There's nothing unusual about a football coach firing his assistants, especially after a 7-6 season. So the staff purge started by USC coach Lane Kiffin didn't exactly raise eyebrows even when one of those to depart was his father, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
But last week's firing of running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu sparked outrage because few anticipated or understood it. Polamalu was the only former USC player on the staff and a highly respected assistant coach. His players revered him and his dismissal angered current and former Trojans.
They wanted to know why Kiffin fired him. That was the big question left unanswered as Kiffin waited two days to release a terse statement.
"As we continue to evaluate all facets of our program, including the organization of our staff, we made the decision to go in a different direction at this coaching position," Kiffin said. "Kennedy Polamalu is a good coach, a good person and a good Trojan. We wish him and his family the best."
Kiffin's comment offered no insight into why Polamalu was fired. But several sources inside the football program said Kiffin and Polamalu's fallout occurred two days before the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
According to sources, Polamalu yelled at Kiffin and the pair had a heated argument on the evening of Dec. 29. Kiffin arrived at a Sun Bowl news conference the next morning with a scrape on his forehead, but sources said that was not related to his
argument with Polamalu.USC lost the Sun Bowl to Georgia Tech 21-7 and there was an argument between players in the locker room after the game. Some players blamed the seniors for a lack of leadership leading up to the bowl.
Polamalu, who couldn't be reached for comment, spent the month of January recruiting while the coaching staff started changing. Monte Kiffin officially "resigned" and was hired by the Dallas Cowboys. Linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton left to become defensive coordinator at Nevada.
Defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders was fired because new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast wanted to coach the secondary himself.
Sources said Polamalu didn't realize he was in trouble until an administrator called him on national signing day (Feb. 6) and told him not to attend a recruiting dinner held at the Galen Center that night.
Two days later, Polamalu found out he was fired when he read reports on the Internet. Kiffin never called him and still hasn't spoken to him regarding his dismissal, sources said.
A former Pacific-12 Conference coach who knows Kiffin and Polamalu said Kiffin probably felt "threatened" by his sometimes outspoken assistant.
"(Kiffin) knew Kennedy was a no-nonsense guy and saw through the way things are done and isn't afraid to speak up," the coach said. "So he made a change.
"Maybe he was worried Kennedy might talk (about the program) and Kiffin wanted complete loyalty."
Immediately after his firing became public, fullback Soma Vainuku tweeted, "Not only did we lose the best coach, we lost the only Trojan who was on staff. Real sad day."
Radio host Petros Papadakis played forPolamalu at USC and was shocked by his departure.
"No one has had a more positive impact on the program," Papadakis said. "He's the best running backs coach in America, college or pro. Kennedy Pola was not the Trojans' problem.
"The most confusing thing for me is why USC has intentionally removed the best coach from its staff. Pola's dismissal will not go unnoticed. This is the ultimate self-inflicted wound."
Earlier this week, a farewell dinner for Polamalu was held in Montrose and attended by USC running backs Silas Redd, Curtis McNeal, Justin Davis and Vainuku. Former players also attended, including fullback Rhett Ellison. Even safety Su'a Cravens, who was recruited by Polamalu, attended.
Polamalu was also a valuable recruiter. He was the first USC coach to realize how valuable a prospect Marqise Lee could be when he saw him at Serra High in Gardena.
"He came down to the school and saw Marqise and told Kiffin that he had to have him. They offered him a scholarship that night," said Ademole Turner, a former Serra assistant. "Before that they weren't recruiting him."
Although Polamalu was officially USC's offensive coordinator, he didn't call plays. He admitted prior to the Sun Bowl he would like to call plays but didn't expect Kiffin to relinquish those duties.
"Of course, it's something I'd like to do one day," he said. "But it's hard to give up when you are doing it. I don't think it will change (next season)."
Polamalu was recently named one of the Pac-12's top recruiters by Rivals.com. His dismissal contrasted with the departure of Monte Kiffin, which was viewed favorably by fans and some within the program.
Aside from the fact he struggled against spread offenses, Kiffin also clashed with his staff. Linebackers coach Joe Barry quit following the 2011 season because of his frustration working with Kiffin, sources said.
"He would go crazy during games waiting for Kiffin to send in the defensive signals," a source said.
It now looks like offensive line coach James Creggis is the next to go. Or at least be switched to tight ends. Kiffin offered the offensive line job to Oregon State assistant Mike Cavanaugh but was turned down.
Spring practice starts next month and the staff still remains in flux.
scott.wolf@dailynews.com
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