Advertisement

USC Name Game begins even before Tim Floyd makes decision

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The ink isn’t dry on Arizona’s offer to Tim Floyd, and he hasn’t signed as far as we know, but speculation has begun on who would succeed him as USC’s basketball coach.

1. Tim Floyd: He said last year that USC would be his last job coaching college basketball, and he made an impassioned plea to USC players this week to stay and help take the team to next year’s Final Four. He didn’t seem like a man who had another job in mind.

Advertisement

2. Jamie Dixon: Wouldn’t that be fun? Dixon is UCLA Coach Ben Howland‘s best friend. It would be a perfect fit. The Pitt coach is from North Hollywood and a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. But he is locked into a contract until 2013, and the buyout probably would be steep.

3. Reggie Theus: The Inglewood native had success in two seasons at New Mexico State, taking the Aggies to the NCAA tournament the second season. But then he was lured by the money and had a disastrous and short tenure as the Sacramento Kings coach. With his savoir faire, he would certainly dress up the Trojans sideline.

4. Randy Bennett: He’s been great at St. Mary’s and has flirted with the Pac 10 before, when jobs came open at Cal and Oregon State. His contract runs out after the 2013 season. His buyout might not be as difficult to negotiate as Dixon’s.

5. Michael Cooper: The Daily News reported he’s in line for the USC women’s job. Cooper has told his current employer, the Sparks, that it’s just a rumor. But it’s possible he would be interested in the men’s job.

6. Rick Majerus: Kidding. USC has been there and done that, for about 48 hours. That was enough, apparently for both sides.

-- Randy Harvey

Advertisement