Hackett Is Sifting Through the Remnants

New USC football Coach Paul Hackett has fired most of John Robinson’s staff but had yet to notify the remaining few--Hue Jackson, Dennis Thurman and Mike Wilson--who among them will stay on for the sake of continuity.

Hackett has indicated only “one or two” will remain, but Jackson said Wednesday he told Hackett he will stay only if he retains the title of offensive coordinator--even though Hackett made it clear he’ll probably call the plays himself.

“I’m at a time in my career when I don’t want to go backwards,” Jackson said. “I’m from a similar [offensive] background, and I think if it does happen that I stay, there is some unfinished business at USC in my mind.”

In a departure expected for weeks, defensive coordinator Keith Burns officially was named co-defensive coordinator at his alma mater Arkansas on Wednesday, and will be new Coach Houston Nutt’s right-hand man.

Burns, offensive line coach Mike Barry, tight end coach Doug Smith and defensive line coach Jeff McInerney were told they won’t be back, and sources believe 1979 Heisman winner Charles White and Robinson’s son, David, were sent packing as well, though Robinson and White couldn’t be reached for comment.

Sources close to the program long have speculated White would not return as an assistant but that another position within the athletic department probably would be found for him.

USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said it was premature to report firings because Hackett had not communicated them to USC, as another high-ranking administrator confirmed. However, Hackett made his decisions clear in meetings with assistants.

“This is Mike Barry, formerly of the Trojans. I’m in the moving business right now,” Barry said. “This is part of the business. I’ll go to the [football coaches] convention and look for a job.”

Smith, the former Los Angeles Ram center, said he will look for a job in the NFL.

“I’m no longer there,” Smith said. As for the other departures, “That’s what I’ve heard. I don’t know the facts.”

Thurman, a defensive back at USC when Hackett was an assistant, said Hackett has talked with him a couple of times and told him he’ll have an answer by Monday.

“I don’t know--it’s up in the air,” Thurman said.

Receiver coach Mike Wilson, who played for the San Francisco 49ers when Hackett was there, did not receive an immediate answer either.

Burns, the first to secure another job, criticized USC for its handling of the firings of Robinson and his staff.

“My bitterness comes from wanting to be treated with respect,” he said. “I’m not talking about Paul Hackett. I wish him the best of luck; he’ll come in and coach hard. I think the way we were treated by the other side of the building [the athletic department administration] was wrong. Fire us after the UCLA game. Don’t wait until two days before Christmas.”