USC's Pete Carroll, who has built one of the great records in college football, was on the phone Thursday praising offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's contributions to the success of the Trojans and recommending the 31-year-old son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin for the Gophers football coaching job.
"He's a gifted coach [who] has been here from the very outset of putting this program together," said Carroll, the former Vikings defensive backs coach whose record at USC from 2001-2006 is 65-12.
Lane Kiffin, who attended Bloomington Jefferson when his dad was an assistant coach with the Vikings, is one of several candidates who is expected to be interviewed in Dallas today for the Gophers job.
"Lane has been integrally involved in everything that we've done, from all of the football and all of the offseason work, and has been the offensive coordinator and the recruiting coordinator on a team that [has] had the last three top recruiting classes in America," Carroll said.
He added that Lane has had a big role in putting together what likely will be the nation's top recruiting class again this year.
"Lane has spearheaded the production of one of the most productive offenses in the history of college football the last three or four years," Carroll said. "He worked hand-in-hand with Norm Chow and took over when Norm left as the play-caller. And we've averaged, in those last two years, around 40 points a game."
Carroll described Lane as a mature coach despite being only 31.
"He's been looking to be a coach since he was a kid in school and was a student assistant in college," Carroll said. "He's just been all over, been in the NFL [the Jacksonville Jaguars] for a short time and been here for six years. I think he's way ahead of his time."
As for his own future, Carroll made it clear he plans to remain with USC and isn't interested in returning to the NFL.
Wolves like Webber
Now that the Philadelphia 76ers have bought out the contract of Chris Webber, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said the team would join others in trying to land the former Michigan star once the 48-hour waiver period is over.
The Wolves also are one of several teams interested in trading for Clippers guard Corey Maggette, who scored 21 points in their Wednesday victory over the Wolves. Maggette's agent has asked the team to trade the seven-year veteran.
How good does Wolves coach Dwane Casey rate his team now?
"I like our team, I just think we've got to come out the hungry, hungry team every time we take the floor," he said. "... I think our guys, when they come out hungry, we're a very effective team."
Bracey Wright, the former Big Ten scoring leader and second-round draft choice from Indiana, got an opportunity to play in a clutch situation for the first time this season.
"He's a shooter, he's an NBA shooter -- there's no question about that," said Casey of Wright, who got six important points Wednesday. "... If we need shooting, I don't hesitate to go to Bracey because I have confidence in his shooting."
Jottings
Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat, describing a meeting last Monday with representatives of Land Partners II, a consortium which owns most of the new Twins stadium site, said, "We have a long way to go," in agreeing on a price. "It is going to be a challenge." No further negotiations have been scheduled.
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