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USC offensive line coach Josh Henson is leaving to take the offensive coordinator job at Purdue. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Already poised to turn over most of its offensive line, USC now will have to replace its offensive coach as well.
Josh Henson, who spent the last three seasons leading USC’s offensive line, is leaving to become the offensive coordinator at Purdue, a person familiar with the decision told The Times. While he technically carried the same title at USC, at Purdue, he’ll step into a larger play-calling role for new Boilermakers coach Barry Odom, who previously coached alongside Henson at Missouri.
Henson’s three seasons make him the longest tenured offensive line coach at USC in a decade. But his tenure leading the Trojans front will be remembered as a largely uneven one. After a strong showing in 2022, behind a veteran line, USC’s front took a step back in 2023, then struggled to start the 2024 season, before steadying in the second half of the season.
His departure leaves USC’s offensive line in an even more uncertain state, with three starters to replace and not a lot of depth from which to choose their replacements. Left guard Emmanuel Pregnon and center Jonah Monheim are off to the NFL, while right tackle Mason Murphy has already signed with Auburn as a transfer. Two key reserves on the interior, Gino Quinones and Amos Talalele, have also already entered the transfer portal, along with freshman Kalolo Ta’aga.
Read more: Zachariah and Zion Branch will enter transfer portal, dealing USC a substantial blow
More could potentially follow in light of Henson’s departure, putting USC in a precarious position ahead of its bowl game on Dec. 27, with just a few available backups behind a patchwork line. Aside from its two returning starters, Elijah Paige and Alani Noa, the entirety of…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-offensive-line-coach-josh-055458928.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-18 05:54:00
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