Running backs coach Todd McNair was banned from off-campus recruiting for one year after the NCAA determined he'd known about Bush's dealings with the agents. Joining the tackles in the fall as a freshman is prep All-American Lawrence Miles (La Quinta High in La Quinta, Calif.). [8] Although Virginia Tech was not ranked going into the game, they ended the season ranked 9th, going 103 (71 in the ACC), becoming ACC Champions in their first year in the conference and were invited to the 2005 Nokia Sugar Bowl. First, a starting wide receiver must emerge and we must reconstruct the line. We were efficient and took care of the football. There will be an entirely new left side and middle, as 10 years of starting experience must be replaced now that 2003 All-American first team left tackle Jacob Rogers (3-year starter), who was a second round NFL pick, plus All-Pac-10 first team center Norm Katnik (3-year starter) and left guard Lenny Vandermade (4-year starter) are gone. [6], The Trojans prevailed over the Beavers in a tight game in heavy fog at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. USC parting ways with two assistant football coaches - Los Angeles Times The Trojans returned a kickoff for a TD for the first time since 1998. Also, junior tackle Winston Justice, who from his right side spot protects Leinart's blind side, was slated to start for his third year and be an All-American candidate. Also a key special teams player, he led the Trojans in punt returns in 2001 with 25 for 225 yards (9.0 average) and earned All-Pac-10 first team honors as a special teamer that season. The Trojans have done a superb job of getting turnovers under Carroll, as their +1.33 turnover margin and +111 takeaways the past 3 seasons are the best marks in the nation. Colbert was selected in the NFL's second round. [18] Beyond the 2004 season, the game marked a turning point in terms of crowd participation at the Coliseum, which thereafter garnered a reputation as a loud and difficult place to play for opposing teams. Nazel, the defense's vocal leader, was a 2-year starter who last year notched 27 tackles, including 6.5 for loss (with 4 sacks), 2 fumble recoveries and an interception. And USC's rushing offense (155.9), though not nationally ranked, was its best since 1991. It's a schedule that could help USC better the average overall (72,806) and home (77,804) attendance school records it set last yearand gives credence to the Trojan marketing department's 2004 slogan of "Still The Hottest Ticket In Town. I'm really looking forward to watching the competition there and seeing how it shakes out. But he was ineligible for this past spring's practice and will not participate in the 2004 season because of a student conduct violation. Josh Henson - Football Coach - USC Athletics Backing him will be junior David Kirtman (5 tcb, 23 yds, 4.6 avg in 2003, plus 5 rec., 28 yds, 5.6 avg), a rugged blocker who has starting experience and is a key special teamer, and redshirt freshman Jody Adewale, a converted tailback. USC coaching candidates: Luke Fickell, Bob Stoops, Chris Petersen among Wil Smith, So. It's no wonder, then, that the Trojans likely will enter the 2004 campaign as a pre-season favorite to repeat as national champs. Fr., OT Travis Watkins, Sr., OG Kyle Williams, So., OT. It was the Trojans' first undisputed national championship since 1972, and the second time a team had gone wire-to-wire, with the Trojans holding the number 1 spot in the polls all season. Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron joined Colin Cowherd's podcast on Feb. 10, and discussed the future of USC football. USC Trojans football - Wikipedia Obviously there are emotional swings with sports and so the mathematical ratings do not always line up with the emotional expectations from a team. Full-Time Assistant Coaching Staff Named by New USC Football Head Coach We had tremendous fan support last year and we'll need all of them again in our quest to be the best in 2004.". Jr., OT Alatini Malu, So., OG Fred Matua, So., OG Chilo Rachal, In. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is the new football coach at USC, and he's bringing several of his assistants with him to Los Angeles. Is Coach Ken Niumatalolo on the Hot Seat? He changes the dynamic of the game when he's on the field. His career average of 44.9 is nearly a yard above the school standard. USC's top 2 tacklers (and 4 of its top 5) return from a 2003 defense that was first nationally in rushing defense (a school-record 60.2), second in turnover margin (+1.5) and tied for 17th in scoring defense (18.4), all Pac-10 bests. But he was not selected because of a judicial stay on that ruling, which was then overturned. [28], USC clinched its third consecutive conference championship with a victory over the visiting Arizona Wildcats. Chris McFoy, So. . And we have the potential to be explosive in the return game.". But a new snapper (for both short and long snaps) must be developed. QUARTERBACKS USC has perhaps the nation's top quarterback in record-setting All-American first teamer Matt Leinart (255-of-402, 63.4%, 3,556 yds, 38 TD, 9 int in 2003), a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is still putting the finishing touches on his coaching staff with the Ducks while he prepares to coach Georgia's defense in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Michigan on Dec. 31. USC wound up being stripped of all wins in 2004 and 2005 and its BCS national championship in 2004. [29] LenDale White ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns while Matt Leinart passed for 280 yards and three more scores; the game guaranteed USC a spot in, at worst, the Rose Bowl[30], After two weeks off, the Trojans were visited by the rival Fighting Irish, led by Coach Tyrone Willingham, in the inter-sectional rivalry for the Jeweled Shillelagh. After the regular season, the University of Mississippi hired USC Assistant Head Coach Ed Orgeron, who also served as Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, to be the new head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels football team; although hired on December 16, 2004, he remained with USC through the Orange Bowl.[42]. The AP released a statement saying that USC will keep its 2004 AP title. So he sought to have his collegiate eligibility restored (as of mid-July, he was awaiting word from the NCAA). "He far exceeded our hopes. Fr., CB Justin Wyatt, Jr., CB. Nick Vanderboom, So. Matt Cassel, Sr. Brandon Hance, Sr. Billy Hart, Jr. Rocky Hinds, In. But I was pleased with the line's progress in this past spring's practice. The team was coached by Pete Carroll in his fourth year with the Trojans, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Matt Leinart, Jr. Michael McDonald, Rs. Three of the nation's top recruits could make an immediate impact as freshmen (all were prep All-Americans). It was also banned from bowl games in 2010 and 2011 and lost 30 scholarships over three years. Each offers something different: Hershel Dennis brings stability, LenDale White brings power and Reggie Bush brings speed.". "That's how we're looking at it. "Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson are the best defensive linemen in college football," said Carroll. [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. [7] This was the first time the two teams had competed in football;[7] and with the game held only three hours away from Virginia Tech, the crowd was dominated by Hokies fans. He started all of 2002 and could win back his job in 2004. LINEBACKERS Collin Ashton, Jr. Mike Brittingham, So. "That talk is beyond our control," said Carroll, the National Coach of the Year in 2003 after his team was named the national champion by Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, New York Times, ESPN.com, SI.com, CBS.SportsLine.com, Collegefootballnews.com and several other organizations. Luke Huard - Football Coach - USC Athletics (Simon Park | Daily Trojan) "But we must overcome several obstacles on the offensive side of the ball. 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). [43], In conference, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush were named 2004 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Players of the Year, while DE-DT Shaun Cody was Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year; it marked the first time teammates had ever shared the honors on one side of the ball, the third time a school had won both offensive and defensive players of the year, and it was Leinart's second consecutive year being named the Offensive Player of the Yearmaking him the fourth to do so. This page was last edited on 18 October 2022, at 20:43. 2007 USC Coaching Staff Football Coaches & Staff Also pushing for playing time at the corner spots will be juniors Justin Wyatt (10 tac in 2003, plus 3 rec, 20 yds, 6.7 avg and 3 KOR, 41 yds, 13.7 avg), who also saw some action at wide receiver last fall, and John Walker (3 tac, 1 dfl in 2003), and redshirt freshmen Eric Wright and Terrell Thomas, plus junior walk-ons Alex Gomez and Justin Tolliver. Fr. Junior Dominique Byrd (14 rec, 268 yds, 19.1 avg, 1 TD in 2003) started the first half of 2003 and was impressive before suffering a season-ending knee injury (he missed 2004 spring drills while recuperating). The leading candidates for both roles are redshirt freshman Will Collins, a one-time walk-on who earned a scholarship this spring, and junior walk-on linebacker Collin Ashton. He averages a touchdown every 6.1 times he touches the ball. The 2004 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Gable; WR Steve Smith; WR Dwayne . "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," said Carroll, who is 29-9 at USC (including 10-0 in November). It was the third consecutive year that Troy led the league in scoring defense. "The tailback position is a strong one for us," said Carroll. Quarterback Matt Leinart was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States, with teammate Reggie Bush coming in 5th place. "I am very excited to formally announce our coaching staff," said Riley. 2020 Seattle Seahawks Season 12 4 Lost in Wild Card to LAR, (Win Expectations: Make Div. [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. USC's defense last season posted a national-best 55 sacks, forced 42 turnovers and scored 8 touchdowns (and had 2 safeties). Last year, USC allowed just 1.2 sacks a game (its lowest average since 1987). I really like what our returning defensive players bring. Behind Leinart is a stable of very capable backups. In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, Matt Leinart also won the Walter Camp Award and was named the AP Player of the Year. "The challenge is whether we can keep it up. [44], In June 2010, the NCAA imposed sanctions on USC as a result of an investigation into the football program. 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. But we'll throw open the competition for those two corner spots and see how it unfolds. Then there's senior Brandon Hance (4-of-9, 44.4%, 44 yds in 2003), who started 9 games at Purdue in 2001 and was No. 7 Clemson, the Gamecocks' first win over a ranked opponent since 1998, as well as a 6-3 mark in non-conference action. "I am very excited to formally announce our coaching staff," said Riley. If we can have that kind of work ethic, we'll be on the right track.". KICKERS/PUNTERS/SNAPPERS Will Collins, Rs. The team also won the AP title for the second year in a row. 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. The 2004 season featured a win over No. 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. He's a smart quarterback who understands our offense. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Both are battled-tested seniors and are All-American nominees after winning All-Pac-10 first team honors last fall. Fr. "But because of our accomplishments the past two seasons, we know we'll be challenged to the max each game now. Fr. 2004 Cotton Bowl and 2004 . Because of the controversy that ended the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season with a split national title between LSU and USC, the motto for the Trojans' 2004 season became "Leave No Doubt. [6] With the victory, USC sealed a bid for the BCS National Championship Game in the Orange Bowl.[34]. [20], The 15th-ranked Sun Devils, under Coach Dirk Koetter, were out to prove that they were a part of the national title picture and USC was out to prove it deserved its top-ranking after a series of close games to the Bay Area schools. . It is widely considered one of the greatest college football teams of all time. The electrifying Bush earned Freshman All-American first team honors as he set the USC freshman all-purpose yardage record (1,331 yards) and, as a hold-your-breath-when-he-gets-the-ball runner, had 24 plays of 20-plus yards in 2003. [31] ESPN's College GameDay made its second-ever visit to the Coliseum. Other possibilities on the outside among the returnees are junior walk-on Collin Ashton (28 tac, 0.5 for loss, 1 FF, 1 dfl in 2003), who performed admirably while starting twice late last year when Simmons was injured, and redshirt freshman Thomas Williams, plus walk-on sophomore Mike Brittingham, who also can play fullback. 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.