|
Can Kiffin Succeed at USC?
Trojan Fans Cautiously Optimistic
Trojan fans are "fighting on," even if they are fighting to accept their new coach.
Commentary by PubClub Columnist "The Bartender," who resides in Los Angeles.
Want to poke fun at a USC Trojans fan?
Get the edge on him (or her)? Put them on the friendly defensive?
These days it's easy. Just go up to him (or her) and say this:
"Lane Kiffin?"
Pause for a second, for effect, then repeat.
"Lake Kiffin? That's the best you could do? Lake Kiffin!?"
This will prompt a shrug, a bit of a forced smile (it's the off-season, remember), and an attempt at a 'rosy" explanation.
"Well," they will say, "he's bringing in a good staff. And his father..."
Ah, yes, the "all star staff." So with that in mind, USC fans are approaching this unusual situation with what could best be described as cautious optimism.
Sure, die-hard Trojans are laughing, figuring the Pete Carroll "glory days" are ready to return. But the majority of fans are putting on a more reserved, but still positive, face. These realists realize Kiffin probably won't be another Pete Carroll but are hoping – praying, even – that Kiffin won't be another Ted Tollner. Or Paul Hackett (mentioning those two coaches is a way to really spook a Trojan).
Behind the scenes, Trojan fans are holding their breath, clinching their teeth, in the hope this will all work out in the end. Ironically, it's very similar to what UCLA Bruin fans did a couple of years ago (and many are still doing) across town when the school hired Rick Neuheisel, hoping he stays out of the NCAA's gunsights. So far so good, by the way.
One thing won't change – the Song Girls are still the Best Cheerleaders.
Things under Kiffin at USC are not exactly off to the best start. Ed Orgeron's contacting UT recruits and asking them to ditch the Vols to become Trojans, as apparently happened, is a classless way to depart a school and speaks volumes about the character of at least one member of Kiffin's staff. Athletic Director Mike Garrett should fire Orgeron immediately. Kiffin, of course, would never do that to his ace hitman.
So how will Kiffin do at USC?
Once the turmoil settles down, quite well initially. He was really hired to secure this year's recruiting class and recruiting is his strength. He's a USC guy. Kiffen was bad fit for UT; wrong coach, wrong place. If Kiffin is to really be able to strut his stuff, USC is the place for him to do it. He has his dad, Monte, as defensive coordinator, and that's a plus for any head coach.
The big question about Kiffin is, can he coach a lick? He showed signs of ability at Tennessee – getting Jonathan Crompton to actually resemble being an effective quarterback was nothing short of amazing – but the team never really flourished or created an identity.
Another question mark has to be his dad. He's 70, and how long is he going to coach? One more year? Two? Certainly not for very much longer. He's already retired once, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before joining his son at UT.
Certainly not to be ignored is how he gets along with USC boosters and program supporters. A lot of them really didn't like him that much the first time around; they thought he was a bit arrogant for not really having accomplished anything and certainly were not happy when his rise eventually led to the departure of Norm Chow. Will Kiffin have patience for them, and will they have patience for Kiffin? This is a huge issue.
With all this in mind here is an educated guess at how Lane Kiffin's tenure at USC will develop (it's unlikely there will be any major NCAA sanctions since there has been nothing to this point):
• He will do pretty good his first year. He catches a break – as if he needs any more of them – because the Trojans are coming off a 9-4 season and the Emerald Bowl of all things, and are short of playmakers on offense. So the expectations are not to make the Rose Bowl. The Emerald Bowl would be acceptable again, San Diego even better. The Las Vegas Bowl, on the other hand, would not sit well with Trojan fans.
• After a somewhat promising start, Kiffin will either sink or swim. And I'm guessing it will be the former. His cocky attitude will start to rub people the wrong way, yearly processions to Pasadena won't be on the horizon and he will eventually wear out his very shaky welcome.
• In Kiffin's third year, Garrett will be shoved out the door. Kiffin will last the season, but the new AD will come along and bring in his own "guy."
• Kiffin will land on his feet. He will be hired by Steve Sarkisian to be Washington's offensive coordinator.
The Bartender covered college football – and many other sports – as a sports writer two daily newspapers. Currently, he writes columns and articles for PubClub.com. He can be reached at bartender@pubclub.com
PubClub.com Home Page
|