University Southern California Trojans
Trojans Shine at Pac-12 Football Media Day
July 25, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
On July 23 and 24, USC head coach Clay Helton, WR Michael Pittman Jr. and DL Christian Rector headed up the road to Hollywood & Highland for Pac-12 Football Media Days.The team leaders met with local and national media to discuss USC's offseason and outlook for the 2019 season.
Pittman Jr. fielded multiple questions about adjusting to new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's simplified scheme.
"Our last offense was really complicated," Pittman explained. "Now, we're moving into an offense where players can get it in a week. It's going to let players play faster and it's going to let younger players be able to jump in the mix."
Rector described the team's offseason strength training program under new head strength and conditioning coach Aaron Ausmus.
"The urgency has definitely been amplified with Aaron Ausmus," Rector said. "We do 'Phone Booth Fridays,' where you're getting your conditioning and your lifting in at the same time, all within the rack. So that's pushes, presses, pulls, squats, front squats, back squats, high reps, high sets. We're really getting all our work in."
While two seniors represented the Trojans at Media Day, one of Helton's most enlightening answers of the afternoon concerned two freshmen: WR Bru McCoy and DB Chris Steele. Both 5-star recruits enrolled at USC after transferring from other schools, and Helton believes his decision not to burn bridges allowed them to feel comfortable committing to ultimately wear Cardinal and Gold.
"Probably the biggest thing I learned was how important relationships are," Helton said. "And trust."
Helton, Pittman and Rector answered questions all day, but another Trojan — former USC QB Mark Sanchez — was on the other side of the interview process. The 10-year NFL veteran recently announced his retirement from the league and his new gig as a broadcaster with ESPN's college football team. His first day on the job brought him back to Hollywood.
With Pac-12 Media Day in the books, the next big date for the Trojans is Friday, August 2 – the start of Fall Camp. The Trojans will hold 13 practices before launching into their in-season practice program. USC's first game of the 2019 season takes place on August 31 at 7:30 pm PT at the Coliseum.Mark Sanchez is supporting the Trojans during his first day on the job!#FightOn | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/UDU5xkPFfu
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) July 24, 2019
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