Peter King of Sports Illustrated spoke to NFL scouts about USC quarterback Matt Barkley.

“One thought he was a victim of poor coaching and a deficient offensive line last year.”

That is the key question as USC prepares for spring practice. Will it be offensive coordinator Clay Helton? Passing-game coordinator Tommie Robinson? Running-game coordinator Mike Summers? Head coach Lane Kiffin?

Or maybe assistant head coach Ed Orgeron, who was the defensive coordinator last year when he wasn’t the defensive coordinator?

Alas, it will probably be Kiffin, who is the actual offensive coordinator, even though he is the head coach.

New running backs coach Tommie Robinson is also USC’s “passing game coordinator.” Makes sense.

Photo/John McGillen

USC athletic director Pat Haden gets ready to do the Harlem Shake at the basketball game Sunday. The helmet is a new soundproof prototype to prevent hearing fans’ comments about Lane Kiffin.

USC’s reorganized coaching staff gives the offense six assistant coaches while the lean-and-mean defense is down to three assistants. Not to mention Lane Kiffin is really the offensive coordinator, which gives the offense seven coaches.

That seems an odd balance even if defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is a genius and Ed Orgeron is the best defensive line coach in the world. Maybe this is what Kiffin means when he says he will pay more attention to the entire team instead of just focusing on Matt Barkley and Marqise Lee.

Here is my ballot for the Associated Press college basketball poll:

Continue reading “The Top 25” »

It was a busy weekend at USC. Pat Haden brought a black football helmet over to the student section during the UCLA game and did the Harlem Shake along with J.K. McKay.

Kennedy Polamalu watched the game while his former colleagues were across the street at the McKay Center for Junior Day. And USC received a commitment from defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood, according to Rivals.com.

Former USC assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu at the USC-UCLA basketball game.

A couple NFL scouts said today that wide receiver Robert Woods’ impressive performance at the combine could make him a late-first round selection if he also does well at USC’s Pro Day.

“I didn’t feel as bad knowing we got the split (with UCLA),” USC guard J.T. Terrell said.