USC has found its new offensive coordinator and essentially their new running backs coach as Lane Kiffin has hired TennesseeTitans' running backs coach Kennedy Pola, according to this report.
Pola is no stranger to USC. Part of the class of 1985, Pola played as a fullback for the Trojans from 1982-85. He was the running backs and special teams coach for USC from 2000-03 and part of the coaching staff that won the AP National Championship in 2003.
He joined the Cleaveland Browns in 2004 as running backs coach then spent the next five years with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the same position. In January, Ted Fisher announced that Pola would join the Tennesee Titans as running backs coach. With a week away before training camp opens for the Titans, Pola's plans are now with the Trojans.
The hiring will not come without controversy as Lane Kiffin approached Pola without Fisher's consent.
"I am very disappointed in Lane Kiffin’s approach to this,’’said Fisher in the Tennessean report. "Typically speaking when coaches are interested in hiring or discussing potential employment from coaches on respective staffs there is a courtesy call made from the head coach or athletic director indicating there is an interest in talking to the assistant.
"So I am very disappointed in the lack of professionalism on behalf of Lane, to call me and leave me a voice mail after Kennedy had informed me he had taken the job. It is just a lack of professionalism.’