APPARENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RILEY DENIES ANY CONTACT WITH USC; CHARGERS PROTEST.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC athletic director Mike Garrett interviewed San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley on Tuesday, sources said, as the Trojans' efforts intensified to hire him as their next football coach.

Riley's contract with the Chargers precludes any official agreement at the moment, sources said. He has three years remaining on his contract, and a financial settlement would probably have to be reached before Riley could come to USC.

The Chargers reacted with anger to Tuesday's Daily News story that Riley would be offered the USC job and said they would refuse the Trojans permission to speak to their head coach. Riley, who refused to say publicly that he was contacted by Alabama about its head-coaching job, apparently is taking the same tack with USC.

``I have not been contacted,'' Riley said Tuesday. ``I'm just concentrating on doing my job here.''

Garrett told reporters before the USC-Cal State Northridge basketball game that he ``did not offer anyone a job (Tuesday)'' and ``would not offer anyone a contract (today).''

Garrett would not confirm whether he had interviewed Riley.

``Speculation hurts people's feelings,'' Garrett said.

Rumors were flying that USC's Board of Trustees convened Tuesday night to discuss Riley's hiring.

Some of the Chargers' anger could be viewed as public posturing, because they didn't protest vigorously when Riley was offered the University of Alabama job last week. Riley eventually turned down the chance to coach at his alma mater.

The Chargers have not offered solid support for Riley this season but are not believed to be pleased with overtures from multiple colleges.

As news of USC's interest in Riley spread, current Trojans players reacted favorably to the possibility of him being their next head coach.

``He's a fellow Trojan,'' junior tailback Malaefou MacKenzie said of the former USC assistant. ``He was cool to us when I was being recruited. It's going to boost our recruiting.''

Riley prefers the USC job because his family could remain in Southern California and he also enjoys a good relationship with Garrett, sources said. Despite his 1-12 record with the Chargers, he enjoys a strong reputation in coaching circles and is responsible for recruiting many of the Oregon State players who have led the Beavers to a 10-1 record and No. 5 ranking.

USC has prepared a backup plan in the event they're unable to hire Riley. The Trojans contacted Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick on Monday night to gauge his interest in the job. Lubick was interested in the position three years ago before the Trojans hired Paul Hackett.

One knock on Lubick is his age, 63. But he is a proven commodity and the winningest coach in Colorado State history. The Rams are 9-2 this season and earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl.

The conversations were described as casual but serious, and Lubick remains intrigued with the opportunity of coaching at USC.

The decision to contact Lubick also demonstrates that USC could be running out of candidates, with former New England Patriots coach Pete Carroll scheduled to interview but considered nothing more than a long shot.

There's a chance Illinois coach Ron Turner could emerge, but his contract carries a $1.6 million buyout. Also, USC would have to explain a decision to replace a coach who went 5-7 (Hackett) this season with a coach who went 5-6 (Turner).

But Turner, another former USC assistant, is highly respected by school officials.