USC's Kennedy Pola Settles in...
With all the controversy surrounding the return of USC RB coach Kennedy Pola, it is nice to see him settle in.
Based on a few things I have read since camp started Pola is already making a significant impact with the running backs. Pola is also lucky to have a number of veteran RB's to work with.
Upon his arrival Po,a has had some issues to deal with like the Havili/T.J. Bryant incident and the Dillon Baxter situation, but Pola understands that is part of being a college coach.
Right now Pola has his hands a little bit full...Pola inherited a mostly veteran group of running backs, including Havili, fellow seniors Allen Bradford and C.J. Gable, junior Marc Tyler and third-year sophomore Curtis McNeal.
"This group has been here a long time, so I'm just looking for them to tighten up their assignments, tighten up their alignments and technique and just have fun," Pola said.
There are also newcomers, including freshman tailback D.J. Morgan, who will redshirt as he works back from a high school knee injury, and walk-on fullback K.C. Pola, the coach's son who was added to the roster last week.
Kennedy Pola said counseling college players such as Havili and Baxter is not much different from the NFL, where he coached for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and, briefly, the Titans.
"Everybody has distractions," Pola said. "These are young guys. It won't be the first time, and it won't be the last that something happens. Hopefully you can snip it before it gets serious."
With starting fullback Stanley Havili nursing a sore shoulder and few options behind him, a natural question in USC training camp is whether some of the physical tailbacks like Allen Bradford or Marc Tyler might move to fullback.
"We haven't considered it because of we've had tight ends there to fill the holes," running backs coach Kennedy Pola said. "But we are short-handed."
Tight end Rhett Ellison is playing fullback for portions of practices, and Jordan Cameron tried the spot but looks more likely to start at tight end.
With any more injuries, USC might be forced to move a tailback simply because the position is so deep on a team with only 71 scholarship players.
Moving a TB to FB wouldn't be optimum but with the scholarship limits it is all hands on deck. Pola will get the most out his unit...no question.
Pola will figure it out...
Still hovering out there is the joke of a lawsuit that the Tennessee Titans filed in response to Pola's departure. There has been no word on the suits status or progress...I still think it was less about Pola leaving and more about Titans owner Bud Adams just trying to embarrass Lane Kiffin.
Adams is an immature old fool...
Pola is where he wants to be. We are better for it and he is happy...what is so wrong with that?
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yah I am glad to have such a high character person coaching at USC, wow his son walked on well I guess Shoemate should have stuck around.
Little Pola blocking the crap out of those bRuins in the future, now that is a sight to see.
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 16, 2010 10:40 AM PDT reply actions
I love it I am listening to a sports radio show in Knoxville and they are ripping Duley.
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 16, 2010 11:13 AM PDT reply actions
As I understand it, he serves a dual role...
…of RB coach and OC. From what I have heard, Kiffin will continue to call plays. It will be intersting to see how his relationship with Kiffin evolves with respect to his title of OC. At the very least. I would expect Pola to be heavily involved in game planning. Given his NFL experience coaching backs, I suspect that more will be expected of the RBs in the passing game and in pass protection. Personally, I’d like to see the backs more involved with screens and the WRs more involved downfield.
Only one college can steal coaches FROM the NFL
Joe Barry. Kennedy Pola. The power of USC. The magnetism of Lane Kiffin. Let the dynasty begin.
Death to the NCAA!!!
The question remains-can Pola develop ? and & into All-Americans?
AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 17, 2010 2:52 PM PDT reply actions
Uhm...yeah...
While in Jax both Fred Taylor (2007) and Maurice Jones-Drew (2009) earned Pro Bowl honors and the Jaguars offense totaled the third most rushing yards in the NFL over that time, including 4 Top 10 rushing finishes. In 2009, Jones-Drew finished fourth in the NFL in rushing (1,391 yards), fourth in scrimmage yards (1,765) and second in total touchdowns scored (16).
Yeah, I think he knows what he is doing.
I think we will be just fine…
I am just a new boy...A stranger in this town
Where are all the good times...Who's gonna show this stranger around?
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
I was making fun of DFWTrojan, not disputing that Pola is a good coach.
AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 21, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Hell Yah he can and all of the pac-10 or 12 should be shaking in their boots for even if Kiffin bolts Pola will take over.
So Fight On USC followers and Don’t worry WE Will Still Play on Saturdays and Bowls will come later, for WE ARE SC not That other Softball University. Oh and don’t say you now have a baseball team, it’s not Real Baseball unless you use Wooden Bats
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 20, 2010 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

by 






