Defensive line coach David Watson confirmed Tuesday night that he is leaving the USC staff to make room for Brian Schneider, who will coach the Trojans’ special teams.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the hiring of Schneider, who had been the Oakland Raiders’ special teams coordinator. USC did not have a full-time special teams coach this past season.
Watson had shared defensive line duties with defensive coordinator Nick Holt, who last week became the coordinator at Washington. After Holt left, USC hired Jethro Franklin to coach the defensive line. Watson said he talked with Coach Pete Carroll about possibly becoming the special teams coach, but Carroll elected to hire someone with NFL experience.
Watson said he had no hard feelings about the situation.
“I absolutely love ‘SC and Coach Carroll. It’s an awesome place,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve got to look for the best opportunity for my family and my career.”
USC issued a news release confirming the coaching changes later Tuesday night. It included this comment from Carroll:
“We’ve worked for years to create the opportunity to have a special teams coordinator. We’re delighted that the right guy came along for the spot in Brian Schneider. He’s an excellent, experienced coach whose results are evident at every place he has worked.”
Schneider, 37, has 15 years of experience coaching special teams. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Colorado State, for three years (1994-96), working with the special teams and defense. He then was promoted as a full-time assistant there for the next six seasons (1997-2002), as the special teams coordinator and coaching the tight ends.
He moved to UCLA for three seasons (2003-05), working with the linebackers and safeties in addition to the special teams.
In 2006, he handled the special teams and tight ends at Iowa State. He moved briefly to the Air Force Academy in early 2007 before being hired by the Raiders.
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