USC Football reportedly hiring Tim Drevno as running backs coach

USC Football is set to hire former Michigan offensive coordinator Tim Drevno as running backs coach, according to a report from TrojanSports.com.

USC Football has finally found a running backs coach, and true to form it’s a familiar name.

Tim Drevno, former offensive coordinator for Michigan, will return to USC to coach running backs, according to TrojanSports.com. He had previously served as the Trojans’ offensive line coach in 2014.

USC was in need of a new running backs coach because of the departure of Deland McCullough, who was snatched up by the Kansas City Chiefs back in January.

The process of replacing McCullough went down to the wire, with USC starting Spring Camp on Tuesday. Drevno only recently became an option for the Trojans. He stepped down as Michigan’s offensive coordinator just over a week ago on Feb. 23.

Drevno left USC for Michigan after one season of coaching the offensive line. With the Wolverines he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for three years under Jim Harbaugh.

Though he’s certainly more well known for coaching the front line, Drevno does have experience coaching running backs. He handled the backs for two years at Montana State and one year at UNLV in the late 1990s. He was also USC’s run game coordinator in 2014.

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The hire follows the usual guidelines for the Trojans lately, with a direct link to the program preexisting. In that sense, Helton could come in for some criticism staying in his limited footprint once more. However, Drevno does have legitimate credentials to his name. In addition to his time with Michigan, he spend several years coaching at Stanford and with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL.

He is following a tough act though. McCullough was one of the most highly-regard coaches on USC’s staff in 2017, helping elevate Ronald Jones II to All-American status.

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There is some serious talent to work with as Drevno gets back to his roots with the running backs. Stephen Carr is a five-star talent, though he will reportedly miss spring practice with a herniated disc. The Trojans also boast capable backs in Aca’Cedric Ware and Vavae Malepeai, with four-star power back Markese Stepp arriving in the fall.