Lane Kiffin Needs to Earn Paycheck

A week ago, optimism was brimming around the USC football program. With arguably the best recruiting class in the nation joining a young USC team that went 9-4 in 2009, pundits on ESPN’s College Football Live predicted a 10-3 or an 11-2 season for the Men of Troy and a trip to the hallowed Rose Bowl as Pac-10 champions.

Today, that optimism is gone. USC suddenly went from being a leading contender to win the Pac-10 to a program struggling to climb out of harsh NCAA sanctions. But it doesn’t have to be that way. USC can either wallow in self-pity at the unreasonable sanctions, or they can come charging out of the tunnel every Saturday, fight on with unparalleled intensity on the field, and prove that nothing can slow down the destined reign of Troy.

Source: Yardbarker.com

Enter Lane Kiffin. Last month, Kiffin was interviewed for HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. After that appearance, it was revealed that Kiffin will earn roughly $4 million per year to coach at USC. Many scoffed at the number and ridiculed USC for paying such a lavish amount to a coach who has yet to prove his worth. In his first year as head coach, Kiffin will face an uphill battle in motivating his players to compete on every play without the looming reward of a bowl game. But, he is being paid top dollar to provide a top coaching job. A head coach’s job is preparing his players to play every game, both physically and mentally.

On the one hand, nothing has changed physically from last week to this week. USC’s roster remains the same–with the exception of Jarvis Jones who will transfer to Georgia–and all the star players Kiffin recruited will be at his disposal. The schedule hasn’t changed, and the opponents USC will see remain the same from a week ago.

On the other hand, the mental aspect has changed dramatically. The sanctions loom like a dark cloud over the program and there are questions about the motivation of USC’s players. USC still has plenty to play for. In addition to the pride of representing the cardinal and gold, USC is eligible to be ranked in the AP poll. Hypothetically, an undefeated season could end with USC winning the AP National Title. It is up to Kiffin to walk into the locker room and build a sense of urgency by eloquently conveying these reasons.

Despite all the outside distractions, on-field play is the only thing USC can control. When the season opens, Lane Kiffin needs to show up in Hawai’i–or versus Virginia if that game is cancelled–with an enthusiastic team that is ready to battle for an entire season. Anything less will raise reasonable doubts about the overcompensation of Kiffin. However, if USC plays up to its potential, Kiffin will silence the doubters and prove he belongs at one of America’s top programs.