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I am not seeing any real effort and fire from the team, they seem to be going through the motions. It seems as though some players have gotten discouraged and given up, and looking at Trakh's eyes, there is a look of defeat there, too. I really want to be optimistic, but I cannot see us staying in the game with the bruins. Our team cannot shoot like other teams that we play can. The only real positives in this game against the Ducks was Angel Jackson finally contributing some scoring to go along with Alissa Pili who is still trying. I stopped counting blown layups in the second half at 6. We take bad angles with our passes, resulting in turnovers and easy points for the opposition. I don't remember ever seeing a college player let the ball go right through her hands on 2 different passes that were not hard to handle, but that's what happened to Jordan Jenkins. Where is the focus? The team needs real leadership out on the floor and I am struggling to see any. We can write this season off to Covid and injuries, but other teams have had to deal with these too and are looking more cohesive at this point. If they don't come out with fire against the crosstown rivals, I can only conclude that they have given up. So much for Coach Trakh's optimism and telling the Daily Trojan that this team is peaking at the right time. We are all waiting for the evidence.
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I think the question has to be asked whether Mark Trakh can ever take the Trojans to the upper tier of PAC 12 schools. He and his staff have done a great job of bringing in outstanding high school players, but that's not enough, a lot of the other conference schools are bringing in great recruiting classes, you also have to be able to coach. Frankly, whenever USC plays a team with comparable or better talent, they get completely outplayed and a lot of that falls on the coaches. I just don't see much in the way of court discipline, offensive schemes, players being developed. It often appears as if the coaches throw the ball out there and tell them to go play. That works when you have substantially more talent, but not against the Stanfords, UCLAs, Oregons, Arizonas etc. If no one transfers, USC will, talent wise, be a top 20 team next year, but I have strong doubts they'll play like that. It's very discouraging. -
I do like Trakh as a recruiter. And, in mid-major programs, he is a great leader as he can foster regular NCAA appearances. But in a top conference, he isn't able to keep up. He is better than Cooper-Dyke and certainly Cooper, but a program with USC's history cannot keep thinking about next year's season, especially when injuries keep plaguing the team and leaving them on the wrong side of the bubble at best. Swann really messed up the search. Paye would have been a great hire, and USC really should have invested.
When we see Adia Barnes literally take Arizona from night to day in a season, a lot of it signals to us that we simply need a better prepared coach. But, I don't have faith that the athletic department will make a change. Let's hope Bohn proves me wrong.Comment
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I have been saying since they rehired retread Trakh, he is not the answer. they let him go the first time, and instead of doing a national search, they bring him back. he and his "coaching staff" looked bored as they were getting blown out by Oregon state. This guy will never get them over "the hump" to contend for pac 12 or national recognition. As long as Stanford, Oregon, Ucla, Arizona, Arizona state and Oegon State are in the conference you are going to get the dame results with Trakh. I do not understand how the A.D. does not see this. the people above this post do. I am so tired of seeing the girls getting blown out, and then Trakh smiling at the other coach and telling people well it was good effort. he has been saying that since they rehired him, and what has it gotten them Nothing. It will not be pretty against ucla or in the Pac ar tourney! -
I do have more faith in Bohn than in Haden or Swann, so my hope is that it is on his radar. So, fingers crossed. But, I don't think his women's volleyball hire was the best option, so I'm a little worried. We shall see... but as AD he should be aware of all the injuries. And, with the Women of Troy documentary, it should be a catalyst of some sorts.
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