Letters: USC fans won’t let up on Steve Sarkisian

The loss to Stanford shows that a coaching change needs to happen at USC. Steve Sarkisian was a questionable hire to begin with and nothing that he has done since dispels that notion. Bringing along his buddy, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, has been a huge mistake. He gave up big yards and big plays last year and appears to be continuing that trend this year, despite the talent all around him. Sure, Sark is a “great recruiter,” but I have heard the same about lots of others, including Kiffin, Orgeron, Saban, Fisher, Harbaugh, Meyer, to name a few. College football is filled with “great recruiters.” We also need a head coach, someone who can coach these recruits. I’m ready for Pat Haden to man-up, admit his mistake and figure out how to salvage this season.

Robert Hallett

Torrance

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One of the core qualities I look for in a college football coach is leadership; the fact that Will Ferrell led the USC football team onto the field Saturday night told me a lot about Steve Sarkisian. One would think that after his recent behavior, he would strive to reassert himself as the leader and face of this historic program and lead the team out of the tunnel. Alas, he does not appear to have that quality.

Bill Hokans

Santa Ana

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The Pete Carroll era is over. To continue to pursue past glories with former members of his coaching staff, namely Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian, has not only failed but brought off-the-field embarrassment to the university. Do your job, Pat Haden, and stop looking backward to move the program forward.

David A. Sanchez

Pasadena

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Steve Sarkisian is fortunate that the Coliseum does not have a tarmac.

Mike Reuben

Anaheim Hills

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If I were Coach Sarkisian I would consider driving back and forth to the Arizona State game, rather than taking the USC charter flight. Just saying.

Chris Pisano

Rancho Palos Verdes

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I am always amused at the reaction whenever USC loses a football game. It is as if the universe has been dealt a horrible setback that causes such grief and disbelief as to how such a thing could happen. Of course, USC and its fans expect to win every game, but sometimes the opposition just plays better or gets some breaks. It may not happen often, especially at home, but it is always a possibility. Winning a football game is not a divine right accorded to USC, but it sometimes seems many believe it is.

Les Birken

Northridge

Elevating his game

Besides being a Hall of Fame player and baseball’s greatest winner (10 World Series titles), Yogi Berra also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and participated in the D-day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Like nearly everyone of his generation, Berra served his country first and baseball came second. Luckily for all of us, Yogi returned safely and became a legendary player and one of the most beloved figures of the game.

Charles Reilly

Manhattan Beach

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Perhaps Pope Francis canonized the wrong American this week. The Catholic Church needs a Saint Yogi — a saint of goodwill, clutch performance, charmed life, humble spirit and, yes, malapropisms. If it’s not over until it’s over, is it too late to ask the pope to consider elevating Yogi from Yankee hero and beloved American success story to sainthood?

Jeff Pollak

La Crescenta

Time to punt?

I’m old, retired and enjoy nothing as much as watching a good football game on TV. This year, between college and the NFL, you can catch as many as 50 games per week. All that being the case, we have to realize that there is no safe way to play the game. I applaud Bill Dwyre for his fine [Sept. 22] column on the NFL’s attitude regarding the concussion-CTE connection. I’m even more concerned about Pop Warner, high school and college football, where the participants are minors and parents should know better than to allow their children to get involved. It breaks my heart to say that this sport should no longer exist.

Ron Garber

Duarte

We’re No. 1

Is Los Angeles the sports capital of America? Last Saturday night, probably close to 200,000 fans packed the Coliseum, Rose Bowl and Dodger Stadium to watch the Trojans, Bruins and Dodgers. It is doubtful there are many cities with this caliber of teams and venues that perform or host at virtually simultaneous times.

Roy Reel

Culver City

Well placed

Here’s a shout out to Matt Kemp and the San Diego Padres for playing the San Francisco Giants so tough Wednesday and Thursday, winning both games in the ninth inning with clutch comebacks. Thanks for helping the Dodgers reduce their magic number!

Ken Blake

Brea

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