USC Hopes to Have Tollner Successor ‘Aboard by Mid-January,’ McGee Says

USC Athletic Director Mike McGee expressed the hope Tuesday that a successor to football Coach Ted Tollner will be selected early in 1987.

“I think in the first third of January we would hope to have a coach aboard,” McGee said. “We don’t want to put artificial time constraints on ourselves. It’s too important a decision.

“We don’t want to interrupt coaches in what they might be doing. We’re trying to move as quickly as one can but still not rush head-long and eliminate candidates as a result of their own responsibilities.”

McGee has talked with Baylor Coach Grant Teaff and Dave Levy, an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL, concerning the Trojans’ coaching job.

In addition, McGee wants to interview Paul Hackett, an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, after Dallas’ season ends Sunday.

Levy and Hackett are former Trojan assistant coaches.

McGee wouldn’t identify anyone he’s had conversations with, citing confidentiality.

“We’re trying to do a thorough job in responding to interests that have been expressed in the job and trying to open up some opportunities ourselves,” McGee said. “I have had direct conversations with several possible candidates.

“We’re not through at this point with what we would consider the first round of this process. There are several more initial contacts we need to make. I think an assessment is we feel good about where we are at this point.”