USC’s Defensive Line Coach Takes Job at U. of Miami

USC defensive line coach Dave Wannstedt accepted a job as defensive coordinator at the University of Miami Thursday, rejoining Jimmy Johnson, for whom he previously worked at Oklahoma State.

Said USC Coach Ted Tollner about a replacement for Wannstedt: “I’m looking at some potential people and will have some interviews next week. But I don’t have a specific candidate in mind.”

Tollner is in Palo Alto as a member of the West coaching staff for the East-West all-star game Saturday.

In an unrelated matter, Tollner said USC wide receiver Hank Norman will not play in Sunday’s Japan Bowl all-star game at Yokohama.

Norman was dropped from the USC team before the Trojans’ season-ending Aloha Bowl game with Alabama at Honolulu Dec. 28. The only explanation from Tollner at the time was that Norman had personal problems.

“A Japan Bowl official told me that since Hank didn’t finish the season for a reason other than injury, he wouldn’t be in the game,” Tollner said.

Norman was not available for comment.