Staff Status
New USC coach Kevin O'Neill told the assistant coaches (Phil Johnson, Gib Arnold, Bob Cantu) they will be allowed to return next season. Director of basketball operations Dwayne Polee will also return, which keeps his son, Westchester forward Dwayne Polee Jr., in the fold.
Seems like a new coach would want at least one of his people to be on the staff. Strange that none of Floyd's group had any idea what was going down during Mayo's stay at USC. Think the athletic dept. would be more inclined to clean house for appearances for the ncaa. Especially Johnson who was a trusted friend of Floyd's. What is the status of Rudy Hackett as conditioning coach now that his son is gone from the team?
I would think Hackett would be the one you really want to keep since USC seemed to be one the best in-shape team. Most of the staff is good and to have the opportunity to keep their jobs is a nice jester, but some will probably leave (80-20 rule).
Phil Johnson worked with KO during his 90s Zona stint. I think Cantu and Arnold are great assistants. But, to not clean house may signal that NCAA sanctions will not be severe, perhaps.
Seems like out of necessity that Heritage required Oneill to retain Floyd's staff...
1) They are still in the Trojan Family and therefore the "Cone of Silence" regarding pending investigation
2) The "package deal" whiff of Polee and Hacket Dad's going away is taken off the table
3) Continuity? (I don't think that is a strong as one and two as these guys are used to recruiting with virtually no academic or compliance oversight....which hopefully is now in overdrive.)
What a mess. The only thing missing is Lute and his scorned wife....