Remainders

Q: Do you think, Notre Dame a team, they will be better? What effect with Jon Tenuta have?

A: They can't be worse. The interesting thing is the hiring of Tenuta away from Georgia Tech to be defensive coordinator means that Weis is apparently letting someone else have a certain amount of authority. This is probably a smart idea but sometimes it's hard for a coach to stop micromanaging. So we'll have to see. But I don't think Notre Dame is going to magically get better without some more struggles.

Q: How much have outside demands for political correctness factored in to the reason the USC Song Girls have been so extremely unattractive since the beginning of this decade? If that is the reason for the fall in physical attractiveness, then does that not mean that regardless of whether a change is made in the selection committee, pretty girls will still not be able to make the squad due to issues that are unrelated to who they are but rather what they represent? So if instructions are provided from above to be politically correct, does that not make the selection committee rather powerless to pick pretty girls in order to satisfy a certain image that they are required to present for the Song Girls?

A: I think the selection committee wields considerable power. There's been a few selections in recent years that girls have told me were the result of prior friendships with those who select, or if you choose to believe, just amazing coincidences.

Q: Are you in touch with any old glordy days Song Girls from the 80s and 90s? What is their opinion on the current sad state of the Song Girls? Did the audition process change to become more rigorous? Are they incensed at how the legacy they left have just been completely destroyed? Are they as horrified as we are everytime we look at the sidelines of the Rose Bowl or Galen Center?

A: I have not talked to anyone recently but I think the readers would like to hear from Tricia Pillsbury.

Q: If dancing ability is given as the main reason for how the Song Girls are chosen, then what qualifies Tim Tessalone to serve on the selection committee?

A: He is from the South Bay and graduated in the 1970's. What better qualifications could you ask for?

Q: In regard to your relationship with Petros Papadakis when he was on the team you stated that you only talk to the people who play.
Since Mark Sanchez is now the starter, is it safe to say "Mitch and Me" won't be written by you and will just be passed on to a Daily News intern who covers the backups?

A: We'll see who plays but just in case I'm preparing a novela titled ``Mark y mi''

Q: Scott, after reviewing the Duck Cheerleaders program, it appears evident to me that poor young ladies working hard to represent USC as Song Girls are handicapped by a second rate program. I'm sure the Lady Ducks are partially supported by Nike, but they offer partial scholarships, free tutoring and computer time, complimentary game tickets for family members, etc. Our competition for beautiful spirit talent has much better infrastructure than our SGs. No wonder they can recruit so successfully. Might a component of a comprehensive solution to the SGs crisis be to move the group out of the IM Dept, and into perhaps, the Athletic Dept? The selection process is another disturbing matter, but perhaps these girls are not given the support resources needed for such an important group that represents the "face of the university and our ambassadors of goodwill." Perhaps some more professional administration with booster support, scholarships, etc. might help to improve the recruiting base for the SGs. What are your thoughts on how to improve the SGs, and if a move out of the IM Dept might be a good first step?

A: I do not necessarily want to see the athletic dept. take over, because nepotism is even worse over there. I just want to see a transparent process, where everyone can see what's happening. I think the large group of girls who try out deserve this much and I doubt any of the girls in the squad would mind either.

Q: If USC goes on probation for Mayogate will SC fire Tim Floyd?

A: No. USC has no intention of firing Floyd.

Q: Will USC ever consider having fomrations with three running backs to ultilize the talent at running back?

A: It doesn't really fit the philosophy of Pete Carroll or Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinators would probably welcome a formation that limits options.

Q: UCLA has commitments for the 2009 recruiting class for 2009, but USC has none why does USC start slowly in the recruiting process is because players are not interested in coming here?

A: Don't forget that USC received a commitment from Dwayne Polee Jr. when he was a freshman and point guard Ryan Boatwright as a 13-year-old. If anything, they start pretty fast. But many of their targets for 2009 have not decided yet.

Q: Any thoughts on former USC Basketball commit Malik Story declaring that he'll be attending Indiana in the fall?

A: That sound you heard was a huge sigh of relief because USC now has an extra scholarship and Story was not considered an impact player. This is a perfect example of the dangers of taking early commitments. USC offered Story a couple years ago and made a mistake. But they got out of it.