TROJANS WANT ERICKSON WILL OREGON ST. COACH REPLACE OUSTED HACKETT?

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC intends to offer Oregon State football coach Dennis Erickson its head-coaching position to replace Paul Hackett, who was fired Sunday.

However, according to a source, Erickson has already informed his coaching staff at Oregon State that he is not interested in coming to USC.

Despite much speculation during the season, Erickson, 53, has not been contacted by USC regarding the job, but that is expected to happen as soon as today.

``Dennis Erickson's someone I think I should look up,'' USC athletic director Mike Garrett said Monday after Hackett's dismissal was made public.

Oregon State athletic director Mitch Barnhart said he would grant Erickson permission to speak to USC if contacted by school officials.

Erickson would represent a slam-dunk hire for USC, a marquee coach who is a proven winner and one of the hottest names in the business after leading Oregon State to a 10-1 record and No. 5 ranking nationally. He also won two national championships at Miami.

He would also require a salary of more than $1 million per season, but Garrett said Monday that money would not be a limitation.

``We have to get the best coach we can get,'' Garrett said. ``I have some people I'm thinking about.''

If Erickson is not interested in the job, another possible candidate the Trojans are expected to pursue is San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley, who was USC's offensive coordinator from 1993-96.

``I like Mike Riley. I think Mike is a great coach and he's always been in the back of my mind,'' Garrett said. ``I would always consider Mike Riley.''

Chargers president Dean Spanos has said he would not grant permission to colleges that are interested in Riley, so the San Diego coach would probably have to reach an oral agreement with USC and resign from the Chargers before being named head coach.

Another potential candidate is Illinois coach Ron Turner, who nearly replaced John Robinson in 1996, before Robinson saved his job by winning the final game of the season against Notre Dame.

Garrett said Monday he had not contacted any potential candidates but had received phone calls from interested coaches.

``The calls we get from people are pretty reputable,'' Garrett said.

One thing Garrett said was that he would not hire an offensive or defensive coordinator at another college.

``I'm looking for a more experienced coach,'' Garrett said.

One concern regarding Erickson is that he brings some baggage. Miami was viewed as an outlaw program during his tenure and received NCAA penalties after he left. He also failed to inform his athletic director when several players, including star defensive lineman Warren Sapp, tested positive for drugs. Erickson drew criticism for not suspending the players.

In 1995, while coaching the Seattle Seahawks, Erickson was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

``If someone had a violation, it depends on the circumstances at the time,'' Garrett said. ``It would depend on the severity and what was involved. We do have standards here.''

THE CANDIDATES

USC's initial coaching search includes three head coaches, two of whom have been assistants with the Trojans.

--1. Dennis Erickson: The front runner for the job has turned Oregon State into the nation's fifth-ranked team.

--2. Mike Riley: San Diego Chargers coach was a former USC offensive coordinator and would be interested in returning to Troy.

--3. Ron Turner: Illinois coach was nearly hired as USC coach in 1996 and was a Trojans assistant in the 1980s.

- Scott Wolf

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo: (1 -- color) Dennis Erickson has guided Oregon State to a 10-1 record and No. 5 national ranking this year.

Karl Maasdam/Associated Press

(2 -- color) MIKE RILEY

(3 -- color) RON TURNER

Box: THE CANDIDATES (see text)