USC coaching search: Former NFL head coach reported ‘in the mix’ for Trojans job
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
USC could be looking to a name to a former longtime NFL head coach to lead its football program.
According to the Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, Jeff Fisher has emerged as a candidate for the post. Fisher was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 1995 — when they played in Houston as the Oilers — until 2010, when he and the organization parted ways. He returned to the sideline in 2012 with the St. Louis Rams, eventually being fired in 2016 after they started 4-9 in their first season in Los Angeles.
Fisher’s career NFL record is 173-165, with 6 playoff appearances including a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV while with the Titans. He has no collegiate coaching experience, but is currently an advisor at Tennessee State, led by one of his former players in Eddie George.
However, according to Pac-12 insider Jon Wilner, Fisher is indeed not a candidate for the job:
Source: Jeff Fisher not a candidate for #USC opening + won’t be.
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) October 26, 2021
USC has reportedly eyed a number of current collegiate head coaches for its vacancy, with McMurphy noting former Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer has mentioned James Franklin, Luke Fickell, and Matt Campbell, along with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. But hiring a former NFL head coach that hasn’t been on a sideline in over 5 years and has no prior experience coaching collegiately would certainly have been a bit of an out-of-the-box move.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
