Highlights from our coach and player interviews this week.
OT CHAD WHEELER
--on the December incident that kept him out of the Holiday Bowl
"I dealt with it, I regret what I did, I apologized to my coach, my teammates and I apologize to the fans. But I did have personal issues and I dealt with them. I’m just looking forward to coming out next season strong."
--on the role football played to getting his life back on track
"It’s the most important thing. It’s my life. It took a lot to get back but I’m here, I’m ready to go."
--on having to win his job back despite being a returning three-year starter
"It’s good competing against Chuma and Zach (for the two tackle jobs). We’re pushing each other, getting better every day. It helps me push myself too knowing that I have to compete harder."
QB SAM DARNOLD
--on the QB competition
"My mindset going into this is to just play the best I can. That’s really all the coaches can ask of me. That’s been my mindset since I got here. … Coach said it’s an even race going in, so I’m looking forward to it. Me and Max (Browne) are going to come out here and play. It’s new for both of us."
--on what he needs to do to win the job
"Just play my style of game, be accurate, have god footwork I just have to put it all together and have great days out here during the spring."
--on his leadership style
"Right now I’m just focusing on me and what I can do, whether it’s with the ones or the twos. I like to think of myself as a leader by example, mostly. But if guys need me to lead vocally and want me to lead vocally and step up that way I can. If there needs to be a little more juice around practice, a little more energy, I definitely think of myself as a guy that can bring it."
--on whether expectations are greater because of how well he practiced last fall
"I’m sure, battling for the starting job, a lot is going to be asked of you. But I’m looking forward to it."
--on what impact a winner being crowned by the end of spring has on his approach
"My approach has been the same since I’ve gotten here, play my style of game and compete my butt off."
--on what he did during the offseason in preparation for the competition
"Just the basics, working with some of my quarterback coaches, working on footwork, throwing on the run, trying to get faster, stronger, everything I can to develop myself as a quarterback."
--on whether he feels at all like an underdog
"Not necessarily. Me and Brownie are really tight as friends off the field. He preaches to me it’s a close battle going in and we’re both just going to compete our butts off."
LBs COACH JOHNNY NANSEN
--on coaching linebackers
“That’s my home, that’s what I played, that’s what I know very well. I’ve been coaching for a while, I’ve always studied the position, I’ve learned from a lot of great coaches."
--on whether this was the position he wanted to coach all along
“No doubt. It’s hard to be a special teams coach and try to coach linebackers or D-line, there’s too much work. And then obviously recruiting plays a big role into it and it’s a lot of work for one guy. And I did it for a couple of years at Washington and it feels like you never get good at one thing. And I think when Clay (Helton) gave me the opportunity and asked me what I wanted to do, I said, Clay, this has always been my dream job, to come to USC and coach linebackers, and he blessed me with that opportunity.”
--on his first impression of the USC linebackers
“A very talented group, very talented, their football IQ is unbelievable. And you know what I love about the kids is they’re always looking to get better every single day. They take practice to the next level with their attitude, they come out here and they look to get better and I think when you look at it, what we’re trying to do is have a feel for Clancy (Pendergast)’s defensive scheme and then try to put the best pieces in place to help us get better and become a better defense.”
--on coaching with Pendergast
“Well, he’s one of the best coaches, and he has coached everything. For me, I’m a little kid in a candy store, I’m learning as much as possible, taking in as much as possible and he’s giving me a lot of leeway to go ahead and coach the guys, meetings. He’s kind of letting me do the whole deal and then showing me the things, what he’s looking for when he’s at that level and how to conduct yourself and how to look at talent when you’re out there recruiting. I think he brings a lot of great input to the staff and for myself, so I’m fired up to have the opportunity to work with him.”
--on what his responsibilities are exactly
“I do the outsides right now, that’s who I’m with, but some of the times I’ll take over all four when (Pendergast) does move out to the secondary and help out the secondary. So he’s giving me that leeway, which is nice. I think he feels comfortable, especially talking ball, I think he feels comfortable with me coaching all four guys.”
--on what types of linebackers USC is looking for in recruiting
“I think it depends on the scheme and it depends on what we’re running. If we’re looking for outside linebackers, the ideal, you’re looking at Porter (Gustin), outside guys, big, tall rangy, that can set the edge and come off the edge as pass rusher. And then you have the inside guys that are looking more athletic, that can run, guys that can drop, run and be able to get off of blocks.”
--on linebackers who haven’t played as much are responding to getting more reps
“Any opportunity for some of these young guys to take reps and get better and get thrown in there and see live action, I think it helps them and helps us. That’s what spring ball is about, it’s about developing and trying to find depth and that’s what we’re looking for. Like John Houston, he has not taken a (game) rep yet, he’s in there now, which is great to see, to see what he’s capable of doing because we need him. Q (Quinton Powell) is coming along and then Mike (Hutchings)’s going to play more, so it’s a great thing to try to really have a feel for our personnel in the fall.”
--on what’s stood out after the first two practices
“It’s all base stuff, we’re just learning the defense, everybody is learning the defense. But Uchenna (Nwosu) and obviously Porter are kind of standing out right now. But those guys should, they play a lot of football, they have a lot of experience. I’m liking what I’m seeing out of those two guys, but we have 13 more practices and my challenge is to get them to improve every single day.”
ST/TEs COACH JOHN BAXTER
--on what it means to be back
“I really enjoyed Jim Harbaugh, I really enjoyed Michigan, but we played noon games and I stayed up until 10 o’clock at night until USC kicked off. I didn’t miss a USC game. I’m a USC Trojan, I didn’t miss a game. The night before we played the Florida Gators, I stayed up until 1 o’clock in the morning watching USC in the Holiday Bowl. So it means a lot. This place stirs my soul, I really like it here.”
--on the state of the team as he begins his second stint
“One, Clay has really done a good job of making a team out of this group of individuals. Two, when I left, we played Fresno State with something like 43 scholarship players. The staff that’s been here has done a real good job of recruiting, the body types, the speed, all that is completely different. We have some unbelievable tools to work with and I think we’re going to, I think when we put this all together, we have the makings of something special. …
"The team is making fast progress, fast progress. There are really good kids on this team and really good athletes. One of the things we’ve talked to them extensively about is, you need to be offended when people talk about your level of talent because when we get your level of technique to surpass your level of talent, then we really have something special. It’s really about training them to play the game.
“Here’s the main thing that Clay has done: A plant will only grow in a fertile environment. This right now is a healthy, fertile environment. I walk in the meeting room and they’re smiling, they’re happy, they’re ready to go. They’re buying what we’re selling, they’re eating it up. They’re easy to coach because we’re not having to yell at them to get moving and all that kind of stuff. You see they’re running around and they’re trying to please us.
“We have the ideal environment. The coaching changes left enough familiarity that they’re not on pins and needles, but enough new faces where they feel a fresh approach. It’s really a unique situation. Like I told Clay, what a great opportunity, if you’re going to become head coach, to walk in and mold the team.”
Coming Saturday: DL coach Kenechi Udeze, DT Kenny Bigelow and LB John Houston
OT CHAD WHEELER
--on the December incident that kept him out of the Holiday Bowl
"I dealt with it, I regret what I did, I apologized to my coach, my teammates and I apologize to the fans. But I did have personal issues and I dealt with them. I’m just looking forward to coming out next season strong."
--on the role football played to getting his life back on track
"It’s the most important thing. It’s my life. It took a lot to get back but I’m here, I’m ready to go."
--on having to win his job back despite being a returning three-year starter
"It’s good competing against Chuma and Zach (for the two tackle jobs). We’re pushing each other, getting better every day. It helps me push myself too knowing that I have to compete harder."
QB SAM DARNOLD
--on the QB competition
"My mindset going into this is to just play the best I can. That’s really all the coaches can ask of me. That’s been my mindset since I got here. … Coach said it’s an even race going in, so I’m looking forward to it. Me and Max (Browne) are going to come out here and play. It’s new for both of us."
--on what he needs to do to win the job
"Just play my style of game, be accurate, have god footwork I just have to put it all together and have great days out here during the spring."
--on his leadership style
"Right now I’m just focusing on me and what I can do, whether it’s with the ones or the twos. I like to think of myself as a leader by example, mostly. But if guys need me to lead vocally and want me to lead vocally and step up that way I can. If there needs to be a little more juice around practice, a little more energy, I definitely think of myself as a guy that can bring it."
--on whether expectations are greater because of how well he practiced last fall
"I’m sure, battling for the starting job, a lot is going to be asked of you. But I’m looking forward to it."
--on what impact a winner being crowned by the end of spring has on his approach
"My approach has been the same since I’ve gotten here, play my style of game and compete my butt off."
--on what he did during the offseason in preparation for the competition
"Just the basics, working with some of my quarterback coaches, working on footwork, throwing on the run, trying to get faster, stronger, everything I can to develop myself as a quarterback."
--on whether he feels at all like an underdog
"Not necessarily. Me and Brownie are really tight as friends off the field. He preaches to me it’s a close battle going in and we’re both just going to compete our butts off."
LBs COACH JOHNNY NANSEN
--on coaching linebackers
“That’s my home, that’s what I played, that’s what I know very well. I’ve been coaching for a while, I’ve always studied the position, I’ve learned from a lot of great coaches."
--on whether this was the position he wanted to coach all along
“No doubt. It’s hard to be a special teams coach and try to coach linebackers or D-line, there’s too much work. And then obviously recruiting plays a big role into it and it’s a lot of work for one guy. And I did it for a couple of years at Washington and it feels like you never get good at one thing. And I think when Clay (Helton) gave me the opportunity and asked me what I wanted to do, I said, Clay, this has always been my dream job, to come to USC and coach linebackers, and he blessed me with that opportunity.”
--on his first impression of the USC linebackers
“A very talented group, very talented, their football IQ is unbelievable. And you know what I love about the kids is they’re always looking to get better every single day. They take practice to the next level with their attitude, they come out here and they look to get better and I think when you look at it, what we’re trying to do is have a feel for Clancy (Pendergast)’s defensive scheme and then try to put the best pieces in place to help us get better and become a better defense.”
--on coaching with Pendergast
“Well, he’s one of the best coaches, and he has coached everything. For me, I’m a little kid in a candy store, I’m learning as much as possible, taking in as much as possible and he’s giving me a lot of leeway to go ahead and coach the guys, meetings. He’s kind of letting me do the whole deal and then showing me the things, what he’s looking for when he’s at that level and how to conduct yourself and how to look at talent when you’re out there recruiting. I think he brings a lot of great input to the staff and for myself, so I’m fired up to have the opportunity to work with him.”
--on what his responsibilities are exactly
“I do the outsides right now, that’s who I’m with, but some of the times I’ll take over all four when (Pendergast) does move out to the secondary and help out the secondary. So he’s giving me that leeway, which is nice. I think he feels comfortable, especially talking ball, I think he feels comfortable with me coaching all four guys.”
--on what types of linebackers USC is looking for in recruiting
“I think it depends on the scheme and it depends on what we’re running. If we’re looking for outside linebackers, the ideal, you’re looking at Porter (Gustin), outside guys, big, tall rangy, that can set the edge and come off the edge as pass rusher. And then you have the inside guys that are looking more athletic, that can run, guys that can drop, run and be able to get off of blocks.”
--on linebackers who haven’t played as much are responding to getting more reps
“Any opportunity for some of these young guys to take reps and get better and get thrown in there and see live action, I think it helps them and helps us. That’s what spring ball is about, it’s about developing and trying to find depth and that’s what we’re looking for. Like John Houston, he has not taken a (game) rep yet, he’s in there now, which is great to see, to see what he’s capable of doing because we need him. Q (Quinton Powell) is coming along and then Mike (Hutchings)’s going to play more, so it’s a great thing to try to really have a feel for our personnel in the fall.”
--on what’s stood out after the first two practices
“It’s all base stuff, we’re just learning the defense, everybody is learning the defense. But Uchenna (Nwosu) and obviously Porter are kind of standing out right now. But those guys should, they play a lot of football, they have a lot of experience. I’m liking what I’m seeing out of those two guys, but we have 13 more practices and my challenge is to get them to improve every single day.”
ST/TEs COACH JOHN BAXTER
--on what it means to be back
“I really enjoyed Jim Harbaugh, I really enjoyed Michigan, but we played noon games and I stayed up until 10 o’clock at night until USC kicked off. I didn’t miss a USC game. I’m a USC Trojan, I didn’t miss a game. The night before we played the Florida Gators, I stayed up until 1 o’clock in the morning watching USC in the Holiday Bowl. So it means a lot. This place stirs my soul, I really like it here.”
--on the state of the team as he begins his second stint
“One, Clay has really done a good job of making a team out of this group of individuals. Two, when I left, we played Fresno State with something like 43 scholarship players. The staff that’s been here has done a real good job of recruiting, the body types, the speed, all that is completely different. We have some unbelievable tools to work with and I think we’re going to, I think when we put this all together, we have the makings of something special. …
"The team is making fast progress, fast progress. There are really good kids on this team and really good athletes. One of the things we’ve talked to them extensively about is, you need to be offended when people talk about your level of talent because when we get your level of technique to surpass your level of talent, then we really have something special. It’s really about training them to play the game.
“Here’s the main thing that Clay has done: A plant will only grow in a fertile environment. This right now is a healthy, fertile environment. I walk in the meeting room and they’re smiling, they’re happy, they’re ready to go. They’re buying what we’re selling, they’re eating it up. They’re easy to coach because we’re not having to yell at them to get moving and all that kind of stuff. You see they’re running around and they’re trying to please us.
“We have the ideal environment. The coaching changes left enough familiarity that they’re not on pins and needles, but enough new faces where they feel a fresh approach. It’s really a unique situation. Like I told Clay, what a great opportunity, if you’re going to become head coach, to walk in and mold the team.”
Coming Saturday: DL coach Kenechi Udeze, DT Kenny Bigelow and LB John Houston
