USC Basketball: Andy Enfield Pulls No Punches; Critical of Tim Floyd and Steve Alford

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In his first season with USC, Andy Enfield has the Trojans off to a 4-1 start.  It’s the Trojans best start since they opened the 2007-2008 season 6-1.

Enfield’s up-temp offensive success at Florida Gulf Coast University hasn’t quite transferred over to USC, as the Trojans are averaging just over 75 points per game.

Their offensive production figures to take a hit with news that J.T. Terrell has been lost for at least the next six games.

Coaching a team at a university that has had limited basketball success, particularly when compared to crosstown rival UCLA, Enfield has generated a buzz for the wrong reasons.

In a Men’s Journal feature, it was revealed Enfield had poignant remarks about former USC coach Tim Floyd, and UCLA coach Steve Alford.

In July, Floyd accused Enfield of tampering with prized recruit Isaac Hamilton, who was once committed to play basketball at UTEP.  Hamilton informed Floyd he wouldn’t enroll at UTEP, and Flyod cast his target on Enfield.

While speaking at a USC booster’s lunch, Enfield said, “Tim Floyd shows up every day at work  and realizes he lives in El Paso, Texas.  And he’s pissed off that he didn’t get the USC job two months ago.”

Enfield denies any misconduct with Hamilton, who ultimately enrolled at UCLA.

Not stopping there, when asked about competing with UCLA, Enfield said, “I’m not worried about them.  I’ve made it to one Sweet Sixteen in two years, and he’s made it to one Sweet Sixteen in 18 years.”

As expected, the remarks went over well at the booster-laden event.

Enfield was presumably hired to build a buzz for the USC basketball program, and take them to levels previously unseen.

However, his recent comments come as disappointment because despite his magical run last season with FGCU, Enfield doesn’t possess a history of sustained success.

When Enfield was hired, the hope was he would turn the basketball program around and garner attention for the right reasons.

Trojan fans may not want to hear it, but above all else, the comments are similar to Lane Kiffin’s actions when he was first hired at Tennessee.

Needing to excite the fan base is understandable, but doing so with on-court success would be much preferred.