USC Morning Buzz: Anyone Looking Over Their Shoulder?

BOATWRIGHT.UCLAWith Pat Haden resigning in June, every coach will feel a little anxiety about their future or getting along with a new boss. Ironically, men’s basketball coach Andy Enfield would have been on the hottest seat prior to his current 18-5 record. Now I hear some people actually worried Enfield might leave for another job. Don’t ever count me in that camp.

The truth is most coaches are replaceable. The notable exception is Pete Carroll. Andy Enfield is an inherently decent person. He is doing a good job this season. He is not Pete Carroll.

Now here is one reason I would not be worried if he departed for a bigger job. When USC conducted its last search, it looked like long-time Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins would get the job. Hopkins told Haden he would hire former Syracuse players Tony Bland and Jason Hart, both from Southern California, as his assistants.

Haden instead went for Enfield. But he ordered Enfield to hire Bland and Hart. Hey, maybe Haden did something right! Although Hopkins probably feels used. Bottom line: A good coaching staff often means more than the head coach. It’s something football forgets repeatedly.

 

 

73 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Anyone Looking Over Their Shoulder?

  1. Andy Enfield has done the job he was expected to do when he was hired, but I don’t think he’s a hot commodity, just yet . But the Basketball program should be more concerned about losing assistant coach, Tony Bland , more so then Enfield, because his straw stirs the drink just as much as the head coach. And Bland is the one who’s salary was recently bumped up by being elevated to Associate Head Coach. So if Enfield leaves anytime soon, we already have our coach in waiting, and the program won’t miss a beat .

      • Yes, but where would he go?….. there are many quality players here to pick from in SoCal….the quality of life, the weather, the pay, etc. would be tough to beat…….Kansas?….. Duke?….. I just don’t see any of the top 15 teams hiring him…

        • UNLV if they don’t get Pitino. UNLV has several McDonald’s All Americans on its roster.

          • Maybe, but a strong run in the tourney should attract a McDonald’s All American or two….and I’m not so sure that Petrino isn’t considered damaged goods after his recent debacle at Louisville…. not too many AD’s would want to take the chance…..

          • UNLV is UNLV. The director of basketball operations there now is the daughter of the former assistant coach and AD who recruited Loyd Daniels to UNLV. So yeah, they don’t care about Pitino and hookers.

        • Exactly, because Enfield needs to put in some time, in order for the top programs to hire him. UCLA hired Stev Alford out of desperation, because he was their 3rd choice.

        • He might be a candidate at Louisville if Pitino takes the fall for their probation. Also they say the coaches at TCU and Minnesota are on the hot seat.

          • I can understand Louisville, but TCU?….would that really be considered a better job than USC, or simply a lateral move?….. and why would anyone want to move TO Minnesota from California?

          • Lute Olson moved from Long Beach State to Iowa…With TCU it might be a matter of big bucks alums luring him away.

          • Lute Olson will always have special place in my heart as he coached basketball my high school in the mid to late 60’s…… Marina High School…

          • Very true, but it would have been extremely difficult for him to have displaced USC legend Bob Boyd. From Wiki-Pedia:

            Boyd embarked on a 13-year career (1967–79) as head coach of the USC basketball team. Boyd’s teams went 216-131 overall and played in the post-season four times (the 1979 NCAA playoffs, 1973 NIT and 1974 and 1975 Commissioner’s Conference tourney). Boyd’s 1971 team, which went 24-2 and was ranked fifth in the nation (USC was ranked first at midseason), is regarded among USC’s best (Boyd also won 24 games in 1974). Boyd’s wins over UCLA in 1969 and 1970 were the UCLA’s first losses in Pauley Pavilion, built in 1966. Boyd was twice named the conference Coach of the Year. Boyd sent ten players into the NBA, including Paul Westphal and Gus Williams.

    • I agree that Bland would be more than capable of being a effective head coach…..

    • USC should not make a desperate move like when the football program fired a National Champion like Lane Kiffin.

    • Fred, your horrible comments during the live chat really surprised me. I thought better of, I guess your a Bruin in Trojans skirts.

  2. Probably every coach will be looking over their shoulder until the new AD puts them to rest that they are leaving or staying. Just hope it is someone that can actually do the work and make a solid decision.

    • I’m a huge fan of Haden too. It will likely be very hard to fill his giant shoes. Size 16 is what I have heard.

    • Why did you comment so harshly on the Trojans during that live chat steveg? Are you a Bruin?

    • You are never replaceable. I watch your every comment and hang onto every word. A master of the English language and a real Trojan fan for life. You are what every woman should be.

    • There has to be someone younger and cheaper and fresh out journalism school that could do Scott’s job. Maybe Scott’s co-host is available.

  3. Enfield might leave for a higher profile basketball job in the future. Probably not hti year but after another good year. USC is just not a basketball school as football is the big priority. If he could get a job at ahigher profile basketball school he would be foolish not to take it.

    • Where would he go? Most of the high profile jobs are already filled. I think going to the Sweet 16, or even the Elite Eight, would change the perception of USC NOT being a basketball school (see Oklahoma and Texas)… sustained success would obviously be required… and look at how far some of traditionally high profile schools have fallen (UCLA, Syracuse, UNLV, Georgetown, Connecticut, etc…).. There’s no pressure at USC, so why would be make a switch? Ego?

      • I hate to say it, but since Enfield really doesn’t have previous ties to USC, would he dare jump across town if the money was right? He’s finally turned the basketball program around after years of futility. I’m hoping we can keep him and Tony Bland around for a long time.

        • If Enfield were to make a move, I would be absolutely shocked if it would be across town…..but, if the money is right, one never knows…

        • I hope that you’re wrong, but you may be right…..and there’s nothing wrong with being the next Gonzaga or St. Mary’s, but even Michigan State, Ohio State, LSU and Miami, FL have recently managed to successfully balance having a great football program, with having a better than average basketball team….

          • I have a hard time understanding why a school cannot be a power in both at the same time. Like the programs at Duke, football is coming on strong.

  4. The key phrase in your post is Haden ordering Enfield to hire two specific assistants.

    That’s just more evidence of a meddling/micro – managing AD, never a good thing.

    Would anyone here want to work for a boss (in any field, not just athletics) who tells you who you have to hire for your staff?

  5. What a hater. Already trying run Andy out. It’s funny that you respect Pete now after you tried to run him out with that silly “Ceaser ” name you called him.

  6. LOL, Enfield goes from probably being canned if he had another bad season to looking for a new gig, hilarious.

  7. hopefully USC BB won’t make the same mistake the football program did and firing a national champion like Lane Kiffin.

  8. The truth really is most coaches are replaceable. So if you get one that is a good fit and starting to be successful you better try to keep him/her. Keeping a good staff together is the job of the head coach with support from the AD, ($$$$).

  9. Its good to know bloggers like Rah Rah who comment hundreds of times every day is hear to really support USC. Its dedicated fans that spend there entire day commenting on these articles that give us great words of wisdom. I don’t know how you do it with no job and no life. My hats are off to you USC Rah Rah.

  10. Let’s see Enfield make a few tournament runs before we worry about him looking elsewhere….I realize you have to think of something to write until spring football but let’s just sit back and enjoy a decent SC basketball team for once.

  11. A lot of this comes down to if Haden has a say in his replacement. With the way Nikias feels about him I think the answer is yes. That could spell more misfortune around here… This so-called search being done by a firm, having no experience in AD candidacy sounds like a political smokescreen?

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