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THE LATEST: USC Defensive Coordinator Search Wrapping Up?
by:Scott Schrader•about 1 hour•
https://twitter.com/Scott_Schrader
On Sunday night WeAreSC reported we expected an announcement on USC’s new defensive coordinator at some point this week. Obviously there can be snags encountered with tricky contract language and certain demands, but as of Wednesday night, we still believed an announcement is coming by week’s end. Possibly before the Pac-12 Championship Game.
There have been reports of an imminent announcement for well over a week, but that’s not what we were reporting. It wasn’t until Sunday we heard from sources a DC could be hired this week. We were told it would likely come after Wednesday, so that checks out.
As we’ve reported since day one of this search, we’ve believed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator
Jim Leonhard was the top candidate for
Lincoln Riley and USC. Where things stand with them making this hire happen is unknown. There’s nearly zero information leaking from Heritage Hall, which was expected.
Tony White
On Tuesday afternoon Nebraska DC
Tony White’s name emerged as a candidate for the job. There were even reports he would ultimately be hired as USC’s defensive coordinator, but a source tells WeAreSC White isn’t likely. The source told us they believed USC got someone they really wanted and are keeping it close to the vest.
That said, we can confirm USC reached out to gauge White’s interest. As of Thursday morning, White hadn’t had any contract discussions with USC or much communication of any.
Tony Gibson
Gibson is the current defensive coordinator at North Carolina St and interviewed for the Duke head coaching gig this week. He would be another solid hire and his name get tossed around today as a candidate, but we’re told USC hasn’t shown any interest as of Thursday morning.
What we’re hearing with Jim Leonhard
It’s been reported by us and many other outlets that Leonhard prefers heading to the NFL as a coordinator versus coaching in college. But timing and lack of obvious opportunities may be working in USC’s favor. Most college programs looking to fill coaching vacancies prefer getting that done this week with the Transfer Portal opening on Dec. 4.
USC absolutely cannot wait to fill its defensive coordinator opening until after the NFL season. Leonhard must decide soon if taking the USC gig is the move, or waiting it out for potential attractive NFL opportunities.
For all we know, he may have already made the call one way or the other. On Monday night we were told USC definitely had a shot to close on Leonhard, but we haven’t heard anything since.
We were also told Leonhard’s called people asking about Lincoln Riley, USC, West Coast living and other topics related to potentially accepting the job in Los Angeles. It’s hard to imagine Leonhard going through this process if there wasn’t serious interest.
Lastly
Although Leonhard has appeared to be the top choice for the Trojans, we’re hearing
Pete Kwiatkowski’s name is still circulating as a possible option. Kwiatkowski’s situation is a bit more complicated with
Texas vying for a Big-12 Conference Championship and potential playoff berth.
We’re hearing a USC defensive coordinator hire announcement could come before the Pac-12 Championship on Friday.