O’Brien, Wilson Out in USC Football Shake-Up

The turnover on USC’s coaching staff continued Tuesday with the departures of quarterbacks coach Ken O’Brien and receivers coach Mike Wilson--meaning three of USC’s five offensive assistants have either resigned or been fired.

O’Brien, the former NFL quarterback, quit after Coach Paul Hackett relieved him of his quarterback duties and asked him to coach tight ends.

“I’m concerned. This was not part of the plan,” said Hackett, who fired offensive line coach Steve Greatwood shortly after the season.

O’Brien was particularly close to quarterback Carson Palmer, and Hackett said he spoke to Palmer about the change.

“I think both he and [backup Mike Van Raaphorst] are very disappointed,” Hackett said. “I think they were very close to Ken. I don’t think they’ll show their displeasure with the head coach, but they’re disappointed.

“I certainly didn’t want to lose Ken,” Hackett said. “It’s really nothing against Ken, but as I looked at the first two years, the guy coordinating the offense ought to have responsibility for the quarterbacks.”

Either offensive coordinator Hue Jackson or Hackett himself will handle the quarterbacks next season, said Hackett--who in the past has been wary of repeating a mistake he made at Pittsburgh by taking on too much.