USC Twitter exploded in surprise when it was announced Thursday evening that John Baxter has returned to coach special teams for the Trojans.
The news came as quite a shock with practically no warning that Baxter was even being considered to return to Los Angeles.
Most of the week had been devoted to monitoring the status of Clancy Pendergast, who is also expected to make a USC comeback as defensive coordinator after a brief flirtation with Oregon Thursday morning.
Now USC players, fans and media celebrate not one, but two major returns on the coaching staff. Needless to say, Baxter’s announcement resulted in some major social media cheering.
Here’s the best of the reaction:
Welcome back John Baxter! Clay Helton announces the return of USC's special teams coach: https://t.co/bOcv6adfLi pic.twitter.com/6z7wLfiHlh
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 8, 2016
Welcome back coach bax!!! Special teams is going to be in great hands! #mountup #bethehammernotthenail ✌?️
— Soma Vainuku (@somavainuku) January 8, 2016
Yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/94dKroOSFZ
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) January 8, 2016
Baxter back? LIT.
— tone bone ?? (@NoCutz) January 8, 2016
USC fans celebrating this hire rather unanimously. A lot of love shown: pic.twitter.com/l3QwR90Nri
— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) January 8, 2016
Among the things that should improve on #USC’s special teams under John Baxter include kicking. Players have said he actually teaches it.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 8, 2016
I find this image really fitting regarding the reaction of #USC fans on (John) Baxter's return. pic.twitter.com/TTjiaxFQUO
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) January 8, 2016
#USC's staffing hires so far this year...
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) January 8, 2016
Interim HC.
On-staff OC.
Brother of HC.
Helton's OC in college.
Former USC DC.
Former USC STC.
Make no mistake about it, USC ST players feel like they were better under Baxter (the ones who were there when he was)
— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) January 8, 2016
So with the hire of Baxter, I'd guess that Johnny Nansen will be #USC's next DL coach. Nansen was DL coach for Idaho and Washington (09-11).
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) January 8, 2016
Important to note: John Baxter played a big role in USC’s off field culture. Created academic goals for the team, etc.
— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) January 8, 2016
SC is going to have functional special teams again!!!!
— Saman Djabbari (@samandjabbari) January 8, 2016
LIVE SHOT of #USC fans right now. pic.twitter.com/eqBsZKSFLt
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) January 8, 2016
Hot Take: Michigan will miss John Baxter far more than D.J. Durkin.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) January 8, 2016