People always say, 'Do you get bothered by what people say or blog or write about you?' I only do if I know them. If I know them, and I have a relationship with them and they write that, then that would surprise me a lot. Usually the people writing the negative stuff don't know me at all.

If there's a group of articles written about me, I can usually tell the difference if someone's writing an article and they know me from someone who doesn't know me. They're usually very different.

I think of things as competition when people say you can't do something.

I really enjoy challenges.

I'd like to think I'm always going to defend our players.

As far as the bowl games, I don't think the players really play for that. Not at USC.

Coaching was always intriguing to me as a kid. Watching 'Monday Night Football' with my dad and hearing him talk through the game management and watching the Tom Landrys and Don Shulas on the sideline was more intriguing to me than watching Troy Aikman or Dan Marino throw the ball.

Anybody can get a job, but what do you do when you have it?

I don't think you've done something by getting a job. I think you've done something by proving you can succeed at that job.

I guess I should say I like to do things that people say you can't do.