Former defensive coordinator Seto is let go


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It seems even the coaches that predated the Pete Carroll regime at USC aren’t immune from the staff overhaul that has taken place since Lane Kiffin took over as the coach of USC.

On Tuesday, Rocky Seto – who was the Trojans’ defensive coordinator last season – was told that he would not be retained on staff under Kiffin.

Seto began his tenure with USC in 1999, when he was a volunteer assistant under then-head coach Paul Hackett. In his first year, Seto worked mostly with special teams and defense. In Hackett’s final season with the Trojans, Seto began serving the team on a full-time basis, first as an administrative graduate assistant.

When Carroll took over for Hackett in 2001, Seto began working more specifically with the Trojan defense, first working with the team’s safeties, linebackers and finally the secondary as a whole.

After the 2008 season, former defensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian took the position of head coach at Washington and Seto was offered Sarkisian’s old job. Seto was also offered a different position – to coach the secondary of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills – but decided to stay with the Trojans and become defensive coordinator.

Monte Kiffin, Lane’s father and the defensive coordinator at Tennessee before Kiffin left that post, will replace Seto.

Seto is reportedly talking with Carroll about possible positions in the former USC coach’s staff in Seattle with the Seahawks.

1 reply
  1. jeff
    jeff says:

    Well, Lane. It looks like you cleaned house and are starting over.

    So I have a question, where is this coaching dream team we have been hearing so much about?? All I see is Monte, Ed O, and you are back. Furthermore, you just hired your whole Tennessee staff. Is this what you were talking about when you said “we will focus on developing players by bringing in top coaches.”? I’m confused.

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