Now that the regular season has ended, USC will be turning their attention to finding a full time replacement for Lane Kiffin. While Ed Orgeron has done a nice job filling in and going 6-2 in his time as interim coach, reports are that he has been told he won’t get the permanent job but they would like to keep him on staff. According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, the Trojans top two candidates are Boise State Head Coach Chris Petersen and Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin:
Chris Petersen and James Franklin are top options at USC. A new coach could be named as early as this week.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 2, 2013
Now that Kevin Sumlin has signed an extension with Texas A&M, these two coaches are the next logical steps. Petersen has gone 92-12 in his eight years at Boise State while turning down numerous offers from bigger programs. Franklin has gone 23-15 in his three years at Vanderbilt which is pretty incredible when you think about it.
I still expect a surprise name or two will emerge along with the fall back plan of Jack Del Rio. Schad also reports that the job could be filled as early as this week. The first big coaching vacancy could be filled shortly.