USC Football: Who should be hired as head coach of the Trojans?

Sep 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Lane Kiffin (right) and athletic director Pat Haden before the game against the Utah State Aggies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lane Kiffin is out as head coach at USC and the pressure to replicate the success experienced under Pete Carroll continues to mount.

You’ve seen the odds on who Pat Haden is likely to select as the next man to lead the Men of Troy, but who is the best option for the Trojans?

While it’s conceivable interim head coach Ed Orgeron could earn himself serious consideration for the permanent position if he’s able to successfully lead the Trojans in their remaining eight games, he isn’t the candidate best suited for the job.

As was the case in 2010 when Carroll flew north for the NFL, many names are being discussed by fans and media alike, but that’s not to say all should be considered.

The man for job is Chris Petersen.

Despite what perception may be, USC is still a prominent football program with future success to be had.

Petersen will have the ability to sign a 2014 recruiting class of 20, up from the 15-a-year Kiffin had been limited to.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

In his eighth season as head coach of the Boise State Broncos, Petersen has yet to be lured out of Boise.

However, if reports are accurate, he may finally be ready to leave for bigger pastures if the Trojans come calling.

Petersen has led the Boise State program to levels of success they had not experienced prior to his arrival on the blue turf.

Petersen currently owns a career record of 87-10 including two Fiesta Bowl wins, with one of the victories coming in memorable fashion over Oklahoma in 2006.

Hiring Petersen would mean a change in offensive philosophy, which USC has generally resisted.

It’s a change that USC should no longer shy away from and embrace.  For many reasons, the current offensive scheme in place hasn’t yielded consistent results.

With the skill players USC has on their roster, Petersen’s biggest challenge would be deciding who to get the ball to.  Not struggling to get the ball to a player in space.

After spending eight seasons with Boise State up to this point, Petersen may also be a safe hire for USC.

He doesn’t appear to be someone who is interested in enjoying one or two seasons of success in order to parlay it into another job.

Pairing Petersen and his offensive prowess with the defensive minds of Orgeron and Clancy Pendergast would give the Trojans an excellent core of coaches on both sides of the ball.

Who should USC hire as the head coach?

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