Quarterbacks Coach Leaves USC
December 14, 1999 | Football
Dec. 14, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Ken O'Brien, USC's quarterbacks coach the past 2 years, has left the USC staff, Trojan head coach Paul Hackett announced today.
"I'm very disappointed that Ken decided not to stay with us," said Hackett. "During the course of restructuring our offensive staff, I relieved Ken of his duties as quarterback coach, but offered him the position of tight ends coach. He declined and he will no longer be with us. He's a good coach and a good man. I wish him well."
Hackett said that no decisions have been made yet regarding any openings on his offensive staff, but he hoped to fill all positions by the end of the year. Besides new quarterbacks and tight ends coaches (the tight ends position opened when Steve Morton was moved to the offensive line to replace Steve Greatwood), Hackett must find a wide receivers coach after Mike Wilson resigned earlier today to enter private business.
O'Brien, 39, quarterbacked 11 years (1983-93) in the NFL, the first 10 with the New York Jets and the last with the Philadelphia Eagles. He ranks second on the Jets' career lists for passing yardage and touchdown passes. A 2-time Pro Bowl selection, he led the NFL in passing in 1985.
A member of the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame, he is UC Davis' all-time leader in passing yards. He was the Aggies' quarterback coach in 1997 before coming to USC.
