USC Running Backs Coach

Todd McNair's contract was not renewed by USC, so the Trojans are in need of a new running backs coach. The coaching tree has come up with five potential replacements:

Kelly Skipper is the RBs coach for the Raiders. He was originally hired by Lane Kiffin to coach tight ends in Oakland in 2008. Kiffin was fired early in the '08 season, so they didn't coach together for very long. Skipper was the RB coach at Fresno State from 1992-98, where Kiffin was a quarterback and later a student assistant coach for the Bulldogs. This would be a lateral move at best for Skipper, but the chance to work with Lane Kiffin again and an escape from Raider-land could be enticing.

Jamaal Fobbs was named the RB coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga after spending the 09 season as an intern under Lane Kiffin at Tennessee. He started his career in 2006 as a graduate assistant at LSU in 2006. Fobbs isn't highly qualified for such a high profile job, but may have a chance at this time of year.

Chad Morton is currently the assistant special teams coach with the Green Bay Packers. He was a long time RB and return man in the NFL after a successful career at USC from 1997-2000. Again, Morton isn't highly qualified, but has USC ties and would likely jump at the chance if offered.

Charles London was most recently a quality control coach with the Chicago Bears. He wasn't retained after the '09 season after three years with the team. Prior to joining the Bears, London was the RB coach at Duke after two years as a GA with the Blue Devils. He played running back at Duke in the mid-90s, where current USC quarterback coach Clay Helton was his position coach in 1996.

Legendary former USC and NFL running back Marcus Allen could have a shot at this job. With the position opening up so close to the start of the season, it is much more difficult to find highly qualified candidates willing to leave their current positions. Allen, who has never been a coach, could step in, possibly on an interim basis. While it is hard to justify hiring someone without coaching experience, it is always helpful in recruiting to have a College and Pro football hall of fame caliber player on staff.

Update: Kennedy Pola, who joined the Tennessee Titans this past off-season, will join USC as their offensive coordinator and RB coach.