Southern Cal Makes Parker 19th Coach

The “interim” label was removed Friday from Southern California coach Charlie Parker, who is eager to put his own imprint on the school’s 89-year basketball history.

“This is my program now, and you’ll see a whole new attitude starting from day one,” USC’s 19th coach said at a news conference.

“We’re going to do it with a style of play that’s going to be 40 minutes of hell. When teams walk away from playing against USC, they’re going to know that they’ve been in a war.”

Parker is aware that USC athletic director Mike Garrett had courted more high-profile candidates during a nationwide search, including Duke assistant Tommy Amaker, former UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Long Beach State coach Seth Greenberg.

Garrett also reportedly considered Phil Ford, a North Carolina assistant, and Paul Westhead.