Yes, this weekend is the start of college football. Teams from across the nation will compete for months ahead until the NCAA Championship in January 2008. So where better to get some insider views on what it takes to produce superb players than at a program that has competed for the national championship four times in the last five years and produced three Heisman trophy winners in as many years? I am talking about the University of Southern California Trojans football team, stationed right here in Los Angeles. Saturday the top-ranked Trojans will start there season against the University of Idaho Vandals. .  

Getting the boys in shape is Chris Carlisle, the head strength and conditioning coach of USC. No stranger to staying in shape for the long-term goals ahead Carlisle has seen many trials himself. Carlisle had worked his way up from coaching at Blytheville High in Arkansas to the University of Tennessee Volunteers before arriving at USC. Off the field Carlisle also had to battle Hodgkin’s disease during his first coaching months at USC. His attitude, persistence and creating and positive tempo for workouts appeared to have worked well for his personal life as well. Carlisle exudes strength, character, and a zest for what he does. However he is quick to point the finger at others for what has gone “right.” For example, Carlisle cites his wife and how her support was so important, and though it was difficult for her to leave her home state of Arkansas, she was always supportive and willing to talk things over. Carlisle then details the coaching staff that USC coach Pete Carroll has assembled, and how the chemistry of teamwork is readily felt at practices and in the games. As an example of Carlisle’s “others first attitude,” when it was photo time, Carlisle insisted his assistant trainers be in the photo, too. Man, could Hollywood take a lesson from this guy.

With incoming recruits, Carlisle uses a technique I learned years ago when preparing people for a job or trip they may not be fully prepared for mentally or emotionally. He tells the recruits not to come to USC if they are afraid of competing, working hard and winning. The players must understand that they will be competing with the best and will have to achieve very high standards while in the USC program.

As you watch the practice drills, you note the high tempo of the routines, players, and coaches. The coaches are running in-between the players, coach Carroll races (slightly humped over) ahead of the players for the next drill, coaches “high-five” players, players stretch and clap in rhythm, Coach Carlisle is blowing the whistle for the next drill, Coach Carroll is laughing with a player and bumping him on the arm. (I could even run a little faster with coaching like this, although not as fast as the slowest player.)

Uniqueness and willingness to stretch the envelope is a big part of this program. Carlisle designed a program many criticized, saying it would not build the type of players that could win the big games, the ones against the large meat eaters of the Midwest region. Well, I guess you need to review recent football footage of the Arkansas slaughters, Oklahoma whooosers, Notre Dames overrates, Michigan, and the many others who have fallen to the team work of a man who created a new strength and conditioning program and a head coach with a vision.

Los Angeles Journal: How did you design your training program to fit coach Carroll’s ideas?

Chris Carlisle: Coach Carroll draws a mural, a clear picture of what he wants. Improve athleticism. So I worked to reduce the body fat percentage; fat slows a person down. Most of these linemen have 15 percent or less body fat, they don’t have the large belly rolls you see on kids at other schools. One lineman ended the 2006 season at 250 lbs, he then beefed up to 270 during the winter; at 6’5” he needed to keep the weigh but lean out to muscle. We now have him still at 270 but not with a belly, and he has more power and is quicker than last year when he was 20 pounds lighter. I believe Michelangelo said, “When my material got better, my work got better.” The success of the training and conditioning I “blame” on coach Carroll and my staff. They support what I do.

LAJ: With coaching there is a desire to succeed and then to move forward or upward in the coaching ranks. Coach Carroll has been offered temptations in the past, what about you?

CC: I have coached for 23 years, started in small schools and now run the program here. I am made to be here. The Mona Lisa doesn’t have a hat on because it doesn’t fit. Working here we are challenged, but coach Carroll makes it seem easy, he builds on staff chemistry. Why would I want to leave this? I have reached a pinnacle here. This is the best program in the U.S. and we have the best players.

LAJ: Tell me a little about how your program works: the success ingredients without spilling the secret recipe.

CC: A lot is about attitude. Creating a “What do we get to do today’ versus “What do I have to do attitude?” The idea it is a privilege to work and play here. The players are evaluated every day during practice on their performance. I talk to the coaches about what does the player needs to improve to the next level. If it is quickness then I design specific routines to develop that area, which may mean getting the player to be more flexible so he can turn quicker or maybe losing some fat weight and developing some more muscle.

LAJ: What do you do about the star high school recruit who thinks he is the best and that he will not have to work that hard?

CC: Their attitude will change by seeing the best guys working the hardest. They begin to think, “If I work a little more, I can close the gap

LAJ: The hours are long and I suspect the stress is high, especially in a program of this caliber and the associated expectations. What do you do to relax?

CC: I read a lot for relaxation.

For more information log onto http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/usc-m-footbl-body.html.