Just two days before USC takes on Minnesota to start the 2011 season, the Trojans are getting some unexpected (at least publicly) and unfortunate news.
Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that USC secondary coach Willie Mack Garza has resigned from his position immediately.
“I have some personal issues unrelated to USC that I need to address,’' Garza said about his resignation. At this time, no other explanation has been given by Garza or USC about the decision.
Garza came to USC with Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin from Tennessee, where he was the defensive backs coach. Safeties assistant coach Sammy Knight is expected to replace Garza on an interim basis.
Again, at least publicly, this is a very sudden and strange move. Surely, there’s more to come on this.
UPDATED 5:20 p.m. ET: And, sure enough, there is. Reportedly, anyway.
Multiple media outlets, including CBS’ Bryan Fisher, have stated that Garza was removed from his coaching post by USC after Complete Scouting Services owner Willie Lyles told the NCAA he had a “relationship” with Garza predating the coach’s one-year stint at Tennessee. Lyles met with NCAA officials earlier this week to discuss his business practices with Oregon.