On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together talking about all of the latest news and notes surrounding the USC football program. It's mid December and the Trojan football team is gearing up for an important Holiday Bowl clash with Louisville from the ACC, but right now most of the focus is on the future with major changes happening to both the coaching staff and the roster.
After head coach Lincoln Riley fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch with two games left in the regular season, the writing was on the wall that this defensive staff was going to get a major makeover. Riley started off with the bold move to hire UCLA DC D'Anton Lynn to come down the 10 Freeway and take over as USC's defensive coordinator. Next Riley targeted Matt Entz, the head coach of North Dakota State who won multiple national championships at the FCS level, to coach linebackers. The latest move was to snag Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk to join the staff and coach the Trojans secondary, taking the place of Donte Williams who is heading to Georgia for the same role. Coach Hyde gives his thoughts on all of these additions to the staff and if he feels these coaches could help make the Trojans a contender heading into the Big Ten next season.
There have also been some major attrition on the roster heading into the bowl game with former five-stars like quarterback Malachi Nelson, running back Raleek Brown and cornerback Domani Jackson entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
With Nelson in the portal Riley needs to bring in a quarterback and right now the favorite in the clubhouse appears to be Will Howard from Kansas State, who took an official visit to USC over the weekend. The Trojans also added former Oregon State safety Akili Arnold and linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold to the roster along with Vanderbilt defensive lineman Nate Clifton.
Coach Hyde says they need to take the bowl game seriously to end the season on a high note, unlike what happened last year. With opt-outs and transfers, Hyde really wants team players out there who can put the team first so they can play like hell and get a much needed victory. He's also very happy for Miller Moss getting his first start. Moss has been loyal Trojan, he wants to be at USC and deserves this start.
As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show.
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