Kevin O'Neill Fired: USC Axes Basketball Coach

Kevin O'Neill was rejected basketball coach Southern California on Monday after three and a half years, during which he managed to transform the program overwhelmed by problems of the NCAA prior to his arrival, and a number of injured players.
O'Neal reached a record of 48-65, including 7-10 this season after 6-26 last year, setting a record for the loss of the school.
Veteran assistant Bob Cantu will be the interim coach during the search for a successor USC. Cantu O'Neill returned to the Pac-10 tournament semifinals against Arizona in 2010-11, when the coach was suspended after receiving a verbal confrontation with the amplifier Wildcats. He remained on the staff through four changes of coach and is the longest full-time assistant to the Pac-12.
Pat Haden sporting director said it became clear to him that the program needs new leadership.
"Despite a good way to win our last game, I felt it was better to make a change now, with most of the Pac-12 next season, to give a new impetus to our team," he said.
Trojans are 2-2 in Pac-12 after a road split last weekend. Lost in the Colorado win in Utah to break a series of 14 consecutive wins road. USC has lost nine of their last 13 games, including a series of five games.
"I really enjoyed my four years at the University of Southern California," O'Neill said in a statement. "This is a special place. Loved the people I worked with, who led the players and our fans. USC Thank you for your program guide. We could not be more proud to work n ' anywhere. "

O'Neill was hired Hayden predecessor, Mike Garrett, who said at the time:. "I hope it's there forever," USC O'Neill took the job after spending the season as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Last season, the Trojans were hit hard by injuries, leaving O'Neill with only six scholarship players, who managed to keep the team in almost every game.
PSC in June 2009, O'Neill had to face the consequences of ongoing investigations and sanctions involving NCAA school star OJ Mayo, who played one season in Tim Floyd, before leaving for the NBA. The following season, O'Neal has lost three starters and four of the top six players in the rotation. In the second season, O'Neal led the Trojans 19-15 record and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Then, last season, when the Trojans suffered injuries, especially to the owner Jio Fontan, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament, marking 57 points in two games of the series during the tour of the exhibition at Brazil. Forward Aaron Fuller (shoulder) and Dewayne Dedmon great man (Open CL) decreased with the season ends, injuries at various points.
"Last year was very difficult because our wounds and the fact that when I arrived here was a novice or second year, we had two classes together empty" O'Neal said last fall. " The only way to get back together to get where we have bodies, we are young children college transfer and mixing in a few years ago. Now, our goal is to maximize the future freshmen is what we do. We have four boys do at the moment, and we hope to have another, and we began to build what I think it is very strong. '
O'Neill was a complete set of 13 scholarship players, who were in good health this season.
"It was difficult for me to assess as coach until this year, when he had enough players and veterans to compete," said Hayden.
O'Neal, who turns 56 on Jan. 24, has been assistant coach Lute Olson as Arizona before the 2007-08 season, and became interim coach when Olson took sick leave.
O'Neal led the Wildcats 19-15 record 24th consecutive appearance and school NCAA Tournament, where the longest active streak in the nation.
E 'was named a permanent successor Olson, but when the Hall of Fame, was the driving force, said O'Neill no longer be part of the program.
O'Neill was a manager earlier work in Marquette, Michigan and Northwestern. He has a reputation in the ranks of the University 219-245.