About Jill Painter

Jill Painter is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles News Group, covering everything from the Dodgers, Lakers, Clippers, USC, UCLA, Kings, golf and all human interest stories in sports.

Injury update

Offensive lineman Khaled Holmes (pinched nerve in neck) will start at right guard on Thursday. Holmes practiced with the first unit, and Lane Kiffin proclaimed him ready. … Abe Markowitz had surgery to repair a fractured foot on Tuesday, and Kiffin said the surgery went well … QB Mitch Mustain and tailback DJ Morgan (knee) are limited … TE Xavier Grimble (ankle) is out.

Posted in Uncategorized

Practice time

USC practiced 3 hours and 10 minutes Friday, so the Trojans have practiced over nine hours in their first three practices. Practices are expected to be shorter when the Trojans don full pads, which is Sunday.

Posted in Uncategorized

Kiffin unconcerned

Lane Kiffin is not concerned about the latest reports that more secondary violations occurred during his tenure at Tennessee.
“Absolutely not at all. There’s no way. I have great confidence in what we did there and that we didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not concerned about it. It’s been going on for eight months,” Kiffin said.

Posted in Uncategorized

Havili held out of practice Friday

Stanley Havili wasn’t around for meetings or practice Friday, and Lane Kiffin said he doesn’t know how long this punishment will last.
“I don’t know yet,” Kiffin said. “We’re still thinking about it. I know it hurts him, and it should. He should be accountable. T.J., who had really finished spring strong after a slow start, put himself in position to compete for a starting spot but was set back a little.”

Posted in Uncategorized

A little more from Cooper

Here’s what USC coach Michael Cooper told Washington reporters about his “(bleep) UCLA” remark. It’s the only public statement he’s made following the expletive he used after USC’s win over UCLA on Sunday, other than the apology letter he sent to UCLA coach Nikki Caldwell.
“My apology statement (to coach Caldwell) will stand to speak for me. It’s said and done. Obviously I’m not proud of it (the comment). My apology has been made, and we’re moving forward.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Cooper reprimanded by the Pac-10

Michael Cooper was publicly reprimanded by the Pac-10 today for his “(bleep) UCLA” comment after Sunday’s victory over UCLA.
“The Pacific-10 Conference expects the highest standards of sportsmanship from all participants,
including coaches. All coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which
will reflect credit on their institution and the Conference, and create a positive environment in
which to conduct competition,” commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement.

Posted in Uncategorized

Sunday blunders

Here’s the column I wrote that talks about Michael Cooper’s use of the f-bomb and Mike Garrett’s personal visit to the UCLA student section. UCLA has yet to comment about the (bleep) UCLA comment.

Posted in Uncategorized