A Wild Ride for USC

On a strange day for USC football, John Robinson was fired as coach Wednesday without speaking to Athletic Director Mike Garrett, and former USC assistant coach Paul Hackett was named coach without meeting the press, even by telephone.

Hackett, 50, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Because the Chiefs are headed for the NFL playoffs, Hackett will not work for USC full-time until Kansas City is eliminated, which can be no sooner than Jan. 3.

Hackett declined interview requests but is scheduled to speak to the media by conference call today.

Robinson, 62, called his own news conference and said he learned of his firing through the media.

“I’ve conducted myself with dignity and I have given my best at USC,” said Robinson, who was still coach as others were interviewing for his job. “Unfortunately, that dignity was not shown us over the past three weeks.”

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