GTmorris1970
01-13-2006, 04:04 AM
Posted on Fri, Jan. 13, 2006
Thompson won’t rejoin USC’s staff
Question of whether co-defensive coordinator resigned or was fired is central to his contract buyout
By JOSEPH PERSONStaff Writer
USC coach Steve Spurrier soon expects to bring in a replacement for co-defensive coordinator John Thompson, who will not return from his paid leave of absence.
Thompson, who was stripped of his defensive play-calling duties seven games into the 2005 season, continues to negotiate a contract buyout.
Under the terms of his contract, if Thompson resigns he would owe USC $100,000 for each of the two years remaining on his three-year deal. If he were fired, Thompson would receive $155,000 for each remaining year.
“I did not fire him,” Spurrier said Thursday, “so you’ll have to talk to him about why he didn’t come back.”
Thompson said Thursday he stood by his statement from earlier this week that he did not resign. “Everything’s going to work out,” said Thompson, who coached the Gamecocks’ inside linebackers. “I’m sure everybody’s ready for it to be over with.”
Spurrier said he did “not necessarily regret” hiring Thompson, the former East Carolina head coach who had not worked with Spurrier previously. Thompson encouraged Spurrier to hire co-coordinator Tyrone Nix, who later replaced Thompson as the defensive signal-caller.
“At the time, we thought (hiring Thompson) was the direction to go,” Spurrier said. “Like I said, he was responsible for Tyrone being here. I think Tyrone did an excellent job — good recruiter.”
After Nix took over for Thompson, before the Oct. 29 trip to Tennessee, the Gamecocks allowed 15 points a game over their final four regular-season games. But USC surrendered a season-high 504 yards and blew a 21-point lead in a 38-31 loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl.
Although he will not assign specific responsibilities for his defensive staff until February, Spurrier said Nix would “still be very involved in the defensive calls and will probably be the main defensive caller, in all likelihood.”
Meanwhile, the 50-year-old Thompson faces an uncertain future, saying his experience at USC has been “damaging” to his career.
Big recruiting weekend. USC will host as many as 23 high school seniors beginning today for its biggest recruiting weekend of the year. About six of the recruits have given oral commitments to the Gamecocks, who plan to sign a full complement of 25 players.
The weekend itinerary includes attending the men’s basketball game against Georgia on Saturday at the Colonial Center, where USC’s four 2005 captains and record-setting receiver Sidney Rice will be introduced.
Bailey not in school. Offensive lineman Clarence Bailey, who signed with the Gamecocks last month, cannot enroll at USC until he completes a course at Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College.
Bailey, a 6-foot-7, 320-pounder rated the country’s No. 29 junior-college prospect by Rivals.com, is expected to compete for immediate playing time on an offensive line that loses three starters.
Said Spurrier: “Hopefully, he’ll be here soon.”
Charleston defensive lineman Jarriel King, a 2005 signee who did not qualify academically, plans to take the SAT again later this month.
Spring forward. USC will begin spring practice March 14, with the Garnet & Black game scheduled for April 8 at 1 p.m. The Gamecocks will scrimmage March 25 during the weekend of their high school coaches’ clinic.
Extra points. Linebackers coach Ron Cooper will remain the interim recruiting coordinator through Signing Day on Feb. 1. Spurrier is uncertain which assistant will get the title permanently. ... Tight end Andy Boyd, who has undergone two ACL surgeries on his right knee, is questionable for spring practice. ... If the Gamecocks do not sign a punter, Spurrier said kicker Ryan Succop might punt next season. ... Spurrier’s youngest son, Scotty, has enrolled at USC and will join the team as a walk-on receiver.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.
Thompson won’t rejoin USC’s staff
Question of whether co-defensive coordinator resigned or was fired is central to his contract buyout
By JOSEPH PERSONStaff Writer
USC coach Steve Spurrier soon expects to bring in a replacement for co-defensive coordinator John Thompson, who will not return from his paid leave of absence.
Thompson, who was stripped of his defensive play-calling duties seven games into the 2005 season, continues to negotiate a contract buyout.
Under the terms of his contract, if Thompson resigns he would owe USC $100,000 for each of the two years remaining on his three-year deal. If he were fired, Thompson would receive $155,000 for each remaining year.
“I did not fire him,” Spurrier said Thursday, “so you’ll have to talk to him about why he didn’t come back.”
Thompson said Thursday he stood by his statement from earlier this week that he did not resign. “Everything’s going to work out,” said Thompson, who coached the Gamecocks’ inside linebackers. “I’m sure everybody’s ready for it to be over with.”
Spurrier said he did “not necessarily regret” hiring Thompson, the former East Carolina head coach who had not worked with Spurrier previously. Thompson encouraged Spurrier to hire co-coordinator Tyrone Nix, who later replaced Thompson as the defensive signal-caller.
“At the time, we thought (hiring Thompson) was the direction to go,” Spurrier said. “Like I said, he was responsible for Tyrone being here. I think Tyrone did an excellent job — good recruiter.”
After Nix took over for Thompson, before the Oct. 29 trip to Tennessee, the Gamecocks allowed 15 points a game over their final four regular-season games. But USC surrendered a season-high 504 yards and blew a 21-point lead in a 38-31 loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl.
Although he will not assign specific responsibilities for his defensive staff until February, Spurrier said Nix would “still be very involved in the defensive calls and will probably be the main defensive caller, in all likelihood.”
Meanwhile, the 50-year-old Thompson faces an uncertain future, saying his experience at USC has been “damaging” to his career.
Big recruiting weekend. USC will host as many as 23 high school seniors beginning today for its biggest recruiting weekend of the year. About six of the recruits have given oral commitments to the Gamecocks, who plan to sign a full complement of 25 players.
The weekend itinerary includes attending the men’s basketball game against Georgia on Saturday at the Colonial Center, where USC’s four 2005 captains and record-setting receiver Sidney Rice will be introduced.
Bailey not in school. Offensive lineman Clarence Bailey, who signed with the Gamecocks last month, cannot enroll at USC until he completes a course at Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College.
Bailey, a 6-foot-7, 320-pounder rated the country’s No. 29 junior-college prospect by Rivals.com, is expected to compete for immediate playing time on an offensive line that loses three starters.
Said Spurrier: “Hopefully, he’ll be here soon.”
Charleston defensive lineman Jarriel King, a 2005 signee who did not qualify academically, plans to take the SAT again later this month.
Spring forward. USC will begin spring practice March 14, with the Garnet & Black game scheduled for April 8 at 1 p.m. The Gamecocks will scrimmage March 25 during the weekend of their high school coaches’ clinic.
Extra points. Linebackers coach Ron Cooper will remain the interim recruiting coordinator through Signing Day on Feb. 1. Spurrier is uncertain which assistant will get the title permanently. ... Tight end Andy Boyd, who has undergone two ACL surgeries on his right knee, is questionable for spring practice. ... If the Gamecocks do not sign a punter, Spurrier said kicker Ryan Succop might punt next season. ... Spurrier’s youngest son, Scotty, has enrolled at USC and will join the team as a walk-on receiver.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.