The final question during Friday's press conference introducing Eric Musselman as the new Southern California men's basketball coach was why an opportunity at the University of Southern California led him to quit at the University of Arkansas, especially in terms of fan support. The question was whether you think it's better than your job.
The average attendance at Walton Arena for the University of Arkansas this season is 19,267. Season tickets for the past three seasons after the Razorbacks' NCAA Tournament Elite Eight was held in 2021 with an average attendance of 19,263 in 2022 and 19,200 in 2023. sold out before the opening.
This season, USC announced an average attendance of 6,302 for home games at Galen Center (capacity 10,258). The average number of visitors in 2022 was 3,860 people and 4,021 people in 2022.
“First of all, when I was at Arkansas, we worked for a great athletic director in Hunter Yurachek, and I was really happy there,” Musselman said. “This is one of the best basketball jobs in the country, there's no doubt about that.
“We've sold out in September for the third year in a row, and that building in Bud Walton can accommodate 20,000 people.”
Musselman led the University of Arkansas to a 111-59 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances (2021-22 Elite Eight, 2023 Sweet 16) and a 16-17 record this season.
“This is a program with a proven track record of winning championships before I won with Nolan Richardson and Eddie Sutton,” Musselman said, referring to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who coached the Razorbacks. Ta. “They will win again after I play there.
“But given everything that's going on with the USC brand, including getting into the Big Ten, we believe this is an incredible fit for our family and an incredible fit for USC. It's wonderful all the way around.”
The average home attendance for 2018-19, the season before Musselman arrived at Arkansas, was announced at 15,278. In his first season at the University of Arkansas, 2019-20, the average attendance was 15,480.
“I hope the people of Arkansas feel like we have had a significant impact on attendance growth at Bud Walton,” Musselman said. “If you look at the numbers before we got there and the numbers this year, I think we made an impact on that and we hope we can make a big impact on the attendance here.” [at USC] In the same way. “
Musselman said he plans to do a lot of marketing to fans in Los Angeles, especially students at the University of Southern California.
“I want to attend as many sporting events on campus as possible,” said Musselman, who has attended numerous games at the University of Arkansas, especially football, baseball and softball. “I like to walk every day, and I heard that there is a small two-mile course on campus, so I would like to get to know the students.
“We need students in our game, and we can do that by being approachable, communicating, and talking. So when we go on a six-mile walk, because that's what I love to do, we need students. There are many opportunities to say hello.”
California is home to Musselman, who was an NBA coach with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, and a G League coach with the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Musselman was a backup point guard at the University of San Diego from 1984 to 1987. His mother, Chris, lives in San Diego.
Before Musselman became a coach, his first job in professional basketball was selling tickets for the Los Angeles Clippers. He also became an assistant to the Clippers' then-general manager, Elgin Baylor.
“This is our third time in LA and I couldn’t be more excited,” Musselman said. “We have high standards and high expectations.”
USC will be promoted to the Big Ten next season along with UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
“If you look at college athletics, the Big Ten is as good as anywhere,” Musselman said. “And I come from a place as good as any in the SEC.
“These two conferences validated the current state of college athletics.”
USC Athletic Director Jen Cohen said Musselman's hiring is a “transformational day” for the basketball program.
“Through conversations with others who have known Eric, worked with Eric, and played against Eric, it became very clear that he was the right person at the right time for USC men's basketball,” Cohen said. Told. “He's a proven winner. He knows how to not only build an elite, high-performing team, but sustain a team. He has a bold vision and plan for USC basketball. .”
Musselman was asked about Josh Cohen (a 6-10 transfer from the University of Massachusetts and has no connection to the USC athletic director), and on Thursday Musselman posted on social media his affiliation from the Razorbacks to the Trojans. Posted that it has been changed.
“I don't think we're allowed to comment on new hires until they're officially signed,” Musselman said.
Jen Cohen, who was sitting next to Musselman, patted him on the back and told him, “Good job.”
Musselman added: “I know my compliance.”
Musselman, who was twice fired as an NBA head coach, compiled a 221-93 record and six NCAA Tournament appearances in nine seasons as a college head coach at the University of Nevada and the University of Arkansas.
“I love his resilience in his career and life,” Jen Cohen said. “He's a very curious person. He loves to learn, he loves to grow. He always wants to get better.
“Let me state the obvious, he's not shy. We all know that. He has incredible energy and enthusiasm.
“Eric has proven that he can unite the student body, unite the fans, unite the community to fill the Galen Center and prove to everyone in the Big Ten that there is also home court advantage.
“Going back to his Southern California roots, he understands this city, this region. He understands this university and believes in our potential.”
Musselman said he is ready for the challenge of leading USC basketball to the Big Ten.
“I don’t think it’s going to paralyze me when I get to the Big Ten because you’ve coached in different leagues,” Musselman said. “When I stand by and watch people like this, [Michigan State Coach] Tom Izzo…it doesn't affect me. Because I've watched Phil Jackson and Pat Riley from the sidelines. ”
Jackson and Riley, both longtime NBA coaches, are inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, as is Izzo.
“We think the potential here is extraordinary,” Musselman said. “That’s why we sit here as a family, as the Musselman crew.”