USC Search May Come Down to Two

Despite the buzz Monday at USC’s Heritage Hall, Rick Majerus remained at ESPN and Paul Westphal at Pepperdine.

It only seemed as though Majerus, formerly one of the game’s most successful coaches at Utah, and Westphal (USC ‘72) were on deck to quickly replace Henry Bibby, ousted four games into his ninth season, as athletic department officials privately handicapped what, at least at the outset, appeared to be a two-man race.

First-year assistant Jim Saia, previously a UCLA assistant, is the interim coach.

Even Athletic Director Mike Garrett joined in, uncharacteristically acknowledging that the Trojans would be interested in Majerus and Westphal if either were interested in them. That’s about as official as it gets early in a process USC hopes will end with a high-profile hire for a program it plans to push higher.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook all day,” Majerus said. “I know what’s going on, but I don’t have a lot to say about it right now.”

He has in the past, confiding in friends that the USC job would top his wish list if it ever opened. Majerus, who left Utah in January for health reasons, did not campaign for the position out of respect for Bibby, who had another season remaining on his contract.

But things have changed.

Garrett wants a proven coach to lead USC into the 10,300-seat Galen Center, scheduled to open for the 2006-07 season, and elevate the program to a football-like level. And the Trojans plan to spend what it takes to get their guy.

“I guarantee you, to come to USC, you have to be a head coach with credentials,” Garrett said. “This is not a place to learn.”

Majerus seemingly meets Garrett’s criteria, having had a .767 winning percentage in 15 years at Utah.

He led the Utes to 10 appearances in the NCAA tournament, including the 1998 national championship game. Majerus is foremost a teacher, loves L.A. and would have a new audience for his one-liners.

So it’s a perfect fit, right?

“Well, I always wanted to live in California,” Majerus said. “I almost bought a home in the fall there. I put an offer in and I lost it. I was going to live in Milwaukee for the television season and live in California for the off-season because I like it there.

“It’s someplace I’ve always liked. That hasn’t changed, you know? But my thing is this: I haven’t given any thought to this. I’m just doing my ESPN deal and I really haven’t ... right now, I just work for ESPN. I don’t know what I want to do.”

Majerus was second to none at working the booster circuit while in Salt Lake City, regaling fans with anecdotes and jokes late into the evening and then winding down with good food and friends. Majerus’ late-night lifestyle (“I know all the best restaurants in L.A.,” he once said) contributed to his weight struggle, prompting him to retire from Utah to address the problem.

Westphal’s situation is delicate for a different reason.

He’s leading the Waves, winners of six in a row, including an upset of then-No. 20 Wisconsin in a 6-1 start.

Not surprisingly, Westphal, who guided Pepperdine to the 2001-02 NCAA tournament, would rather discuss anything but the USC coaching situation.

“No one knows what the future is going to bring,” said Westphal, a two-time All-American at USC. “All I know is that I’m happy where I’m at right now.

“If someone makes me an offer that I can’t refuse, then that’s where I’m going to go. But like all Trojans, what I’m hoping for right now is that we kick Oklahoma’s butt in the Orange Bowl.”

Westphal, whose ties to the school could provide an edge over Majerus, had success in the NBA, guiding the Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics to the playoffs. The Suns advanced to the NBA Finals in his first year as a head coach.

“Westphal is someone we asked to take the job many years ago when he was between jobs in the NBA,” said Garrett, who appeared to briefly forget Westphal’s given name.

He was clear on what’s expected of the next coach.

“We’re planning to get the program healthy,” Garrett said. “That’s what we’re going to do.”