A Plea to Remember Tim Floyd

by Joey Kaufman on Nov 10, 2010 7:55 PM PST in Commentary

The name, Tim Floyd, doesn't resonate the way it once did on Jefferson and Figueroa.

Not that it ever resonated much to begin with, but at the very least, it did elicit some positive feelings. Some feelings of satisfaction, as opposed to simply feelings of disgust.

Months removed from then-athletic director Mike Garrett's decision to run Floyd out of town and to self-sanction the basketball team in January, few Cardinal and Gold backers remember what the Louisiana native accomplished in his all too short four-year stint at USC.

For those short on memory, it was three consecutive NCAA Tournament bids, a first in school history.

But playing into March remains a distant memory now, for a program coming off the heals of a postseason ban in 2010, where it's lone option was to simply play for pride.

Last year's 16-14 overall mark still remains the starting point for expectations for a Trojan hoops program still searching for its identity and placement amidst the college basketball landscape.

The point in all of this: Floyd set the bar for USC after 2009. From the 2006-2007 season onward, Floyd and the Trojans totaled 68 wins, while reaching the Sweet 16 and earning a Pac-10 Tournament title. Because of that, it's time to remove complacency from the equation.

USC is unquestionably a football school. There is little doubt in that. But over the past twenty years, it has also built its academic reputation, as well as athletic reputation in sports other than football. It's seen its academic standing rise to No. 23 in the U.S. News & World Reports annual ranking, while also earning national championships in sports such as soccer, tennis and water polo.

In short, it's no longer acceptable for this university to solely be good at football.

Administrators no longer accept the notion, and neither should fans.

Under Floyd, USC proved it could be more than just "competitive" in regards to basketball. It showed it had the capability of annually soliciting bids to the Big Dance, while reeling in highly regarded athletes on the recruiting trail such as DeMar DeRozan and O.J. Mayo, violations aside.

Those same expectations shouldn't be altered, because of the arrival of Kevin O'Neill, or a self-imposed one-year postseason ban.

Every single facet of this institution is held to a standard of excellence, whether the football program, the soccer program or the engineering department. So, why should basketball, simply because it lacks a strong track record of success, be held to a different standard?

Everything is in place for winning basketball-wise at USC: location, facilities, financial prowess and academics. Tim Floyd, from 2005-through-2009, proved testament to that notion.

Yet, it seems as if indifference remains the most fitting phrase to describe the athletic department, and fan reaction to USC basketball. It's something to occupy their time come January and February; purely an event to take football recruits to.

Floyd showed that 20-win seasons could become customary at USC; yet, sadly too few people seem to accept such a notion.

The 2010-2011 seasons tips off Saturday at home against UC Irvine. For once, I ask of you: "Go Galen" this year.

FIGHT ON!

Follow Joey on twitter @Joey_Kaufman

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Comments

USC basketball has always perplexed me

USC has had some very good teams over the years and obviously sits in a hotbed of local talent. Even when they were playing in the Sports Arena there seems to me to be no good reason why USC should not be at least one of the upper tier teams in the conference. While it is very hard to be elite, it is not that hard to be perennnially in the hunt for a conference title and an NCAA berth.
If USC was willing to spend money to build the Galen Center, there is no reason why it shouldn’t pay the necessary money to bring in a seasoned, proven coach. O’Neill is certainly a seasoned coach, but his track record is not especially good (although of course it does have some very good years.)

by ucladj89 on Nov 11, 2010 8:31 AM PST reply actions

I think Agrippa (Loco) alluded to this very topic during last year's b-ball run

What it all boils down to is: sanctions

Both the head basketball and football coaching vacancies weren’t getting that much interest from the nations most elite, seasoned, proven, and “available” (key word) coaches once Coach Floyd and Coach Carroll left.

To answer your question DJ, a number of things have to happen:

1. Coach O’Neill has to “disprove” that he is the man for the current job.
2. USC basketball must have a terrible year this year.
3. If USC basketball does tank and Coach O’Neill does “lose” his players’ trust and focus this year, than yeah- . . . . .what you said.

In case you ever asked this offseason, could it get any worse?. . .In short, the answer is yes. (Joey Kaufman- Conquest Chronicles)

by BixBeiderbecke on Nov 11, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

Track Record is Good

This is a bit complicated, similar to Kiffin actually, but if you look deeper than win-loss records and truly analyze his body of work, KO has an outstanding track record. He led Marquette to being one of the hottest teams in the nation, and made a name of himself as one of CBBs best young coaches. He built Tennessee from nothing into a perennial NCAA tourney team. It’s just that he left before the fruit of his labors was harvested. It was KOs players, however, who led Tenn to an NCAA run. KO even did a respectable job at Zona in an impossible situation with Lute running a military coup behind the scenes against him. Finally, he is highly respected in the NBA as a premier talent evaluator, as his NBA resume evidences.

All of KO’s CBB jobs were rebuilds, and he never stayed long enough to garner the fame and bounty from running winning programs. He rebuilt, had a little success, and left. Not a stellar track record, but clear evidence that the guy is a good CBB coach, perhaps even a great CBB coach.

You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!

by DFWTrojan on Nov 11, 2010 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

Oh but 89 just feels he is a nobody, but I would say he hasn't done any research on O'Neil.

But I know that KO hates ucla and makes it his biggest project to beat them, which he did last year TWICE.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 11, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

89 is cool...we spoke on the phone last week...he is one of the good ones, trust me

James MacArthur - RIP "Book 'em Danno!"

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Nov 11, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

I not saying your Bud isn't cool but he is ucla and I am USC.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 11, 2010 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

That IS NOT how I measure a person...

James MacArthur - RIP "Book 'em Danno!"

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Nov 13, 2010 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

thanks as always for telling me how I feel about something

although I probably have greater knowledge of my thoughts than you. I have no feelings about O’Neill one way or another. I noted only that he did not have an especially good record; per wiki, he coached five years at Marquette (two NCAA appearances, one Sweet 16), three at Tennessee (three losing seasons, 0 NCAA appearances), three seasons at Northwestern (two losing seasons, 0 NCAA appearances) and one yeat at AZ (made the tournament but lost in the first round.) Toss in his one year at USC, just over .500 and no NCAA tournament. In total, he has coached 13 seasons in college and has only three NCAA appearances to show for it and only one Sweet 16. I think he’s actually a decent coach, but it’s hard to fully evaluate him because as DFW notes, he hasn’t stuck around long enough to really show if he’s a really good coach or simply a decent coach. However, it seems clear to me, if not DFW, that he is not a top-tier coach.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_O’Neill_(basketball)

by ucladj89 on Nov 11, 2010 10:02 PM PST up reply actions

Proof that bruins can be right some of the time. KO tends to pulverize his players and always wears out his welcome. All you have to do is watch him work the sideline to appreciate his madness. No question KO knows basketball, sort of like an extra-mean Ben Howland. On the plus side, Roberta seems nice.

None the less, he’s gone in two years.

Football season is here
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Nov 11, 2010 10:48 PM PST up reply actions

It is what you base your argument on is how I don't get it, like most bruin fans I have known if their team doesn't get to a NC every year than he is buck.

Plus how can you say no Ncaa tourney last year since Garrett put team on probation and when he did that USC was 2nd in conference. Hope you guys can catch up some day since KO is 2-0 over you guys, heck maybe you can come over a coach the team Mr. Stat Man. Winning NC doesn’t make one a great or good coach, aren’t you a lawyer so do you win every case. I know some people don’t like KOs approach but he has a B. knight attitude and that is exactly what USC needed after the TF debacle.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 12, 2010 4:11 AM PST up reply actions

Better get back on those meds

you’re spounting drivel again. To address what passes as your “argument” I note:

1) I didn’t argue that winning a NC makes one a good or great coach. However, I would argue that winning one burnishes your credentials rather nicely-there aren’t too many bad coaches who have won titles, are there? Jamie Dixon, Howland, and many other coaches are very good coaches who have not won a title but who have coached their teams into conference title hunts and NCAA bids. O’Neill’s record, even removing the USC season last year from consideration, does not justify a designation (IMHO) as a top-tier coach given that his track record has not consistently demonstrated success, as defined by NCAA appearances and conference titles.
2) O’Neill may be the right coach for USC. I never claimed otherwise. But if he is the right coach after the Floyd years to rebuild the program and restore its integrity in the wake of OJ Mayo, he IMHO is not the kind of coach who can make USC a relevant basketball program in the long term, based on his record. DFW has looked more carefully at this I am sure, and I readily concede he may be more knowledgeable and I could be completely wrong. I’m just going by what I see on paper. After 13 seasons as a college coach, I think the record speaks for itself.
3) I’m not too concerned about UCLA finding a way to beat USC in basketball and even up O’Neill’s 2-0 record last year against one of the worst Bruin basketball teams in the last 50 years. If it doesn’t happen this year, it should happen next year (assuming O’Neill stays that long.) But maybe O’Neill does win every game he ever coaches against Howland. If he does, congratulations! Hopefully for your sake those wins will lead to some NCAA appearances.
4) In a post full of strawmen, your “point” about UCLA fans thinking a coach is “buck” (whatever that means) if we don’t get to a championship every year really stands out. Whatever the mindset was for UCLA fans circa 1964-1980, those days are long gone and nobody I know (and I think I’m safe saying I know more UCLA alums and fans than you do) has ever come close to espousing the thought process you attribute to us. And I started at UCLA in 1985.

by ucladj89 on Nov 12, 2010 9:18 AM PST up reply actions

2-0 baby!!! :)

You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!

by DFWTrojan on Nov 12, 2010 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

LOL-he should retire now to keep that perfect record intact

can’t wish USC good luck this season, but I can wish USC an injury-free season.

by ucladj89 on Nov 12, 2010 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

Ok, me too. I'll see you on the HARDWOOD! :)

You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!

by DFWTrojan on Nov 12, 2010 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

So tell where were you raised and did you even play BB at any level, I have know a lot of ucla fans and 97% echo what I said.

Thats alright I will give in you have your way, but in no circumstance I have to believe in your Shiza.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 12, 2010 2:30 PM PST up reply actions

So tell me------

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 12, 2010 3:11 PM PST up reply actions

Not that it's relevant to anything you are spewing

but I grew up in Huntington Beach, Marina High, class of ’84, surrounded by Trojans and a fair number of Bruins.

I don’t care if you believe what I say. I am not asking you to believe it. I’m just doing something called “making a point” which is what people often do on boards. Perhaps you might try it someday. But (and this is the point-I’ll use really small words so you’ll be sure to understand) if you want to make a point of your own, try providing REASONS that support your conclusions. Ad hominems are not useful tools for argument or discourse. You know a lot abut tools, obviously, from self examination, but perhaps not so much about argument or discourse.

by ucladj89 on Nov 12, 2010 6:06 PM PST up reply actions

Hey there!

I’ll have you know SoCal is NOT ADDING ANY HOMINYMS, ANTONYMS, OR SYNONYMS!!!!!!!!

Well, he’s using subtraction- if that’s what you’re getting at. Trying to minus the bullshit he feels you’re spewing. Is all.

In case you ever asked this offseason, could it get any worse?. . .In short, the answer is yes. (Joey Kaufman- Conquest Chronicles)

by BixBeiderbecke on Nov 13, 2010 7:27 AM PST up reply actions

DANG IT!

[EDIT] I should have included a sarcastic emoticon or keyboard-a-dude, or whatever they’re callin’ ’em these days. How about this one:

In case you ever asked this offseason, could it get any worse?. . .In short, the answer is yes. (Joey Kaufman- Conquest Chronicles)

by BixBeiderbecke on Nov 13, 2010 7:35 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks Bix nice to know someone has my back.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 13, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions

Right over here, Mo!

I got your back.

(DJ’s cool as folk, and all. But still- you’re a Trojan, he’s a Bruin. Simple as that!)

In case you ever asked this offseason, could it get any worse?. . .In short, the answer is yes. (Joey Kaufman- Conquest Chronicles)

by BixBeiderbecke on Nov 13, 2010 9:55 AM PST up reply actions

So I guess you were one of those sideline fans that never played a sport other than video ones.

Go ahead and knock my writing skills, I really don’t care about it this is not about writing for law reviews 101. Oh and by the way Marina High 84 taught some of your classmates in tennis at Los Cabrilarros in Fountain Valley. Also you must remember Bob Duesler a long time teacher at Marina along with Vilnis Ezerins (green bay packers—LA Rams) both are dominate in the tennis community and friends of mine. by the way Stats are foe Fans and Non-athletes. So have big word day and keep on winning those NCs, oh wait I forget you don’t play.

I love national championships it makes me feel superior to others, my whole place has USC stuff everywhere, it's painted red and gold, my car is the same colors my asscrack is bruin blue.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 13, 2010 9:14 AM PST up reply actions

Oh and just another tidbit for you you do know that Lo Romar has more coaching NCs than Howland.

Your last NC in BB happen because coach Harrick added Lo to the staff the year before and thats why you got Bailey and the O’bannons, along with one of the greatest Freshman classes in College BB. Also if you ever talk to to any of the players on that team they will admit it was coach Romar that made the difference. Maybe after Howland is there for another 50 years he might get 1!

Lets face USC fans and suporter the Bruins are superior in all aspects of life, heck I here they can wipe their Butts with their mind.

by so.cal.native1952 on Nov 13, 2010 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

Your ignorance is showing again

If you really believe that one has to play a sport to offer opinions about it. And you still have no idea if I ever played a sport-I made a deliberate choice not to answer your dumb-ass question because it was so beyond stupid it didn’t warrant a respons. However, let me address what “logic” you base your so-called argument on. I take it you never have a bad word to say about films after watching them because you never made one? And if you sat in a poorly constructed chair you’d never have a critical word for the carpenter, since you’re not a carpenter? Lame, lame lame.

Ezerins was a teacher of mine for some class my freshman year-maybe chemistry or physical science? Nice, bright guy. Hard to imagine he’s a friend of yours given your level of intelligence.

LOL @ your Romar stuff. Romar came to UCLA in ’92, not ’94 (the yeear before we won the NC.) Also, Ed was going to UNLV when they went on probation and he committed to UCLA before Romar arrived. Either way, BFD. If you want to labor under the delusion that Romar is a better coach than Howland, go ahead.

by ucladj89 on Nov 13, 2010 10:04 AM PST up reply actions