio had three years left on his contract. And Jeff Fisher, well he was just too comfortable over in good ol' Tennessee. Lucky for USC, Kiffin didn't feel the same.

Kiffin, Orgeron, and Chow

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:34:35 -0800

Dan Woike has reported that Norm Chow is coming back to USC as the offensive coordinator.

Ed Orgeron is already in LA with Brennan Carroll, pounding Red Bulls, securing recruits.

Top WR recruit Kyle Prater plans to enroll on Monday.

Tim Davis is coming back to the O-Line.

***EDITOR'S UPDATE*** UCLA, UCLA fan sites, and an LA Times blog are fervently reporting that no deal has been struck between USC and Norm Chow, but we hear that it was a package deal (O and Chow) originally offered to Gruden, but Gruden wanted to bring on his own coordinators. USC is prepared to pay Chow the money or else the Kiffin announcement (offer) probably would not have been made.

He's Baaaaaaaaaack!!!!

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:41:05 -0800

Scott Wolf and ESPN both reporting Lane Kiffin (and his wife Layla, both pictured above) will return to Southern California so that Lane can assume the role of USC's next head coach.

Details to follow, but one would assume that Monte Kiffin and Ed Orgeron, both on Lane's Tennessee's staff, will join him in returning to Heritage Hall.

Rumormongering: The New Regime Will Include A New AD

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:02:36 -0800

What we've heard from one source (purportedly) close to the program:

Jack Del Rio as the new head coach, bringing Kennedy Pola and Norm Chow with him (no word on Orgeron). And perhaps the bigger story, Garrett to be replaced by Rich McKay, son of USC coaching legend John McKay.

Stay tuned as we try to confirm from other sources. Or just indulge in the hopeful dream of a Garrett-free athletic department with USC fans worldwide.

The Skinny: Updated List of Candidates

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:58:46 -0800

Two to mark off the list:

*Mike Riley: Decided to stay in his hometown and can thank USC for a contract extension taking him through the 2019 season. Oregon State is a great fit for him and he even acknowledges that leaving Oregon State the first time was the worst mistake of his coaching career.

*Jeff Fisher- Fisher loves USC and if the timing was different he might end up at Heritage Hall. However, he is due to make $16 million over the next two years which is quite a bit more than SC can afford. He is also very concerned about coaching with potential NCAA sanctions an not knowing the true direction of the University.

It could still happen as we have not heard him directly say he is not interested but a much better chance exists that he would be the coach 3 to 5 years from now if the new hire doesn’t work out.

Top Tier:
Jack Del Rio- A fairly successful NFL coach who was an All-American player at USC. He is extremely interested in the job and the Jacksonville Jaguars are interested in going in a new direction anyway. He has the same agent as Pete Carroll (Uberstein) and he might be able to work out a deal that saves Jacksonville a little money because they are planning on firing him anyway (15 million) while also working out something with USC.

He is a great defensive coach with a great reputation. He is fiery and would fit in well at the college level. He can be a little rough around the edges and doesn’t have any college coaching experience which scares the USC administration and trustees.

If he gets the job, he would need to be complimented by an Ed Orgeron type recruiter and an experienced college offensive coordinator. He would bring former USC running backs coach Kennedy Pola back to USC.

Jim Harbaugh- His swagger and arrogance at times worries some but that might also be perfect transition after Peter Carroll. He is a great X’s and O’s coach that can recruit nationally. He would also surround himself with a great coaching staff. The major problem here is that Harbaugh now has a significant buy-out at Stanford and he loves Palo Alto and has the job security he wouldn’t have at USC.

Herm Edwards- He has the pedigree that USC likes and would be a top notch recruiter. He is not known as a great X’s and O’s guys and has very limited college experience (2 years at San Jose State in the late 80’s). However, he would be able to put together a solid staff and is well liked in the football world. Would he have the burning desire to put in the time required to consistently be a top 5 team at USC?

*second tier coaching candidates after the jump