USC Morning Buzz: James Franklin, Chris Petersen, Jack Del Rio . . .

The coaching search is officially underway and USC athletic director Pat Haden intends to interview Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, Boise State coach Chris Petersen and possibly USC coach Ed Orgeron depending on whether talks are successful with the other candidates.
Haden was going to interview Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin before he received a new six-year contract Saturday. Haden already interviewed Denver Broncos assistant Jack Del Rio, who is probably a fallback candidate because he lacks college experience.

20 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: James Franklin, Chris Petersen, Jack Del Rio . . .

  1. Yeah, this is gonna be a hot mess. You could take any top tier coach and they have a 40% chance of being an abject failure at USC. Take a mediocre coach, and they have a 40% chance of becoming a legend.

  2. Well I will believe all of this when I see the appointment book for these contacts. Otherwise the search is already done and the coach will be announced prior to a bowl game.

  3. Scottie: I’m surprised you’re not aware USC interviewed your old buddy Steve Sarkisian over the weekend.

  4. Was hoping to see Art Briles and Mike Gundy in the mix. Hard to argue with what they have accomplished, especially with what they had to work with.

    • Briles signed an 8 year extension w. Baylor – Gundy and Briles like being where they are.

      • Other than a bit more money, neither really has any reason to leave. Both programs are top notch right now and they run the show.

    • That would be a big mistake – Franklin turned Vanderbilt into a winner in the SEC – Sarkisian has yet to do more than be the 3rd best team in the Pac-12 north and has just finished his 4th year

      • To give some credit washington was pretty crappy when he got there and they play oregon and stanford every year.

  5. CBS Radio reported, via Dan Patrick, Petersen is out and Sumlin was already downgraded which prompted his re-up with TX A&M over the weekend – it should be Franklin as Del Rio could be in the playoffs for an extended time and why leave the NFL if you succeed to go down to college – the reverse has always been the pattern.

    Skinny is Haden makes the announcement mid-week (Wednesday)

  6. Whoever is pushing the James Franklin to USC bus is doing an unbelievable job. It must be his agent getting him a raise because he is not coming to USC. How does 11-13 in the SEC over 3 years get you the USC job? How does finishing 4th place in the SEC East for 3 straight years get you the USC job? This is all a smoke screen coming from James Franklin’s camp. It is now known that USC was not interested in Kevin Sumlin. Kevin Sumlin was interested in USC and was looking for a raise. Same thing is happening with James Franklin. Lovie Smith, Jon Gruden, Jeff Fisher, Bill Cowher or Jack Del Rio. Guaranteed.

    • Got news for you – same happened with Chris Petersen and I notice you made no mention of Steve Sarkisian – he has the same wins/losses as Franklin but unlike Franklin WA has past success – Vanderbilt has never had any success. I don’t doubt USC interest in Franklin is being used by Franklin, why wouldn’t he? But it doesn’t mean he won’t be the next coach.

      Schad on ESPN says expect a name by mid-week

  7. The only candidate who will be a difference maker is Hue Jackson.. The rest of of the names being thrown out are average joes

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