Report: Marvin Sanders Leaves FAU for Southern Cal

by Husker Mike on Feb 12, 2012 3:51 PM CST in College Football - National

Monte Kiffin is apparently shaking the Nebraska coaching tree to help son Lane fill a couple of spots on the USC coaching staff. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

FootballScoop is reporting that former Nebraska defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders will leave Florida Atlantic after just two months to become defensive backs coach at Southern Cal. Sanders, who resigned from Nebraska a year ago for personal reasons, joined the FAU staff shortly after Carl Pelini took over as head coach of the Owls. InsideSoCal.com is also reporting that Southern Cal is interested in Sanders.

What's the link here? Southern Cal defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin originally recommended that Frank Solich select Bo Pelini back in 2002. Those connections assuredly have led his son (and Southern Cal head coach) Lane Kiffin to look towards Sanders.

Those connections with the Nebraska coaching tree are also leading to another coaching change. FootballScoop.com is also reporting that Southern Cal will hire North Dakota State defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton as linebackers coach. North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl was Bo Pelini's predecessor at Nebraska.

Conquest Chronicles has more about the USC reaction to the hires.

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DC at NDSU to become linebacker's coach at USC?

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 12, 2012 5:32 PM CST reply actions

I assume that’s partly some sort of FCS to FBS conversion issue – but based on some of the stuff I’m seeing about these guys, I’m excited they’re on board, and let’s face it, Monte Kiffin is going to want to retire sometime. Between the potential to move up and show their coaching skills at another traditionally strong program, i can see the appeal.

I got tired of waiting because I found out there's only a fine line between biding one's time and wasting one's time.

by DC Trojan on Feb 12, 2012 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

I suspect you're right about the step up.

I’m actually more puzzled by Sanders’ move. He’s an excellent defensive backs coach – he must not feel ready or have much interest in being in charge of a defense though to step down from a DC job at a FBS team.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 12, 2012 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

Ummm...

There’s a difference between Florida Atlantic and Southern Cal. There’s also the chance to work with Monte Kiffin. And there’s undoubtedly more money at USC than at FAU.

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by Husker Mike on Feb 12, 2012 10:31 PM CST up reply actions

I suppose I'm not as high on Monte Kiffin as others.

And I don’t see why you’d go from a relatively low-pressure situation at FAU (though I may be wrong on this) to USC. (I realize Sanders is probably used to that from Nebraska.)

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 12, 2012 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not

as high on Monte Kiffin either.

OTOH, he’s a name, been around forever. Meet people, shake hands. Get jobs. Yeah.

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by Jon Johnston on Feb 12, 2012 11:55 PM CST up reply actions

USC's

defensive backfield just got a whole lot tougher.

by Huzkerfan on Feb 13, 2012 9:39 AM CST reply actions

Tougher, maybe.

But if the players are out of position because of the scheme, it doesn’t matter how hard you hit.

Sanders’ addition will depend on how well Monte implements the backs. (I don’t pay attention to Southern California football, so I have no idea how their defense has been doing.)

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 13, 2012 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

A whole lot

better should have been what I used. Sanders has been successful everywhere he has gone and I assume USC will only get better with his addition. Especially with the recruiting base in L.A.

by Huzkerfan on Feb 13, 2012 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

One would think.

But USC also has scholarship restrictions so for the next two years (?), busts are going to be hard to replace.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 13, 2012 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

I think

it will hurt their depth a little but not their starting players so could hurt them but I don’t think it will hurt them too awful bad.

by Huzkerfan on Feb 13, 2012 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

Sanders will have talent to work with this fall

The entire back seven returns next season. USC will have the best CB (Nickell Robey) and the best safety (TJ McDonald) in the Pac 12 next season. As for the scholarship reductions and depth issues, that won’t really be a problem until 2014. Even then, USC will still have elite starters. Only injuries/busts would cause issues.

Glad to hear Husker fans have a high opinion of Sanders.

Fight on!

by Shackleford on Feb 13, 2012 10:56 PM CST up reply actions

It's Van Halen, not Van Hagar.

by BryanNbugaha on Feb 13, 2012 3:27 PM CST reply actions

Lane is a good coach I think.

He is a snake and I wouldn’t trust him with a nickel, but he is a good coach.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Feb 13, 2012 4:06 PM CST up reply actions