For recruits looking for exactly one shining moment before trotting off to the NBA, this uneasiness added up to a collective "See ya."
USC took a pass on already iffy Renardo Sidney, who opted out to Mississippi State, while other prospects checked their watches and noticed it was time to get out.
Floyd joined football Coach Pete Carroll on the rubber-chicken circuit, visiting USC boosters around the state, with Carroll handling all the NCAA-related questions as Floyd watched, in between green beans and dessert, his team disappear.
Noel Johnson was let out of his commitment. Marcus Johnson opted to go pro even though he was granted a sixth year of eligibility, prompting Floyd's already famous "our guys get an offer from Islamabad and they're gone" line.
Floyd finally said: check please?
The sad part is Floyd is a decent guy and good tactician and, in a very short time, became arguably the most successful basketball coach in school history -- leading the Trojans to an unprecedented (for them) three straight NCAA tournaments.
And here comes the almost comical question: Who wants to coach USC basketball?
The new hire will inherit the specter of NCAA sanctions that could kick USC to the closet for years.
Even if the NCAA exonerates USC's basketball program, the next guy inherits . . . what?
As far as landing a big-name coach, well, June is never a good time. Arizona was pilloried for waiting until March to hire a successor to Lute Olson and was lucky to get Sean Miller from Xavier -- for Miller's price.
Pittsburgh Coach Jamie Dixon?
Last time anyone checked, he was smart -- and nobody could want to get back to his home state this badly.
So that leaves an up-and-comer from the mid-majors Garrett must identify, or someone like give-me-a-chance Michael Cooper, already on campus as coach of the women's team, or maybe some Lakers assistant.
What it means for the foreseeable USC basketball future: Turn out the lights at Galen Center, a beautiful arena the Trojans couldn't fill to capacity even in these, the good times.
Remember, like we said, in the end, it's only Tim Floyd who's leaving and it's only USC basketball being asked to take a long walk in a dark alley.
USC football opens at home against San Jose State on Sept. 5.
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chris.dufresne@latimes.com
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The Floyd years
A look at Tim Floyd's year-by-year coaching results at USC:
*--* YEAR OVERALL PAC-10 NCAA TOURNAMENT 2005-06 17-13 8-10 (6th) No appearance 2006-07 25-12 11-7 (T-3rd) Sweet 16 2007-08 21-12 11-7 (T-3rd) First round 2008-09 22-13 9-9* (T-5th) Second round *--*
* -- won Pac-10 tournament
