REVOLVING COACHES DIZZYING USC'S FIFTH-YEAR SENIORS SOMEHOW LEARNED TO ADJUST TO THREE REGIMES.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS - They were lured to USC by John Robinson's charisma, played the bulk of their careers struggling through the Paul Hackett era and spent their final year rejuvenated by Pete Carroll's enthusiasm.

They are USC's fifth-year seniors, the first group in Trojans history to play for three head coaches in more than 40 years.

Only nine players have been on scholarship the entire period, and what they have been through is more than they ever imagined.

``Doesn't it sound like the beginning of a sad story?'' cornerback Kris Richard said. ``But by no means is it that.''

Many of the players are ending their careers in an upbeat mood as the Trojans (6-5) prepare to play Utah (7-4) in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day, USC's first bowl appearance in three years.

But that doesn't make up for all the turmoil and trauma that has marked their five-year careers.

``Make up for it? It couldn't possibly make up for all the years of disappointment, but it's a great start for the new regime,'' Richard said.

Many share Richard's opinion. Take offensive lineman Faaesea Mailo, who actually began his career in 1996 before going on a two-year Mormon mission.

``I've been through three head coaches and four offensive-line coaches,'' Mailo said. ``It's been hard.''

Although fans usually notice only won-loss records, the fifth-year seniors have endured tough times while also breaking in new coaches every couple of years. There were five-game losing streaks in 1999 and 2000, and a four-game skid this season, but the players had other worries.

``It's like you have to audition,'' defensive end Lonnie Ford said. ``You don't expect you have to get used to a new coach. But I had to prove myself three times with J. Rob., coach Hackett and coach Carroll.''

And as each player quickly can tell you, there were differences among the coaches. Robinson recruited the fifth-year seniors when they were high school recruits, with the trademark easy-going style that marked his tenure.

``Coach Robinson, who I never had a chance to play for because I redshirted, was a genuine players' coach,'' Richard said.

It didn't occur to Ford he might play for anyone else besides Robinson, who was fired following the 1997 season.

``I never imagined it, when I was recruited, John Robinson said he wasn't going anywhere,'' Ford said. ``He said,. `I'll be here your whole career.' ''

Robinson was followed by Hackett, who lacked the warm personal touch that earned Robinson the devotion of his players. Worse yet, his uninspired three-year reign led to his dismissal last year.

``I've thought about this many times,'' cornerback Antuan Simmons said. ``Changing coaches and how each one ran the program. Carroll and Robinson probably had the most similarities. I like the way they ran the program.

``Hackett was a different coach, more old school.''

Richard said Hackett helped him learn how to prepare for a game, but even he admitted the difference between the coaches.

``Hackett's a good guy, but was he as personable as Robinson?'' Richard said. ``No.''

Just when it looked as if the seniors' careers always might be viewed as unfulfilled, Carroll arrived on the scene. His personality immediately affected the players, particularly since he blended Robinson's warmth with Hackett's organizational skills.

``Coach Carroll is a perfect combination of the two,'' Richard said.

The players' belief in Carroll culminated with a four-game winning streak to end the regular season, a 27-0 victory over UCLA and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl.

``It just lets you know that working hard, eventually something good happens,'' Ford said. ``That's what happened. We turned it around.''

Mailo said last month's victory over UCLA and the trip to Las Vegas have been the first glimmer of hope, even if it comes just as he and the other eight veterans are departing the program.

``We've been through a lot of heartaches, worked hard and it didn't seem to work,'' Mailo said. ``It's felt good knowing the work finally paid off.''

Carroll credited his seniors' leadership as a key reason the Trojans didn't quit playing, even when they were 1-4 to start the season.

``We've had very good leadership, from guys like Kris Richard, Antuan Simmons, (tight end) Kori Dickerson, (fullback) Charlie Landrigan and Faaesea Mailo,'' Carroll said. ``They put a lot into it and really held the team together.''

And not all the memories have been bad. The seniors were part of the teams that stopped an eight-year losing streak to UCLA, started a three- game winning streak against their crosstown rivals and helped the Trojans win back-to-back games over Notre Dame for the first time since 1982. They also think they are the first step in Carroll's rebuilding of the program.

``I think we started something good,'' Ford said. ``It's nice to be part of the turning point.''

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