Floyd Puts Staff at Rest

New USC basketball Coach Tim Floyd left the door ajar Monday for the current coaching staff to join him next season.

“I’m getting a lot of calls right now from a lot of coaches who have an interest in coming here, but I’ve told them all I’m going to review the situation in March,” said Floyd, who conducted his first meetings with coaches and players in Heritage Hall.

“I don’t feel comfortable talking about another guy’s job while they’re occupying it. I don’t know these men that are here, but I’m going to make an effort to get to know them and watch ‘em work. We’ll evaluate it in March when this thing is over.”

Floyd, who officially takes charge of the program April 1, met first with interim Coach Jim Saia and his assistants, then addressed players before practice.

Floyd reiterated he would not take an active role in guiding the team this season, but would be available as a resource.

Saia was impressed.

“He said he’s going to give our staff a chance,” said Saia, who also had a closed-door session with Floyd. “He asked me about my future and I told him I just want to give everything I’ve got for this team. I just want to coach this team for however many games I’ve got left.

“He’s going to evaluate our staff and he hasn’t made any decisions. He told us he’s already gotten over 300 phone calls from people trying to get on his staff. USC is going to be a great program in the future with the new arena.”

Floyd also made a good impression on players.

Sophomore guard Lodrick Stewart, who is among four players who have eligibility next season, said he was eager to play for Floyd.

“Anybody that wins games is cool, and I heard he’s a great coach,” Stewart said. “He also coached in the NBA, so he could give everybody a lot of tips on that too.”

Floyd assured players he was in it for the long haul.

“Rick Majerus said he was going to be our coach, and then he left after [five] days,” Stewart said. “Coach Floyd made a promise that he wasn’t going to leave.... He’s a nice guy and he’s funny. He seems like a cool guy.

“I wouldn’t mind staying until I’m a senior to play for him. We know for a fact we’ve got a coach now, so we can just concentrate on playing basketball.”