USC has lost more coordinators this season than football games.
Defensive coordinator Nick Holt’s departure for Washington on Monday makes the Huskies program 2 for 2 in luring USC’s top lieutenants. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian became UW’s coach last month, and he hired Holt, who will hold the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
After Sarkisian left, Trojans coach Pete Carroll promoted from within, naming receivers coach John Morton the offensive coordinator. Carroll could do the same on the defensive side. He already gave secondary coach Rocky Seto the title of assistant head coach/defense after Seto turned down the UW defensive coordinator job. Seto is USC’s longest-tenured assistant, having been with the program since 1999.
“Absolutely,” Seto said when asked if he’d be interested in the job. “I’ve been here since he got here, and I feel like we see eye to eye. I definitely feel like I could fill that role.”
Another option is linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., whose name has been linked to the defensive coordinator opening at UCLA, his alma mater.
If Carroll were to go outside the program, former Syracuse coach Greg Robinson (a longtime Carroll friend and former aide) and new Tennessee defensive line Ed Orgeron (a former USC assistant) are among the possibilities, according to Rivals.com.
Holt initially turned down Sarkisian’s offer last month. With the position still unfilled, Sarkisian went back after Holt and persuaded him to change his mind.
One factor might have been the opportunity for Holt to put his personal stamp on Washington’s defense.
Although Holt had the title of defensive coordinator at USC, Carroll has a defensive background, is heavily involved in game-planning and receives much of the credit for the Trojans’ annual defensive dominance. Sarkisian, meanwhile, has an offensive background and is likely to let Holt have autonomy, or something close to it, on the other side of the ball.
Another factor is that Holt spent 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest at Idaho, first as an assistant (1990-97) and then as head coach (2004-05). His wife, Julie, was the women’s basketball coach at Idaho and Gonzaga.
This season, the Holt-Carroll combination directed a unit that ranks first in the nation in scoring defense and second in total defense.
“This is very exciting for Husky football,” Sarkisian said in a news release. “I don’t think we could have found a more qualified or successful defensive coordinator anywhere in the country.”
More from the USC blog:
- USC football: Holt leaving, meet-and-greet Tuesday
- USC football: UW news conference postponed
- USC basketball: Bring on the Bruins?
- USC football: Holt might be joining Sark
- USC football: Trojans No. 1? Not so fast
- USC football: OL recruit picks Trojans
- USC football: Did Maualuga act inappropriately?
- USC football: Recruits on display this weekend
- USC football: Rose Bowl can’t be deciding factor for Sanchez
Another one bites the dust! Let’s see, Kiffin, Sark, Holt, Orgeron, Jethro, and the list goes on and on. PC will eventually have a staff that sees THE “VISION”. Those on board, The Rock(y), Norton, Morton, Ruel (sp), just to name a few. Maybe Sam Anno will come back from the cold weather.
Look for PC to hire coaches who are “well-educated” in football (and politics, yes that’s right), meaning ex-NFL &/or “near” college head coaches and let them spend a few years. IF they like it, they stay. If not, they bolt like Holt :)
Winning is not all about liking what you do (sacrifices). Its about achieving greatness through the competition of winning each game, one at a time (geez, doesn’t that sound familiar) and coming out on top.
Those players and coaches who have gone through the system understand this, live it, and most make it while others leave.
Nuff Said……… FIGHT ON!
TROJANS ON TOP!
PAC-10 JUST WIN BABY!
OH YEAH…..SETO would make a great Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. So would Norton…….Why not BOTH?
Mr. Lev:
It’s true. Rocky Seto and myself would like to become the Defensive Coordinator for USC. However, neither of us have much of a chance. You see, The coach that coaches the defense at USC is the same one who has been the Defensive Coordinator at USC since Pete Carroll became Head Coach. His name is Pete Carroll.
What, are surprised to find that out? The only reason Holt returned to USC was if he was “actually” the Defensive Coordinator. Pete Carroll gave him the title, but never the control. If you have ever sat in on a half-time meeting, you would know what I mean. Holt was offered the “actual” job of D/C at UW and chose to go there.
I know Rocky would like to become D/C, but like he said, “I agree with whatever Coach Carroll decides.” Mr. Lev, what has Rocky done to make him a candidate for that position? I’ll say no more about that.
I believe you to have the correct direction with RIVALS mentioning of Robinson and Orgeron. Orgeron would have the edge, due to his recruiting expertise. Remember, whoever is named, he will not “actually” be the D/C. Mr. Lev, you need to see the team more and watch what goes on - in practice and during half-time. Have you heard that Pete Carroll is a “MASTER” of half-time adjustments? He is, but gee, wouldn’t that be the D/C’s area?
Mr. Lev, I don’t want you to fall into this trap, so may I give you a heads-up on something? There is an ESPN reporter that has already written an article that USC will not be in the Top 10 next year. Wow! His reasoning? He said that USC loses all of the starters on it’s Defensive Line (NOT TRUE). This ESPN reporter misses three people, including an All American. Gee, golly, I guess he had a quick deadline and had to meet it. He claimed that the starting Defensive Backs would be gone. Wrong again. He claimed that all of the starting Linebackers would be gone. Yes, wrong again.
If you have questions on that, Mr. Lev, I will give names by position. Along the same lines, I would be surprised if Taylor Mays returns (I would love it,but..) and I would be surprised if Sanchez didn’t. The Offense is beyond loaded, with five star WRs all over the place, an outstanding Offensive Line and a fight of the ages for backup QB with Matt Barkley coming in.
Again, Pete Carroll will need to fight like heck trying to keep his outstanding team from falling asleep that ONE GAME. It’s just amazing. After the bowls, the media now asks. “wouldn’t it be great to see USC/Florida?” They asked about LSU/USC last year and USC/….the year before that and….
Have a good one.
Shame on silly Lane Kiffin for wanting to be first an NFL head coach, then an SEC head coach. He should just work for somebody else and enjoy the ride. And the nerve of that Norm Chow for wanting to be an OC in the NFL, taking a shot at that elusive HC job that hasn’t come. Hey, no question Pete Carroll is an outstanding coach, likely one of the greatest of all time before he’s done, and that’s a ways down the road. In the meantime, please excuse some of the quality folks who have worked for Carroll at SC, like Sarkisian and Holt, if they have aspirations themselves. It’s called competing and striving to be better.