New “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” (Tues., Jan. 16) edition: Henderson hired, head coaching carousel, Carroll's legacy, new BTLR, viewers’ Q&A, and more

Pregame   

In Tuesday’s edition of WeAreSC’s “Inside the Trojans Huddle,” panelists Marc Kulkin, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz evaluate USC’s hiring of former Rams respected defensive line coach Eric Henderson, the Trojans and college head coaching changes, Pete Carroll’s Trojan legacy, a new Big Ten Lightning Round, viewers’ Q&A, Jim Harbaugh, and more.  

First Quarter

In the first quarter of the Huddle, the panel evaluates the hiring of former highly-respected Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson as USC’s new co-defensive coordinator, run game coordinator, and defensive line coach. The panel is in total agreement on the surprising hiring and what it means both in coaching and in the recruiting wars. Was it a grand slam hire? Hear what the Huddle panel thinks, and how it bodes for the future. Has the Henderson hiring brought back the Trojans’ defensive credibility to Lincoln Riley? One panelist who has been critical of Riley in the past is euphoric about the Henderson addition and says this move puts the final exclamation point on the head coach’s declaration that defense is his No. 1 priority.  

Second Quarter

In the second quarter of the Huddle, the panel takes on the question of how all the recent head coaching changes affect the USC football program moving forward, ranging from rosters, player transfers, and recruiting. With former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer now at Alabama and former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch replacing DeBoer as the new Huskies coach, there will be a lot of roster and coaching movement that may very well affect the Trojans. What does the panel think of these coaching moves, and are these moves going to benefit or create problems for the Men of Troy from a potential roster perspective?   

Halftime

Pete Carroll has mutually parted coaching ways with the Seattle Seahawks. By his own admission, Carroll says his time (“we killed it”) at Troy influenced his success with the Seahawks, including a Super Bowl championship. The panel discusses Pete’s legacy regarding what he accomplished during his time at Troy. One panelist talks about what Lincoln Riley could learn from Carroll. Each panelist has his own take on what Carroll has meant to USC and still does.  

Third Quarter

In the third quarter, the panel gives their rapid responses to this week’s Big Ten Lightning Round of questions: Among the topics for the BTLR include Alabama transfers to the Trojans, Oregon coach Dan Lanning, Carroll’s Seattle coaching departure, Jedd Fisch to Washington, Jayden Maiava flips to Troy, RB Darwin Barlow to North Carolina, Korey Foreman to Fresno State, Caleb Williams to the NFL, and the next Trojan taken in the 2024 NFL draft behind Caleb.   

The Big Ten bonus question? The panel answers a fill-in-the-blank question: “My favorite alcoholic beverage is (fill in the black).” One panelist says he has never had a can of beer or alcohol in his life. Who was it?

Fourth Quarter

Following the lighting of the WeAreSC symbolic Coliseum torch between the third and fourth quarters of the Huddle, the panel answers viewers’ questions. Questions included transfer portal changes, ranking the 2024 Trojans’ defense under new coaches, best Big Ten stadiums you’ve seen and Big Ten stadiums you want to see, the post-Phil Knight era, hiring a special teams coach, expanded 2024 playoff predictions, NIL, and roster numbers.   

Overtime

The panel gives their opinions on the effects on the Trojans if the Los Angeles Chargers hire current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach. How might that affect the Trojans in the Los Angeles sports marketplace? One panelist thinks he knows the answer.     

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USC Trojans videos from Los Angeles, California, from the staff of WeAreSC.