Hackett Talks to USC, Gets No ‘Formal Offer’

Paul Hackett was interviewed for the USC football coaching job Friday in Los Angeles and he said he would decide in a few days whether he wants to remain a candidate for the position.

Hackett, a former USC assistant under John Robinson from 1976-80 and now the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive passing coordinator, said he met with USC President James H. Zumberge, Athletic Director Mike McGee and a USC connected delegation that assists McGee in the interviewing process.

“I didn’t get a formal offer, but I’m interested in them and a they’re interested in me,” Hackett said by phone Saturday from Dallas.

Hackett said he now has to decide whether to pursue the college coaching opportunity or remain in pro football.

“It’s a career decision,” he said. “I made a dramatic move when I went to the San Francisco 49ers in 1983 and made a commitment to pro football. But I’ve always loved USC.”

It has been speculated elsewhere that McGee wants to hire his own man, not someone formerly connected with USC.

But Hackett said he didn’t get that impression during the interview. “I think there is a strong desire for a USC person (to get the job),” he said. “I wouldn’t have gone to L.A. if I wasn’t a serious candidate.”

Unless McGee has other candidates in mind, the field has reportedly been narrowed to Hackett, Dave Levy, a former USC assistant coach under John McKay and now the San Diego Chargers’ offensive line coach, and Arizona Coach Larry Smith.

A source close to the USC athletic department said that no final decision has been made in regard to Ted Tollner’s successor. Tollner was fired Dec. 8 but will coach the Trojans through their Florida Citrus Bowl game against Auburn on New Year’s Day.

Hackett, 39, said it was his first meeting with McGee, adding that they had talked on the phone previously. He said he has a stable job with the Cowboys and feels that there is some unfinished business to accomplish after only a 7-9 record this season.

“The timing is critical,” said Hackett, who joined the Cowboys this season. “There’s the thing of showing up (at Dallas) and then going back out the door.”

Smith is reportedly trying to get Arizona’s Board of Regents to speed up the process of getting him a multiyear contract. Arizona coaches were previously restricted to one-year contracts by state law until it was recently rescinded.