Devil Incarnate Fired at USD; Musselman A Candidate?

Brad Holland might not be the devil incarnate, but you would be hard pressed to find a Cal State Fullerton fan who isn't tickled that the malefactor was let go in San Diego. And a word of warning to those USD fans, keep an eye out for some NCAA sanctions. The last time Holland left a job (CSF), probation and a long clean-up followed.

Tyson commented on a previous post that word out of Sacramento indicates that Eric Musselman is heading to San Diego to take the job. Musselman is a USD alum and would be a great choice to lead the Toreros. The apologists on 1090 AM here in SoCal have been bemoaning the fact that Holland was a good guy (he's not) who did a lot of good for the program (he didn't).

USD had some limited success, but weren't a consistent winner. You can point to the tough academic standards, but conference-mate Gonzaga follows the same rules. There is no reason why a college hoops team in San Diego couldn't enjoy the same success as Gonzaga, if not more. Would you rather play in Spokane, Wash. or San Diego? Of course, the Toreros would lose out on the pot-head/shroom users, but they should be able to get enough players into the program.

This should be viewed as a negative for the rest of the conference because now that the incompetence of Holland is removed, this program could really make some noise.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-09-2007 @ 1:00AM

Shane said...

I counter that this should be viewed as a postive for the rest of the conference, not as a negative as you suggest. If the program really makes some noise, as you say, that's good for the conference. Anything that improves the league is a plus. At Gonzaga, we welcome competition. Anyone...Anytime...Anywhere. Hey, that's how it all got started here. Then again, you may be right. I suppose if I were one of the bottom feeders or cellar dwellers in the WCC, I would probably see this as a negative.

3-09-2007 @ 1:01AM

rank said...

Good point. Gonzaga could use some inter-conference competition. St. Mary's, LMU, et al, are nice, so a bona-fide contender for the Zags would be good.

3-09-2007 @ 1:18AM

SCU92 said...

I agree that USD is a good place to recruit to, but your statement that Gonzaga has the same standards is light years from the truth. You have to be essentially warm blooded to get into Gonzaga and their graduation rate is 40%. Gonzaga can get athletes (including a couple on their roster right now) who can't get into Big Ten schools
USD is the 2nd toughest academic school for athletes in the conference next to Santa Clara (SCU is 2nd West of the Mississippi to Stanford)

3-09-2007 @ 1:09AM

3-09-2007 @ 1:19AM

Gonzaga has increased its standards lately. But you have to wonder what the Heytvelt thing will do its recruiting requirements.

BTW, USD took some exceptions, too. Just take a gander at their football team.

3-09-2007 @ 1:48AM

Terrence said...

I have seen USD go from D2 into D1 back in the 70s with Coach Jim Brovelli. USD has the most beautiful campus on the west coast (Take that USC)It is harder to get into than USC as many former USD Students find out then their own children want to attend. Its degree means something. It is a fine Roman Catholic University. It was all a dream only 60 or so years ago. Bichop Buddy, Dr,Ray Brandes, Dean Drinan,Sister Sally Furray, Dean Winters,Sister Bouret and Fr. Shipley built it into an incredible Roman Catholic University. Where the students come first. It has come full circle. It is too bad we lost former Coach Harbaugh in football to Stanford. USD should go on a National Search because it is such an incredible place to study,live and grow up as a young person. I could have gone anywhere I wanted too for collage. I am so glad I choose USD and they choose me.

Good Luck Torreos! Keep the Faith!

Bring in Digger Phelps!