USC coach Kevin O'Neill fires 2 assistants

Mar 10, 2010 - 4:09 AM LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Southern California coach Kevin O'Neill has fired assistants Gib Arnold and Phil Johnson, who were holdovers from Tim Floyd's staff.

O'Neill said in a statement released Tuesday night that he let them go because he wants to move in a different direction.

USC finished O'Neill's first season with a 16-14 overall record and an 8-10 mark in the Pac-10. The Trojans are ineligible for postseason play, including this week's conference tournament, because of self-imposed sanctions relating to former player O.J. Mayo's inappropriate relationship with an agent.

Arnold and Johnson each spent five years at USC, helping the Trojans make three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances under Floyd, who suddenly quit last summer.