Players Jolted by Departure of Smith : Reaction: Johnson and Wachholtz are sorry to see USC coach go.

Now what?

Now that Larry Smith was forced to resign as USC’s football coach, now that Mike McGee has accepted the athletic directorship at South Carolina, now that Curtis Conway has given up his final year of eligibility to make himself available for the NFL draft, and might soon be followed by some other starters, the Trojans are in a vacuum.

USC’s athletic department is about to get a face-lift, but for the football players who will be most affected, this is a trying time.

Smith’s resignation, announced Friday while many college football fans were watching the Rose Bowl game, startled some Trojans.

“We all thought he would stay,” said Rob Johnson, the sophomore quarterback from El Toro. “We didn’t know if we lost (the Freedom Bowl) he was gone or anything like that.”

Although school officials denied Tuesday night’s 24-7 loss to Fresno State was the reason Smith was fired with three seasons left on his contract, players interviewed Friday said they had no inkling he would be ousted.

“It was out of nowhere,” said Kyle Wachholtz, a redshirt freshman quarterback from Corona. “I thought for sure he’d be back. It was really surprising to me.”

Wachholtz, who thought Smith did a good job, said the current situation at USC is disruptive. Indeed, many expected the process to replace McGee as athletic director to be completed before Smith’s status was discussed. The thinking was the new athletic director would have the chance to evaluate the football coaching job and make a change if necessary.

But after the loss to Fresno State, school officials decided not to wait. Smith did not even have time to inform the team before it was announced.

“It’s like you don’t know what to expect,” Wachholtz said. “You don’t know what kind of offense or defense you will be running. It could be a whole new system to learn. I think it is a little bit disruptive knowing you don’t have a coach anymore. You don’t even know who your new one will be.”

But that has not stopped the speculation. John Robinson, the onetime Trojan and Ram coach, has been mentioned as the leading candidate.

Robinson coached at USC from 1976-82, compiling a 67-14-2 record. He is fondly remembered by USC alumni because of his success against rivals UCLA and Notre Dame. Robinson, who was fired by the Rams in 1991, led USC to a national championship in 1978.

Robinson has worked as a television commentator the past season, and is most appealing because he is available.

“I think he would want the job,” said Marv Goux, who was a member of Robinson’s staffs at USC and with the Rams. “He knows the people, and he knows what it takes to win. I think he would do an excellent job.”

Robinson could not be reached Friday.

Other candidates mentioned include former Trojan defensive back Jeff Fisher, a defensive backs coach with the San Francisco 49ers; Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator and former USC assistant Norv Turner, and Minnesota Viking defensive coordinator Tony Dungy.

Johnson, the returning starting quarterback, would be most affected if Robinson were hired. Robinson built his reputation on power, run-oriented football. Johnson would like to play an open offense, but said he is ready to play for whomever takes over.

“You’ve just got to adjust and get ready for the new system,” he said.

“I really don’t know (where this leaves us). They just got to hire a new coach within the next week so they can continue to recruit, but it definitely hurts right now.”

Wachholtz said process has been frustrating.

“I think it’s kind of rash,” he said of the sudden firing. “They’re (Fresno State) a good team. I think they played better than we did. The WAC’s not that weak of a conference like a lot of people think. I think (firing) was a little harsh.”

Johnson tried to remain upbeat, despite the fact Conway, the 6-foot-2 flanker, announced after the Freedom Bowl that he would make himself available for the NFL draft. Willie McGinest, a 6-6 outside linebacker, and Johnnie Morton, a 6-0 receiver, might do the same.

“I think we will rebound,” Johnson said. “Don’t count us out, no. We’re losing a couple key players, I think. Those are real big loses. (But) people are going to step up and play.

“You can’t just have a whole team based around two players.”

But a coach might help.

Times staff writer Mal Florence contributed to this story.