USC fires head coach Kevin O'Neill

Dan · Jan 14, 2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Kevin O'Neill has been removed as the head coach of @USC_Hoops. Bob Cantu will take over in the interim as the coaching search begins. #USC

Pat Haden: "It became evident to me that we needed new leadership in our men's basketball program." Full story on KO: http://www.usctrojans.com/blog/2013/...ng-change.html

Kevin O'Neill: "I thank USC for allowing me to guide their program. I couldn't be more proud to work anywhere."

https://twitter.com/USC_Athletics

PeoriaChief · Jan 14, 2013, 10:03 AM

Woah!

-josh- · Jan 14, 2013, 10:20 AM

What more sad, that he was fired early or that another sucker will have him as a head coach next year?

DiscipleOfBattle · Jan 14, 2013, 10:28 AM

"I thank USC for allowing me to guide their program. I couldn't be more proud to work anywhere."

Guide it into oblivion you mean. This guy does not have the temperament to be a head coach. You can only act like him if you're successful. Then, you have a great excuse for being a first class jerk, e.g., Bobby Knight.

illinicb · Jan 14, 2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiscipleOfBattle

"I thank USC for allowing me to guide their program. I couldn't be more proud to work anywhere."

Guide it into oblivion you mean. This guy does not have the temperament to be a head coach. You can only act like him if you're successful. Then, you have a great excuse for being a first class jerk, e.g., Bobby Knight.

Seemed like an odd hire in the first place for a guy like Haden.

Dan · Jan 14, 2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Another reason why Kevin O'Neill fired now, per source. Pat Haden didn't want him long-term. Did it now in case team started to win.

And as far as the Reggie Theus rumors are concerned, Theus loves to use writers to throw his name out there. I'd like the USC job, also.

Look for USC to make another inquiry/run at Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon, source told CBSSports. West coast guy. You never know.

http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Jan 14, 2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinicb

Seemed like an odd hire in the first place for a guy like Haden.

It would have been. Haden didn't hire him.

FeelYourPaign · Jan 14, 2013, 11:10 AM

Very unusual timing in college sports. Like the logic, though, of saying I don't want the guy and I can't take the chance that the team goes on a tear and my hands are tied. That's a fairly bold move for an AD to let that out there.

Cool Hand Luke · Jan 14, 2013, 11:12 AM

Seems to me USC's best course of action is to take a chance on an up-and-coming assistant who can recruit -- how hard is it to recruit to USC? -- rather than go after a guy like Dixon or some retread. But, I suppose if they have a realistic shot at Dixon it would be hard to not hire him. Certainly a huge step up from O'Neill.

USC basketball is a lot like Illinois football. It really should be a lot better program than it is.

Groundhogday · Jan 14, 2013, 11:29 AM

Reggie Theus continues to work at getting a HC job without actually, you know, doing the work it takes to get a high major HC job.

illinicb · Jan 14, 2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

It would have been. Haden didn't hire him.

Then I was right!

Wasn't sure how long Haden had been there, but thought O'Neill was a relatively recent hire.

Maybe he can go back to NU when Carmody leaves.

MTILLINOIS · Jan 14, 2013, 12:00 PM

I have never been a fan of Kevin O'Neill. Not sure why he keeps getting D1 jobs.

radiodj · Jan 14, 2013, 01:55 PM

I'm surprised by the talk of Jamie Dixon being a possible candidate for the USC job. I was under the impression that his star had taken a hit over the past couple of years.

BlindLoyalty · Jan 14, 2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

Very unusual timing in college sports. Like the logic, though, of saying I don't want the guy and I can't take the chance that the team goes on a tear and my hands are tied. That's a fairly bold move for an AD to let that out there.

It is becoming much more common and seems to result in a much greater hiring pool. You are the first high profile job available months before others, you can contact current coaches through back-channels & even get a deal in place before most or all high profile jobs become open. In some of these instances coaches (that never would have been targeted) contacted the AD during the season. If I were a non-blueblood high D1 AD I would strongly consider making this type of move if the firing is inevitable in March.

Off the top of my head mid season firings/force outs...

Depaul fires Wainwright -- Hires Purnell (very surprising hire).
Minnesota forces Monson -- Hires Tubby Smith (shocking)
Gottfried fired at Alabama - Hire Anthony Grant
Felton fired at Georgia - Hire Mark Fox
Sampson fired - Hires Crean (IU is a blue blood though)

gibb52 · Jan 14, 2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

I have never been a fan of Kevin O'Neill. Not sure why he keeps getting D1 jobs.

Agree. The guy is a maniac. He has now been run off from 3 programs as head coach, and from another as an asst.

PeoriaSteve · Jan 15, 2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

I have never been a fan of Kevin O'Neill. Not sure why he keeps getting D1 jobs.

+1, me either.

ILL_INI · Jan 15, 2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindLoyalty

It is becoming much more common and seems to result in a much greater hiring pool. You are the first high profile job available months before others, you can contact current coaches through back-channels & even get a deal in place before most or all high profile jobs become open. In some of these instances coaches (that never would have been targeted) contacted the AD during the season. If I were a non-blueblood high D1 AD I would strongly consider making this type of move if the firing is inevitable in March.

Off the top of my head mid season firings/force outs...

Depaul fires Wainwright -- Hires Purnell (very surprising hire).
Minnesota forces Monson -- Hires Tubby Smith (shocking)
Gottfried fired at Alabama - Hire Anthony Grant
Felton fired at Georgia - Hire Mark Fox
Sampson fired - Hires Crean (IU is a blue blood though)

That's very observant. And in college football, Arkansas, who fired Petrino early in the season, made the stunning move of hiring Wisconsin's Bielema.

Illini34 · Jan 15, 2013, 06:01 PM

USC basketball has alot of problems right now and with the right coach it can be fixed in about 2-4 years. Wonder who that coach could be??

AzIlliniFan · Jan 16, 2013, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILL_INI

That's very observant. And in college football, Arkansas, who fired Petrino early in the season, made the stunning move of hiring Wisconsin's Bielema.

I'm still scratching my head over that one. I know he's from there. They have some crazy Suuu Eeee fans (or whatever that nonsense is they holler), but I just don't see how that move made sense for him. Were the $$$ that much more? I mean he was set at Wisky for the long term and his chances of doing well there were much higher than doing well in Arkansas.

foby · Jan 16, 2013, 06:52 AM

Just needed an air freshener until the stink of the program was masked. Stink gone, air freshener disposed of.

Symmooth · Jan 16, 2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

Very unusual timing in college sports. Like the logic, though, of saying I don't want the guy and I can't take the chance that the team goes on a tear and my hands are tied. That's a fairly bold move for an AD to let that out there.

All true, but the team obviously has a lot of talent that could start winning despite the coach.

Most likely the AD has someone locked up already but can't hire him until later for some reason. Doesn't want the possible embarrassment of firing a coach that is on a winning streak.

Just a guess, but he probably doesn't especially like the guy either or maybe more importantly, how he's treating the kids on the team.

georgeuremovich · Jan 17, 2013, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzIlliniFan

I'm still scratching my head over that one. I know he's from there. They have some crazy Suuu Eeee fans (or whatever that nonsense is they holler), but I just don't see how that move made sense for him. Were the $$$ that much more? I mean he was set at Wisky for the long term and his chances of doing well there were much higher than doing well in Arkansas.

For the record, it's "whooooooo pig soooie"

FeelYourPaign · Jan 17, 2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Symmooth

All true, but the team obviously has a lot of talent that could start winning despite the coach.

Most likely the AD has someone locked up already but can't hire him until later for some reason. Doesn't want the possible embarrassment of firing a coach that is on a winning streak.

Just a guess, but he probably doesn't especially like the guy either or maybe more importantly, how he's treating the kids on the team.

Your take on it is exactly what I read between the lines as well.

Jan 14, 2013, 10:20 AM	#3
-josh- STAHP! Location: The paign born and raised Posts: 3,173	What more sad, that he was fired early or that another sucker will have him as a head coach next year? __________________ virtus junxit mors non separabit

Jan 14, 2013, 11:12 AM	#9
Cool Hand Luke Founder, Mike Thomas Fan Club Location: Tuscola, IL Posts: 709	Seems to me USC's best course of action is to take a chance on an up-and-coming assistant who can recruit -- how hard is it to recruit to USC? -- rather than go after a guy like Dixon or some retread. But, I suppose if they have a realistic shot at Dixon it would be hard to not hire him. Certainly a huge step up from O'Neill. USC basketball is a lot like Illinois football. It really should be a lot better program than it is. __________________ "The freight train is moving. Either jump on or get off." - John Groce

Jan 14, 2013, 11:29 AM	#10
Groundhogday Posts: 18,072	Reggie Theus continues to work at getting a HC job without actually, you know, doing the work it takes to get a high major HC job. __________________ ONLY ORANGE!

Jan 15, 2013, 06:01 PM	#18
Illini34 Location: Springfield, IL Posts: 136	USC basketball has alot of problems right now and with the right coach it can be fixed in about 2-4 years. Wonder who that coach could be?? __________________

Jan 14, 2013, 10:28 AM	#4
DiscipleOfBattle Posts: 81	"I thank USC for allowing me to guide their program. I couldn't be more proud to work anywhere." Guide it into oblivion you mean. This guy does not have the temperament to be a head coach. You can only act like him if you're successful. Then, you have a great excuse for being a first class jerk, e.g., Bobby Knight.

Jan 14, 2013, 11:10 AM	#8
FeelYourPaign Location: Barrington, IL Posts: 2,294	Very unusual timing in college sports. Like the logic, though, of saying I don't want the guy and I can't take the chance that the team goes on a tear and my hands are tied. That's a fairly bold move for an AD to let that out there.

Jan 14, 2013, 12:00 PM	#12
MTILLINOIS Location: Chicago Posts: 4,187	I have never been a fan of Kevin O'Neill. Not sure why he keeps getting D1 jobs.

Jan 14, 2013, 01:55 PM	#13
radiodj Location: Behind enemy lines in the shadow of Tiger country. Posts: 423	I'm surprised by the talk of Jamie Dixon being a possible candidate for the USC job. I was under the impression that his star had taken a hit over the past couple of years.

Jan 16, 2013, 06:52 AM	#20
foby Posts: 124	Just needed an air freshener until the stink of the program was masked. Stink gone, air freshener disposed of.