LenDale White was among the USC greats on the Coliseum sidelines Saturday. We caught up with White moments after the Trojans beat UCLA and got his thoughts on a number of topics.
--on what he saw from USC
“I saw hunger and I saw a team that knew that it was all on the line today. These are games that, no matter how it is in life or which way the season’s going, you don’t want to lose to Boo-CLA or Notre Shame. So, I’m very proud of these guys. I got emotional just seeing how they were out there, playing around. I’m really proud of these guys, they put a lot of work in. For the year that they had and how it went, they did a really good job, I’m proud of them.”
--on beating UCLA
“When you come in as a freshman, they teach you two teams you have to beat: Notre Shame and Who-CLA. I’m really proud of these guys, I’m proud of the coaching staff that stuck with it. It wasn’t easy being in LA with all this media coverage. You can fall off at any moment. But they stuck together, they kept marching, we’re Pac-12 South champs. I believe we’re going to take it to Stanford next week and come out with a championship.”
--on his experience on the sideline
“They come by, they tap you and they’re like thanks for coming they’re excited. They’re excited to see us but we’re just as excited to see those guys. You got Cody out there, you got Su’a Cravens, he wears my number so he’s my favorite player. I’m excited to see these guys make plays, so when I’m out there, I can just give the some encouragement to let them know we’re behind them, win, lose or draw, preferably a win. I just want these dudes to know we're Trojans and that bond is here forever. Just because you lose one or two games doesn’t mean we’re not behind you. …
“I went in at halftime, they were rocking. It was kind of a team I was used to seeing, lively, understood they still had the game to finish but they were excited to go out there and finish the game.”
--on being back around the football program
"I’ve always been around. Conflicts in schedule is what usually messes it up. I was at the Arizona State game, I went to CU for a quick minute. Whenever I can make it to a game, I make it Me, J.K. (McKay), Pat Haden, we all got a great relationship. You can’t let what you see on TV or whatever, security got that messed up. I’m out here with these guys, this is the stadium we built. …
"This is the first game I’ve ever seen vs. UCLA in person. It was a great feeling. I had a great time. It was great to see the 90,000 still cheer like that."
--on the rivalry with UCLA
"Boo-CLA, Who-CLA, Notre Shame, the two worst teams in college football. There’s a pretty color blue over there but that’s about it. It’s powder blue for a reason."
--on USC winning by 20
“We expected that. I don’t think anybody outside the Trojan locker room was expecting that but us Trojans, we have a lot of confidence. Based off what I’ve seen from this year, we know that they have all the tools. The coaches called a hell of a game, (Justin) Wilcox coached the defense up, did a great job, so I’m very proud of them, the sky is the limit as long as they keep working.”
--on what he thinks about the direction of the program
“I like Helton. I like Helton. Helton for head coach right now. We might as well start staying it. He did a great job. I don’t think he should be overlooked. We have a chance to go to the Rose Bowl, so he definitely has a chance. He needs to be looked at as the first guy and then bring whatever names you want to bring in. Definitely not Chip Kelly. Kelly can stay his butt in Philly.”
--on what he saw from USC
“I saw hunger and I saw a team that knew that it was all on the line today. These are games that, no matter how it is in life or which way the season’s going, you don’t want to lose to Boo-CLA or Notre Shame. So, I’m very proud of these guys. I got emotional just seeing how they were out there, playing around. I’m really proud of these guys, they put a lot of work in. For the year that they had and how it went, they did a really good job, I’m proud of them.”
--on beating UCLA
“When you come in as a freshman, they teach you two teams you have to beat: Notre Shame and Who-CLA. I’m really proud of these guys, I’m proud of the coaching staff that stuck with it. It wasn’t easy being in LA with all this media coverage. You can fall off at any moment. But they stuck together, they kept marching, we’re Pac-12 South champs. I believe we’re going to take it to Stanford next week and come out with a championship.”
--on his experience on the sideline
“They come by, they tap you and they’re like thanks for coming they’re excited. They’re excited to see us but we’re just as excited to see those guys. You got Cody out there, you got Su’a Cravens, he wears my number so he’s my favorite player. I’m excited to see these guys make plays, so when I’m out there, I can just give the some encouragement to let them know we’re behind them, win, lose or draw, preferably a win. I just want these dudes to know we're Trojans and that bond is here forever. Just because you lose one or two games doesn’t mean we’re not behind you. …
“I went in at halftime, they were rocking. It was kind of a team I was used to seeing, lively, understood they still had the game to finish but they were excited to go out there and finish the game.”
--on being back around the football program
"I’ve always been around. Conflicts in schedule is what usually messes it up. I was at the Arizona State game, I went to CU for a quick minute. Whenever I can make it to a game, I make it Me, J.K. (McKay), Pat Haden, we all got a great relationship. You can’t let what you see on TV or whatever, security got that messed up. I’m out here with these guys, this is the stadium we built. …
"This is the first game I’ve ever seen vs. UCLA in person. It was a great feeling. I had a great time. It was great to see the 90,000 still cheer like that."
--on the rivalry with UCLA
"Boo-CLA, Who-CLA, Notre Shame, the two worst teams in college football. There’s a pretty color blue over there but that’s about it. It’s powder blue for a reason."
--on USC winning by 20
“We expected that. I don’t think anybody outside the Trojan locker room was expecting that but us Trojans, we have a lot of confidence. Based off what I’ve seen from this year, we know that they have all the tools. The coaches called a hell of a game, (Justin) Wilcox coached the defense up, did a great job, so I’m very proud of them, the sky is the limit as long as they keep working.”
--on what he thinks about the direction of the program
“I like Helton. I like Helton. Helton for head coach right now. We might as well start staying it. He did a great job. I don’t think he should be overlooked. We have a chance to go to the Rose Bowl, so he definitely has a chance. He needs to be looked at as the first guy and then bring whatever names you want to bring in. Definitely not Chip Kelly. Kelly can stay his butt in Philly.”
