On Chow

OK, Scott, while we're busy relaxing, you can perhaps explain why you said yesterday that Chow ``will join'' Kiffin at USC. You think -- maybe just a teensy-weensy bit? -- that you caused people to get excited about it?

Garrett better hope Kiffin can talk Chow into this.

I know I'm not alone in saying that my enthusiasm will be taken down several notches without Chow in the mix.

I'm starting to get a little nervous. WTF?!!

If Garrett made the call to go with Kiffin over Gruden because Gruden wanted his own people and Kiffin was willing to work with Chow - that had better happen.

The only world where Kiffin is better than Gruden is the world where Kiffin also employs his dad, Orgeron, and Chow. Any other world? Not so much.

Wolf, how about an update on other recruits like Baxter or any of the Tenn recruits who might come to SC?

Yes Norm Chow. Maybe Norm Chow. Sheesh. Either way, I wish Norm the best. Would love to see him stay a Bruin staffer, but if he goes your way, so be it. I'm just still thrilled that King Carroll has finally left his kingdom. Kiffin. Wow. What a choice.

I agree, Sureshot. If Chow doesn't complete this coaching staff, there's no knowing where the program will end up. At first, I was upset they hired back Kif...but when NC was thrown into the mix, it was like a sigh of relief and excitement. SC with Chow brought 2 National Championships. SC without Chow.....great seasons, but no cigar. Chow deal needs to happen.

I don't see Chow turning this down, assuming it's not already locked up.

His pay will nearly double, maybe more. His play calling power will likely be autonomous. He's still got a kid at SC. I think the friction between him and Kiff is exaggerated.

Surprises never cease, but a little shocked if it doesn't go down.

Ps., really tired of hearing all the sanctimonious BS about dastardly Kiff from all the analysts. Dude is out for #1. Who isn't??? Since when is ambition a sin?

so even though USC wants Chow, whether there can be a comfortable pairing needs to be discussed.

Let me say that a little more correctly so your readers can understand. If there is enough money involved Norm Chow will hold his nose while he signs and feel comfortable that his family is taken care of forever.

Whethere there can be a COMFORTABLE pairing. Not a great situation, dream team, but comfortable.

LAT reports on McKnight -

"I'm not coming back. Why would I?" McKnight asked.

"I'm not worried about Lane Kiffin," McKnight said, referring to his announcement last week that he would turn pro. "I'm moving on. I'm done. I'm officially done there, no matter what they say."

Sounds pretty bitter but can you blame him? Probably not going to see him on the sideline at Coliseum any time soon

Let's hope he grows up. What did he expect SC to do, risk playing an inelgible player? I hope his attitude reflects his inocence.

So if Chow doesn't go to SC, then Kiffin is a bad hire? That doesn't sound like a vote of confidence for Lane. You have more respect for Monte, Ed, and Norm. How do you expect Lane to lead the team?

Screw McKnight. Dude is a wannabe and malcontent. I wrote this about him a few weeks ago:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/316137-goodbye-joe-mcknight-thanks-for-everything-signed-usc-fans

McFumble was close to being the next Bush. Bust is close to Bush, isn't it? Good luck special teaming in the NFL.

actually, Bush = Bust in the NFL.

Chow IS the difference between this being a very good/great situation and a very questionable situation. From all reports, coach O wanted to come back whether or not Lane Kiffin was hired. Obviously there would be no Monte Kiffin, but a scenario with Coach ??? AND Chow, O, Davis etc... is far better than LK, Monte, O and NO Chow. At least when Pete let his ego get the better of him and got rid of the wrong people he had already done something. Let's be honest here, Lane is a spoiled punk who lets his mouth get him in trouble who has not really accomplished much in regards to the level he is at. The best thing he can do is get the right people around him (Chow) and let them do what they do. Hopefully his first act as coach is not to screw up the Norm Chow hiring.

MG may not be 'Mr. Personality', but he sure hit it out of the park when he hired PC in '01 after his first 3 choices turned down the job.

At that time, all the sports scribes were wondering what he could be thinking. Now in a similar scenerio, some of the scribes are again thinking MG has lost it. Well imho MG may have just hit a grand-slam!

McFumble wanted to be the next Bush. He couldn't get it done on the field, so he helped him self to some off-field benefits instead.

His departure is a case of addition by subtraction for the USC football program. We're ready for a steady diet of Bradford and Tyler next year.

Relaxing is the easy part. If the administration is willing to "pony up" on the cash, Norm will like that. But he's sensitive about his turf if any of you can recall... Lane needs to assure him he's the man on the offensive side calling the plays. I agree with the earlier posts... SC should have had at least 4 "NCs" on their resumes this decade if PC hadn't decided to stomp all over Norm"s toes after the Orange Bowl. Chow is the difference in going all.....the.....way.

relax a little bit? relax? i had to take a PTO day from the candy factory to follow the wires and wolf you are telling me to relax??

the .376% Gang at Southern Cal needs chow bad. UCLA can take him or leave him, but per all the Kool-Aiders, the .376% Gang+Chow= THE DREAM TEAM! and i'm supposed to relax?

Hey, Chuck. You can't divide by zero.

I agree with the group here. Chow is the headliner in this group. Without him delivered, this is a good hire. With him, its an A+ hire.

I would take Kiffin/Kiffin/Orgeron/Chow over Carroll/Flunky/Flunky/Flunky straight up, any time.

Chow agent just changed his stance according to espn. He now says they are talking to USC.

I agree with Sureshot. I feel like we really could have done better than hiring Lane Kiffin and I don't feel the need to hide it. Lane Kiffin is a punk.

We could have done way better than LK and his dad. I say fire Mike Garrett for making a rash decision to save his own ass.

Nice momo. That's good news.

MOMO, you are going to have to provide an espn link to that story because I searched and don't see it anywhere. The Orange County Reg reported that as of today, Chow's agent had not spoken to anyone at USC.

USConquer,It was on Espn News 30 minutes ago. Turn on your TV and watch it. geez!

Conquer -

Garrett is already fired - basically. Most people think he had nothing to do with these hires and once everything settles down, USC will allow him to retire quietly. USC is not going to embarrass him at this point. He is still a revered Heisman winner and he knows the writing on the wall. He will bow out gracefully, in my opinion.

Just seen it to on espn, Chow agent has talked to usc about position.

Junior Seau retiring per ESPN. Linebackers coach? maybe? Ok, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself...

Every minute that goes by without a deal makes me nervous.

presser: ouch....no chow. too bad for the .376% Gang :(

how sugar sweeeeet if Andy D. waits till the end to announce he got chow...it will show he is a force to be reckoned with. or a big strike-out.

Dream Team = Fail

I just love it! Really, I can't believe the blessing from above; LAME Kiff to USC.

I think Kiffin mentioned that he expects to call plays. I wonder what that means for the Chow possibility?

UCLA will CONQUER once again.! Fight ON!

Wow. Lane had the "deer in headlights" look. Without Chow this is more of a nightmare than a dream team.

We'll be happy to keep him if he chooses to stay a Bruin. Good luck with LAME if he chooses to go back to the ghetto. Cheers. Mr. Bruin

Junior Seau to coach UCLA linebackers; a little pay back if you know what I mean.

Jon Gold says Norm Chow staying at UCLA

WOW. total collapse of the Southern Cal fan base. i infer they all curled up in fetal positions right now and unable to spin this utter and complete devastation into something they can survive with.

see, this is what i was talking about when i warned against going all Kool-Aid coo-coo over the ledge (i was quite in love with my metaphor of lemmings leaping "off the cliff of desperation into the sea of dissapointment")

and now, depression sets in.

sorry correction, Jon Gold says NC told RN he "wants to be at ucla" doesnt mean he will for sure be staying

ESPN News say's that Chow's agent has been in contact with USC and that Chow's level of interest is high.

As for the deer in headlights look I'll give him a pass considering what he and his family have been through in the past 24. Those folks in Knoxville take their football pretty darn serious!

Thanks for the correction, j000, I was going to post the same thing. "Is staying" and "wants to stay" are two totally different things. I want to do a lot of things, but it doesn't mean I will do them! I'm reading into it that Chow wants to stay *if the price is right*. But I don't think UCLA can match what 'SC will offer. So I still have hope, especially since Neuheisel said, "I want to honor his opportunity to make a living, do the best he possibly can for himself." That's a bit telling.

As long as we are nitpicking. ESPN News quoted Chow's agent as saying "Their interest is strong". He was referring to SC's interest in NC not the other way around. The agent made no reference to Chow's interest in SC.

Not to sound too much like a Lane apologist or anything, but anyone who made it out of Knoxville alive under such circumstances would carry a deer-in-the-headlights look.

Damn, you bRuins fans have nothing better to do than hang out on a Trojan board. Life must really suck for a bRuin. How long has it been since your last championship? How about your last Heisman? National championship? Why don't you just get on the board for the Sun Belt or MAC, maybe you can talk *hit to them. Until you've done something, keep your pie hole shut. Even if NC doesn't come over, you are still second rate citizens. Fight on.

bucket,
right about now for the Chow, to Ricky boy, it's
SHOW ME THE MONEY TIME! Guerrero can't match it...so Adios Norm.

Conquer....you couldn't come up with a more original moniker?

@ not so fast. Thanks for clarifying that. Heard it again and you are exactly right what was said.

This link goes in to more detail:
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=4823694

Say Chow doesn't come. Will Lane be HC/OC or will they hire someone else; Or maybe a QB coach to augment Lane; or possibly some other option?

Say Chow doesn't come. Will Lane be HC/OC or will they hire someone else; Or maybe a QB coach to augment Lane; or possibly some other option?

@Trojan Conquest: No I couldn't come up with a more original moniker. I like my nick, so there.