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USC assistant accuses UCLA of dirty tricks

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USC and UCLA played nearly a month ago, but the rivalry rages even as the Trojans prepare for the Rose Bowl against Penn State. USC assistant coach Ken Norton Jr. on Sunday lashed out at UCLA for allegedly using him as bait to lure recruits to Westwood and discourage them from joining the Trojans. Norton, a former All-American linebacker for the Bruins, said UCLA has told prospective players that he would be joining Coach Rick Neuheisel's staff if defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker leaves for another job. "It's coming from there and it's wrong and it's not true," said Norton, who has coached linebackers on Coach Pete Carroll's USC staff since 2004. "So if you're going to recruit, recruit what you have. . . . Don't try to recruit, saying I'm coming over there. And I'm not saying I'm a big deal. I'm just saying you've made it a big deal by using me as some kind of target or ploy or something."

Los Angeles Times

Ken Norton Jr., Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Ken Norton Jr., Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
December 29, 2008  07:23 AM ET

who cares! UCLA will be nothing anyway! BOOMER SOONER!

December 29, 2008  08:04 AM ET

Neuheisel is still a snake, rat, no-good, dirty swindler. Simple as that.

December 29, 2008  08:40 AM ET

so are recruits asking him if he's going to ucla or what? how did he get wind that this was going on?

December 29, 2008  08:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Neuheisel is still a snake, rat, no-good, dirty swindler. Simple as that.

Which is why he SHOULD be a head coach in the Pac 10.

December 29, 2008  08:49 AM ET

It's kind of funny when you thinkabout it. USC is so headed for some serious NCAA problems anyway (ie: Reggie Bush action) no one outside the LA County Limits gives a rip who's pointing fingers

December 29, 2008  09:34 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

It's kind of funny when you thinkabout it. USC is so headed for some serious NCAA problems anyway (ie: Reggie Bush action) no one outside the LA County Limits gives a rip who's pointing fingers

If it has not happened by now, it probably won't happen.

December 29, 2008  11:29 AM ET

But Ken...you were going there, but they wouldn't pay you the money you thought you should get and backed out...if you live in a glass house...

December 29, 2008  11:50 AM ET

No one outside of LA County cares huh???... Then how come all the replies so far... Are all from outside of LA County???... Just wondering

December 29, 2008  11:50 AM ET

Ken Norton is kind of a big deal.

December 29, 2008  12:36 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

It's kind of funny when you thinkabout it. USC is so headed for some serious NCAA problems anyway (ie: Reggie Bush action) no one outside the LA County Limits gives a rip who's pointing fingers

Do you have any facts to back up your assertion that USC is headed for serious NCAA problems???? More than your opinion.

December 29, 2008  01:31 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Do you have any facts to back up your assertion that USC is headed for serious NCAA problems???? More than your opinion.

Wishful thinking by underachieving rivals. One more BCS humiliation and the Okies can just about pack it in.

December 29, 2008  01:35 PM ET

This is a HEADLINE...???

December 29, 2008  01:46 PM ET

UCLA is so obsessed with beating USC that the coaching staff has made the mission their entire identity. Their now legendary desperation has led them to make a run on buying as many USC coaches as they can ??? apparently unable to find a decent candidate on their own from anywhere else in the country. Look for the Bruins to change their colors to cardinal and gold and make an offer on the Coliseum in 2010.

December 29, 2008  01:54 PM ET

Ken Norton Jr

Will somebody please make this man a Head Coach.

December 29, 2008  02:39 PM ET

Neu-Weezel strikes again!

December 29, 2008  03:03 PM ET

I read the rumor about Norton jumping ship on Bruinsnation.com a couple nights ago. I guess that should have been a red flag that the rumor was total BS.

I do know that the Bruins DC, Walker, is leaving to coach New Mexico. How bad of a football program does UCLA have when you lose coaches to New Mexico?

Will the Trojans be wearing home jerseys in the Rose Bowl on New Years day?

December 29, 2008  03:51 PM ET

I find it funny that USC is complaining about dirty recruiting, yet we've never had any resolution on what happened with the Reggie Bush scandal. Talk about being swept under the rug.

December 29, 2008  04:31 PM ET

Case of self promotion...He is the son of a former champ though

December 29, 2008  05:01 PM ET

Coaches lying to recruits? Shocking. Coaches making up crap about other coaches? Even more shocking.

 
December 29, 2008  05:07 PM ET
QUOTE(#20):

Coaches lying to recruits? Shocking. Coaches making up crap about other coaches? Even more shocking.

Don't forget players from USC NOT getting benefits to play for them. (And that's da trooth, claimed by both Mr. Kardashian and Mr. Leinhert)

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