WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2013 at 5:44 PM ^

Yes, or they could all go to any other school in the country if they want to.  Never feel bad for people who have tons of great options because they decided to choose one of the bad ones.  

They're not stuck there.  These kids are either at SC because they really want to be, or they won't be when all is said and done.  In either case, I wouldn't feel bad for them.

EGD

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:35 PM ^

Most coaches at big-time programs are older guys who have been around and paid their dues.  Kiffin is kind of a golden boy who has had a lot handed to him at a young age.  Maybe he's just not ready.  He didn't last long in Oakland, booked from Tennessee after one season, and hasn't lit the world on fire at USC.

Fuzzy Dunlop

January 22nd, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^

Maybe I'm out of the loop, and apologies if this is a stupid question, but what's going on at USC that all of these commits are backing out?  Is it just the disappointing season they had, or something bigger?

WolvinLA2

January 22nd, 2013 at 7:57 PM ^

USC was the preseason #1 team, they were coming off a 10-2 season that finished strong, and they have the USC brand so they started the recruiting season on fire.  It looked at that point like SC was back to being SC, which is basically Alabama but in Southern California.  

Then SC lost to every good team they played (plus Arizona), Kiffin made himself look like an ass a few extra times along the way, and they imploded against 6-7 Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl after not even showing up to the Sun Bowl team dinner.  They then lost their NFL DC (who was a big recruiting draw in his own right) and replaced him with a guy from Cal who is pretty good but far less impressive.  

Now they have a coach on the hottest of seats, and a program presumably headed in the opposite direction it appeared to be 365 days ago.  These kids have lots of options, and many of them are choosing to head elsewhere.

WolvinLA2

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:15 PM ^

Swirling is an understatement.  SC alums are really pissed, and some feel that Kiffin was only kept for the recruiting class, which is now falling apart.  Kiffin will have to put together a very good season to keep his job, and that might be tough with a first year starter at QB who didn't look very good in limited time this past fall.  They have talent, but they're very thin at a lot of spots, so injuries might play a huge role for them this fall.