The 2009 season (yes, it didn’t stretch into the usual 2010) was a dark year for Trojans used to basking in the golden splendor of success. They were physically dominated and embarrassed on the football field. The team lacked leadership and responsibility, both in uniform and in its coaching staff. To top all of that off, we quit. “ We”, meaning the players on the field and the fans in the stands. It was not a season for many of us to be proud of.
As recently as 24 hours ago it looked like 2010, and the near future, were going to be even worse. Our “Captain” had abandoned ship and sharks were circling, smelling blood in the water. The most alarming thing about this past season was realizing how much deep hatred there is for the Trojans by the average fan. The old saying goes, “If you can’t beat em, join em.” The quote shouldn’t end there. It should finish, “but if somebody else beats em, join them and celebrate as if you did it.” You couldn’t wipe the smile off of the faces of people as they gossiped about the “Fall of Troy.” I have bad news haters……….it’s not over.
Just when things looked bleak, a ray of light emerged. It appeared, in the early stages, like we couldn’t find a new coach anywhere. Maybe we couldn’t. Instead we went out and gathered up all of the coaches we let get away and along the way we acquired one of the greatest defensive minds of all time, Monte Kiffin. Suddenly we have the deepest coaching staff in the country and a young team full of talent with a fresh new attitude.
There is still the sticky business of the NCAA coming to town next month. Yes there are reports that we may still have to answer for the whole “Reggie Bush” thing. I would refresh you on the case, but I can’t really remember what it was all about. Long, and I mean long, story short Reggie may or may not have done something wrong, some time during the first half of the past decade. I wish I worked for the NCAA and was put on this investigation. Five years to get one story? Sounds like they did what I would have done; take a four and a half year vacation in the islands, come back, work for a month or so, and start talking tough. I could go on forever about how ridiculous the idea of a guy who generates millions of dollars for thousands of people not being aloud to cash in on it. Or, how a decision made between two adults (Reggie and an agent) have nothing to do with a football program or a school. But, there is no need. Rules are rules, the world is full of hypocrisy, and water is wet. Accept it, move on.
It is how USC handles this that matters. Best case, this whole thing finally goes away and they can get back to the business of getting back on top. Worst case, they get hit hard. If they do, the road will get rougher. The task will be more challenging. But if they remain resolute, they will weather the storm. Now is not the time to whine, the time to bitch, the time to sulk. We spent an entire season doing it. We aren’t entitled to anything, and the success we, as Trojan fans, have enjoyed for the past 8 years was an incredible gift. If we want it to continue, we must pull our weight. Let’s get behind this team. It may take time, it may take patience, but good times will return. Probably sooner than later. Play hard, root hard, respect our opponent’s ability to beat us, and compete. Sounds like the philosophy of a guy who used to coach around here. It looks like he may have left us with one final gift. Fight on!
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Matt Venuto was forced into the writing business when those close to him held an intervention and demanded that he find an outlet for his endless opinions and ranting, because, frankly, they were tired of listening to him. Matt is a USC alumnus and majored in psychology in an attempt to figure out why everyone around him was nuts. He failed in his endeavor. Like Hootie and the Blowfish, the Dolphins make him cry and he doesn’t understand why more people don’t find Kevin Garnett extremely annoying. Calm down Kevin, please.
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