Taking Ken Norton and USC to task rattles some cages

tirk · Jan 8, 2009

The recruiting practices of USC Coach Pete Carroll and the alleged use of Ken Norton Jr.'s name by UCLA coaches in their recruiting have touched a nerve with readers.
Readers comment on column about the accusations by the Trojans against UCLA concerning recruiting tactics.
T.J. Simers
January 4, 2009
Pete Carroll, who started it, has now declared the Ken Norton rhubarb "over."

But not so fast there, Uncle Pete, because as you know, these people live among you:

Unnamed High School Coach: "I can't comment on the accusations made by Norton. But I will say that having been a high school coach at some of the biggest schools in AZ I can tell you without a doubt USC does NOT recruit '100% pure' as the assumed satire in your article suggests.

"I was a coach at a high school in Phoenix and we had Zach Miller (currently with the Raiders). He was the No. 1 TE in the country at the time. Pete Carroll came to our practice to look at him. Huge news . . . anyway, it was clearly a non-contact period for coaches . . . he disappeared from practice and I remember all of us thinking, 'where did he go?' Anyway, I remember kind of giving him a wink and saying did he want to meet Zach and he made a big thing out of saying he couldn't at the time.

"As our practice concluded, players started to walk off toward the locker room . . . I was with the boys walking in. As I walked into the locker room who did I see? There was Pete in there glad handing players and pulling Zach into a corner to get in a few quick words.

"I could see that Pete eventually noticed me . . . he was just below a sprint out the door. How that guy got into our locker room ahead of a key to open the doors is beyond me . . . perhaps he coaxed a janitor into letting him get in or said he had to use the restroom, but I'll never forget that . . . you can mention the story but because I do have to deal with coaches I wouldn't want my full name used."
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FOR THE RECORD: I forwarded the e-mail to USC and, through a spokesman, Carroll said he recalled the spring recruiting visit, which was legal, he said, while noting a UCLA coach was also there.

He said he left practice to go to the bathroom and while leaving the locker room several members of the team came in. He said he shook hands with them and kept going, which is known as a "bump" and does not violate NCAA rules, he said.

Miller signed with Arizona State.
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Steve & Monika Hawkins: "[We] are the parents of Morrell Presley, the TE who switched schools. After reading an article in the Daily Breeze where [Norton] has used my son as one of his sources, my wife and I are truly upset. First . . . it is a violation to use a recruit's name, but he did so. What does that make him? Secondly, Morrell made a perfect statement: 'I am an offensive player, why would Norton going to UCLA matter to me?' Obviously Ken was called to the table by Carroll and this was the only acceptable way to show his commitment to the program.

"My son has never used Ken Norton as a deciding factor in his choice. He likes Ken but Ken is not the TE coach. I have on multiple occasions told Ken that Rick and [Norm] Chow have never used negativity in their recruitment of Morrell. Matter of fact they give SC complete respect for what they have done. But [SC is] convinced Rick is doing something."

FOR THE RECORD: Norton never used Presley's name in the Daily Breeze story. The story reads: "Norton confirmed the allegation that UCLA was using his name to sway recruits. Sources said there were multiple instances this happened, and that [Presley] was one of those cases."
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http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers4-2009jan04,0,3773535,full.column

MobileBengal · Jan 8, 2009

He said he left practice to go to the bathroom and while leaving the locker room several members of the team came in. He said he shook hands with them and kept going, which is known as a "bump" and does not violate NCAA rules, he said.
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Wow, talk about exploiting the system...

khounba · Jan 8, 2009

He said he shook hands with them and kept going
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Gross.

islstl · Jan 8, 2009

khounba said: ↑

Gross.
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Jerry, I will make a special meal, a justa for you!

RickydSr · Jan 8, 2009

Anyone have any doubts now as to wether Reggie Bush was on a 3 way call with Carroll and Joe McKnight? :cuss:

LaSalleAve · Jan 8, 2009

RickydSr said: ↑

Anyone have any doubts now as to wether Reggie Bush was on a 3 way call with Carroll and Joe McKnight? :cuss:
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how many crystal balls does joe mcknight have?

LSUGradin99 · Jan 8, 2009

LaSalleAve said: ↑

how many crystal balls does joe mcknight have?
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I am sure he can buy lots with all of the money he got from ......... ahhh, nevermind.... petey may be reading.

LaSalleAve · Jan 8, 2009

LSUGradin99_TK said: ↑

I am sure he can buy lots with all of the money he got from ......... ahhh, nevermind.... petey may be reading.
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come on man i wasnt talking about the one hangin from his chizain.:lol:

COramprat · Jan 8, 2009

He said he left practice to go to the bathroom and while leaving the locker room several members of the team came in. He said he shook hands with them and kept going, which is known as a "bump" and does not violate NCAA rules, he said.
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The real question here is did he wash his hands before the "bump"?

stevescookin · Jan 8, 2009

COramprat said: ↑

The real question here is did he wash his hands before the "bump"?
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...and...If Carroll went to the bathroom for the bump, did he or did he not exihibit the proper "wide stance"?

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Taking Ken Norton and USC to task rattles some cages

tirk im the lyrical jessie james

MobileBengal Founding Member

khounba Founding Member

islstl Playoff committee is a group of great football men Staff Member

RickydSr Founding Member

LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

LSUGradin99 I Bleedeth Purple 'N Gold

LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

COramprat Simma Da Na

stevescookin Certified Who Dat

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