Hackett Era Begins With Spring Practice

After successive seasons without a bowl game and the firing of John Robinson, USC opens its first spring football practice under Coach Paul Hackett today at Howard Jones Field.

The Trojans will practice through April 25, but none of the practices are open to the public and USC will not hold a spring game.

USC went 6-5 last season but has 15 returning starters--seven on offense and eight on defense.

“First, we must earn back our respect,” Hackett said. “Our next goal is to go to the Rose Bowl. When that happens, then you set yourself up for good things. Until we reach those goals, we won’t be satisfied and we won’t be able to rest.

Hackett, a former USC assistant, earned his reputation in the NFL as a quarterback coach and most recently as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Van Raaphorst and John Fox will compete for the quarterback job in the spring, then be joined by freshmen Carson Palmer and Jason Thomas in August as the Trojans prepare for an Aug. 30 season-opener against Purdue in the Pigskin Classic.

Receiver R. Jay Soward is the team’s top offensive player, and former defensive back Chad Morton has moved to tailback after striking performances in spot duty the last two seasons.

Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and linebackers Chris Claiborne and Mark Cusano lead the defense.