University Southern California Trojans
Todd McNair Named USC Running Backs Coach
February 17, 2004 | Football
Feb. 17, 2004
Former NFL player Todd McNair, who spent the past 3 seasons (2001-03) coaching the running backs for the Cleveland Browns, has been named the running backs coach at USC, Trojan head coach Pete Carroll announced today.
He replaces Kennedy Pola, who took the same job with the Browns. McNair's hiring completes the Trojan staff.
McNair, 38, began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Camden (N.J.) High in 1998 and 1999, then handled similar duties at Schalick High in Pittsgrove, N.J., in 2000.
He was a running back and special teams standout for 8 seasons in the NFL, first with the Kansas City Chiefs for 5 years (1989-93), followed by 2 seasons (1994-95) with the Houston Oilers and then back with the Chiefs in 1996. In his career, he ran for 803 yards with 3 touchdowns, caught 252 passes with 7 scores and averaged 18.6 yards on kickoff returns. He retired as the Chiefs' No. 10 all-time receiver.
He lettered 4 years (1985-88) as a running back at Temple, where he was a 1987 All-American honorable mention selection. He ended up third on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,383 yards and 16 TDs. As a junior in 1987, he ran for 1,058 yards with 6 scores.
He prepped at Pennsauken (N.J.) High. Among his prep teammates were future NFL players John and Keith Taylor and David and Billy Griggs (the Griggs were his cousins).
He was born on Aug. 16, 1965. He and his wife, Lynnette, have 3 daughters: Logan, 10, Daryn, 5, and Thai, 1.
