Holt makes his mark as USC defensive coordinator

Fri., Sept. 29, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

USC’s defense made a significant change of its own this off-season by bringing in a face familiar to the Palouse – former Idaho head coach Nick Holt.

Just days after Holt accepted an NFL assistant coaching job, Pete Carroll called to see if his former linebackers coach would be interested in becoming a defensive coordinator instead.

“We hired him because we heard that he was on his way to the NFL,” Carroll said this week. “When that happened we tracked him down and tried to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

Under Holt, the Trojans have allowed 27 points in three games, and this season most pundits are calling USC a national title contender because of defense, not offense.

“To get a coach of that stature to come back to our staff was just too important,” Carroll said. “So we went after him and he’s done a great job.”

Glenn Kasses

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Holt makes his mark as USC defensive coordinator

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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