Well it’s been pretty well documented, but after the dust cleared, two things are clear: USC has a new, replenished, accomplished, and somewhat experienced coaching staff. Lane Kiffin, the ex-head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, and Oakland Raiders (14 months removed) was named USC’s head football coach on Tuesday, filling Pete Carroll’s vacancy.
Kiffin, who brewed quite a storm (riot and hate parade) in Knoxville, also brought his dad, Monte Kiffin, and his D-Line/Recruiting Coach Ed Orgeron from Tennessee. Within a few hours of Lane’s hiring, Shelley Smith from ESPN spread false rumors about current UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow joining the all-star team in Los Angeles. Norm last coached the Trojans in 2005 in their last National Championship run, and they have not won a BCS or AP title since. We all later discovered that Norm Chow was never even contacted until Wednesday. Talk about poor journalism.
Aside from Chow, Kiffin’s Dad, Monte is regarded as one of the premier defensive coaches in the game. Ever since Monte got to Tampa Bay, his coveted Tampa 2, 4-3 Defense has dominated the NFL and had a superb first year at the college level as the Vols, despite losing Nick Reveiz, their starting Middle Linebacker, the defense had a very productive season. USC’s long line of Linebackers will be magnified… again.
Now on to Orgeron, Ed Orgeron was the mastermind of the 2003 and 2004 recruiting classes, crowned, of course, with Reggie Bush. Orgeron quickly jumped to Ole Miss where he mimicked the Pro-Style offense of USC, but failed miserably. Orgeron had a year in the NFL, but soon bolted with Kiffin to Tennessee.
Orgeron and Monte are definite masters of their realms, and will immediately impact USC. There are only a couple of problems:
- Lane Kiffin has twice as many wins as a head coach than NCAA secondary infractions.
- Ed Orgeron openly committed a recruiting violation within minutes of being a USC coach
- Norm Chow isn’t going to USC any time soon
There are easy things to nod at as well
- Everyone doubted Pete Carroll in the beginning of his career
- Kiffin has never inherited this much talent, and has been a promising recruiter everywhere he has been
- Monte is going to hit the PAC 10 in the mouth, even if Lane is calling bogus plays.
There are plenty of question marks, but a lot to be excited about, whether you are a UCLA or a USC fan.
Fully Clips
Go Joe Bruin
Lake Show Life
Lasorda's Lair
Reign of Troy
Rink Royalty
