USC's Norm Chow to take OC spot for Titans

[sgn43]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1987726





As a USC fan, I'm sad to see him go. But, I think we'll be just fine without him as his replacements are two of his proteges that he's been coaching with/teaching for several years now. It's just a shame that his departure has been clouded with so much speculation and rumor regarding possible clashes with Pete Carroll and/or other coaches. Both coaches have gone on record to say the rumors were silly and far from truth, and personally I'm taking their word for it. With all that said, I think the Trojans are still about 98% sure to win their 3rd straight National Championship.

[betula]

I think this is a great hire by the Titans. I'm really surprised no other teams were showing any interest. I think USC will still be a good team, but I wouldn't write them into an unprecedented 3rd straight championship yet.

[sgn43]

Other teams were showing interest. It was really just a matter of time before he got a job as an NFL OC or college HC. I'd agree that it was a great hire by the Titans as he is the most decorated and arguably the best offensive coordinator in the history of college football. However, the Titans have openly said that they do not want a change to their offense, not even the terminology. That's one of the reasons I found his departure to be somewhat upsetting; A lot of things just didn't add up. I suppose you could chalk it up to the raise he got (from being the highest paid college assistant to a millionaire assistant in the NFL), but USC isn't without its own resources, and I'm certain we could have matched those offers. I guess it was just time for Norm to move on, and being an NFL OC is a good stepping stone to becoming a college HC.


USC will be better than good, trust me. I'm not saying they're going to win their third in a row for sure, simply because you can't predict injuries. But, if the Trojans remain healthy, the cliche "the only team that can beat them is themselves" comes into play.


I think next season will be interesting for both college and the NFL in that they will have two teams (USC and New England) vying for unprecedented third consecutive championships. And if there's ever been two teams that could pull it off, it's those two. However, with the Trojans and Patriots both experiencing a lot of reshuffling with coaching staffs, it should make for a very interesting offseason and season.

[n0nsensical]

Huh, in Leinart's position I would have gone pro, and in Chow's position I would have stayed at USC. Do these guys know something I don't?

[djtestudo]

If I'm Matt Leinart I'm not particularly happy right now.

Mike Wilbon has been saying he thinks Leinart could declare for the supplemental draft because of this; of course, he never thought Leinart would stay in the first place.

[betula]

Yeah, you didn't say that USC was a for sure lock to win... you were only 98% sure That beats the normal 95% confidence level needed for some statistical tests.

The OC works for the Head Coach. There is no reason for the Titans to bring in one new guy, and make everyone learn his system (coaches and players included). It is better to have Chow come in, learn their system, their terminology, and then add to it in the ways he can. And he will... he's a really smart guy.

What I meant about the lack of interest was that he didn't really get interviewed for any other jobs. I would have thought a lot more teams would at least throw their hat in the ring to interview the guy. But now he has the elusive NFL coordinator job, and he could be a couple good seasons away from a head coaching job in either the NFL or college... then he can custom build his own offence.

[sgn43]

Originally Posted by n0nsensical

[...]Do these guys know something I don't?

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say, "Yes."

Originally Posted by djtestudo

If I'm Matt Leinart I'm not particularly happy right now.

Mike Wilbon has been saying he thinks Leinart could declare for the supplemental draft because of this; of course, he never thought Leinart would stay in the first place.

Leinart is understandably upset over these developments. Norm was his mentor and the coach he was closest to at USC. His father even went so far to say that Norm was in some ways Matt's stand in father while away at college (he mentioned this in a recent L.A. Times article by Bill Plaschke).


However, Leinart said although Norm's departure is disheartening, he is still happy in his choice to stay. And in due time, the bad feelings will have dissipated and he'll be back on track to preparing for the upcoming season. So, suffice to say he won't be entering the supplemental draft. And even if he wanted out of USC, he wouldn't be eligible for the supplemental draft because he would not have graduated by then. I'm not sure exactly what the guidelines are for the draft, but this is what I've read from a few articles. Either way, Matty will be back next season and will be the starting quarterback for the SC Trojans.

Originally Posted by betula

Yeah, you didn't say that USC was a for sure lock to win... you were only 98% sure That beats the normal 95% confidence level needed for some statistical tests.

The OC works for the Head Coach. There is no reason for the Titans to bring in one new guy, and make everyone learn his system (coaches and players included). It is better to have Chow come in, learn their system, their terminology, and then add to it in the ways he can. And he will... he's a really smart guy.

What I meant about the lack of interest was that he didn't really get interviewed for any other jobs. I would have thought a lot more teams would at least throw their hat in the ring to interview the guy. But now he has the elusive NFL coordinator job, and he could be a couple good seasons away from a head coaching job in either the NFL or college... then he can custom build his own offence.

Heh, what can I say; I believe in my team.


I'm aware that it would be ridiculous to expect an entire team to restructure their offense just because one coach (who hasn't even proved himself in the pro ranks) joined the staff. But, Norm has been running his own style of offense for the 3 decades he's been coaching, and it's just weird that he is willing to sacrifice that to take over an offense that isn't his own and just add a touch here and there. You know? And, I agree that he's going to do the job there no matter what and be successful. It's just strange, but as more details come out over the whole situation, it makes sense. And yes, Dr. Norm Chow is very smart. I completely agree.


And there was plenty of interest in Norm, but he'd been shunning the NFL for so long and turning down college offers unless they were perfect for him. Also, he was just happy at USC, and the need to move on was not present. But, it appears that there really was some ego clashing, and it really does all add up. Norm has been openly saying that he was very disappointed that he did not get the Stanford head coaching spot, and all signs pointed towards him leaving in the near future. So, in a move in the interest of the program, Pete was promoting WR Coach and Passing Game Coordinator, Lane Kiffin to offensive coordinator, as well as bringing back former Quarterbacks Coach, Steve Sarkisian to take on a co-coordinator role. Norm was being promoted to Assistant Head Coach, and was to mentor and groom Kiffin and Sarkisian--whom he'd been mentoring for several years already--to take over the job after Chow's inevitable departure. Seems Chow was hurt by that and felt like it was signs of his being "forced out" of the program.


Now, this is all just my own speculation and opinion, but from the statements I've seen from the coaches and the way things have played out, it's the scenario I can think of that makes the most sense.