LOS ANGELES — Lane Kiffin could have bemoaned yet another ugly twist in his rather unusual coaching career when the NCAA hammered Southern California's storied football program with heavy sanctions just a few months after he returned.
Instead, Kiffin and his staff went to work on a detailed plan to keep the Trojans competitive while they ride out a half-decade of restrictions and bans.
Nearly two seasons in, the plan appears to be holding USC together.
Although USC has been hobbled and humbled by a bowl ban that ends this winter and scholarship restrictions that haven't even started, the 20th-ranked Trojans are fighting on. They don't flatten opponents with their accustomed flair or ferocity, yet they're still off to a 6-1 start heading into their showdown Saturday against No. 4 Stanford.
"I think we feel that mojo, that swagger that we need to have on both sides of the ball," said quarterback Matt Barkley, who has passed for 2,006 yards and 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions. "We've felt it on offense before this year, but as a team, that full team aspect of having that swagger is back."
After an early season run that included several unimpressive wins and one blowout loss at Arizona State, USC got its groove back last weekend in the biggest victory in Kiffin's tenure, winning 31-17 at Notre Dame in a prime-time matchup that was tremendously hyped in South Bend. Kiffin's favorite part of that comfortable victory was a bit hidden.
"What Trojan fans should be excited about, we went into South Bend and played 45 initial scholarship players in that game," Kiffin said, deliberately excluding a few walk-ons who have earned scholarships in the past two years. "And so I think everybody's concern is what's coming (with) the (scholarship) reductions, and we're already getting practice at it. So it's good to see that we can perform at a high level with those types of numbers, and we've been dealing with that for two years already."
Indeed, the Trojans realize they're about to get caught up in an ugly numbers game: USC will be able to award just 15 scholarships per season in each of the next three recruiting classes, with just 75 total scholarship players on its roster. Other schools can sign 25 players and have 85 total scholarships.
Kiffin and recruiting guru Ed Orgeron have a plan, however: Using their skill as two of the nation's top recruiters, they signed a bumper crop of talent in each of the last two offseasons, and then redshirted a good portion of it. USC can sign a handful of midyear enrollees this winter, but the Trojans realize a major run of recruiting mistakes, academic problems or transfers could leave them with distressing depth problems.
Kiffin is concerned, but not frightened — and he's particularly encouraged by this season.
"If you look at a team that's 6-1, none of those teams (with similar records) are playing with free agency having happened to them, and reductions and stuff," Kiffin said. "I just think it's good for our fans. I've read so many things over the years about how bad it's going to get and how bad it's going to be, and to come and play like that with that few players is very good to see."
The Trojans have stopped fighting the sanctions that arose from misdeeds surrounding Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Reggie Bush under the watch of former coach Pete Carroll and athletic director Mike Garrett. Under new school president Max Nikias and squeaky-clean new athletic director Pat Haden, USC decided not to sue the NCAA after its appeal was denied earlier this year, electing to ride out the punishment.
While the bowl ban was a disappointment for a team that finished 8-5 last year and already has enough wins to qualify this fall, Kiffin was more disappointed by the NCAA's decision to allow players to leave USC without any loss or delay in eligibility, saying it amounted to "free agency." The Trojans' depth was hurt by a handful of defections, but relatively few players exercised the option to leave.
Sure, the Trojans don't frighten opponents the way they did when Bush, Matt Leinart, Troy Polamalu and their teammates led them to seven straight Pac-10 titles and two national championships. They haven't beaten an opponent by more than 21 points this season, with most of their games still close in the final minutes, while Stanford hasn't won by fewer than 25 points in its last 10 games.
Yet the Trojans are still stocked with talent that came to USC and stayed despite the sanctions. Barkley says he never considered leaving, even stepping into a role as the players' unofficial spokesman during the struggles, while star receiver Robert Woods didn't waver on his lifelong dream to play at USC. Talented freshmen such as receiver Marqise Lee and starting linebackers Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard declined overtures from the likes of Oregon, UCLA and schools across the country, sticking with Kiffin and the Trojans.
"This is always where I wanted to be," said Woods, who has 72 catches for 908 yards and eight touchdowns. "We want to get SC back to where it was. This is a great school, and we want to get that reputation back that the football team had before."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 73
mountainbrook writes:
If Monte Kiffin knew how to defend the college game they would be undefeated. As it is, his USC defense is statistically one of the worst.
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
Didn't and won't read the article. Just a question. Didn't KNS agree to stop posting Kiffin garbage on this site? Maybe it was just that the fans wanted them to. Hey KNS- that ain't changed. NOBODY gives a phooey(did it for you KNS) about the California Weasel or what he's doing. NOBODY! GO VOLS!
VOODOOley-2011 (Inactive) writes:
Does someone at the KNS have a "Man-Crush" on Kiffin or something?
1. We don't care about Lane Kiffin.
2. We Really, Really don't care about Lane Kiffin.
3. quit putting articles in the KNS about Lane Kiffin.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Free Layla Kiffin!!
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Little Lane is a hottie! We gonna have another son and name him Los Angeles Kiffin. Pronounce the Los as, uh, Lose...we gonna call him Loser for short
sol_way writes:
be interesting to see how Kiff and Ed O s recruiting plan plays out the next few years. it will be very tuff to keep winning with that many scholarship reductions.
CarlChilders writes:
Hey, y'all. Don't you know KNS gets the same thrill out of these kind of stories as the trolls do? If you feed them, they will continue.
madrigal writes:
KNS, PLEASE stop publishing stories about L*** K*****!!!
Nothing he does has any possible import as long as UT doesn't play USC. Whoever puts this garbage in the paper is nothing but a journalistic troll.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
And I'm sure that any 'elite' talent he currently has will be all the more likely to exit for the NFL early knowing the difficult seasons ahead... leaving him with even more depth issues.
Colliervol writes:
No different than what he's always done. His entire career is nothing but a "Three Card Monty", deceiving recruits, parents and the places he's worked. And the KNS drags this junk out like they do with Fulmer and Majors articles. Journalistic laziness.
TheSmokyMountainThatRides writes:
ya know what really sucks? everyone is opening this to post that we don't care bout this phooey. however the morons running this site view it as if we don't care, why are so many opening the article. hey idiots running this web site: NO ONE CARES BOUT THAT PIECE OF phooey. I ONLY OPENED THIS ARTICLE TO POST THIS. I READ NOTHING OF IT.
TheSmokyMountainThatRides writes:
phooey? really? phooey? i typed c-r-a-p
MurfVol77 writes:
I have one question...what audience did kns think they were trying to reach with this article? I truly wish I could be bad what I do and still get paid...
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
You got to admit that 100% of our swagger got on that plane with Lane and disappeared 22 months ago. Perhaps it will show back up tomorrow night?
BigBadVol writes:
I'm sorry did I miss something? I wonder if USC's website is continually posting things about Coach Dooley? I know, what a dumb statement. I'm just pointing out how dumb it is for KNS to continually post articles about Kiffin. Nobody around he cares. Get it? I doubt it.
RomanRoomRedux (Inactive) writes:
Kiffin, for all his flaws, could and can coach. Unlike Dooley, who's totally lost. Another embarrassing loss coming.
stratocaster54 writes:
Who is Lane Kiffin and what does he have to do with the University of South Carolina?
BlakeyWakey writes:
WOW! another Lane Kiffin story... why can't we just shut up about this man.. it will be 2052 and we will still be talking about Lane Kiffin on here.. Anyone else tired of hearing about Lane Kiffin... he was here for like 30 seconds???
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say Kiffen will be remembered as the First step in turning around a floundering program from a "dated" coach with no ambition...hehe
Bones never lie.
*Witch Doctor not write the history books.....
orangeJACKET writes:
100% in agreement. these fools think that they are so cutting edge. that they run an impartial site. they're so impartial that they named this p.o.s. govolsxtra. i haven't discussed or even thought of lane kiffin and that geriatric poser of a defensive coordinator since they left. yet this site always seems to come up with some useless info on him. fools.
AirForceLawVol writes:
I didn't read the story, but wanted to echo the comments here. Lane Kiffin isn't the coach at UT anymore and has nothing to do with UT. I'd rather read about Smokey's dietary regimen than Lane Kiffin.
SummittsCourt writes:
really, what idiot decided to post this dumb article on this website. Fire that person!
TheSmokyMountainThatRides writes:
what swagger? you mean the absolute beating we took at the hands of va tech? or the (according to many recruiting experts) #1 overratted recruiting class which was full of criminals? or how bout the dad who took the greatest cover saftey in the sec's history and made him into a glorified linebacker. oh i know. it was his lack of knowledge of the volunteer history. no? how bout his illiterate monkey orgeron? or the womanizing that was rumored all around town. or just the unbelievable amount of cheating that went on for such a short amount of time that he was here. God i miss that swagger.
arkyvol writes:
ironically, kiffen may turn out to be the only coach the village idiot ever hired who was worth a damn.
West10VolNHouston writes:
You guys wonder why they keep posting articles about Lane Kiffen and USC? Because he is such as lightning rod of conversation for most Vol fans! For the record, I don't hate USC, I don't hate Lane Kiffen, and I am not surprised that he left. Matter of fact, the second it was announced that Pete Carrol was leaving USC the first thing that came to mind was I hope they don't offer Kiffen the job! People won't admit it, but the reason they were so upset is because they thought he was going to turn the program around! Why else would there have been the ridiculous reactions that took place immediately after he announced he was leaving? Setting things ablaze in the streets of Knoxville? Death threats? Really? He took his "dream job" and what man in his right mind in his chosen profession would turn that down? Get over it people! Time to start seeing things through the windshield and not the rearview mirror!
TheSmokyMountainThatRides writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
KenRan (Inactive) writes:
Man...Kiffin is 6-1 and UT is what? Don't be upset Vol Nation...your better off without the Kiffin clan.
West10VolNHouston writes:
Hey, the only person who definitively knows is Kiffen. Would I be surprised if it did happen? No. Especially after the way fans reacted immediately after the announcement! Did Florida fans react the same way towards the best coach in the history of their program who was an alum when he left? No. Certainly they weren't happy, but I don't recall them burning things in the streets either! Regardless what you "think he made up" you cannot deny the reactions of the fan base were way over the top and unwarranted. Hopefully you are not trying to justify that b.s. sir! Go Vols!
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
I agree with Witchy...we had an old coach who was never ever ever going to win another NC. Since our goal is to win NC's, we first had to part ways with him. Kiffin was step 1 of that process. For better, or worse, he created interest and got us back on the national radar with his recruiting. He has swagger and that does attract the talent. Now in phase 2, Coach Dooley brings his strengths to the table. He will run an extremely clean program. He is very intelligent. Coaching is in his blood. Will that produce a winner? Only time will tell. But the two together have helped to move us past the point of complacency that we had reached under Coach Fulmer.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
I don't know that we have a single senior who will even be drafted...perhaps the DT from Southern Cal...Jackson, I think? Maybe I'm forgetting someone?
But we have a boatload of Sophomores who are going to be playing on Sunday someday...starting with a strong armed quarterback.
JWilly writes:
Although I was glad to see ND lose, USC fans need to remember that ND was on the 1 yard line ready to score the tying TD when an unforced error gave USC a very fortunate TD. The potential TD would have totally shifted the momentum to ND and that game woud have been a very different story. I know...if a bullfrog had wings... but the point is, I believe Lame's team is still a not very good team that will get exposed. Not that there is much joy in that.
AllVol311 writes:
WHY IN THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS ARE THEY STILL POSTING JUNK ABOUT HIM!! I ASSURE YOU NO ONE IN KNOXVILLE CARES!
pastor_VOLSfan writes:
Posted under Former Vols. Bull. Never was a Vol and never will be.
Orange_Pants_Buy_One_Get_One_Free writes:
Kiffin could count to eleven. He knew when to punt or go for it. He knew when to call time out. He couldn't beat UF either. Keep Dooley!
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
If it would make everyone happy, I guess we could hire Saban. His statue has wheels on the bottom. He can attach it to the trailer hitch on his '97 Dodge and pull it on up to KnoxVegas
budd#207344 writes:
KNS, thanks for the stories about our former coach. Keep them coming. Good to read about a winning program even with restrictions instead of a "fragile" team of bamboo that doesn't know how to properly shower.
wigmeister writes:
Really! Who cares!!
lemeshousomthen writes:
what u expect.. ur still all 4 and 5 stars.. ur in california for crying out loud.. u get the pick of the litter in one of the top 3 states...cmon mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
orangeman1 writes:
You have to be joking. If by first step, you mean first step back then that would be right. Also Witch DR needs to stick with defending the coach we have now instead of still trying to tear down a UT legend.
lemeshousomthen writes:
and the fact that alot of them dont wanna be way down south to play sec ball gives him another advantage..we dont give a rats arse about him or usc..if he could coach..wouldnt he be ranked .especially in his conference with all the stars hes got..so it aint him keep jack together.. its the kids that only know usc..and dont wanna leave home..so they go to the elite school close to home.. please believe it they were near. the recruiting would be spreaded differently..so stop giving that bum credit when its the way the kids have been groomed to love by their family friends and all they see on saturdays..keep kiffin in cali..not on here ..d@mmit mannnnnnnnnnnnnn
orangeman1 writes:
I hate that UT football has been so disappointing to you all but 1 of the last 60 years. Maybe if you wouldve lowered your expectations of Fulmer the way you lowered them for the next 2 coaches you wouldnt feel such animosity towards the best coach at UT in most our lifetimes. And if being complacent will win you the SEC East, finish top 15 with 10 wins like Fulmer did less than a year before he was fired and have a top 10 recruiting class ready to sign then I would take complacent over losing 6/7 games a year anyday.
orangeman1 writes:
Actually the reason so many people got so upset/shocked was because they bought his bull and defended him even when what he was doing was wrong just because his name wasnt Fulmer. They HOPED he would bring UT back to winning championships, but all he did was lose 6 games with alot of NFL talent, get UT under NCAA investigation, and recruit a bunch of players that werent cut out for college.
vols2#227315 writes:
If Kiffin and his gang had not left for his home town, Ut would be playing for the SEC championship this year.
lemeshousomthen writes:
florida didnt have to react to him leaving..talent along with coaching makes a team.. florida/spurrier..south carolina /spurrier..florida still keeps the talent it showed when he left.. they kept winning..under a totally different coaching style..they were run and gun..then teBOY and his lover went a different way.. id like to know more on this one.. if u will
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Hey, I love Phil and everything he did for UT. I vote to build a statue of him and put it out in front of Section T, uh S & T, uh, maybe R, S & T. You get the idea. But what he said about Johnny was exactly correct. After 12-14 years, or whatever, it is time for a change. That was true when Phil took over from Johnny. And it was true when Lane took over for Phil. And it was true when Jeff Fisher stepped down from the Titans. You just need some freshness to keep the program on top. That is the best thing about Saban. He knows how to not overstay his welcome. Watch him...he will be moving on in a couple of years. Head coaches are like vaudeville. Interesting for a while but best when they keep moving. They can't talk about it, but way down deep, the Penn State people are sick of Joe Pa. He over stayed his welcome by about 20 years.
As to the 2007 team, off the top my head, they won the close games and were certainly to be commended for ten wins. But 59-20 against Flordia and something similar against Bama...(44-17ish?) indicted to me that the gap was growing. It was time for a change.
Give it a couple of years. We shall see.
CroKev writes:
Was this a John Adams article?
CroKev writes:
USC has not played ONE single ranked team yet and their one loss was a blowout to ASU. They play Stanford tomorrow, which is one of only 2 ranked teams they play the ENTIRE year (the other being Oregon). Thus, they'll finish 9-3 and will have beaten all unranked teams and have lost badly to the two ranked teams they played as well as one unranked team.
Scheduling is everything. Just ask Cincinnati (currently #24 with only one loss; who did they lose to again?).
TheSmokyMountainThatRides writes:
don't get me wrong. i definately agree it was fulmer's time to go. and truth be known, i was on the lane train before his name ever came up. (and no one at work will let me forget that.) but i was wrong about him. he was the wrong fit all around and i can't see ever defending that hire. i don't believe we needed someone to get "back" on the national radar in recruiting. if you looked at the schools of intrest for the top recruits, we were there. we just weren't landing them. we all of us sold our souls to a snake oil salesman and now we are trying to build ourselves back up. build up our national exposure lane said? we're tennessee. top 5 winningest program all time. that's not just saying. that's a fact.
orangeman1 writes:
I prefer to focus on the positives like in 07 when UT beat the #2 team in the country by 3 TDs. That and the top 10 recruiting class he had coming in 08 (including Tahj Boyd) to run that whole new offense he installed the year he was fired leads me to believe he was doing what it took to turn things around. One thing is for sure. Kiffen leaving and Fulmer being fired set UT back even further because of all the players leaving. Right or wrong, Dooley is the coach UT needed at this point. I'm sure we can agree on that and get behind him and the Vols. I just dont know why fans still feel the need to criticize the best coach at UT in most of our lifetimes 3 years after he's been fired.
volfanew writes:
Didn't read the article...saw the title...thought this was a Tennessee Volunteer site?
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