USC NOTEBOOK: SLUTAK JOINS ORGERON.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - USC special teams assistant Dennis Slutak became the first member of the Trojans staff to join Ed Orgeron at Mississippi after accepting an offer to become a Rebels assistant coach.

Orgeron said last week Slutak probably would not be hired, but Slutak accepted a job this week. It's a promotion for Slutak because he was a part-time assistant at USC the past two seasons and wanted a full-time job.

Slutak is from West Palm Beach, Fla., and will have at least 10 family members at the Orange Bowl.

``The $150 ticket scared some people away,'' he said.

--Weather woes: The unpredictable Florida weather hit practice Friday, alternating among a torrential downpour, heavy winds and sunshine.

``It was good day to deal with all forms,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``Guys handled it well and caught the ball well. If it rains on game night, we handled it.''

--No worries: Carroll isn't concerned that tailback Reggie Bush might fumble in the eighth successive game.

``I'm not considering that at all,'' he said. ``We'll be all right. If we need Reggie to carry the ball a lot, he can do it.''

--Tired of waiting: Linebackers coach Ken Norton said he doesn't want to wait until Tuesday for the Orange Bowl.

``We've been waiting a month, and we're antsy, and we just want to play the game. We want to beat up on somebody else,'' he said.

--Early impression: Tight end Alex Holmes knew linebacker Matt Grootegoed would be an impact player for the Trojans as soon as they played together in an all-star game matching high-school players from California and Florida.

Grootegoed knocked wide receiver Roy Williams, currently a rookie with Detroit Lions, out of the game with a hard hit.

``That's how I knew we would win the game,'' Holmes said.

Grootegoed, who is 5-foot-9, said he has no idea what position he would play in the NFL.

``It could be anything,'' he said. ``It could be nickel back, it could special teams. I'm just going to end up going wherever they tell me to go.''

--Another ankle update: Tailback LenDale White's sore ankle remains a lingering issue, although he participated in parts of Friday's practice.

``I'm pretty sure tomorrow it will hurt like heck,'' White said. ``It's all about how much pain I can handle. If I can't go, I'll tell coach Carroll. Right now, though, it feels good.''

--Celebrity sightings: Among those attending practice were singer-actor Nick Lachey, former USC player and TV announcer Frank Gifford, former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, former USC baseball coach Rod Dedeaux and former Miami Dolphins running back Terry Kirby.

Lachey, who attended USC for two years, also went to the Trojans' games against California and Washington and has become friends with quarterback Matt Leinart.

--No spying: USC practices are open to media, except those from Oklahoma. One writer brought a pair of binoculars Friday to protest being excluded from the workouts.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com