COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : McKay Priorities: Golf, Trojans

A familiar, white-haired figure appeared on the sideline at USC’s afternoon practice Tuesday. It was John McKay, the Trojans’ coach from 1960-75, when his teams were 127-40-8. McKay, 70 and retired, said he still follows USC.

“I watch SC’s games, as long as they don’t interfere with my golf game,” he said. Of John Robinson’s return as USC’s coach, McKay said: “I think it’s best to have people (coaching) who have been around USC.”

*

Reggie Perry got a preseason vote of confidence at his new position from Robinson. Robinson moved Perry from quarterback to safety during USC’s spring drills, and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior has made some spectacular defensive plays at the Trojans’ UC Irvine training camp.

Perry was a sophomore starter at quarterback in 1991 but was supplanted last season by Rob Johnson. To open the strong safety spot for Perry this season, Robinson and defensive coordinator Don Lindsey moved last year’s starting safety, Jason Sehorn, to cornerback.

“Reggie is a clear leader on this team. . . . He has a lot of status with the players,” Robinson said. “It’s important to us that he be in the games.

“He has a thousand things to learn, but he’s got good instincts and he’ll do well. If this team has a great season, Reggie Perry will have a lot to do with it.”

USC continued with double sessions Tuesday, with 110 players split into four groups. Thursday, the Trojans will don pads for the first time.

They play North Carolina on Aug. 29 in the Disneyland Pigskin Classic at Anaheim.

*

Elic Mahone, senior defensive end, dislocated his left shoulder Monday and may undergo surgery. Mahone was a reserve defensive tackle and outside linebacker last season but was switched to defensive end last spring.