Steve Sarkisian's Future Looks Hairy At USC
By Ty Duffy
The USC Trojans dropped their second home game as a double-digit favorite in 2015, falling 17-12 to the Washington Huskies. The win may be a bellwether for Chris Petersen in year two. The loss may prove a bellwether in the opposite turning point for Steve Sarkisian.
It’s not USC’s fault pundits predict greatness. But, it happens because the Trojans recruit well. Much of their roster will be going pro in football. Inevitable disappointment comes because the team, unnervingly often, does not look well coached.
USC was sloppy overall against Washington, with three turnovers and just one converted third down. In the 4th quarter, it was clear a gassed Washington could not stop the run. USC scuttled drives with pass attempts, then attempted a bizarre field goal down five with four minutes left.
Attention to detail isn’t an experience thing. There’s no “eureka” moment where those synapses start firing. One would give Sarkisian the benefit of the doubt, except late game brain farts have plagued this team for two seasons.
Sarkisian was hired to bring back Pete Carroll USC. Through 18 games, it has been a continuation of Lane Kiffin USC, almost precisely. Sark has a 12-6 record (7-5 in the Pac 12). Lane Kiffin started…12-6 (7-5 in the Pac 12).
Sometimes malaises, with a quarterback drought, are unavoidable. But, USC has not been Texas or anything close. Matt Barkley and Cody Kessler were/are good college quarterbacks. The worst USC has had it in the Kiffin/Sark era is riding those players as sophomores, where they were only Top 25-30 statistical quarterbacks. Petersen won last night on the road starting a true freshman.
Maybe Sark rebounds and finds 10 wins (Kiffin did in year two). The talent is there. Though, USC’s next three games are ranked opponents (at) Notre Dame, Utah, (at) California. They close the season with a pairing of (at) Oregon and UCLA. Their crosstown rivals have won three-straight by double digits.
It’s not hard to see another USC season going off the rails. That seems more probable, at this stage, than the other extreme.
Should that happen, it’s not certain what happens to Sark or even who should be making that decision. Pat Haden’s major hires were both gut hires. He eschewed other candidates for the USC ties with Steve Sarkisian in football. He jumped on NCAA Tournament flavor of the moment Andy Enfield in basketball. Two years into the Dunk City USC era: 5-31 in the Pac 12.
If Sark goes down, it’s a clear indictment of Pat Haden’s tenure.