One of the biggest criticisms many had for the final year of the Carroll era was an apparent lack of discipline.
I think it's safe to say we will not be dealing with a similar problem as the Kiffin era begins.
Freshmen phenom Dillon Baxter now knows that better than anyone.
After two days of sideline punishment, Baxter was officially suspended for USC's season opener against Hawaii on Sept. 2 for violating team rules.
Presumably the suspension stems from an incident early Tuesday morning when the young running back allegedly broke curfew and reeked of a "controlled substance."
Kiffin had this to say:
The punishment is harsh for certain, but it sets a much needed standard for how Trojan players are expected to behave under this new regime. It started with more disciplined practices and laps or other punitive exercises for screwing up on the field. It has now extended to off-field behavior.
No player is safe from that standard. Not even the best young player on the team.
Interestingly enough, it was new AD Pat Haden's response to the situation the shed the most light on the suspension:
"Dillon's a high-profile athlete." Did you hear that Paul Dee?
Hopefully Baxter, and every other "high-profile" athlete at USC, heard it loud and clear because the spotlights are on and the microscopes are out. They may call him the next Reggie Bush on the field, but they will not tolerate Reggie Bush-like trouble off of it.
Kiffin had this to say:
"I think this is an extremely strong message and a very severe punishment for a player that may potentially be the most-skilled player on our whole roster," Kiffin said. "Hopefully that message not only helps him but helps our team and especially our freshman class."
The punishment is harsh for certain, but it sets a much needed standard for how Trojan players are expected to behave under this new regime. It started with more disciplined practices and laps or other punitive exercises for screwing up on the field. It has now extended to off-field behavior.
No player is safe from that standard. Not even the best young player on the team.
Interestingly enough, it was new AD Pat Haden's response to the situation the shed the most light on the suspension:
"Dillon's a high-profile athlete, like we've had some other ones around here, and he wasn't doing things he was supposed to be doing, Haden said. "And so when I say Lane gets it, I think he does.
"We can't just allow this kind of behavior, particularly for a freshman when they're just getting started, so I think he's done absolutely the right thing."
"Dillon's a high-profile athlete." Did you hear that Paul Dee?
Hopefully Baxter, and every other "high-profile" athlete at USC, heard it loud and clear because the spotlights are on and the microscopes are out. They may call him the next Reggie Bush on the field, but they will not tolerate Reggie Bush-like trouble off of it.
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