But he was not selected because of a judicial stay on that ruling, which was then overturned. Fr. Last year, USC allowed just 1.2 sacks a game (its lowest average since 1987). On June 6, 2011, the BCS officially vacated USC's 2004 National Championship. Cody's move to end means promising sophomore Manuel Wright (8 tac, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 3 dfl in 2003) will assume his tackle spot. Find out more. On the inside, there is senior walk-on Marco Chavez (he sat out 2003 after transferring from Hawaii), plus sophomore Oscar Lua, who was sidelined most of last season because of a knee injury (he missed some of 2004 spring drills while recuperating). He was sixth nationally in receptions (7.3, second in Pac-10) and 10th in receiving yards (101.1, third in Pac-10) in 2003. [6], The Trojans made their first visit to LaVell Edwards Stadium, on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Opponents averaged just 1.8 yards per carry against the Trojans last fall, a school record and 2003 national low. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. The Trojan special teams in 2003 were much-improved from previous years. [32] USC set both a school home attendance (511,373) as well as the Pac-10 home per game average attendance (85,229) records. [37], There was some controversy in the final team selections as the Auburn Tigers had also finished the regular season undefeated and won their bowl game, the Sugar Bowl, against the same Virginia Tech team USC defeated in the season opener; Auburn began the season ranked outside the top 15 and perhaps because of this they were unable to secure a spot in the national championship game,[38] although they did tie Oklahoma at No. The USC football coaching staff has been rounded out by Lincoln Riley with the hire of Josh Henson as offensive line coach late Sunday night. Fr., FB David Kirtman, Jr., FB Desmond Reed, Rs. [14], ESPN's College GameDay program visited the Los Angeles Coliseum for the first time[3] in anticipation of a game between highly ranked and undefeated teams: 7th-ranked California had given USC its only loss in the 2003 season, resulting in the Trojans sharing the 2003 National Championship. Playing its first game on November 14 of that year against the Alliance Athletic Club, USC achieved a 16-0 victory. Luke Huard, who comes from a family of outstanding quarterbacks, joined the USC staff in February of 2022 as an offensive analyst. Wil Smith, So. Defensively, Troy should be strong at linebacker and up the middle from front to back, while the ends and corners must be replaced. The team also won the AP title for the second year in a row. Ronald Nunn (40 tac, 4 for loss, 3 sack, 1 int for a TD, 4 dfl, 1 FF, 3 FR with 1 for a TD in 2003), known for his big plays, started 3 times in 2002 and played often in extra defensive back formations last year. USC has its new head coach after a two-and-a-half-month search, delivering a resounding kaboom to a process that had been impressively quiet with no leaks coming from the school before the news broke Sunday that the Trojans had hired Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley. USC later vacated 2 wins (1 in conference), as well as the BCS and Pac-10 Championships, due to NCAA sanctions. "But we must overcome several obstacles on the offensive side of the ball. The first from 1988-2004, and second . The official Football Coach List for the University of Southern California Trojans The official Football Coach List for the University of Southern California Trojans Football Coaches - USC Athletics Skip To Main Content USC Athletics Main Navigation Menu His 164.5 passing efficiency rating ranked third nationally and was a USC record (he's the nation's top-rated returning passer). He started all of 2002 and could win back his job in 2004. Ryan Powdrell, In. So he sought to have his collegiate eligibility restored (as of mid-July, he was awaiting word from the NCAA). He likely will start again, as could senior guard John Drake, if he's healthy. The 2004 USC Trojans finished the season 13-0 (8-0 in the Pac-10), | Pete Carrolls Record with Seattle Seahawks. USC then hosts Colorado State and travels to BYU and Stanford before having a trio of home games (California, Arizona and Washington) followed by a pair of road contests (Washington State and Oregon State). Henson, 46, spent the past 3 seasons (2019-21 . 2004 USC Coaching Staff Head Coach: Pete Carroll (13-0) Offensive Coordinator: Norm Chow Defensive Coordinator: Other Assistant Coaches: Lane Kiffin (WR Coach) Ed Oregeron (AHC/DL/RC) Best Players on the 2004 USC Football Team QB Matt Leinart QB Matt Cassel RB Lendale White RB Reggie Bush WR Dwayne Jarrett WR Steve Smith LB Matt Grootegoed A lot of the key players from that offense return this year. The team also won the AP title for the second year in a row. [2] Despite low expectations, the Bruins were able to shut down Leinart and give the Trojans a close game that was not decided until the final minutes. As a sophomore in 2003 when he placed eighth in the Heisman balloting, he had 95 catches for 1,314 yards (his second consecutive 1,000-yard season) and a USC record 16 TDs. For a while, it appeared that Williams--who has 176 receptions for 2,579 yards and a USC record 30 touchdowns in his 2-year career--would not return in 2004 after taking advantage of a court ruling to leave after his sophomore year for the NFL. "Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson are the best defensive linemen in college football," said Carroll. Fr. I think cornerback will be a strong position for us. The tight end corps is deep, with Gregg Guenther Jr. (17 catches and 2 TDs in 2003)-also a star on the Trojan basketball team-back after starting the last half of 2003, along with Dominique Byrd (14 catches and 6 early starts in 2003) and Alex Holmes (58 career catches), USC's starter in 2002 but injured last season. The NCAA also forced USC to permanently disassociate itself from Bush. We are constantly tweaking our formula so that we can find the sweet spot of when a coach is technically on the hot seat. Looking to break into the tailback rotation are sophomore Chauncey Washington (19 tcb, 65 yds, 3.4 avg, plus 1 rec, 6 yds, 6.0 avg), another power runner who might have figured more prominently in 2003 had an early ankle injury not hampered him, and quick redshirt freshman Desmond Reed, who worked at wide receiver and in the secondary last fall, along with a pair of walk-ons in junior Andre Woodert (3 tcb, 19 yds, 6.3 avg in 2003) and redshirt freshman John Griffin. KICKERS/PUNTERS/SNAPPERS Will Collins, Rs. Lincoln Riley is doing a lot of great things. [6], The game was tightly fought: Cal dominated the statistics, more than doubling USC's first downs (2812) and total yards (424205) while getting more plays (7950) and possession time (37:1122:49); Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a career performance, tying an NCAA single game record by completing his first 23 passes and guiding the Golden Bears to a first-and-goal at the Trojan 9-yard line with 1:47 to play. The 41-year . Behind him is walk-on redshirt freshman Mario Danelo, the son of ex-NFL kicker Joe Danelo. Providing that safety depth will be twin redshirt freshmen Brandon Ting (3 tac in 2003) and Ryan Ting (1 tac in 2003), and senior walk-ons Greg Farr (6 tac in 2003) and Chris Bocage (1 tac in 2003), who missed 2004 spring practice while recovering from a knee injury. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN USC's highly-regarded "Wild Bunch II" defensive line of the past 2 years is now down to "Wild Bunch ?," as veteran starting ends Kenechi Udeze and Omar Nazel are gone. ", Head Coach Pete Carroll, 2023 University of Southern California Athletics, United Airlines Field at L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Allyson Felix Field at Loker Track Stadium & Colich Center. Junior middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (98 tac, 11.5 for loss, 3 sack, 10 dfl, 4 int with 1 for a TD, 1 FF in 2003) returns after making the improbable jump from starting at Maine in 2001 to doing so at USC last fall. [35] USC scored next 28 points en route to a 3810 halftime lead. The kicking game returns intact, except for the snapper. [45], The NCAA found that Bush had received gifts from sports agents Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels from at least December 2004 in violation of NCAA rules of amateurism. . "It's a work ethic we must have in workouts, in practices and in games. Then, we need to continue developing those young players who contributed so much last year and hope that they can elevate their play. Fr., S Terrell Thomas, Rs. Fr., DE Mike Patterson, Sr., DT LaJuan Ramsey, Jr., DT-DE Frostee Rucker, Jr., DE Jeff Schweiger, In. So senior Lee Webb (9 tac, 1 FF in 2003, plus 4 tcb, 0 yds)-he started 5 times at fullback last year after seeing action at linebacker (where he played in 2001 and the first half of 2002)-will take over the starting job. But nobody else has seen significant action at this level yet. 2004 Cotton Bowl and 2004 . 2008 USC Coaching Staff Head Coach: Pete Carroll (12-1) Offensive Coordinator: Steve Sarkisian Defensive Coordinator: Nick Holt Other Assistant Coaches: Todd McNair (RB/ST Coach) Brennan Carroll (TE Coach) John Morton (WR Coach) Ken Norton Jr (LB Coach) Best Players on the 2008 USC Trojans Football Team QB Mark Sanchez RB Stafon Johnson Bush might also return punts. The talk will be inevitable, and understandably so. Sophomore Fred Matua started most of last season at right guard and brings a defensive lineman's mentality to the offensive front. 2004 USC >> 2003 USC Coaching Staff Head Coach: Pete Carroll (12-1) Offensive Coordinator: Norm Chow Defensive Coordinator: Other Assistant Coaches: Steve Sarkisian (QB Coach) Lane Kiffin (WR Coach) Ed Orgeron (AHC/RC/DL Coach) Best Players on the 2003 USC Trojans Football Team QB Matt Leinart QB John David Booty RB Lendale White RB Reggie Bush The vacated games included the Trojans' Orange Bowl win. "Our goal always will be to win the Pac-10 championship and the Rose Bowl. Fr., FB Reggie Bush, So., TB Hershel Dennis, Jr., TB John Griffin, Rs. The big disappointment is Donte Williams is not only coaching the cornerbacks, he got a fake title: Defensive passing game coordinator. "Our kicking game, under the expert guidance of coach Dennis Slutak once again, should be very strong. Fr. [8] The game marked the emergence of running back Reggie Bush, who often lined up at wide receiver, catching five passes for 127 yards and scored three touchdowns in a tight game. [26] The Trojans had lost in their previous visit to WSU, a 3027 overtime game in 2002; since then the Trojans had gone 281. "I truly believe we have put together an elite group of coaches that will help build this football program back to national prominence. So he sought to have his collegiate eligibility restored (as of mid-July, the NCAA hadn't ruled). Senior Gregg Guenther Jr. (17 rec, 167 yds, 9.8 avg, 2 TD in 2003, plus 1 blk FG) became the starter by mid-2003 and performed well. "I am very excited to formally announce our coaching staff," said Riley. We also have some talented young players who can make a mark.". USC's top 4 rushers (and 14 of its 17 ballcarriers), its top 4 passers and 16 of the 17 players who caught passes last year return in 2004. Michael Stuart, In. Headlining the offense will be quarterback Matt Leinart and wide receiver Mike Williams, All-Americans who should figure prominently in this year's Heisman race (they were sixth and eighth, respectively, in last season's voting). 7 Clemson, the Gamecocks' first win over a ranked opponent since 1998, as well as a 6-3 mark in non-conference action. However, the Associated Press still recognizes USC as 2004 AP title winner. LINEBACKERS USC's strength on defense will be its linebacking corps. He also had stops as wide receivers coach at Richmond (2004) and Western . OFFENSIVE LINEMEN A key to USC's success in 2004 will be the play of the partially-rebuilt offensive line, which could be the biggest in Trojan history (there are 8 linemen who weigh at least 300 pounds). . "The key for us this year will be whether we can return to the work ethic that made it possible to have the success we've had the past few years.