In 2006, on New Year’s Day night, Lane Kiffin was filled with regret at USC’s team hotel near the Rose Bowl. Kiffin was then a young assistant coach under Pete Carroll at USC, not yet the controversial figure he became at Louisiana State University. The Trojans were the leading team in college football, having not lost in over two years. Known for their dominance and celebrity appeal, they became a unique cultural phenomenon.
However, after that night, everything changed for USC. Earlier, the Trojans had experienced a heartbreaking loss to Texas, narrowly missing a third consecutive national championship. Kiffin replayed the game in his mind, pondering missed opportunities. Many around him believed such success would continue, but Kiffin sensed it would not.
By the time I joined The Times in 2019, USC and its football team had hit a low point. The team had endured its worst season in 25 years, and the university faced scandals leading to leadership resignations. The past glories of USC football seemed distant memories. What led such a dominant team to decline so significantly? That question led to four years of research involving over 100 interviews, culminating in “House of Troy,” a podcast series revealing the rise, fall, and efforts to restore the Trojans’ former greatness.
Pete Carroll’s appointment in 2001 revitalized USC football, transforming the Trojans into a national sensation. Carroll later expressed that the experience left him unsatisfied, yearning for more victories. Following Carroll’s departure in 2010, the program struggled to find its footing, initiating several coaching changes and a turbulent journey.
The podcast “House of Troy” will explore the narratives of players, school leaders, and insiders involved in USC’s attempts to reclaim glory in college football. The podcast offers fresh insights into a university familiar to many in Southern California.
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A strong El Niño is anticipated in California, prompting emergency declarations due to coastal damage. Meanwhile, developers in L.A. resist building apartments due to market conditions, citing high interest rates and fees. Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. receives clearance after an agreement with California’s attorney general.
More news covers settlement payouts for iPhone users, judgments involving former Disney stars, and Inglewood’s mayor battling allegations. Key Senate races and a shooting incident in L.A. also feature. In commentary, discussions include opinions on the Paramount settlement and reflections on “Star Trek’s” optimistic influence.
Editor’s Pick
Issues such as musicians’ concerns over AI and a potential historically Black college in Oakland are highlighted. Lifestyle activities include Dodger Stadium garden tours and California fall travel recommendations. A culinary recipe features Portuguese-style stew with white beans, chorizo, shrimp, and clams.
Your experiences with California’s fall colors are invited to be shared by emailing [email protected].
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