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Eric Musselman leaving Arkansas for West Coast coaching job
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Eric Musselman is leaving Arkansas for the West Coast for a high-major job offer.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and others, Musselman is expected to leave the Razorbacks for the head coaching job at USC. It was reported earlier this week that Musselman would interview for the job with the Trojans making the move to the Big Ten in the 2024-25 season.
According to SI’s Pat Forde, Musselman had been actively looking for a new job “for a while.” His name had been linked as one to watch for the Louisville vacancy, but he instead winds up out west.
NEWS: USC is expected to hire Arkansas’ Eric Musselman as its next head coach, sources told me and @PeteThamel. In five seasons, Musselman has guided the Razorbacks to two Elite Eights and a Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/e1INKE8kvT
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 4, 2024
Muss was looking for a new job for a while. Lands in L.A. https://t.co/Ekx3TnH3cq
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) April 4, 2024
USC has already confirmed the move with Musselman joining the Trojans at a key juncture for the program:
OFFICIAL: The Muss Bus is rolling into USC!@EricPMusselman is our new head coach!! pic.twitter.com/vG2i63b2du
— USC Men’s Basketball (@USC_Hoops) April 4, 2024
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Reasons behind the move
Musselman had been at Arkansas for the past 5 seasons with varying levels of success, but things had tailed off a bit the past 2 years. Despite a win over Kansas to reach the Sweet 16 a year ago, Arkansas had finished below .500 in the SEC in back-to-back seasons.
At this juncture, he was unlikely to be on an immediate hot seat, but it did provide a crossroads for his time in Fayetteville. Musselman also bounced around quite a bit in his coaching journey, lending to the idea that he might be on the move again before long.
As for landing in Los Angeles, his connection to California is well-known. He shared a nice moment with his mother after Arkansas’ Sweet 16 victory in 2022, a game that was played in San Francisco.
Kristine Musselman Platt, Eric’s mother, lives in San Diego, and the coach grew up there and continues to follow his beloved San Diego Padres from afar. In addition to playing at San Diego in the 1980s, Musselman spent time coaching for the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and for the G League’s LA D-Fenders affiliate.
Now, Musselman takes over the Trojans on the eve of a move to the Big Ten. USC could have a tough time adjusting to life in the new-look B1G, but it will be interesting to see if Musselman can get things clicking quickly.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
