In This Monologue, Holtz Is Not the Answer at USC

In another time, Hollywood Holtz might have been perfect for USC.

It has been reported that Lou Holtz, notoriously impatient, wouldn’t be able to tolerate the commute to work.

But look at it this way: He would be much closer to Jay Leno’s show.

Also, Holtz is terrific with magic, one reason he’s such a regular on the late-night talk circuit, and you know USC would like to have that restored to its football program.

And, Holtz has proved he can win the USC-Notre Dame game. With the Irish, his record against the Trojans was 9-1-1.

Add his 215 victories in 27 seasons as a college football coach, 11th on the all-time list, and it’s no wonder USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett has been infatuated with Holtz.

But Lou Holtz isn’t the answer for USC any more than USC is the answer for Lou Holtz.

If reports are accurate that he has rejected unofficial overtures, he apparently recognizes that.

Although his last two teams in 1995 and ’96 lost a combined five games, respectable even at Notre Dame, Irish insiders say he seemed to lose interest in coaching college players and certainly in recruiting. Problems they faced this season didn’t start with successor Bob Davie.

When Holtz resigned last winter from “the greatest coaching job in college football,” he didn’t sound like he wanted another one.

I believe him when he says his first priority is to help his wife overcome throat cancer.

If he does coach again, it probably will be because he wants a rematch with the NFL after failing earlier with the New York Jets.

Although I’m convinced USC needs to make a change, the Trojans will be better off with John Robinson. At least, he seems to want the job badly, even if it means firing some assistants to keep it.

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Whatever happened to the decisive Garrett? . . .

The one who fired Charlie Parker with nine games remaining in the 1995-96 basketball season. . . .

The one who decided within 24 hours of the 1996 victory over Notre Dame that Robinson should return in ’97. . . .

Even if Robinson returns for ‘98, which appears likely, it will look like the only reason was because Garrett couldn’t find anyone he liked better to take the job. . . .

That doesn’t send a particularly comforting message to recruits, who are deciding whether to commit to USC for the next four or five years. . . .

Guaranteed: Reaction to news of Robinson’s return, or not, will be mixed. . . .

In an MSNBC online poll, 56% think he deserves another chance. . . .

A Daily Trojan poll, however, found that 62% think he should be fired. . . .

Tom Marchetti, an LAPD detective, says he and colleagues at the 77th St. Division have sent about 100 faxes to Garrett and USC President Steven Sample in support of Robinson. . . .

Marchetti doesn’t necessarily help the cause when he confesses: “Even the Bruin guys have sent some. They think as long as Robinson is there, they’ll beat USC.” . . .

But he recovers by adding, “All the guys love John Robinson.” . . .

If, as expected, Ryan Leaf declares himself eligible for the NFL draft, Cade McNown will enter next season as the leading Heisman vote-getter among returning quarterbacks. . . .

A crucial Heisman matchup could come in the Bruins’ season opener at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 12, when they meet Texas. . . .

Longhorn junior running back Ricky Williams, of San Diego, finished fifth in the voting. . . .

He vowed he wouldn’t return if John Mackovic was fired, but Williams is wavering. . . .

USC and Colorado are finalists in the recruiting of quarterback Carson Palmer. . . .

All he did Saturday night was throw for 419 yards and five touchdowns and run for another in Santa Margarita’s 55-42 victory over Tustin for the Division V title. . . .

It also was a big weekend for Santa Margarita in futbol. . . .

Two former Eagles, forward Seth George and goalkeeper Matt Reis, starred in UCLA’s 2-0 victory over Virginia on Sunday for the NCAA soccer championship. . . .

I meant no disrespect toward Long Beach Poly when I predicted Santa Anita Mater Dei would win the Division I football title. . . .

Nevertheless, I’ll try to make amends. The Jackrabbits will repeat.

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While wondering who could have guessed Bill Parcells wouldn’t even be coach of the year in his own city, I was thinking: It’s hard to believe the Cowboys won the Super Bowl less than two years ago, or that the Chargers were in it less than three years ago, the Raiders weren’t much better under Coach Tim Brown.