MAJERUS RUNS THE FASTBREAK COACH QUITS USC AFTER FOUR DAYS.Byline: Scott Wolf Scott Richard Wolf (born June 4, 1968) is an American actor. Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Steven Wolf and Susan Enowitch, Wolf was raised in West Orange, New Jersey. He graduated in 1986 from West Orange High School. Staff Writer Rick Majerus Rick Majerus (born February 17 1948 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin) is the men's basketball head coach at Saint Louis University. He has coached at Marquette University from 1983 to 1986, Ball State University from 1987 to 1989, and University of Utah from 1989-2004. stunned USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. on Saturday by quitting as basketball coach four days after being hired, however the Trojans were hopeful he would change his mind and remain at the school. Majerus didn't officially notify USC he quit as of Saturday night and administrators refused to give up on the well-known coach, who intended to return to ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network as an analyst. ``We plan to meet with Rick on Monday,'' USC athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Mike Garrett Michael Lockett Garrett (born April 12, 1944 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. said. ``Until then there is nothing we can say.'' But sources said Majerus let it be known around USC as early as Thursday he wasn't happy with his new job and decided to return to ESPN. ``He wanted out,'' said a source who spoke to Majerus. ``Maybe he was anxious about his health.'' Majerus began having second thoughts just a day after Wednesday's news conference introducing him as USC's new coach, and didn't realize exactly what he got himself into when he accepted the job, sources said. USC returns just three scholarship players from this year's team next season and faces a major rebuilding task as it prepares to move into its new on-campus arena in 2006. And with the football team ranked No. 1 in the nation, its basketball program is far less important than at a school such as Indiana, where Majerus always has coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. a coaching job and could be a candidate for after the season. ``He saw the work that needed to be done (at USC) and had second thoughts,'' a source said. Another source said ESPN increased his salary after investing time and money into making him one of the premier analysts, but that his decision was based more on the amount of work necessary to turn USC into a nationally respected program. Majerus could not be reached for comment. But around USC, those connected to the basketball program had no hint he would quit. ``We're all shocked,'' USC interim coach Jim Saia Jim Saia is a men's head basketball coach. Coaching Career Saia is currently head basketball coach at Fresno Pacific University. Prior to that he was the interim head coach at the USC between 2004 and 2005. said. ``Whatever gave him cold feet, you'd have to ask him.'' Saia said he received a message from Majerus on Friday night saying he would meet with USC's returning players and assistant coaches after Christmas. The Trojans leave today for the Rainbow Classic at the University of Hawaii (body, education) University of Hawaii - A University spread over 10 campuses on 4 islands throughout the state. http://hawaii.edu/uhinfo.html. See also Aloha, Aloha Net. . He even sent assistant coach Eric Brown Eric Brown is the name of several people:
Saddleback College offers a wide range of programs in Advanced Technology and Applied Sciences, including courses in Aviation, Marine Science, Computer Science and Fashion Design. The academics are closely linked to Irvine Valley College, also part of the SOCCCD. in Mission Viejo on Friday to watch games. ``He never hinted at anything,'' Brown said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. the reason. I don't understand why. He and I spoke yesterday but I had no idea.'' Even though Majerus' departure shocked USC, the Trojans will begin searching for a successor as soon as Monday if he can't be convinced to stay. Senior associate athletic director Daryl Gross, who runs coaching searches, was hired as athletic director at Syracuse but is not expected to begin his new job until late January. That would give USC about a month to find another coach. Candidates include Pepperdine coach Paul Westphal, Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, who is from North Hollywood, and former Chicago Bulls coach Tim Floyd. Texas Tech coach Bob Knight told a source he would be interested in the job if USC contacted him. Westphal declined comment after Pepperdine's loss at Bradley on Saturday night. ``How crazy is this place?'' sophomore guard Lodrick Stewart said. ``We've had three coaches in one season.'' Another option would be to keep Saia, a move that would be popular with the players. ``I guess now the job is open but I can't worry about that,'' Saia said. ``I'm in the eye of the hurricane with the team right now. I'll just let it all play out and coach the team. That's the only thing I can control.'' Majerus seemed enthusiastic about the job before Wednesday's news conference. He hired former UNLV UNLV University of Nevada, Las Vegas coach Bill Bayno as an assistant and became intimate with details about the program. ``He dove right into it his first night,'' a source said. But it began unraveling shortly afterward. After having dinner with Saia on Wednesday night, Majerus canceled a meeting with assistant coach Bob Cantu scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday. He then canceled a 1 p.m. meeting with the players. Finally, he canceled a dinner meeting with Brown scheduled for that evening. Majerus was originally supposed to accompany Brown to Saddleback College but backed out of that, too. ``He canceled the meetings. I thought it was weird, but here in L.A., he's a big figure,'' Brown said. In an unusual move, Majerus made a friend, Alysse Minkoff, handle his media requests instead of USC's sports information department, but Minkoff didn't even know where Majerus was Saturday, even though he was supposed to take a plane back to Milwaukee. ``The last time I saw Rick was Thursday night,'' Minkoff said. ``Everything was fine when I left him Thursday.'' Scott Wolf, (818) 713-3607 scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Rick Majerus smiles Wednesday during a news conference, but after apparently quitting Saturday, the joke is on USC. Reed Saxon/Associated Press (2) Interim USC coach Jim Saia could wind up with the job permanently. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer (3) no caption (Rick Majerus) Box: SHORT-TIMERS |
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