In a hotel conference room in Boise sometime after the 2013 season, USC officials met with Chris Petersen about their open coaching job. The Trojans were coming off Lane Kiffin’s tenure, which rated high in off-field drama and low in victories.
The Trojans brass initially clicked with Petersen, who had two things desperately needed at USC – an aura of professionalism and a 99-12 record. The interview was going well until it turned to donor and media relations, and all the optimism quickly fled the room.
USC officials looking to recreate the free-wheeling and wide-open era of Pete Carroll cringed when Petersen presented rigid answers about access and glad-handing.