Changes for Both USCs

The University of Southern California and the University of South Carolina football programs rarely share the headlines unless the two are squabbling aver who exactly is the "Real USC." But since USC--err the one out West--won that battle via results on the field and in court (that one actually concerned just the SC logo trademark), their link today as football teams suddenly without head coaches is the strongest to date. The reasons behind Steve Sarkisian's ouster at Southern Cal and Steve Spurrier's as Head Ball Coach at South Carolina are as different as night and day, but it is still rare for major programs to lose head coaches in early October. As with most every coaching change at this time of the year, the circumstances were not good. Sarkisian is battling alcohol issues and certainly needs to regain his health. He was not the best fit, however, for a program that demands double figure wins and national championship runs on an annual basis. Thusly that USC, with or without AD Pat Haden (who should go too) needs to bring in a guy who can fully take advantage of the plethora of talent Southern Cal can pull annually. As for Spurrier, he retires as the all-time winningest coach at both Florida and South Carolina. He was one of the select few people in college football to excel at the highest level as both a player and a coach with both a Heisman Trophy and national championship to prove it. I do not agree with his mid-season departure but the team is currently broken and he did not have an answer. As for the squads they left behind the kids need to play hard and hope bright days are ahead. And good luck to the schools with their hires as it is not easy getting the perfect coach. Just look at the hiring histories of both USCs to see plenty of names that are forgotten or should be.