Morningside’s Scott Named Assistant for USC Women

Frank Scott has resigned as Morningside High girls’ basketball coach and taken a job as a part-time assistant coach with the USC women’s team, a USC official said Wednesday.

Scott, who could not be reached for comment, said last month he was “99.9% sure” he would make the move at the conclusion of Morningside’s summer league season. The Lady Monarchs finished play last week.

Tim Tessalone, USC sports information director, said Wednesday was Scott’s first official day at his new coaching job. He will remain a full-time teacher at Morningside.

Scott said last month that the assistant’s position pays around $20,000 a year. He will work with Marianne Stanley, who is beginning her second season as USC’s head coach. Stanley is on vacation and was unavailable for comment.

By taking the job, Scott will continue his coach-player relationship with Lisa Leslie, the 6-foot-5 Morningside All-American who led the Lady Monarchs to the last two state Division I titles.

Scott has denied reports it was a package deal.

“A lot of people have said I’m getting the job because of Lisa Leslie,” he said last month. “But (the job) was offered to me long before Lisa signed a letter of intent.”

Leslie, selected the nation’s top schoolgirl player by USA Today, picked USC over Cal State Long Beach.

What Scott leaves behind after 10 years as Morningside’s coach is the most successful girls’ basketball program in the history of the South Bay.

Aside from capturing two state titles, his teams have won eight consecutive league titles, including 88 victories in a row, and four Southern Section major division titles, including the last three.

“I think I’ve done just about all I can do on the high school level,” Scott said last month. “The USC job is going to be a challenge. I’ve always wanted to try this before. If I don’t jump at this opportunity right now, I don’t think I ever will.”

Scott said his successor will inherit a team capable of winning a third consecutive state title. The Lady Monarchs return four starters, led by 6-4 junior Janet Davis.

“The cupboard will not be left bare,” he said.

Morningside Athletic Director Carl Franklin said the school will probably conduct interviews for a new coach later this month. One person who plans to apply for the job is Ron Randle, who coaches the Morningside boys’ basketball team with Franklin.