Conquest Chronicles: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cowboy Altitude for Wyoming Fans!

Kevin O'Neill non-committal on next years staff

This might be nothing, but it could be something. That this is even being brought up is intriguing to me...

With USC's season ending Saturday because of self-imposed sanctions, USC coach Kevin O'Neill was non-committal when asked if his coaching staff would return next season.

"I'm going to evaluate everything after the year," O'Neill said. "I told everyone when I got here I'd evaluate it then."

USC's three assistant coaches, Gib Arnold, Bob Cantu and Phil Johnson, are holdovers from previous coach Tim Floyd.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if O'Neill wanted to bring his own guys in. He really didn't have a choice but to keep Arnold, Cantu and Johnson on when he was hired on at such a late date. Keeping Floyd's coaches offered some stability and consistency with program as they navigated through all the turmoil when Tim Floyd resigned.

With SC's season ending Sunday O'Neill can step back take a breath and reevaluate what direction he wants to go. I would not be surprised if he lets all three go but I think he makes a mistake in regards to recruiting if he does let them go...Just my opinion.

Another interesting angle on this is whether or not Cantu and Johnson's testimony at the NCAA hearings last month has anything to do with O'Neill's public comments on this. You know they were going to support Tim Floyd no matter what. The AD may have sent orders down that they need to go if their testimony didn't fall in line with the school's position.

Purely speculation on my part but I would not be surprised it went down that way.

Again, it may be nothing, but I am more inclined to believe that there is something there.

I am still not sold on O'Neill. I am not saying he was the wrong person for the job. I understand that the self-imposed post season ban probably had something to do with the teams up and down play this season (depth was an issue too) but the body of work he put out there for us is incomplete to make a solid judgment on how O'Neill will succeed at SC.

Should be a fun off-season....

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I don't care one way or another, but I do feel there should be something done about offense against a zone.

The team was terrible against zone defense and the staff misused the big men in this. They should of had a high post offense with either Len Washington or Nicola at the High post and Alex or Len at low post. Along with 2 wings and a PG it wouldn’t matter if the PG penetrated or not, ball to high post shoot a 15-17 ft or hit wings or low post.

But typically most freaking coaches don’t use this offense, it is basically Tex Winters Triangle and my coaches ran it in JC. I believe they were friends with Tex and I know they were friends of the Tarkanians.

LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.

by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 4, 2010 6:45 AM PST reply actions  

Why would the AD be upset

If the coaches just told the truth? Not that I wouldn’t put it past Garrett. I’m not sold on O’Neil either, not yet at least. Throwing the ball around the perimeter and jacking up last second shot is not a winning offense to me. His teams foul too much also, the fact he is fine with that isn’t a good thing.

by ev on Mar 4, 2010 7:20 AM PST reply actions  

It would be dumb to fire those coaches

They have consistently been ranked as the top assistant coaches in the nation and have done a great job recruiting. Cantu especially. He has been the reason why we have done such a great job recruiting. He is also considered to be a great coach by a couple schools because he has been interviewed for some head coaching jobs but loves usc too much to leave.

by eaglezuke on Mar 4, 2010 9:39 AM PST reply actions  

The AD Angle May Have Legs

I agree with eagle and will readily defend the assistants as one of the best staffs in America. Cantu – maybe the best recruiter in SoCal; Johnson – a defensive genius; Arnold – voted one of the top assistants deserving of a head job. Honestly though, I could see some of these guys leaving willingly for other opportunities. Arnold really is worthy of another gig. Johnson could follow Timmy to his next gig. Cantu is another attractive HC candidate for a lower-tier Cali school.

But, the USC VIPs can’t be pleased that Johnson and Cantu testified in Timmy’s defense. I think you may be on to something there, Para.

by DFWTrojan on Mar 4, 2010 12:09 PM PST reply actions  

I don't see this happening at all

I would be absolutely shocked if O’Neill decided to shake up his staff this offseason for a variety of reasons. But most importantly, I think ‘SC wants to keep some continuity in a program that has already gone through so much transition in the past year. The idea that a new staff would be brought in after hiring a new coach just the year before doesn’t seem like it would really help a young group of players that still have much growth left.

But even if O’Neill does decide to mix things up a little, I think it’s imperative that he keeps Cantu on staff. Over that past seasons, Cantu has proven to be one of the best recruits in the entire country. He was instrumental in landing that number one ranked recruiting class back in 2007, and with the recent success ‘SC has had recruiting-wise, you have to figure that he’s playing a significant role in that.

Having a guy on staff who can flat out recruit is so important in college basketball. As we’re seeing across town in Westwood, you can’t miss when in comes to recruiting. In college basketball, where there is much player turnover, you can’t afford to have a bad class or two. You have to bring in players each year that can flat out play. Keeping Cantu gives this a great shot at doing just that.

--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog

by Joey Kaufman on Mar 4, 2010 12:36 PM PST reply actions  

There is no way in hell

that Phil Johnson and Bob Cantu are retained. I’m willing to put money on it. Any takers?

by frak on Mar 4, 2010 1:05 PM PST reply actions  

I agree frak, and it sucks...

FIRE KO, BRING ON JAMIE DIXON!!!!
The KO experiment will end in disaster

STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
NOW CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS

M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT

by M. AGRIPPA on Mar 4, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Disaster?

I wouldn’t call it that. He’s definitely keeping the ship afloat even if he’s not the long-term solution.

--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog

by Joey Kaufman on Mar 4, 2010 2:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Joey, not a disaster yet. But...

Let’s all start by admitting the guy is whacked, and the only guy crazy enough to take the job. Add to that a serious anger management problem and well… tick, tick, tick.

STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
NOW CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS

M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT

by M. AGRIPPA on Mar 4, 2010 3:14 PM PST up reply actions  

Eh

I wouldn’t call him crazy for taking the job. I mean, after all, USC is a Pac-10 job with a decent salary and it sure the heck beats an assist coaching job in the NBA.

But yea, he does have some anger issues in the past. I’m tentative to call him a failure/disaster, because did anyone realistically expect him to have this team over .500 in year one. I’m going to take a wait and see approach, but I get where you’re coming from.

--Conquest Chronicles, SBNation's USC Trojans blog

by Joey Kaufman on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions  

Like I said Joey, I’m not calling him a failure/disaster yet, but that’s how it will end.

STILL LOCO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
NOW CELEBRATING THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF AUGUSTUS

M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT

by M. AGRIPPA on Mar 4, 2010 5:18 PM PST up reply actions  

They are loyal to Tim Floyd

He was forced to retain them rather than have the freedom to hire his own assistants that are loyal to him. Cantu and Johnson put their friendship with Floyd ahead of the university’s interests, which will basically mean that they won’t be retained. Not to mention the fact that O’Neil is being ambiguous about retaining them next season. This is all just my opinion, but I wouldn’t mind putting money down.

by frak on Mar 5, 2010 4:05 PM PST up reply actions  

I know what you guys are saying but the defense he teaches is a NBA concept, which should bring better players.

He just needs to hire someone to coach the offense, because whoever is doing it is like a box of chocolates.

LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.

by so.cal.native1952 on Mar 4, 2010 2:52 PM PST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Conquest Chronicles the SB Nation blog about the USC Trojans.

Community Guidelines
Start posting about the Trojans »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Shamrock_small
USC going independent?
Uclasucks_medium_small
I've always had the utmost respect for Donna Shalala, Kirby Hocutt and Paul Dee.''
Spqr_small
It IS The Trojan Times
Jk_small
2010 College Football Pick'em
Bikes_008_small
New Format for USC games
Sketch_haggar_small
When is the final open scrimmage?
1274146994547_small
Oregon State player kicked off team for hilarious crime
Sc_logo_small
Deandre Daniels Rumors
My_license_plates_small
Heisman Tie: University of Chicago 1, UCLA 1
Heat-deniro-kilmer_small
Dumb Quote of the day...

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Sponsors

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Florida State's Christian Ponder, left, runs as Miami's Marcus Robinson gives chase during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

2010 ACC College Football Preview: Deep Conference Should Make For Highly Competitive Season

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany speaks in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, June 11, 2010, in front of a Big Ten and a Nebraska backdrop. Nebraska made it official Friday and applied for membership in the Big Ten Conference, a potentially crippling blow to the Big 12 and the biggest move yet in an off season overhaul that will leave college sports looking much different by this time next year.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik) +5 updates

Big Ten Announces Conference Divisions For 2011

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2009 photo, South Carolina's head coach Steve Spurrier stands with his quarterback Stephen Garcia (5) before the start of their NCAA college football game against Mississippi at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.    A year ago, first-time postseason starter Stephen Garcia got chewed out by South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier for playing video games the night before the Outback Bowl game. These days, Garcia putting all his focus where it counts most _ on the Gamecocks.  (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)

College Football Kickoff: 2010 Season Gets Underway With Southern Mississippi At South Carolina

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Heat-deniro-kilmer_small Paragon SC

Avatar2_small DC Trojan

Jk_small Joey Kaufman

Editors

Tblapic_small Julio Nievas