Bobby Valentine talked transfer with family of new USC RB Silas Redd

Bobby Valentine has developed a reputation in the media as someone who injects himself into the middle of almost anything, from his invention of the wrap sandwich to his ballroom dance expertise to his stint as Stamford, Conn.'s public safety director.

So it should come as no surprise that he told Michael Kay of 1050 ESPN New York (courtesy Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com) that he counseled former Penn State running back Silas Redd on his transfer to USC. Valentine was a star tailback in Redd's hometown of Stamford who was recruited by USC to succeed O.J. Simpson. He told Kay that he knew Redd's father, a police officer, from his stint as public safety director.

“I did communicate with the family during the last couple of weeks," Valentine said. “I think he made a terrific decision."

Valentine said that he would have done the same thing had he been in Redd's place.