Dec. 15, 2004
Oh baby, the Pac-10 received some great news with Rick Majerus' decision to go coach at USC. The league gets another marquee coach, as the conference already has Hall of Famer Lute Olson, UCLA's Ben Howland, Washington's Lorenzo Romar and now Majerus.

Things will be looking up for the Trojans. Majerus brings a wealth of knowledge, ability to motivate and teach, and a knack of getting players to play on the defensive side. USC will get a boost with this hiring, along with the opening of a new facility in 2006. Majerus' presence is big, baby, in more ways than one!

This is a great job for Majerus because USC is a sleeping giant.

Majerus has always loved the Los Angeles area, and now he gets the chance to stroll on Rodeo Drive and walk some of his favorite beaches.

It's great news for athletic director Mike Garrett, whose football program is playing for the national championship against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and also boasts the Heisman Trophy winner, QB Matt Leinart.

Garrett deserves a salute for getting it done. Majerus loves to be on the sidelines, and he got a taste of it again when he was in gyms across America preparing to call games for ESPN. He heard the screeching of sneakers and felt the intensity and emotion of the players working hard. He simply missed it, and there is nothing like being in the locker room and the high after winning a big game.

It's tough to get into working on TV, where it's so serene compared to the locker-room scenario. There is more balance in life when working TV, but that high of the locker room is addictive. Majerus finally gave in to his desire to be back teaching players. That urge led him to USC -- he's a coach at heart.

This is a great job for Majerus because USC is a sleeping giant. The Trojans can get healthy quickly with a couple of recruits, and he should land some blue-chippers. Remember, the Trojans made the Elite Eight in 2001. This program is capable of big things. Majerus took Utah to the championship game in 1998 before losing to Kentucky.

This will set up some intense battles with UCLA, and that's what the Pac-10 needs.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.