The legendary Reggie Bush is the latest former football icon to express interest in a coaching role.
With the success of Deion Sanders, the college football world has seen a trend of former players returning as head coaches. We have already seen former players such as Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson receive head coaching roles this offseason. Could Bush be the next big name to become a head coach?
Reggie Bush’s legacy at USC
Bush is viewed by many as the greatest Trojan ever. He won the Heisman and was a part of two national championship-winning teams. Bush knows what it takes to win and how to navigate the pressure of being a Trojan.
His playing career could give him an advantage over other potential candidates, but there has also been some controversy with Bush and USC.
Bush has an ongoing lawsuit against the program, which could make things tricky. The lawsuit is over retrospective NIL money and could have an impact on the way he is perceived by the program.
“I would love to come back and be the head coach of USC at some point and help lead USC to a national championship,” Bush said. The Trojans have not gone in the direction they expected since hiring Lincoln Riley.
With the standard and talent the program has, one 10+ win season in three years is unacceptable. Riley’s job seems safe for now, but things could change quickly if the team continues to disappoint.
Will USC Give Bush a Chance?
In this new era of College Football, teams seem more willing to consider candidates without much coaching experience but have playing experience. Teams value these candidates because they can directly relate to the players and are usually strong in recruiting. These candidates also bring attention to the program and can help build a strong culture.
The Trojans have a rich history of coaches and would only make a change if it felt like the perfect opportunity. Bush would be a familiar face in the program, but he would likely need to build up his coaching résumé first before he could even be considered.
KEEP READING: When Did Bush Get His Heisman Trophy Back?
Before taking over the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders turned around a smaller program in Jackson State. Bush could look to take a similar path. He spoke with Sacramento State earlier in the offseason about their head coach vacancy, but they instead hired for UNLV Rebels offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
Bush has mentioned how coaching is something he is seriously interested in, and a return to college football seems like a strong possibility for the Heisman winner at some point.
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