The Rise and Fall of USC Trojans Football
In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2006, Lane Kiffin found himself filled with regret in a hotel near the Rose Bowl. At 30, he was the rising star and protege of USC head coach Pete Carroll. The USC Trojans were a massive cultural and sporting phenomenon, unbeaten for over two years, with celebrities frequently seen on their sidelines. Yet, the night after a pivotal game, the excitement was about to change for USC.
The Turning Point
Earlier, the Trojans faced a crushing defeat against Texas, missing out on a third consecutive national championship by a single play. This was an unprecedented challenge for any college football team. Kiffin replayed the event in his mind, questioning his decisions. While his colleagues celebrated a remarkable era, Kiffin expressed doubt that such success would come again.
Kiffin told me, “When people are in things, they think they’ll last forever. I’m like, ‘We ain’t doing this again, guys.’”
Time proved Kiffin right. Despite two decades passing, USC has not competed for another national title.
The Decline of USC Football
By the time I joined The Times in 2019, USC and its football program had taken a significant downturn. The Trojans faced their worst season in 25 years, and the university struggled with scandal after scandal, leading to resignations of key leaders. Those golden days of Trojan dominance seemed like a distant past.
Understanding the decline required four years and over 100 interviews. This effort led to “House of Troy,” a podcast series from L.A. Times Studios, detailing the rise, fall, and rebuilding efforts of this historic football program.
The Search for Leadership
USC’s rocky path to success involved nearly missing Pete Carroll’s transformative coaching in 2001. Despite initial skepticism, Carroll turned the Trojans into a national powerhouse. However, after his departure in 2010, USC struggled to reclaim that glory.
Carroll confessed, “There were never enough wins.”
The program embarked on several unsuccessful coaching choices, resulting in a prolonged period of challenges.
A New Perspective
In our podcast, “House of Troy,” we uncover stories from star players, school leaders, and insiders to illustrate USC’s strategic path back to prominence. The series opens up new insights into a university that holds significance for Southern California’s residents, regardless of their connection to Trojan football.
Join us on “House of Troy” available from Tuesday on various podcast platforms.