Gallerie » blocked a layup attempt by Augustin to set up a fast-break 3-po

When Athletic Director Pat Haden handed Lane Kiffin his pink slip last week, the easiest part of the task was complete. After Arizona State hung 62 points on the Trojans, it was time for Kiffin to go. He ended his tenure with seven losses in his final 11 games. In 2012, his program was the first since 1964 to go from preseason number 1 in the polls to unranked. The two-year post-season ban and 30 scholarship penalties had taken their toll. The bad news is in the forefront at USC, but soon enough the college football off-season will be upon us and they boast one of the most attractive positions in all the NCAA. Not only are they one of the top five coaching gigs in the country, but the next head coach will take over at the perfect time. After all, you dont want to be the guy after the guy. Lane Kiffin followed Pete Carroll, a daunting task even for the best of coaches. In seven straight seasons, Carrolls USC team finished in the top four of the polls. The next bench boss to roam the sidelines of the Coliseum will have a much easier task bettering the Kiffins results. With that in mind, the following are five options USC should consider. It includes four that will most certainly be called and one that is a dark horse that would be a great option, but may not even receive a phone call. The favourite: Jack Del Rio. The former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and current offensive coordinator may have what it takes to turn the program around in Southern California. He was a former All-American linebacker at the school and boasts the perfect blend of NFL and NCAA connections. There is also speculation he really wants the job. The contenders: Steve Sarkisian. The head coach behind a re-tooled Washington program that is now competitive in the ultra-tough Pac-12. He was an assistant at USC under Carroll and took over as offensive coordinator when Kiffin left for the Oakland Raiders head coaching gig. Two things are working against Sarkisian - his connections to the university may be too recent for Haden if hes looking for a fresh face to lead the program - and he seemingly loves his job in Washington. The new facilities there and the Huskies recent success would be tough to turn back on. Mike Riley - The 60-year-old mastermind at Oregon State has been linked to big school jobs in the past and will certainly get consideration by USC. The Beavers are an up-tempo exciting football program which is essentially the exact opposite of the 2013 Trojans. Riley is known as one of the best pure coaches in the NCAA. One downside is leading a program is much more than just teaching. Riley is not the strongest recruiter on the list, but given the advantages of being at USC, hed be able to get enough great athletes to return the program to prominence. Tom Herman - The offensive coordinator at Ohio State, Herman will be a head coach somewhere next year. He would have been a prime candidate this year if not for a two-year commitment he made to Urban Meyer. An offensive wizard might be exactly what Haden is looking for. Watch for Herman to gain steam as a trendy option if the Buckeyes are able to keep their undefeated season going. A national championship in Columbus may boost Herman to the top of this, and any other head coaching list. The dark horse: Kliff Kingsbury is doing a great job at Texas Tech. The problem is he may be too much like Kiffin for Hadens liking. The 34-year-old is smart, successful and a smash hit with the young players hes chasing on the recruiting trails. Wearing his RayBan sunglasses as he roams the sidelines, Kingsbury is the new Kiffin. He may not be as established as some of the other names on USCs radar, but if they could look past some obvious similarities to Kiffin, they may have their new coach for years to come. In naming Ed Orgeron the interim coach for the remainder of the season, USC ensured well be able to debate who should be the new coach for the coming months. Jeff Fisher of the St. Louis Rams, Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern and Chris Petersen of Boise State will also garner consideration. If Haden is smart, hell take a long hard look at all of these names when making a decision that will shape the program for years to come. Jonas Valanciunas Jersey . Both moves were announced Tuesday. The Titans had waived Matthews on Saturday when they promoted wide receiver Michael Preston from the practice squad. OG Anunoby Jersey . After all, the No. 8 seed is chasing far loftier goals. Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., defeated American Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in Wimbledons second round on Thursday. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Customized/ . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby. Marc Gasol Raptors Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson said he feels like hes playing the best basketball of his 10-year NBA career. Malcolm Miller Raptors Jersey . Wayne and Cindy Tuck of Ilderton, Ont., closed out round-robin play earlier in the day with a 7-3 win over Finland but needed a win over Austria to reach the final eight. BOSTON -- Chicagos D.J. Augustin put an end to a series of pesky rallies by the Boston Celtics. Augustin hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:01 remaining, then continued a perfect night from the foul line while scoring a career-high 33 points for the Bulls in a 107-102 win over Boston. Augustin scored 15 in the fourth, including six points from the foul line as the Bulls held off the slumping Celtics. "Even though we didnt play great defence tonight, we pulled it out and we know what we have to fix," said Augustin, whose previous career high was 31 points scored against Philadelphia in January 2011. "I really dont follow that. Some of my teammates told me. Its a great accomplishment, but Im glad we got the win." Joakim Noah finished with 13 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds for Chicago two nights after it was routed at home by Portland. "That is how we have to win. Our margin of error is not great," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Weve got to play with great intensity each and every night." The Bulls, who avoided losing consecutive games for the first time in nearly two months, will go for a three-game season sweep against the Celtics on Monday night in Chicago. Carlos Boozer scored 14, Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy added 11 points apiece and all five Chicago starters scored in double figures. Chicago made up for its rebounding struggles by making 25 of 31 foul shots, including 11 of 14 in the fourth quarter. "They were big, especially at the end," Augustin said. "If we had missed a couple of those foul shots, we dont know what the outcome of the game would have been because they made some big 3s at the end," Augustin said. Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston, which has lost four straight and nine of 10. Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger scored 16 points each for Boston and Sullinger puulled down 10 rebounds.dddddddddddd. Kris Humphries added 14 points and eight rebounds as Boston outrebounded Chicago 39-31, but could not stop Augustin in the fourth. "You can look at it a couple of different ways, but we hate losing," Rondo said. "Weve got to find a way eventually to win some of these games. Theyre very winnable. Were just not closing the games the right way." The Celtics kept the Bulls from making a run early in the fourth quarter, matching nearly every basket and continuing to outrebound Chicago. Boston grabbed two offensive rebounds on one possession and Brandon Bass putback gave the Celtics an 87-86 lead. Noah drew a foul on the other end and hit both free throws, Hinrich added a 3-pointer and Augustin made a reverse layup to put the Bulls up 93-87 with 4:36 left. Rondo answered with a 3-pointer for Boston, then Sullinger blocked a layup attempt by Augustin to set up a fast-break 3-pointer by Green to pull Boston back within a basket. Green hit again from beyond-the-arc after a foul shot by Noah and the score was tied at 96 with 2:13 remaining. Augustin broke the tie with his third 3-pointer of the game, then made a steal on an inbounds play that all but ended Bostons chances. Augustin drew a foul and made both free throws, then added four more from the line as the Celtics were forced to foul. Augustins two free throws with 22 seconds left put Chicago up 105-99 and the margin was too much for Boston to overcome. Notes: Carlos Boozer received a technical and clear-path foul when he grabbed Humphries from behind on his way to an uncontested trip to the basket. ... Humphries tumbled to the court after Boozer let go and was quickly issued the technical. ... Humphries was called for a technical in the third period for a shove on Noah in the lane while both were setting up for a rebound. ... Chicago last lost consecutive games Feb. 1 and 3. ' ' '