What Hackett left Carroll vs what Helton left Riley. Attached is an article from Sondheimer of the Times, discussing SC's 2000 top ten recruiting class. Carroll had two great recruiting, I mean all-time classes, after that which was 2003 and 2004. I was covering SC during this decade and its very interesting to go back and look at the kids who lived up to the hype and who didn't. It reminded me how slim the margin is for success. Helton proved you can't win with average kids, unless you can coach them up - he couldn't. Pete did, but surrounded the 3 stars with key 4 and 5 star players to take his team to the top. His greatest failure was the RB vs Texas - he'd lost sight of things, his players had fought thru that year, nearly losing to ND and others. We were down to 3 stars and inexperienced youth. Anyway, its a shame because Carroll thought we'd bounce back but never did - Sanchez bailed, sanctions loomed and the whole thing imploded. Carroll thought Chow was just another OC, and could plug and play with Sark/Kiff - laughable. Regardless, Riley is not starting at the same talent level in which Pete - the one key player to Pete's early success was his QB, Carson Palmer.
Anyway, for those who were around from '99-2010, its interesting to look at the recruiting classes and who turned out and who flamed out.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-03-sp-60786-story.html
Fair point(s) SS. Very.
But as bad as dumb & dumber were
PC was the defensive coordinator that NC game and couldn’t stop a QB who wouldnt throw past 15 yards. I blame PC on that Texas game. Completely.
Prob not fair actually.
Lendale fumbling ball on USC’s 2nd to last offensive Play before their big 4th down stop was just freak luck. So many what ifs in that game but PC bombed it that night.
PC biggest failure was Goat Kiffin and Suck at OC ... that’s why they had narrow wins in 2005 and lost to Texas. Because those two sucked each other balls. 2008 should had been a walk off NC. But that stoned up F head idiot Suck thought it was cool to go snort coke and hookers than do his job. Piece of shit. Kiffin was just stupid.
I never considered Pete as a great recruiter. He had great results by creating an SC Brand that sold itself. Pete's weakness was not developing the support coaching staff. The SC brand as a steppingstone would have sold itself if Pete would have been willing to give power to his support staff. Pete was so use to not having power he didn't know how o use it when he had total control.
Solid post!
Haven’t seem you in a long time...hope all is well.
If you get a chance, could you please email me? augustwest1967@gmail.com
Riddle me this Fraud. How have Bama & Saban done WITHOUT VisorBoy & Cutty Sark???? Both before & after.
Does that process into your amazing analysis?
2005 was 11.6 ppg and over 100 ypg better than 2004. Kiffin and Sark were doing all of the game planning in 2003 and 2004. Chow refused to recruit and was fired. He failed and was fired in his next 5 jobs. Kiffin is competing for SEC championships. Sark is HC at Texas. Both have won multiple NCs since and Pete has won a super bowl. Everything you posted is wrong.
Good list.
CP3 & Troy P are pretty
good as “throw ins” LOL. Both legit NFL HOFers & all time Trojan greats. NOTHING like that here today. Generational talents for sure.
I see a few OL guys who got a cup of coffee in the NFL. (Rodgers for sure)
Londons better than Keary Colbert Tho!
Not sure if call this an empty cupboard tho. Carson & Troy are worth 2-3 JAGS arnt they?? But yeah not an incredible collection of talent either. This is when Toledo was recruiting well across town Right?
Can’t read the article due to the paywall But from memory Hackett left very little talent. the 2000 team Pete took over had no talent anywhere. Troy Polamalu was pretty much it, and don’t mention Carson, he was terrible before Pete. a turnover machine. is Helton team better? Prob not, a few nfl guys sprinkled in there, the Drakes. What’s more interesting is how quickly a coach focused on recruiting can turn it around. Pete did. Riley will too. Oh and the 2008 team might have been Petes best. 2006 and 2008 were natty worthy. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2000-roster.html
No question that Helton's recruiting was getting worse.