USC football reportedly blocking Kliff Kingsbury from interviewing for NFL jobs

USC football is reportedly blocking the Cardinals and Jets from interviewing new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for their open head coaching positions.

Could Kliff Kingsbury really leave USC football for the NFL before ever coaching a game for the Trojans? USC is reportedly making it as hard as possible for that scenario to happen.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, USC is denying NFL teams permission to interview the offensive coordinator.

The Trojans’ power to bar Kingsbury from interviewing for an NFL position is a new one that actually comes from the pro ranks. At the December owner’s meetings, the league instituted a new rule requiring teams to request permission from college athletic directors before conducting interviews with their coaches. Failing to receive permission could result in draft picks docked, according to Schefter.

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The threat of such a major penalty puts USC in a favorable position to prevent the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, who reportedly had interest in interviewing Kingsbury, from poaching their new offensive coordinator.

The news of USC playing hardball will be welcomed by many Trojan fans, who viewed Kingsbury’s interest in pursuing an NFL job so soon after signing a contract at USC as a lack of loyalty to his new employer.

Other USC fans have been more forgiving, accepting the nature of the coaching carousel, particularly the advantages that Kingsbury could gain by simply getting the chance to interview, even if no job offer came. The pursuit of a promotion is understandable, even if it comes with the potential of leaving the Trojans in a lurch.

It seems that USC athletic director Lynn Swann won’t be taking any chances this time around. Even if Kingsbury’s ambitions for the NFL are fair, the athletic director is right to do everything in his power to prevent losing such a critical hire so early in a major period of transition for the Trojans. Replacing Kingsbury at this stage would be a nightmare task.

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Of course, NFL interest in Kingsbury isn’t likely to lessen any time soon. With franchises seeking to recreate the hiring of the Rams’ Sean McVay and other successful young head coaches, the draw of a mind like Kingsbury will remain.

On the plus side, the Trojans should at least get to enjoy a season of Kingsbury’s offense in Los Angeles, if Swann and company hold firm. Just remember, the better Kingsbury does at USC, the more desirable he will become.