The USD Report

The University of San Diego lost to Gonzaga 74-64 on Monday night.

And that's all for this edition of The USD Report.

Join us again next time for The USD Report.

Goodbye to The OC, Bitch

It began four years ago with perhaps the greatest opening line ever -- "Welcome to the OC, bitch" -- and it all ends tonight with considerably less fanfare.
The series finale of "The OC" airs in a few hours and we're getting a little misty eyed over the demise of a once-iconic show. It's also one last chance for us to see the lovely and talented Autumn Reeser (above), a former Carlsbad High cheerleader.
Of course, former Carlsbad High cheerleader Autumn Reeser isn't the only San Diegan on "The OC." Adam Brody, Seth Cohen himself, is a Scripps Ranch High graduate and for another take on the show, it says here that Brody was the one responsible for "keeping it real."
As for what the future holds, well, we predict that former Carlsbad High cheerleader Autumn Reeser will have a brighter future than former Carlsbad High football player Ted Johnson.

The Minor-League Town Poll

The Chargers did the right thing in hiring Norv Turner as their new head coach.
	Agree
	Somewhat Agree
	Strongly Agree
	Violently Agree
	Disagree
	Somewhat Disagree
	Strongly Disagree
	Violently Disagree
	I'm canceling my season tickets
	No Opinion
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Norvit

Norv Turner was named new head coach of the Chargers on Monday, and there's a palpable sense of excitement all over San Diego.
Yeah, Charger fans are really wetting themselves over this news. And by wetting themselves, we mean doing a spit take with their vanilla latte.
And what's not to be excited about? In Turner, the Chargers bring in a guy with a sparkling career record of 58-82-1 as a head coach (1-1 in the playoffs).
Yeah, let the stampede to the season-ticket window begin!
Well, if Turner's career record doesn't impress you, surely he must be a dynamic, inspiring personality, right?
Oh yeah, when we think dynamic, inspiring coaches, Norv Turner is the first guy who jumps to mind.
The Chargers braintrust seems to be overlooking an important element here. Being a head coach is not so much about Xs and Os as it is about personality. The coordinators can handle all the Xs and Os stuff; the head coach is the guy who is the face of the organization.

And oh, what an impressive-looking face Norv Turner brings to the table.
One of the great coaching cliches is that a team takes on the personality of its head coach. Sure, it's a cliche, but it's also true. Which means Charger fans should be very concerned because Norv Turner has no personality. Or at best, the personality of a nearly comatose man.
Should be a spectacular 2007 season! Can't wait.
As for the other candidates to parade through Charger Park in the past week, we were kind of hoping Rex Ryan would get the gig. It would have been cool to see Chicken George from "Big Brother" on the Bolts sidelines.
So what does all this mean for Charger fans?
Well, it means Charger fans now will be looking back even more fondly on the Marty Schottenheimer era.

The Minor-League Town Poll

Who should be the next head coach of the Chargers?
	Mike Singletary
	Rex Ryan
	Norv Turner
	Ron Rivera
	Jim Mora Jr.
	Gary Gibbs
	Mike Zimmer
	Don Zimmer
	Tony Gwynn
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Quite Frankly, At This Juncture ... Marty Fired!

Well, the Chargers' braintrust figured out a way to get people to stop talking about Terrence Kiel.
In a move that would have made perfect sense a few weeks ago -- but is downright bizarre in its sudden timing now -- Chargers president Dean Spanos fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer on Monday.
The firing comes less than a month after the team held a press conference to announce Schottenheimer would return for the 2007 season.
OK, whatever.
In his prepared statement released Monday, Spanos cited the ongoing strained relationship -- calling it a "dysfunctional situation" -- between Schottenheimer and general manager A.J. Smith as the reason for the dismissal. Uh, Dean, you're just now noticing those two didn't get along?
This latest soap opera just confirms that the Chargers are one of the most dysfunctional franchises in sports.
Now, let the speculation begin. Who will be the next coach of the Chargers?
Quite frankly, we don't think it matters that much. At this juncture, this is a team loaded with talent. How much coaching does Shawne Merriman require? Do you really think LaDainian Tomlinson requires any special pep talks? How much expertise with Xs and Os does it take to devise a system in which you hand the ball off to LT as often as possible?
Schottenheimer's chair isn't even cold yet and there already have been so many names thrown out there as possible candidates.
And some fans seem to be hoping for a temp just to keep the chair warm for a year until Bill Cowher is available in 2008. Not so fast there, Chester.
It will take $8 million a year to win the bidding war for Cowher. Ain't happening. The Spanos family will vote for a Democrat before they'll pay $8 million a year for a head coach.
All this leaves one other intriguing question: Will Marty Schottenheimer, the motivational speaker, keep his previous engagement for this Wednesday?

Rivers Gets 26 to Life!

Philip Rivers was sentenced Friday to 26 years to life in prison for the murder of his wife.

"Biggest Win"

San Diego State knocked off "No. 15" Air Force 62-41 on Tuesday night, which was mildly surprising but shouldn't be a huge shock considering the Aztecs were picked as preseason favorites to win the Mountain West Conference.
But what caught our eye was Brandon Heath calling this "the biggest win we've had since I've been here."
Dude, get a grip. You've played in the NCAA Tournament. And this was the biggest win since you've been here? What about those wins that got you to the NCAA Tournament?
What a game like this reveals is just how flawed the rankings often are.
Come on, did anyone really believe that Air Force was the 15th-best team in the country?

Pro Bowl Fever ... Catch It!

As an anxious nation awaits, the Shawne Merriman-Jason Taylor feud rages on.
We can't remember this much drama at a Pro Bowl since, uh, well, we can't really remember any Pro Bowls, period.
But we shouldn't be surprised. With so many Chargers in Hawaii for the festivities, you knew the drama queen factor would be at an all-time high.
This Merriman-Taylor thing really has us concerned. We're not sure we're going to be able to sleep at night until these two lugs kiss and make up.
Seriously, guys, just get a room.
As for the other prominent AFC feud, LaDainian Tomlinson and Bill Belichick have come to terms on a peace treaty.
Belichick is probably just glad to not be talking about Ted Johnson and he's really glad to not be answering questions about his own extra-marital, extra-curricular activities.
But all this has us a little worried heading into Saturday's big Pro Bowl clash. Will all these things be a distraction for the talented AFC squad as it prepares for the biggest football game of the season, the Pro Bowl?
Frankly, aren't you a little worried about how all this will affect the AFC's precious team chemistry?

Thanks, Vegas

The Chargers received the worst possible offseason news as Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed the Bolts as the early favorites to win Super Bowl XLII next season in Glendale, Ariz.
Yeah, sure.
If there's one thing we learned about the Chargers this past season, they can't handle the role of clear favorite.
So, thanks to the boys in Vegas, the 2007 season is now over before it even starts. Oh well, there's always 2008.