USC Hires Western Kentucky Offensive Line Coach Mike Summers

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The news was originally reported by offensive lineman Zach Banner via twitter, who then deleted it, no doubt after some form of rebuke from USC.

Summers was at Kentucky before going to Western Kentucky when Bob Petrino got hired. This means offensive line coach James Cregg moves to tight ends.

Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Pat Hill was offered the job but turned it down, according to sources.

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  • Ben Factor

    Why would Pat Hill leave a successful NFL team for the USC job?
    I don’t care what Hill’s title would be–Lane Kiffin would not just give him the keys to the offense and back away. Kiffin is in his “win or else” year. I doubt that Haden would be signing a long-term deal with anyone who weren’t massively over-qualified. In addition, Alabama might hire Hill? A bit more stable, don’t you think?

    Now, when I read that Summers was hired, it made sense. He knows Tee Martin, it’s a jump back up from Western Kentucky to the big-time, he probably received a nice salary increase, etc.

    It sounds like a good hire for USC as well.

    Pendergast, Summers. Good for Lane Kiffin. Doing well in the realm of the possible.

    Now, Kiff, add a strong offensive mind as your collaborator, and I’ll be sincerely impressed.

    • Golden Trojan

      Ben I support your view 150%.

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

      Are you high or just a rah rah sunshine pumper ?

      When Lanie was hired, he promised the best staff in college football. Is this the best staff in college football? Has he ever had the best staff in college football ?

      • Ben Factor

        Sunshine pumper…I like that. We used to say “high on sunshine.”

        Ben D, I’m thought of more as the prince of darkness. My negative views and psychopathological critiques of Le Kiff litter this blog and others.

        My point is that the fairly high chance of a regime change makes it impossible to hire the best people. He might have attracted a great new staff–this time, last year.

        Therefore, it’s irrelevant what he promised. Plus, he’s not the Honest Abe of college coaches, to borrow on the theme of the week.

        I think he did OK with Pendergast and Summers–given the hole that he dug for himself in 2012. It’s Wed. night, and it now looks as though he will NOT hire a strong offensive collaborator. IMHO, not so smart (in fairness, maybe I’m underestimating Helton, or Helton and Martin). Which makes it more likely that you’ll get your wish, and not have him to kick around in 2014.

        We’ll see how it plays out. That’s as bright as I can pump it tonight. :)

  • dtksr1 @dslextreme.com

    Summers resume looks like he knows about blocking schemes. He will probably be working with some of the best talent he ever coached. Hopefully this combination will produce good results.

    • gotroy22

      Some resume, Kentucky was ranked 114th in offense with a paltry
      315 yards per game and their running attack amassed 138 per game. They finished with a 2-10 record.

      • CheattheSystem

        It’s a good thing he was not at Kentucky then!

        He coached at Western Kentucky! Antonio Andrews rushed for over 1700 yds! It’s a decent pick up for USC–we need someone who is going to go to battle with these kids! The college game feeds off emotion just as much as ability, which is why teams with less talent can hang with us–we pLAy without Emotion.

        • TrojanFamily

          Except he was only at WKU for a month after the season, when they hired Bobby Petrino.

          • CheattheSystem

            True – I saw that after…

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

          Decent ? That’s what USC gets for a coach these days, decent ?

        • gotroy22

          When Mike coached at Kentucky in 2011 they averaged 259 yards it total offense per game and 3.5 yards per rushing attempt.

  • steveg

    Sources? There is that word again. What does it mean? Welcome aboard coach Summers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rick.loomis.9 Rick Loomis

    Doesn’t look like Kiffin will hire an OC to call plays, and I didn’t expect it. I’m no fan of Kiffin as a HC, and last year’s play calling had a lot to be desired, but who could he hire now this late who would be better than him? I wouldn’t be surprised if he gives more responsibility to Martin, like Carroll did with Kiffin and Sark. And since Kiffin knows he’s on the hot seat, why would he trust someone new when it’s his head on the block?

    • Ben Factor

      I wish he would collaborate with someone talented. “Sources” said he only asked for “down and distance” last year from the press box.

      It’s not that he has zero to contribute to offense, but it certainly looks as thought he could use a collaborator to bring additional perspective, and provide him more time for broader HC tasks. If he wants to cool that hot seat, he needs to make sure that ALL aspects of play improve, not just the plays that are called.

  • Bill

    Who cares what a 5-star bench warmer thinks? Face it, Lame Kitten won’t hire anyone good enough to replace him half way through the season. It is amazing that so many coaches turn down coaching at SuC when it is supposed to be this great place!

    • TrojanFamily

      Troll alert.

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

    I guess the guy from Middle New Mexico State at Tucumcari wasn’t available

    • betomas

      Actually, the guy from the Prairie View A & M was a notch above the Middle NM St. guy, but he decided to forgo a move to L.A. because he couldn’t “bring (his) Texas animals with (him).”

  • betomas

    Dude!! Do Haden or Kiff have any respect or authority over the players? How many times have we read stories where players are spilling the beans or making inappropriate comments over Twitter?
    Ridiculous. It is telling that players fear no repercussions for their online actions. Although this was minor compared to recent tweets.

  • betomas

    Dude!! Do Haden or Kiff have any respect or authority over the players? How many times have we read stories where players are spilling the beans or making inappropriate comments over Twitter?
    Ridiculous. It is telling that players fear no repercussions for their online actions. Although this was minor compared to recent tweets.