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USC Basketball: Trojans Interviewing NBA-Turned-SEC Powerhouse Head Coach To Replace Andy Enfield

Eva Geitheim

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

USC men's basketball's search for a new head coach is underway. Former head coach Andy Enfield officially revealed he was departing for SMU after eleven years on Monday. The Trojans are now looking for a new coach for the first time in over a decade.

The Trojans are set to hold their first interview on Wednesday, when they will speak to Arkansas basketball head coach Eric Musselman, via On3 Sports.

Musselman has been the head coach of Arkansas since 2019, where he has compiled a 111-59 overall record and a 47-42 record in the SEC. He has taken the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament three times, including back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2021 and 2022. Musselman also holds NBA head coaching experience, having led the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings previously. He is considered a strong contender for the position at USC.

Selecting the right coach is crucial for the Trojans. Just one day after Enfield's departure, one of USC's best commits, Trent Perry, announced he is requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent to re-open his recruitment. While Perry, a local star at Harvard Westlake, is keeping USC as an option, his decision will likely depend on the coach. Choosing a strong option is also crucial for future recruits.

Enfield finished one of his worst seasons with the Trojans in 2023, but he still had an overall strong tenure with USC. Along with bringing the Trojans to five March Madness tournaments, Enfield was a strong recruiter. Enfield successfully recruited players like Perry, Evan Mobley, and Isaiah Collier to USC. The expectation for the next coach will be to bring in that same level of talent, along with helping USC win as they enter the Big Ten.

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Eva Geitheim

EVA GEITHEIM

Eva graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Communication. She has been covering college and professional sports since 2022.