Sid Hartman: Carroll plugs USC assistant for Gophers job

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.

Former Twins pitcher Dean Chance, now president of the International Boxing Association, predicts the winner of tonight's fight at Target Center between Anthony Bonsante and Matt Vanda could get an opportunity to fight middleweight champion John Duddy of Ireland in Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick's Day. Thanks to Scott LeDoux, Chance said boxing could come back strong here with Tony Grygelko an enthusiastic promoter, and Target Center wanting to bring four cards a year here, including one televised by ESPN on April 6.

Marc Trestman, the St. Louis Park native who has been reported as a candidate for the Gophers football job, has interviewed for offensive coordinator with the Raiders, a position he held when local resident Rich Gannon led the team to Super Bowl XXXVII against Tampa Bay.

Thomas Tapeh, the former Gopher who has done a great job as a starting fullback and blocker for the Eagles all season, suffered a sprained knee in practice this week and is questionable for the playoff game at New Orleans. ... Another former state basketball player doing well is Romain Martin, a 2006 North graduate who is the leading scorer for Eastern Illinois and has been freshman of the week in the Ohio Valley Conference four of the past five weeks.

John Palermo, a former Gophers, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Miami assistant football coach, has been named defensive coordinator of Tennessee Tech.

The Twins contributed $4.25 million to their Community Fund during 2006.

Marty Gillespie, a former Gophers assistant coach, reports that Troy Bell, a No. 1 draft choice of Memphis and a former Boston College and Holy Angels player, is now with the Austin (Texas) Toros of the NBA Developmental League. Gillespie's son, Brock, is also a member of the team. Former Gopher Jeff Hagen was also with the Toros until he was injured.

Rosemount native Tom Preissing leads the NHL with a plus/minus rating of 26 for the Ottawa Senators. Preissing has five goals and 17 assists. Former Gopher Thomas Vanek is third in the NHL with a plus/minus rating of 22. Former Gophers defensemen Keith Ballard has two goals and 10 assists in 31 games for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Former Gophers wing Reggie Berg is tied for 11th in ECHL scoring with 18 goals and 19 assists in 30 games for the Florida Everblades. Former Gophers defenseman P.J. Atherton has four goals and 18 assists in 31 games for the Johnstown Chiefs. ... Former Gopher Erik Westrum, Blaine native Brandon Bochenski, Minneapolis native Drew Stafford, Roseau native Dustin Byfuglien and former Wild prospect Patrick O'Sullivan will play for Planet USA in the AHL All-Star game on Jan. 29 in Toronto.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on Podcast twice a week at www.startribune.com/sidcast. shartman@startribune.com