Answer Wednesday! (Part 3)
In this segment, I mention how I've heard Pat Haden never considered firing Kevin O'Neill during his suspension last week.
Q: TROJANS32 said:
Scott, at this point I know it's just a wild guess, but take your best shot please. How many games do we lose next football season? Thanx a lot.
A: I think I answered this a couple weeks ago and said three or four games was my over-under. I need to see the team during spring and some of training camp to really make a guess that should count though. But I think the offensive line and depth issues at LB and DL will be the keys.
Q: MRSAM said:
If USC (did) not make the NCAA tournment do you think Kevin O'Neil situation hurt USC chances in the Pacific 10 tournment? Does USC fire Kevin O'Neil?
A: I definitely think USC probably beats Arizona if O'Neill coached the semifinal game. From what I've heard throughout the department, Pat Haden did not seriously consider firing O'Neill even though he kind of left things dangling for one night. He did want O'Neill to return next season, he just wanted to send a strong message on what behavior was unacceptable. I don't really think the players were that distracted by everything that happened but it could see the case that says it didn't help.
Q: One Pete said:
Was Mike Belotti suspended when his wife slapped John Canzano? Who would win in a fight? Mike Belotti's wife or Kevin O'Neill's wife?
A: I'm not enough of an Oregon-phile to remember any slapping incident. I do remember being at a USC-Oregon game where I think she verbally attacked Canzano. For the second question, I'll go with O'Neill's wife.
Q: barney said:
Can you share with us the intricate details of the altercation between Kevin O'Neill and the AZ fan? Bruin folk are claiming knowledge but who could trust a bruin.
A: From talking to various sources, O'Neill ran into the Arizona booster at the J.W. Marriott and they began arguing. O'Neill told the booster where he could go about 10 times and this drew attention and the security guard, who then found himself in an argument with O'Neill's wife. The security guard then asked them to leave and they got into a cab and went home.
Can somebody please translate Scott's last answer into English?
I disagree that O'Neill's presence would have changed the outcome of the Arizona game. I sat next to an NBA player and spoke to an NBA coach at halftime and both said Cantu was doing a great job. The problem with USC is they aren't consistent. They definitely have the talent. In other words, they have a crappy coach in O'Neill. Check on his record. It's pathetic. USC can do much better.
Scott, didn't most accounts say O'Neill's wife hit the Arizona alum?
Well, let's see, USC beat Zona with KO a few weeks prior. Then, they lost a close game to Zona w/ Cantu. Zona shot about 20 more free throw attempts in this game, and Cantu admitted after the game that he had much less influence with the refs than KO would have.
That pretty much answers the question. CAB11's suggestion that we have a "crappy coach" does not reconcile with the fact that USC made the tourney with a 6 man rotation under sanctions. The context suggests that KO's squad overachieved.