Lane Kiffin's Post UCLA Conference Call
by Paragon SC on Dec 6, 2010 8:01 AM PST
in USC Football
Email
Print
This is the final post game conference call of the season.
Here are a few of the high points from WeAreSC.
* Anytime you play your biggest rival, a school you recruit against, it's always important to get the win. With that being said, it was really good to finish the way we did, in style. it was good to see the offense finish things off and not have to rely on the defense or special teams.
* (Barkley) It was an up and down year for him, kind of like the whole team. He matured from last year, 26 TD's is not bad when you miss a game and a half, but there is a lot of work to be done in the off-season. It's important to remember how young he is, none of the QB's we had during our time here before had played yet at a similar point in their career, they all sat and watched and learned before they were thrown in there.[...]
* (would you rather have practice time for a bowl or use this time for recruiting) - no doubt we would rather be practicing for a bowl because we would still be able to recruit at the same time. We don't have that bowl practice though, it's another part of the sanctions that hurts us because we could really use that practice time. We're trying to focus on the positive by using that extra time on recruiting.
* (how many recruits will be early enrollees) - I'd like to bring in 45. It will end up being 9 or 10 guys, it's easier said than done though. Most schools bring in 1 or 2 in spring but for those players who come in it can give them a huge opportunity to learn things to help for next year.
Even though the season did end on the high note of beating UCLA I would hardly call the season a successful one.
The defense took too long to to come together and the offense regressed after all the promise we saw in the early part of the season. The two units reversed roles.
I will have more thoughts on this later this week in my post-football season wrap-up.
45 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
While I agree it can't be called a success
I think we all underestimated the impact the NCAA ruling and transfers out would have on the team. Yes they should have won another game or two, but the fact is before this season started they were about the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference. There were and are serious holes in this roster (at LB for example) and depth issues that were not Lane’s fault. Those are hard things to coach around.
Agree
For a ‘season’ to be considered a success at USC in this era, you’ve got to win the Pac-10 and beat both rivals. That sets a high standard, but anything short of that is a disppointing on a fundamental level.
On the other hand, the coaches don’t pursue success one season at a time. Instead, they work on it day by day, play by play, game by game, player by player, and unit by unit. By that standard, I’m satisfied the team did achieve some genuine successes this season. The players played hard through some adversity, mostly stayed out of trouble, and repersented the school well. There was only one game where USC did not compete. Of the other four losses, two were competitive games against arguably superior opponents, and two were disappointing loses in close games that USC could have won with better execution. Many of the younger players developed throughout the year, and many of the returning players were notably better this year. When you judge the success of a season, you need to judge it against not only the USC tradition, but also against some legitimate limitations that resulted from events that occurred in prior years.
IMO, the verdict is still out on the Kiffin regime, but I saw enough to give me hope that Kiffin can return the team to Pac-10 titles and beating both rivals. Time will tell.
Truthy, but...
…some head scratching coaching decisions blew three games, based on what I observed on field and heard about practice.
The sanctions might have cost them the two Oregon school games, but Lane can and should be faulted for the rest.
Lane should be held accoutable for his record
From what I’ve seen, he has accepted this responsibility fairly well. He often speaks bluntly and honestly, which means that sometimes players will be criticized when he feels it is appropriate. From my perspective, it is often difficult to determine if a loss is most due to flawed execution, gameplanning, or playcalling. Often, several factors are involved. I can excuse the loss to Oregon because USC played well for much of the game, and Oregon was a superior opponent this season.. Oregon State is a mystery, but I think anytime a time a team plays that poorly (aganst an equally or less talented team) in all phases of the game, it falls on the coaching staff. UW was on the D. Stanford also, to a lesser extent. ND was on the O…IMO the conservative playcalliing was reasonalbe, but the poor execution was not. Bottom line is that there wasn’t a single, nonfixable issue present in all loses that would make me conclude that this team can’t and won’t get better. Most concerning was the uninspired play in two of the last three games, one being against a rival.
I don’t think anyone at USC accepts losing games, but it is inevitable. Even with Carroll, there were loses that could be directly attributable to coaching decisions. My issue is whether these issues will persist, and I think it’s too early to say.
Some losses were inevitable, others weren't
Generally you’re right, and I do definitely see the connection between poor execution and poor coaching.
The defense wasn’t tackling in preseason practice, a terrible coaching decision that directly explains the poor tackling that helped lose the UW and Stanford games. If the defense looking like they were still warming up in the early games…it’s because they were. That was a coaching decision, and a bad one.
In the ND game, Kiffin waited until too late to open the field up. Mustain then showed he could get the ball down the field. It was just too late. There was no reason to call that game so conservatively through 3 quarters. Yes, Rojo dropped the game winning touchdown — but he should have had more deep ball opportunities in the first place.
So, yes, I think it’s fair to fault the coaches.
In retrospect, I would use a Pass/Fail metric for this season: Pass
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, USC football underwent the biggest transition in it’s history, at least in recent memory:
- worst NCAA sanctions since SMU, no bowl, free agency for upper classmen
- massive overhaul of the AD and Compliance depts
- change in school President with corresponding change in culture, especially WRT athletics
- brand new coaching staff driven in under cover of night from Appalachia after shocking resignation of PC 3 weeks before LOI Day
- loss of juggernaut, iconic Pete Carroll
In light of the circumstances, I think it is most fair and reasonable to grade on a Pass/Fail metric. USC could have easily, and many predicted they would, folded and played as if still in shock and awe of the rocky offseason. Or, USC could come out and play with pride and try to show the nation that Trojan Nation is not dead yet.
3rd in conference behind two top 4 teams. Nope, USC football is not dead. We sure could have done better, but we also could have understandably done a lot worse. I have to give the team a Pass. We weathered the worst of the storm, IMO, and showed some signs of regaining top form. I foresee brighter days ahead. Improved in 2011, but not over the hump. Back in a BCS bowl in 2012.
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!
Agree with most of this
Everything considered, the program survived. It could’ve been a lot worse. A lot worse.
Couldn't agree more. Losing to a middling Domer team killed it.
Football season is here
U feeling Loco?
I was personally at every loss this year
Didn’t feel all that successful.
"I have a commanding voice." - Ed Orgeron
Absolutely NOT a successful
But was a disaster? No
8-5 is NEVER, EVER a success at ’SC, and it NEVER will.
This isn’t Westwood, where above average is cool.
But at the same time, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a disaster of a year. Not just black/white.
Absolutely NOT a successful
But was a disaster? No
8-5 is NEVER, EVER a success at ’SC, and it NEVER will.
This isn’t Westwood, where above average is cool.
But at the same time, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a disaster of a year. Not just black/white.
Interesting note
I tend to have an incisive wit which pulls at one’s heart if you’re not prepared or perhaps just more parts emotion than rational. So I happened over to the Bruin Nation board after Saturday to note that Santa has been good to me. First, my alma mater (ASU) beat them and then my current school (USC!) beat them. The “Thank you Santa” comment lead to them banning me from the board. A bit intolerant no? No sense of humor over there or even an ability to separate sport from life? Your thoughts?
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 6, 2010 4:25 PM PST reply actions
well
1. They don’t have a reputation for playing nice with others especially usc fans, and cal fans to a lesser extent.
2. Their jokes are almost entirely OMG $UC TROGANS, Cheatey Petey, Lame Kiffin based, so paragons of humor they are not.
3. As for separating sports from life: HAHHAHA
4. Honestly I would have been surprised if you hadn’t been banned, people have gone down for less.
Drinking so much that you forget your name is like trying to cure cancer, it might not be possible, but you should never stop trying.
Imagine what would happen when you take a decade removed success
and combine it with the worlds largest inferiority complex
Drinking so much that you forget your name is like trying to cure cancer, it might not be possible, but you should never stop trying.
My wife and I always go to the LA Times book fair over there (although now it’s here!) and I “fly the flag” by wearing an SC hat, t-shirt or something. I always get weird looks, snarky comments and am generally made to feel as if only by some loophole in the laws of the universe am I lucky enough to actually be on the campus.
It’s a strange universe over there.
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 6, 2010 5:23 PM PST up reply actions
On being on Westwood Campus any time....
There is normally some off comment….. Like when my brother-in-law had brain surgery there….just happen to have an SC polo shirt on at the hospital….first – comment was “you are brave to wear that here” – I said well at least I am already in a hospital….. Not all uclans are – but there does seems to be a preponderance highly strung nit-wits there….
by trojanarchitect on Dec 6, 2010 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
If you had posted,
“You guys played a great game!” you would have been banned. I’m not kidding.
"I have a commanding voice." - Ed Orgeron
I didn’t even say anything about football……just did my Santa thing.
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 6, 2010 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
We've all been banned, DT
consider it a rite of passage to the cool club. they all feel a sense of entitlement, and when no one is willing to give them handouts in sports, they whine and cry and throw tantrums. just enjoy BN from afar as the gift that keeps on giving. it’s better than Funny or Die for daily humor for Trojans.
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!
After they lost to Montana (Basketball) the same weekend of the football game thought they were all gonna go Jim Jones on me and do a grape Kool-Aid mass suicide thing.
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 7, 2010 8:54 AM PST up reply actions
yeah, its been a good week
is it wrong to enjoy BN so much?
how could it be wrong, when it feels soooo right!
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!
I did see that pattern of $C, Trogans, Lame Kiffin repeated so much that it’s become cliche. In fact, several of their posts said that they “hated” us. I can see some friendly rivalry (not to the extent where I’d want to stab someone in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl) and some trash talking going on (in fact I was just over at the Oregon board congratulating them and wishing them success) because that’s what’s kind of fun in season. Guys goof on one another and then we go out and have a beer.
I’m thinking we should revoke their “guy” cards.
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 6, 2010 4:59 PM PST reply actions
They never had them....
"Understanding is a virtue, hard to come by"
J. Airplane
by gnossos on Dec 6, 2010 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
That's a REC
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
*$C##!!!
Cheaty Peaty the Pom Pom and Lame Kiffin teamed up with CTS and the Lizard to thwart CRN and the forces of light. As we have shown (insert 5 links to earlier comment saying exactly the same thing) SUC***:( is clealy responsable for all bad things in the world included, but not limted to: The JFK assassination, Karl Dorrell, Pants that are too small and Terry Donahue (how dare he be UCLA’s last successful coach!!). Go Ben Ball Warriors.
Spelling brother! Spelling!!!!!!!!!
by DevilishTrojan21 on Dec 7, 2010 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
NOT a success but...
Can’t say this year was anything successful if we’re talking normal USC standards. We’ll never accept losing… BUT… this year is anything but normal and the next few, in terms of the full impact of NCAA sanctions are likely to be even more challenging. Still, 8-5 is OK… for now and given the horrendous circumstances. There were only two bad losses… both home games and losses that shouldn’t have been… Washington and then Notre Dame where SC lost the game as much if not more than ND won it. Recruit! Recruit! Recruit! Let’s see if coach K and O can lay the groundwork that makes next year better than this one… THAT would be a successful season.
trojanWar
We were still one play away from winning ND
and, RoJo makes that catch 9 times out of 10. win that game, sweep the rivals, win 4 of last 5, finish 9-4……I think we are all feeling much better about the season.
You can't put sanctions on the fkn endzone! Bowls are for salad!
Damn
what a difference one play could have made. Alas it we are where we are.
_________________________________________________________________________
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley
Yes, Loco
that fn game ripped my heart out, what really got me was that there were SO MANY “one plays” in that game.
"Understanding is a virtue, hard to come by"
J. Airplane
You know what really sucked?
Being overwhelmed by all those Texas fans at game’s end. Our section (USC section) had about 40% Longhorns…
Football season is here
U feeling Loco?
It was a tough ride this season for me, but the last game helped a lot.
I realize that when a new staff comes in that things can go a little differently, but we had about the same record last year. Nice thing that happen is that the defense has come around and with the players they are recruiting it will become a great defense. On offense Matt Barkley improved again but seriously needs to work on throwing motion (spirals) and reading a larger area, or will be overcome by the competition. Plus if he doesn’t work on his game I feel he will never make it in NFL, if that is what he wants out of football. Tyler will be the back next year with Baxter, D J Morgan, and De’Anthony Thomas all battling for playing time. We are getting 3 DTs (which one could be a LB), 3 DEs, 2 LBs, 2 top 5 QBs and a very good kicker, plus a number of other recruits coming thanks to early entries. This team will regain its hold and just maybe we get back a bowl eligibility to finish on a super high note.
Fight-On and Lose-On (ucla)
Lets face it 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 Dec 7, 2010 8:28 AM PST reply actions
Regarding Trojan football 2010?
I was, uh. . . . I’d say. . .???? . . . .“mildly impressed”. Don’t get me wrong though, there were other times when I was “highly vexed” and so all and all- it kinda evens out.
Overall, had Lane Fucking Kiffin not have our boys wound so fucking tight all season long- maybe there’d be an extra win or two this past season. I know? That’s easy to say because, anyone can say that ABOUT ANY SEASON IN ANY RANDOM YEAR, no? But stay with me, ‘cause it isn’t for me to talk shit about Trojan football. No sir, it ain’t.
Running game? Lemme ask you this: with all those large, talented, and powerful O-lineman, how come they couldn’t be coached well-enough TO SIMPLY JUST kick some serious m-fucking ass EACH AND EVERY SATURDAY? I mean, with horses like Allen Bradford, CJ Gable, Stanley Havili, Marc Tyler, and Dillon (my friends and I call him: “Dillon the Civilian” because of all the times he’s been “out of uniform” and walking the “long” walk from practice field, to weight room, to locker room, to dorm room, to classes, and to Coach’s office) Baxter- c’mon! We’re Tailback U, and our frowzy little sister’s team had a better national ranking for rushing yardage. Maybe we beat them in individual stats like “Yards Per Carry” or “Longest Run” and whatnot? But still, WHAT THE TOTAL FUCK’S UP WITH THAT? Who gives an epic Bruin-shit about that- the O-line on THAT Pop Warner outfit had to share and exchange prosthetic legs and kneecaps with each other from quarter to quarter, game to game. Sersly!
I’ll tell you what, Coach O better find our G-spot and coach some serious coaching next year- ’cause his lines sometimes had me vexed AND flummoxed. And I much prefer being elated when it comes to our RUNNING GAME!
For the first time in 11 years, I became MAD at our team on a particular Saturday. And not just mad, but ANGRY MAD. I mean, WE’RE the Trojans . . . . and THEY’RE Beavers for cryin’ out loud! Talk about being “amiss” and “afoot”?
Something WAS amiss! And there was definitely things AFOOT!
Anyway. . . . . . .considering all the crazyass shit surrounding the team peripherally- and the teeth sharpening or wadding of panties from most all our Pac 10 rivals, I’d give Lane Effin Kiffin a grade of: C-minus. And I’d give our team a solid B.
Afterall, our team gave us and WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY solid B. Solid B-rad, as in “ford”. Allen Bradford and his stage exit. How incredibly sublime was that? He killed it. . . .AND . . .nailed it at the same time. Sweet Redeemer of Football! You sly dogg!
Where the hell was I?
Oh yeah! . . . . .Mildly impressed if I remember correctly. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! I don’t wanna be that anymore. Or, ever!
"Every rock that someone threw at me, I just used as a steppingstone." (Allen Bradford USC Tailback aka: "B-Rad"- Conquest Chronicles)
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Conquest Chronicles
Related FanShots on Conquest Chronicles
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
