O'Neill walks into a huge mess at Southern Cal.
Division 1 head coaching jobs are usually highly sought-after, but the vacant position at USC comes with a bevy of problems.
Kevin O’Neill has decided to undertake the test of rebuilding a program decimated by scandal, NBA early entries, and one of the smallest recruiting classes in Division 1 hoops.
O’Neill will be introduced as USC Men’s Basketball coach at a press conference scheduled for Monday morning.
A longtime NBA assistant, O’Neill spent last year working for the Memphis Grizzlies. He coached the Toronto Raptors to a 33-49 record in 2004 in his only season as head coach in the pros.
His NBA pedigree might be impressive, but his record as a college head coach is not. O’Neill has posted a 171-180 record during 12 seasons, including stops at Marquette, Tennessee, Northwestern, and Arizona.
USC lost four key players to the NBA draft, including leading scorer and rebounder Taj Gibson. The Trojans have also had to say goodbye to a whopping eight recruits, including high school sensation Renardo Sidney. The school pulled Sidney’s offer this spring amid rumors he was seeking financial compensation for attending USC.
O’Neill will almost certainly have to endure a couple years of futility with a small roster. Things could get worse before they get better; the Trojans are awaiting punishment from the NCAA in wake of the Tim Floyd-O.J. Mayo scandal.
USC is finding out that it’s much harder to recruit when things get hot.
