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Summer camping 06-13-2008 10:51 a.m.
One camp down, two more coming.
As the Trojan Flashback Football camp wrapped up today, the USC coaches will be right back at it this weekend with two more camps — though with a slightly different age group.
Saturday’s Skills Camp and Sunday’s Linemen Camp will attract hundreds of high school athletes to USC’s campus, where they’ll go through drills, competitions and workouts under the guidance of the Trojan coaching staff and about two dozen guest coaches from the college and high school ranks.
At the Coliseum 06-13-2008 10:49 a.m.
The Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp ended with a morning of game-like competitions at the Coliseum. Here are some photos from the day:
The Flashback campers walk down the Coliseum stairs and onto the field after going through the Trojan Walk.
The campers warm up in the Coliseum prior to the competitions.
In the shadows of the torch, the campers warm up in the same place the Trojans will be warming up in exactly three months.
Game day 06-13-2008 8:48 a.m.
The Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp has reached its culmination with a game-like experience at the Coliseum this morning. The USC coaches are heading to meet the campers at their downtown hotel right now to have pre-game meetings before departing for the Coliseum and going down the Trojan Walk around 9:15 a.m., much like the Trojans do on game days.
Following a pre-game speech by Coach Carroll in the USC locker room, the campers will have a morning full of various competitions and games on the Coliseum field to conclude the three-day fantasy camp.
A quarter left 06-13-2008 8:19 a.m.
The Trojans are not looking past their Aug. 30 game at Virginia, but it’s noteworthy to mention that the first home game of 2008 is three months from today, when Ohio State comes to the Coliseum.
All done 06-13-2008 8:18 a.m.
The Coaches Tour finished up Thursday night with the last of seven stops in Westlake Village.
The Trojans will be capping off their second week of the summer strength and conditioning program with a 6:30 a.m. team run on Friday morning, when all the players will gather to go through an intense workout as a team with about 50 days until Fall Camp opens and 78 days to go before the first game of the 2008 season.
Day 2 done 06-12-2008 5:04 p.m.
A full day of Trojan football has reached an end, as the Flashback fantasy campers just completed their second practice of the day. They’re now off to a private party at Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro before getting ready for the camp’s grand finale — a morning of competition at the Coliseum on Friday.
Like the Trojans do to practice secure ball-handling, a camper goes through the infamous gauntlet (with quarterbacks assistant Yogi Roth standing guard) on Howard Jones practice field.
Show and tell 06-12-2008 3:01 p.m.
The afternoon’s business just started for the Flashback campers with a team meeting with Coach Carroll and his staff in the Heritage Auditorium. During the short meeting, they watched highlights of this morning’s practice and witnessed a demonstration from the coaches of how plays get called during games.
Flashback to the future 06-12-2008 2:06 p.m.
See picture evidence of this morning’s Trojan Flashback Football practice on Howard Jones field in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.
Break time 06-12-2008 12:25 p.m.
The first practice of the day is in the books, and the Flashback campers are now eating lunch before returning for meetings at 2:30. The Trojan coaches, meanwhile, are spending their lunch break on the basketball court or in the weight room.
On the agenda 06-12-2008 9:50 a.m.
The second day of the Trojan Flashback Football camp has begun with offense and defense meetings in the Trojans’ Heritage Hall meeting rooms. Here’s what’s on tap for the full day ahead for the fantasy campers:
- 10:15 a.m. • Practice #1 begins - 12 noon • Lunch - 2:30 p.m. • Team meeting, followed by offense/defense meetings - 3:30 p.m. • Practice #2 begins - 5 p.m. • 2-minute drill competition - 5:30 p.m. • Shower and dress for a private party at Papadakis Taverna
A beautiful morning 06-12-2008 8:58 a.m.
The O’Jays’ hit song “I love music” is blaring from Coach Carroll’s office stereo, filling the USC football quarters with some sweet ’70s tunes on this Thursday morning.
That can mean only one thing: It’s a football day for the USC coaches, as the second day of the Trojan Flashback football camp is about to get started with offense and defense meetings for the campers.
Test day 06-11-2008 4:16 p.m.
It’s combine time at the Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp on Howard Jones field, where the participants are going through 40-yard dashes, agility bags and other tests before getting drafted into teams tonight. Check out some pictures from a comical afternoon on Howard Jones:
With linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. (left) and Coach Carroll (right) cheering on, campers go through agility bags.
Coach Carroll (background) watches on as a camper does the vertical jump.
A camper runs the 40-yard dash.
Camper Ernie Hernandez does the 5-10-5 shuttle as secondary coach Rocky Seto (left) and graduate assistant Kris Richard (right) time him.
Business meeting 06-11-2008 2:54 p.m.
With the recently completed 45-minute introductory meeting, the Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp has started rolling after Coach Carroll and his assistants gave a opening talk to start the camp, similar to what they deliver to begin Fall Camp for the actual Trojans.
Defensive coordinator Nick Holt gives his patented “discipline talk” at the opening team meeting of the Trojan Flashback Football camp.
As linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. speaks about the importance of bed check during camp, Coach Carroll and the Flashback campers watch on.
The different roles at fantasy camp 06-11-2008 1:50 p.m.
The Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp, which has gotten underway today, consists of three groups for the 77 participants — owners, managers and players.
The 10 owners draft their teams and work closely with Coach Carroll and the coaching staff to manage their teams throughout the three-day camp. The 16 coaches team up with a USC coach and assist during instructional and competition periods of the camp. Players — about 50 of them — experience first-hand what life is like as a Trojan, as they go through all practices and competitions.
Getting it going 06-11-2008 12:12 p.m.
Coach Carroll speaks to Trojan Flashback Football fantasy camp participants during the introductory Q&A session in Heritage Auditorium. The camp consists of owners, coaches and players, and the owners and coaches met this morning for this opening meeting of the three-day camp. The players will join them and the USC coaching staff this afternoon to officially kick off the camp with a 2 p.m. meeting.
Off day 06-11-2008 10:01 a.m.
Players get today off from the off-season strength and conditioning program, allowing them to rest and focus on summer school before returning for workouts on Thursday and Friday. The schedule moves from four to five workouts a week starting in July.
Start it up 06-11-2008 8:22 a.m.
Coaches just stepped into the War Room for their weekly recruiting meeting, which features a lengthy film review session of the prospects for the class of 2009. They’ll be in football meetings all morning until the Flashback fantasy camp gets rolling this afternoon.
Game time 06-10-2008 4:01 p.m.
Tonight, the Lakers return home to host Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center, just 1.5 miles up Figueroa St. from USC.
But they’re not the only ones making a homecoming.
The Celtics’ Brian Scalabrine and Gabe Pruitt both played college ball at USC, and though neither will be suited up for the game, both will be on the Boston bench as inactive players.
Tip-off’s at 6:05 p.m. on ABC.
Photo by Jim Rogash / Getty Images
High honors 06-10-2008 3:47 p.m.
USC All-American offensive lineman Ron Mix (1957-59) was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Commack, N.Y., during the weekend. An NFL Hall of Famer and nine-time Pro Bowler, Mix was joined by Olympic swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg as the two Trojans in the eight-member class of 2008.
Spice it up 06-10-2008 3:01 p.m. Averell Spicer is approaching the two-month mark since the arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
And he’s feeling better by the day.
Spicer, who will be battling for the starting nose guard spot left open with the departure of All-American Sedrick Ellis, has been rigorously rehabbing since his surgery in April, doing a lot of upper-body and core work while spending extensive time on the bike.
“Last week was the first week I felt no pain at all,” said Spicer, who will be held out of running for about two more weeks. “I’m finally starting to feel better.”
After sitting out all of Spring Practice, Spicer received the knee operation in mid-April. Though he’s been limited in his workouts, he said he hasn’t lost any weight, staying right around the 290-pound point he said he feels most comfortable at.
Spicer said he’ll be allowed to begin running again with about five weeks to go before Fall Camp starts in August, when he’ll be more than ready to return to the football field.
“Hell yeah,” he said.
Mark it on your calendar 06-10-2008 12:47 p.m.
Salute to Troy, the annual season kickoff extravaganza on Cromwell Field, is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 22. More details, including signup information, will be coming in the next few weeks.
Hardwood heroes 06-10-2008 12:06 p.m.
Lunch time means it’s hoops time for the USC coaches, who are off to a campus gym for a few games of basketball before returning to the film room this afternoon.
Good news 06-10-2008 11:44 a.m.
It’s been a monumental day for Ricky Rosas.
The 19-year-old special assistant to the head coach, who gained national renown last fall for his work with the Trojans, received his grades for his first semester at East Los Angeles College — and he got all passing marks.
“I’m so happy about this,” said Rosas, who will continue toward a college degree with classes this summer and fall.
Also today, Rosas is on his way to the dentist for the first time. Dr. Greg Vigoren, the father of sophomore wide receiver Spencer Vigoren, has donated his services so that Rosas can receive a teeth cleaning and other dental work. Exectutive assistant Morgon Fraser is driving Rosas down to Vigoren’s Newport Beach office for his afternoon appointment.
The flashback machine 06-10-2008 11:30 a.m.
The three-day Trojan Football Flashback Camp, which brings out “grown-up kids” of all ages, sizes and fitness levels, begins tonight, with the first team activities alongside the USC coaching staff scheduled for Wednesday morning. Of the 77 participants, there are several notable names, including NBC racing commentator Kelli Stavast, Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea and former doubles tennis champion Luke Jensen.
Working away 06-10-2008 9:24 a.m.
Players are in their 90-minute summer workouts at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. today, with the emphasis on power and explosiveness. They’re capping off today’s session with some quick-burst conditioning work on Howard Jones field.
Up and down the coast 06-09-2008 3:56 p.m.
Coach Carroll is en route to San Francisco for tonight’s Northern California stop on the Coaches Tour, but he’s scheduled to fly back later tonight and be at work first thing in the morning.
Moving on 06-09-2008 3:03 p.m.
Pacific-10 Conference commissioner Tom Hansen announced he will retire at the conclusion of the next academic year, on June 30, 2009, capping a 26-year tenure as commissioner of the Pac-10.
The TV schedule, by the numbers 06-09-2008 1:52 p.m.
Now that 10 of USC’s 12 games have set start times, here’s a breakdown of the television schedule so far:
- At least six games will be nationally televised (Ohio State, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona, Stanford, UCLA). - The other four determined games (Virginia, Oregon, California, Notre Dame) will be on ABC or ESPN and will be regionally broadcast, at the very least. - The start times and television arrangements for the two undecided games (Arizona State and Washington) will be determined 12 days prior to each contest, with either ABC or FSN most likely receiving those matchups. - Here’s the full schedule, as of today (all times Pacific, unless otherwise noted):
Aug. 30 • at Virginia • 3:30 p.m. (EDT) • ABC/ESPN2 Sept. 13 • Ohio State • 5 p.m. • ABC Sept. 25 • at Oregon State • 6 p.m. • ESPN Oct. 4 • Oregon • 5 p.m. • ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 Oct. 11 • Arizona State • TBA • TBA Oct. 18 • at Washington State • 12:30 p.m. • FSN Oct. 25 • at Arizona • 7:15 p.m. • FSN Nov. 1 • Washington • TBA • TBA Nov. 8 • California • 5 p.m. • ABC Nov. 15 • at Stanford • 4 p.m. • Versus Nov. 29 • Notre Dame • 5 p.m. • ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 Dec. 6 • at UCLA • 1:30 p.m. • ABC
Put it on the schedule 06-09-2008 1:37 p.m.
The times and television arrangements for three more of USC’s games this fall were announced today. They are (all times Pacific):
- Oct. 18 at Washington State, 12:30 p.m., FSN - Oct. 25 at Arizona, 7:15 p.m., FSN - Nov. 15 at Stanford, 4 p.m., Versus
Only the times for the Oct. 11 and Nov. 1 home games (against Arizona State and Washington, respectively) remain undecided.
Positive returns 06-09-2008 10:32 a.m.
The inaugural Mario Danelo Kicking Academy held at USC on Friday night raised $5,700 for the Mario Danelo Football Scholarship Fund, an endowment that awards a full scholarship to one walk-on every season. The kicking academy attracted about 40 high school kickers, punters and snappers to the USC-run camp that featured former Trojans, NFL special teams gurus and Joe Danelo, Mario’s father and a former NFL kicker.
If you wish to contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Jill Dennis at (213) 740-9321.
Making an impact 06-09-2008 10:14 a.m.
Here’s a great article about Lawrence Jackson returning home to impact the younger generation, from Saturday’s Daily Breeze.
A case of the Mondays 06-09-2008 10:11 a.m.
Coaches are still down in San Diego on a staff retreat (they’re returning tonight), but the players have been attending strength and conditioning workouts in Heritage Hall this morning, as Week 2 of the summer program has gotten underway.
Leaving town 06-06-2008 3:47 p.m.
Coaches and their wives will be in San Diego for a staff retreat this weekend, offering them a chance to hang out and spend time with their spouses outside of L.A.
Kick it 06-06-2008 2:11 p.m.
Today signals the start of Pete Carroll’s Trojan Football Camps with the inaugural Mario Danelo Kicking Academy this afternoon on Howard Jones field. About 40 kids in seventh through 12th grades are attending the four-hour camp, which features former USC kickers, several kicking experts and Joe Danelo, Mario’s father and a former NFL kicker.
Super-sized 06-06-2008 11:47 a.m.
And you thought football players were big?
The L.A. Sports Arena, adjacent to the Coliseum and USC's campus, is hosting the 2008 Grand Sumo Tournament this weekend.
One down, eight to go 06-06-2008 11:36 a.m.
The Trojans are wrapping up their first week of the nine-week summer workout program with a power-and-strength-themed day in the weight room, with extensive work on the squat and bench press for the players before getting the weekend off.
“It was an exceptional week,” head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle said. “It’s almost cliché to say that everyone worked hard because it’s become the norm with these guys. They come in with an attitude to work and get better, and it raises up the guys around them and makes everyone better.”
Watching closely 06-06-2008 9:48 a.m.
Coaches are in their weekly recruiting meeting right now in the War Room, where they’re watching film of 2009 prospects before they’ll split into offensive and defensive staff meetings for the remainder of the morning.
Utter silliness 06-05-2008 4:09 p.m.
Check out this amusing wager L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has offered to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino regarding the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics, including a reference to Coach Carroll.
Making news 06-05-2008 3:46 p.m.
Here’s a very complimentary article from NFL.com on John David Booty and the USC coaching staff that prepared him to make his transition to the NFL.
On the big stage? 06-05-2008 3:44 p.m.
Coach Carroll and two fellow leaders of A Better LA met with an associate producer of CBS’ “60 Minutes” today to conduct a preliminary interview for a feature on the charity organization that could air this fall.
We’ll keep you posted on the status of this potentially big-time feature as it gets closer to air date.
Coach Carroll, CBS “60 Minutes” associate producer Joyce Cordero, A Better LA executive director Brian Center and Unity One founder Bo Taylor pose for a picture after their interview today.
Compete on your computer 06-05-2008 1:37 p.m.
Download the new “Always Compete” desktop wallpaper (widescreen version) from USCRipsIt and PeteCarroll.com. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out Coach Carroll's "Always Compete" poem and multimedia feature here.
Prep work 06-05-2008 11:47 a.m.
Coaches have been entrenched in offensive and defensive staff meetings all morning, watching film and breaking down plays from Virginia and Ohio State's games in 2007. A good portion of the scouting for games happens during the summer, so the coaches can spend more time focusing on their own players when game week arrives in the fall.
Specialized training 06-05-2008 9:36 a.m.
After taking Wednesday off, players have returned today for their third day of summer workouts. See a couple of pictures from this morning’s specific conditioning drills to cap off the 90-minute workout:
(From front to back) Fullback Stanley Havili, quarterback Mark Sanchez, tight end Jimmy Miller, quarterback Aaron Corp and quarterback Mitch Mustain shuffle through skill position drills.
Defensive tackle Fili Moala (left) and linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. hop over barrels (mimicking cut-blocking offensive linemen) during defensive linemen drills.
Stay classy 06-04-2008 1:40 p.m.
Coach Carroll has just taken off down the freeway for tonight’s Coaches Tour stop in San Diego. But the road warrior is scheduled to return to L.A. tonight so he can be in the office for Thursday morning’s recruiting meeting in the War Room.
Truly a Conference of Champions 06-04-2008 1:31 p.m.
The Pac-10 is practicing what it preaches when it comes to its motto, “Conference of Champions.”
The conference has won 13 NCAA team titles during the 2007-08 season and is approaching record territory. The all-time record, set by the Pac-10 in 1996-97, is 14 team titles, and the conference has three remaining chances to match or surpass that mark (baseball and men’s and women’s track and field still have to decide their champions later this month).
The Pac-10 has won a stunning 41 percent of the NCAA championships (13 of 32) so far this season. The conference with the next-most titles is the Big Ten, with five.
USC contributed to the Pac-10’s total with crowns in women’s soccer in December and women’s golf in May.
Tales from the recruiting trail 06-04-2008 9:54 a.m.
The USC coaches just returned from a month-long journey on the recruiting trail, as they recently wrapped up the May evaluation period. Find out the answers to some of the most important questions for these coaches while on the road in the latest feature from USCRipsIt.
Sark mic’d up at the Trojan Huddle 06-03-2008 2:39 p.m.
We mic’d up offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian during April’s Trojan Huddle, and here’s a sneak peek at the results:
The USC game at Virginia will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern (12:30 p.m. Pacific) on Aug. 30. The remaining unannounced kickoff times should be published either later this week or early next week.
Swish 06-03-2008 12:28 p.m.
It’s lunchtime at Heritage Hall, meaning the office has cleared out onto the basketball court. Coach Carroll and much of his staff have hit the hardwood to play hoops before returning to the film room this afternoon.
Coach Carroll welcomed a legend to his office this morning.
Jürgen Klinsmann, an international soccer celebrity renowned for changing the culture of the sport in his home country of Germany, stopped by Heritage Hall to visit with Carroll for about an hour. Klinsmann, who coached Germany to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup, is returning home shortly to begin managing the club team Bayern Munich.
“It was awesome,” Carroll said of his talk with Klinsmann. “He has such a bright mind and really gets it, so it was really cool to share ideas.”
Klinsmann even gave Carroll a personalized Bayern Munich jersey, which Carroll put on and hasn’t taken off since.
Soccer coach Jürgen Klinsmann and Coach Carroll pose for a photo this morning.
Coach Carroll shows off the new personalized Bayern Munich jersey he received from Jürgen Klinsmann.
Hard core 06-03-2008 9:44 a.m.
The Trojans are onto their second day of summer workouts, with emphasis on plyometrics and core work during today’s 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. sessions. They’ll end the workout by running 110-yard sprints.
Preseason honors 06-02-2008 3:11 p.m.
Phil Steele has released his preseason All-American and all-conference teams, and USC is well represented on all fronts — including on one of the magazine’s covers.
The Trojans make up more than a third of the first-team All-American defense, with Fili Moala, Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Taylor Mays being named to the top unit. Receiver Patrick Turner is on the fourth-team offense.
Meanwhile, 22 Trojans are on the All-Pac-10 teams, including seven on the first squad. Here’s a list of the players on the All-Pac-10 squads:
First team RB Stafon Johnson, OL Jeff Byers, DL Fili Moala, DL Everson Griffen, LB Rey Maualuga, LB Brian Cushing, S Taylor Mays
Second team WR Patrick Turner, DL Averell Spicer, DL Kyle Moore, CB Cary Harris, S Kevin Ellison, KR Ronald Johnson
Third team RB Joe McKnight, WR David Ausberry, WR Vidal Hazelton, OL Butch Lewis, LB Chris Galippo, K David Buehler
Honorable mention QB Mark Sanchez, OL Kris O’Dowd, KR C.J. Gable, PR Joe McKnight
Tour stop 06-02-2008 1:23 p.m.
The third of seven Coaches Tour dinners is tonight in Pasadena, where Coach Carroll and Tim Floyd will give speeches and answer questions at the Langham Huntington Resort.
To sign up for any of the remaining Coaches Tour stops, click here.
Feel the excitement 06-02-2008 10:42 a.m.
Now that recruiting season is over, coaches have hunkered down in Heritage Hall to begin breaking down film of the 2008 season’s first two opponents, Virginia and Ohio State. The offensive and defensive staffs are in their separate conference rooms to start these preparations for Fall Camp and the coming season.
The coaches will be devoting much of June (minus the days for the summer kids’ camps) to this all-important task.
Today marks the start of summer workouts, with strength and conditioning sessions at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the Trojans. We’ll have a picture report from the early workout coming shortly.
