Report: Eric Musselman 'probably at the top of the list' for USC
As USC’s search continues to replace Andy Enfield, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman continues to come up as a potential target. WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader reported the plan is for him to interview for the position, and The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman provided more details on where things stand.
Goodman said Musselman looks to be a “frontrunner” to replace Enfield, who left for SMU earlier this week. USC is also considering TCU’s Jamie Dixon and BYU’s Mark Pope, among others, for the job. But it looks like Musselman is gaining momentum, especially since Goodman added there could be a developing connection with the person leading the search.
“Eric Musselman and Jamie Dixon appear to be the frontrunners,” Goodman said on After Dark. “Remember, Jamie’s from the area, L.A. Musselman lived out there for a while. His wife, Danyelle Sargent, lived out there for a while. Obviously, things have turned quickly at Arkansas. … Whatever the case, Eric Musselman has risen to the top. Now, he might’ve been there anyway, but I think this certainly gives him even more of an advantage.
“Again, Dixon, Mark Pope, I’ve been told Randy Bennett might be in the mix a little bit. Buzz Williams was a little bit in the mix, as well. But Dixon, Pope, Musselman probably at the top of the list right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes that route and Eric Musselman is the guy at the end of the day.”
Musselman, of course, is no stranger to the West Coast. He played college basketball at San Diego and was the head coach of both the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings during his career. That was before he got into college coaching at Arizona State from 2012-14, and after a stint as LSU’s associate head coach, Musselman took over as the head coach at Nevada in 2015.
On the whole, between Nevada and Arkansas, Musselman has a 221-93 overall record to go with six NCAA Tournament appearances – including two Sweet Sixteens and two Elite Eights. He also won three consecutive Mountain West championships with the Wolf Pack, taking the team to the 2018 Sweet Sixteen.
USC had 15-18 overall record under Enfield this year, including an 8-12 mark in Pac-12 play, to miss out on the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans are preparing to leave for the Big Ten next season after a groundbreaking round of conference realignment.