Hackett Gets Down to Trojan Business

New USC Coach Paul Hackett will interview members of John Robinson’s coaching staff today and meet with the media at Heritage Hall for the first time as part of his three-day visit to Los Angeles before returning to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hackett finally arrived in Los Angeles on Monday--five days after being named coach--and met with Athletic Director Mike Garrett off-campus, planning his first appearance at Heritage Hall for today.

Robinson’s assistants were asked to stay on the job after he was fired last week, but Hackett will decide who will be retained.

“I know we all have a time we’re supposed to meet with him [individually],” assistant coach Dennis Thurman said. “After that, the chips will fall where they may.”

Defensive coordinator Keith Burns was in Arkansas on Monday and is expected to become the Razorbacks’ assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, but was to return and talk with Hackett.

Hackett is eager to get a handle on recruiting and familiarize himself with the team’s personnel.

In addition, a number of players are hoping to meet with him--including junior cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who must decide whether to declare for the NFL draft, and freshman quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst, who is eager to play for Hackett because of his reputation for training quarterbacks.

Hackett will return to Kansas City for Christmas and then begin preparations for the Chiefs’ first playoff game Jan. 3 or 4, coming back to Los Angeles to work full-time at USC only after the Chiefs’ season is over.