Turner Is Retained as USC Assistant

Ron Turner was the only member of Ted Tollner’s staff who was retained by Larry Smith, the new USC football coach, who will bring eight of his assistants with him from Arizona.

Smith, who was named USC’s coach Friday, picked his staff Monday. The assistants and their areas of expertise: Chuck Stobart, offensive coordinator; Chris Allen, defensive coordinator and outside linebackers; Bob April, secondary; Gary Bernardi, tight ends; John Matsko, offensive line; Tom Roggeman, inside linebackers; Clarence Shelmon, running backs; Kevin Wolthausen, defensive line, and Turner, receivers.

Turner, 33, was USC’s offensive coordinator last season. After Tollner was fired Dec. 8, Turner was named offensive coordinator at Kansas.

He reportedly had an arrangement with Kansas that if he were offered a job on the new USC football staff, he could remain at the school.

Turner was an assistant coach at Arizona from 1978 through 1980, serving under Smith in his first season as head coach.