NCAA Roundup
Report: Grimble might drop USC
Four-star defensive end Jalen Grimble (Las Vegas), cousin of USC tight end Xavier Grimble, is reportedly reconsidering his final college destination, despite committing to USC nearly nine months ago.
The Miami Herald’s Manny Navarro tweeted Monday afternoon that Grimble’s high school coach said he is leaning toward signing with Miami (Fl.) and dropping his commitment to USC, despite family ties.
The Hurricanes hired former Temple coach Al Golden in December, but their current class ranks just 47th nationally.
Grimble appeared USC-bound this past fall, but Scout.com presently lists him as a “soft verbal.”
“The first thing I loved about USC was the academics,” Grimble told Scout following his commitment last May. “It really means something, and you are lucky to be put in a position to be accepted and go to the school from an academic standpoint.
“The second thing I loved about the school is the tradition. The things they have accomplished [are] bar none better than any of the schools out there.”
The first day players can sign letter of intents to enroll at their school of choice is Feb. 2.
—Joey Kaufman
Martin stands by commitment
After rumors of a possible decommittment from USC, offensive guard Marcus Martin (Crenshaw, Calif.) reaffirmed his decision to stick with the Trojans.
“I’m still committed to USC,” Martin told WeAreSC.com. “Make that clear.”
Since Martin committed last summer, he has not wavered in his decision to stick with the cardinal and gold.
His commitment seems all the more likely, especially after his visit to USC last weekend.
“I’m still committed to USC,” Martin told USCFootball.com. “They have an outstanding program and they look to be national champions in two years. They have a brand new facility coming and a great coaching staff. They’re experienced and seasoned with the same intensity as when coach [Pete] Carroll was there.”
Though Martin has given USC his word, the three-star recruit is still expected to make an official visit to Colorado this coming weekend.
Martin is ranked the 28th best player at his position, according to Rivals.com.
Thus far, the Trojans have 25 commits for the 2011 class, which ranks 5th in the nation.
—Trevor Wong
USC women’s soccer adds assistant coach
The Women of Troy welcome a new addition to their coaching staff, as P.J. Woolridge will be joining coach Ali Khosroshahin on the sidelines.
He will replace Harold Warren, who has taken a coaching job at Alabama-Birmingham.
Woolridge comes to USC after spending three seasons as an assistant at the University of San Diego, and eight seasons at Cal Poly.
“I’ve been competing against P.J. and his teams on the field and off since 2000,” Khosroshahin said of Woolridge. “I have a great deal of respect for what he was able to accomplish as a part of the staff at Cal Poly and at USD. P.J. is one of the hardest working assistants in the country.”
During his tenure as an assistant at Cal Poly, the Mustangs won four straight Big West championships and reached the NCAA Tournament five times.
Woolridge also helped coach the Toreros to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his time there.
—Trevor Wong
UCLA reshuffles football staff
According to Tracy Pierson of Scout.com’s BruinReportOnline, former Miami (Fl.) coach Randy Shannon has agreed to become UCLA’s new defensive coordinator, after Chuck Bullough was dismissed in December following the team’s 4-8 mark in 2010.
A source close to one of the Bruins’ recruits told Pierson that a UCLA coach called the recruit last night and told him that the deal for Shannon is done.
Other recruits have reportedly been told likewise.
Shannon compiled a 28-22 record in four years as the Hurricanes’ coach, but was fired in December following a disappointing 2010 season.
The Los Angeles Daily News UCLA beat writer John Gold, however, said he has heard conflicting reports from an assortment of players and parents.
The report comes after UCLA coach Rick Neuehisel formally introduced Mike Johnson as the team’s new offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Sunday after Norm Chow was hired as the offensive coordinator at Utah.
—Joey Kaufman
Gilbreath and Troy recognized for strong play
Junior guard Briana Gilbreath of the USC women’s basketball team and senior opposite Murphy Troy of the USC men’s volleyball team were named USC Credit Union Student Athletes of the Week.
Gilbreath: Led the Women of Troy in scoring during the team’s two-game road trip to the Bay Area. In Saturday’s loss to Stanford, Gilbreath scored 20 points and became the 22nd women’s player to reach 1,000 points for her career.
Troy: Led the No. 1 Trojans to two wins over No. 7 UC Irvine and No. 15 UC San Diego on the road. Troy has played an integral role this season in leading the team to its best start (4-0) since 1995.
—Trevor Wong