Staff in flux as practice resumes

USC practiced Friday for the first time in preparation for the Rose Bowl amid a coaching-staff shuffle that could continue over the next few days.

Coach Pete Carroll, as expected, promoted John Morton to offensive coordinator, though whether Morton will be calling plays next season remains uncertain.

“I’m going to call the plays, right now, from the press box,” said Morton, who will also remain the Trojans’ receivers coach.

Carroll, however, said, “We’re still working on it,” an indication that the expected hiring of Carl Smith as quarterbacks coach might affect the play-calling responsibility and dynamic.

Smith coached USC quarterbacks in 2004 when Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy and the Trojans went undefeated and won the Bowl Championship Series national title. In 2005 and 2006, he was offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Of play-calling, Carroll said Morton “knows that we’re still working everything out, but he’s prepared to do it right now if we need him to. . . . I’ve got to make sure we’ve got it all just right.”

The 39-year-old Morton is staying at USC after having had preliminary discussions with Steve Sarkisian about joining Washington’s staff as offensive coordinator.

Morton said he was aware of criticism that can come with the Trojans’ coordinator job.

“I don’t pay any mind to it,” he said. “I don’t get on the Internet and I don’t read the paper. I learned that early.”

Sarkisian returned late Wednesday from Seattle, where he was introduced this week as Washington’s head coach. Sarkisian will remain with the Trojans and call plays through the Rose Bowl, traveling to Seattle when USC is not practicing.

“It’s been a little crazy, but fun, wearing a couple caps at the same time,” he said.

Rocky Seto, USC’s secondary coach, is mulling Sarkisian’s offer to become Washington’s defensive coordinator.

“It’s kind of exciting,” said Seto, whose wife is from the Seattle area.

“We’re thinking about it. We’re praying about it.”

Sarkisian also has approached Yogi Roth, USC’s quarterbacks graduate assistant, and Jared Blank, assistant director of football operations, about joining him at Washington.

Defensive coordinator Nick Holt and offensive line coach Pat Ruel took themselves out of consideration for jobs on the Huskies staff when Sarkisian was awaiting an offer from Washington.

Linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. is expected to be a leading candidate to join UCLA’s staff if Bruins defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is hired as head coach at San Diego State.

Sanchez update

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was held out because of soreness from the UCLA game last Saturday, and to give Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp the opportunity to take multiple first-team snaps.

Sanchez, a fourth-year junior, submitted paperwork to the NFL requesting an evaluation of his projected draft position if he were to turn pro.

The deadline for declaring for the draft is Jan. 15.

“I honestly haven’t sat down and broken it down yet,” Sanchez said. “There’s going to be a time when I’m going to have to do that.

“I’d like to do it after the game so I’m focused totally on the game.”

Quick kicks

The Trojans will practice today at 11:45 a.m. and then will be off until Thursday. . . . Wide receiver Damian Williams (shoulder), safety Kevin Ellison (knee) and fullback Stanley Havili (ankle) were among the players who did not practice. . . . Quarterback Matt Barkley of Santa Ana Mater Dei High was among the recruits at practice as part of an official visit.

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gary.klein@latimes.com