Answer Thursday! (Part 2) | Inside USC with Scott Wolf

In this segment a reader wonders if Steve Sarkisian would return to USC as offensive coordinator if he is fired at Washington.
Q: Tommy Walter
What else does Marqise Lee have to do to be considered a Heisman front-runner?
A: I think he probably is a frontrunner right now. To be considered the frontrunner, USC probably needs to play better, a stunning comment if this were August.

Q: Aris
What kind of impact do you think a disasterous season will have on recruiting (both on the recruits and coaches’ focus)?

Also, I feel the that the body language of the team has made me believe Coach Kiffin leads by fear instead of motivation (which explains the lackluster effort from the offense). That being said, I can see Sarkisian being let go if his team also underachieves. At this point, wouldn’t it make sense bringing him in? I know they get along and I can see Kiffin collaborating with him with an open mind. I know you answered this before but the decision making of Kiffin is getting to me.
A: Recruiting sometimes is aided by losing because the recruits think they will play immediately. That said, I think whether it is affected depends on whether USC finishes strong and if some staff members decide to look for other jobs, which might impact certain positions.
I wouldn’t mind the idea of Sarkisian coming back because he is probably the only person Kiffin trusts to hire as an offensive coordinator. But if he gets fired (and even if he doesn’t) I could see Sarkisian trying to be a head coach somewhere else next season.

Ben Factor

Kiffin is insular, insecure, mentally inflexible, and devotes too much energy to his OC role, and too little to everything else. His team is winning the NC for penalties and fumbling. He has not adapted his offense to Barkley’s regression, just as he has not adapted his second-half play-calling to predictable changes by the opposing defense. These are proof of his insularity and mental inflexibility.

He operates an offense and defense that are too complex for part-time college athletes, who need to practice basic skill sets without the burden of learning so many fine points.

He can’t see the forest for the trees. He needs to change a lot, which is not easy for any of us. But if he doesn’t embrace the process of changing a lot, he needs to be phased out as the sanctions phase out.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Doverz/1423558008 Ben Doverz

Kiffin is a narcissist, he will not change as he thinks nothing is wrong nor his fault.
dtksr1 @dslextreme.com

I like what you say man… the bottom line is “it is he that needs to change” for this program to overcome its reliance on his schemes & playcalling. There is a track-record building that he is so sure of his game-planning that he leaves no room to make adjustments. He sits and watches film of what the previous opponent’s games were and game-plans on that alone. When the opponent switches up, there is no plan B on that play-chart Kiffin is glued to on the sideline. Kiffin has got to lose his ego/selfish determination that shows itself after games when he is explaining why something happened. It is never his fault!

QueenKiff

I don’t see Kiffin bringing in Sark:

A) If the offense improves under Sark, Kiffin won’t be able to stand not receiving the credit. Therefore Kiffin is afraid to share the sideline with him.

B) Washington has an EASY last four games left, meaning Sark will win enough games (8 including the Bowl) to keep his job in Seattle.

C) Sark will only be at SC if he can be the HC, not as a coordinator again.
Dis Gusted

Why would be want Sark back?! He’s just as bad a play caller as Kiffin is. He was on the sideline calling plays with Kiffin during the 2006 Rose Bowl when we ran Lendale up the middle on 4th and 2 wasn’t he?

Both of them are extremely bright football minds, but have moved up the ladder too quickly and their inexperience and arrogance shows. They have no idea how to set up plays and build a rhythm on O. Kiffin has all of these great athletes and thinks it’s a video game – just throw deep. He runs a reverse to Lee last week on 4th and 2 when we hadn’t run a sweep all game?! What is that?