Mike Garrett

It continues to disappoint that USC, an otherwise excellent institution, so often runs afoul of NCAA rules. We can now add Mayo's payola to his naughty NBA tickets, 2001's tutor-gate, Matt Leinart's apartment and ESPN appearance, Joe McKnight's phone calls, Reggie Bush's house and the 2008 hoopsters' academic progress revelations. Will somebody please wake up Mike Garrett? Price Luber Cathedral City :: USC should pay all its athletes handsomely. Look what they got away with re: Reggie Bush, God love him. By now they should realize that NCAA stands for Never Complete An Investigation.

In the Century League: Orange 50, Canyon 24--Orange had seven pins in completing its most successful regular season in school history. In the Empire League: El Dorado 46, Katella 17--El Dorado clinched its 20th league title in the last 24 years. Matt McRae (189) pinned Caesar Lopez in 40 seconds, Mike Curtis (215) pinned Dan Astorga in 2:16 and DeLonne Kelley (171) pinned Charles Wheat in 1:11 for the Golden Hawks (18-6, 5-0).

The questions come steadily and Mike Garrett doesn't flinch. His steely expression changes only when a reporter mentions George Raveling. And even then, Garrett quickly finds his composure. Since he fired basketball coach Charlie Parker two weeks ago, the criticism leveled at Garrett, USC's athletic director, has been relentless. One columnist labeled the decision the worst since Tom Lasorda elected to pitch to Jack Clark.

USC Coach John Robinson and Trojan Athletic Director Mike Garrett appeared Sunday to be headed for a Monday collision over the issue of dismissing or keeping several members of Robinson's staff. Neither Robinson nor Garrett were talking, but two team sources said Robinson does not intend to fire any of his assistants in the wake of a 6-6 season, while another source quoted Garrett as saying he is "willing to stake my job" on changes being made on the football staff.

Is Chad Morton, at 5 feet 8 and 170 pounds, too small to be a full-time tailback? Mike Garrett, USC's athletic director, doesn't think so. Garrett won the 1965 Heisman Trophy at USC at 5-9 and 185 pounds. "Chad could carry the ball 20 to 50 times a game and be at no more risk for injury than a 200-pounder," he said. "He's special. He's the most talented running back I've seen around here in 12 years."

Already 0-1 in its quest for a coach, USC is dangerously close to "America's Funniest Job Search" status. One more rejection from someone on the Trojan short list and it will be time to alert Bob Saget. So far, USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett has dangled the job in front of Seth Greenberg, only to get outbid by Long Beach State.

USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett's nationwide search for a men's basketball coach took him home Wednesday when he met with Trojan interim Coach Charlie Parker. Although Garrett held negotiations with Duke assistant Tommy Amaker earlier this week, he discussed a possible contract with Parker, sources said. Still, Parker's future with the Trojans remains in question as USC administrators try to find a coach who will take the job for a comparatively small contract.

\o7 The name Mike Garrett resonates on many levels in Los Angeles. His football prowess at Roosevelt High School earned him a scholarship to USC, where, as a senior, he won the school's first Heisman Trophy in 1965. Garrett played in Super Bowls I and IV for the Kansas City Chiefs and finished his eight-year NFL career with one of today's Super Bowl participants, the San Diego Chargers (he picks San Francisco). He is now athletic director at USC. The 50-year-old East L.A.