Hackett Still Looking for Key Assistants

New USC football Coach Paul Hackett got good reviews from Trojan players after their first team meeting Thursday, but he is still going several directions at once as he prepares for a big recruiting weekend and tries to make two key hires--defensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

With five of his nine assistants in place, the hires aren’t urgent, but Hackett is finding it difficult to lure NFL assistants back to college.

“The problem when you talk to professional football coaches--and I understand it--is they have a career path they’re on,” said Hackett, who was the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator until Sunday’s playoff loss to Denver. “That’s hard. But by the same token, I want to talk to the people I think would fit best at USC.”

Tampa Bay assistant Herman Edwards declined to be considered for the defensive coordinator’s job Thursday after Hackett finally reached him by phone, citing timing.

“I’m going to stay put and the only reason--we discussed it--is we’re here trying to build some things,” Edwards said. “Hopefully we’re getting to where we’ll be pretty good. I wouldn’t want to duck out on [Coach Tony Dungy] when we’re trying to teach loyalty to our players.”

Hackett also made a cursory pass at Dallas Cowboy offensive line coach Hudson Houck, a former USC assistant who might soon be out of a job.

“I talked to Hudson at length,” Hackett said. “I wanted to get his advice on offensive line coaches--and of course I immediately offered him the job. He respectfully declined.”

Hackett said he will talk to five or six candidates for defensive coordinator--one or two from the NFL, but the rest from colleges.

Hackett seems to have survived his difficult transition without taking a hit in recruiting or with the current Trojan players.

Linebacker Chris Claiborne, one of the players upset enough to consider transferring after John Robinson’s firing, said he is staying, as have other players.

“I had talked to Colorado and Nebraska, and they had scholarships available for me, but I’m happy here,” Claiborne said. “I think we’re going to stay together, especially our class--me, [Travis Claridge], Mike Van Raaphorst, R. Jay [Soward], Ennis Davis. It’s looking real good.”

Soward and others said they were impressed with Hackett, who distributed notebooks and had the players take notes on the meeting.

“He seemed like he’s excited, pumped and happy,” Soward said. “We’re ready to go all out.”

For Hackett, the next few weekends will be marked by campus visits by many of the Trojans’ top prospects leading up to the Feb. 4 signing date.

“I think we’re going to be OK,” Hackett said. “Maybe I was overly anxious. . . . But had there only been one week to go before the letter of intent, the handicap might have indeed been too much. I feel fortunate--and I hope that doesn’t get back to Kansas City.”

In any case, the load is lighter than when he was trying to manage two jobs at once.

“It has been stressful,” Hackett said. “I felt relief at last when I got off the plane. The focus now will be singular.”

Trojan Notes

Fullback Ted Iacenda was at the team meeting after returning from Las Vegas, where a Nevada judge dismissed a sexual assault charge against him, though it is possible prosecutors will seek another indictment. “I just hope it’s finally over,” Iacenda said. “We’re not really sure yet. I pray that it is.”