that's been my biggest concern with Fuente. Lynch ended up at Memphis largely because of Darrell Dickey. Fuente clearly is a capable head coach. had he not landed Fuente would Memphis be the "turnaround" story be what it is this soon/at all?

in Fuente's first season he inherited a Texas Tech transfer qb in Jacob Karam at Memphis. Karam stat line for the 2012 season;

176/274 (64%) 1895 yds 14 td 3 int - 158/ypg (12 games)

Lynch came in and Fuente started him ahead of the SR Karam in 2013.

FR- 203-349 (58%) 2056 yds 9 td 10 int - 172/ypg (12 games)

SO- 259/413 (63%) 3031 yds 22 td 9 int - 233/ypg (13 games)

there's no denying what Fuente has done at Memphis. he has pulled in some talent that couldn't get into most SEC schools outside of the Mississippis and their slack entrance requirements. I am skeptical of his ability to go head-to-head in recruiting battles with our natural rivals having to comply with USC's entrance requirements instead of Memphis'. his staff would likely include Dickey (TX native/ties) and Galen Scott DC (Orland native - Illinois St player/asst coach).

I think Fuente would have success at Carolina. I don't know if he has all the attributes Ray Tanner outlined in his comments regarding ties to the Southeast and draw to USC.

right now I'm still leaning more to recruiting at an insane level with a known and aggressive staff around the Southeast and that brings me back to Kirby Smart and the staff he could assemble in Columbia.

having said that, I have no issues if Fuente were to be hired at USC.