Open Forum

About the NCAA sanctions against SC. Did the NCAA allege that any one other than McNair knew about Reggie's dealings with Loyd and company? If they did not, why such severe sanctions? If they did allege that others knew, who did they accuse of knowing and not reporting this to the University. Seems if only one person knew of the Reggie's deal I do not understand how they came to the conclusion that this situation is an example of lack of institutional control.

If they do not come down hard on Ohio St I will be more than surprised. That seems like a classic example of lack of control when the head coach is involved

I seem to recall a few years back that most southern cal fans were happy to see Lane take the Raider's job.

how many losses will it take before they turn on Lane again?

Scott,

USC is a mental no show for 3 out of their last 4 trips to the tournament, and their best players (Young, Mayo, Gibson, Derozan, Hackett) leave school early. Leaving the roster in a constant state of flux. Is there any hope that USC could one day become good in basketball? Talk me down from the ledge.

I hope you get AIDS, Miguelito. Go back to BROback...

I know I'm being a pest about Swim With Mike but...practice is scheduled for 10:30. Will I be able to each my $15 lunch on the artificial turf and watch the end of practice?

Could you explain what the team means by defensive players taking positions called things like the "Sam," "Mike," "Will" and "elephant" and how those names came about? Thanks.

Mr. Wolf, I have a multi-part question, will the NCAA reduce some of the sanctions based on the drama at Ohio St & Oregon? Second, if the sanctions remain the same, would USC consider suing the NCAA or will they wait to take action depending on the outcome at both Ohio St and Oregon? I find it hard that Ohio St will not get hit hard considering that Coach Pearl was fired at Tenn for lying to the NCAA re: recruiting and Coach Tressel knew about the allegations prior to the start of the season and then lied to the NCAA. Not to mention that Pryor and the other 4 members were allowed to participate in the Sugar Bowl but that falls more on the NCAA than Ohio St.

Hello Scott Wolf.

Do you have any updates on Delvon Simmons since he got his release? Thanks for the forum.

Scott:
Why is it your reporting is so incomplete? Is everything that happened in the past two days of spring practice horrible? Why is it you feel compelled in recent months only to report on the negatives or embarrassing side of USC sports programs? I am assuming that there are positive aspects as well as negative. This really hurts your credibility. I don't want you to pander, but I also don't want you to just write hit pieces day after day.

Frankly, between this characteristic of your writing and your encouragement of the infantile debates of USC and UCLA "fans", I haven't bothered to post on your blog in a long time.

I am guessing you won't respond to this... if so, that will be quite telling.

I've always wondered this, but when players injure themselves at games or practices and needs medical attention who gets the medical bill?

Scott, what's up with all the pop up sh!t? Come on, you're better than that. Aren't you?

Which area of the team is of the greatest concern to you: linebackers, offensive line or running backs?

It appears that the NCAA actually found that Tim Floyd did nothing wrong while at USC. So do you think that there is regret within the Athletic Dept over his leaving. Especially given the success Arizona had with players that were originally heading to USC to play for Floyd. If he had stayed and they had come, where do you think SC would have finished in Pac-10 and the NCAA this year?

Scott, would you rate the following from 1-4, 1 being best, and 4 being worst, on the following four coaches, based solely on their ability to develop players, and have the players learn from coaching?
The four coaches to be ranked from 1-4 in order are
Hackett
Tollner
Smith
Kiffin
Thanx for your rankings, and I am especially interested where you rank Kiffin in that group, based on what he has shown so far. Thank you very much.

If Lane Kiffin is suspended by the NCAA's Committee on Infractions after the June hearing, who would run the team in his absence?

with all this talk about spring ball, wolfman, tell us about your preparations for the season. how do you keep your fingers in shape for banging out those sugar sweeeet scooops? fingertip pushups? or do you stick your hands down into barrels of rice?

also, how do you keep your mind so sharp? Sudoku? playing Jedi Mind Tricks on the Agin' Cajun? thanks as always for the top blog in sports, wolfman!!

AUUUUUU-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Hi Scotty,

How's that "Caesar or Charlie" forum working out for you?

I know it's early, but if you had to take one, who do you think will be the starter at QB when Barkley leaves either after the year or next?

If you were the AD at USC, how long would you give Kiffin to get the ship righted?

Would you say that Mr O'Neill is on a very, very short leash from here on out ?

Wolfie, four-part related question: a) did you see the Baby QB at practice? b)What does he do there? c) Is he aware that you refer to him as the Baby QB? d) Is DreaMMaker Steve Clarkson allowed to attend practice?

Scott, what do you make of the new NCAA president offering to help create a division 1 football playoff format when up to now the college presidents have shown a united front in rejecting that possibility? What seems to be cracking here? Is there a fear Congress is going to actually follow thru with their threat to force major changes in college athletics?

Scott, what advantages does Kiff see in the early morning workouts?
Scott, just trying to be helpful--someone asked if you would give us an update as to why Thomas and Grimble, the tight end, de-committed, and I think the question was missed. I'd like to know too just what info is available. Is Kiff at fault for not letting Thomas play running back and for asking Grimble to play on the OL, or was something else the main reason? Thanx very very much for your time on the forums.

Cody Gifford is loudly criticized by Ed Orgeron on the practice field in front of the entire football team and media. Kathie Lee Gifford hears about this and gets on the first plane from the East Coast to Los Angeles. Frank Gifford does not know anything about this as he's taking his daily afternoon nap in preparation for the early bird special at Denny's. Kathie Lee storms on to the practice field and confronts Orgeron. A fight breaks out. Who wins and whose side does Regis Philbin, the son of Notre Dame, take when discussing the incident on the next morning's broadcast of Live with Regis and Kelly?

wolfman, i know there is a one question limit, but the first "-Gate" of the season creates extenuating circumstances!!

wolfman: what is the mood at practice following Hammy-Gate?? with Tyler throwing the coaches under the bus, are other players siding with Tyler, or mad at him for blaming the coaches for his own carelessness??

Hammy-Gate is exploding on the internets, wolfman!! your coverage thus far has been stellar but what are the players saying??? give us some more sweeeeeet scooops!!!

Wolfie,
Any word yet from the Pac-12 as to how the Mens Basketball Tournament will be set up with two additional participants next year? Top four teams with first round byes or possibly first and second round byes for the top teams (like they did for the women this season).
Thanks.

Scott, I thought about the next question for over a week, I have surprised myself and want to talk basketball (YUK). If I were Kevin O'Neill today, I would park myself in the chair facing the "fair Haired" one in his AD office and speak very candidly. I would say, I am no longer going to recruit players who think they are Kobe, Carmello or OJ, anymore. Let the other idiots recruit them and develope ulcers. So don't expect to see it happening while I am here. I am going to search this State over with a fine-tooth comb and find hard working over achieving team players playing all the positions, who are the glues to their teams. As I begin this new plan, we can expect mediocre seasons for maybe the next 2 years while I develope this "same" team. I will not have to deal with the one-year wonders and thus keep having to start from scratch every new season in team bonding/play. When my program starts to rise in wins, then I may start recruiting a few top players with a warning before they sign, if you are planning on bolting after your freshman-sophomore year and I find out about it, I will sit you down the rest of the season a screw your chances of becoming a top pick. Our top priority is the team first in building it, consistently and I expect to see you, as others I bring in, as juniors & seniors taking this program up to the next level and deeper in the NCAA championship playoffs. We are going to become Butlers, VCUs, Gonzagas in the PAC 12. If we don't, we will keep spining our wheels and I will eventually be replaced. I wouldn't like that, so I am going to take ownership of this program, I am driving the bus and asking for your support? Now Scott, does O'Niell have the gutts to go do this? If you don't know, then ask him please.

Even though SC can't really practice the way they want to right now because of injuries, do you expect this to be a factor in the team growing and improving or should they be fine and ready when August comes around?

Given you posts about Mike Garrett, have you thought about writing a book about his tenure as AD? It may turn out to be one of the top comedy books of all time. I'll even give you a title, " Reign of tERROR"