Chow Rumors Starting Early

Top-ranked USC still has a third of its regular-season games remaining, but the annual conjecture regarding Norm Chow’s prospects for a head coaching position already has begun.

USC’s offensive coordinator is expected to be mentioned as a possible candidate for the job at Washington, which announced Monday that Keith Gilbertson would not return as coach in 2005. Todd Turner, Washington’s athletic director, said the search for a new coach would begin immediately.

Chow said after practice that Washington officials had not contacted him.

“You’re always interested in a head coaching job, but that’s so far-fetched you don’t spend any time worrying about it,” Chow said.

Before the Trojans played in the 2003 Orange Bowl, Chow interviewed for the Utah job that eventually went to Urban Meyer. He also turned down an offer from Kentucky.

Chow interviewed last November for the Arizona job that eventually went to Mike Stoops.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Chow would be a natural candidate for Washington.

“I think he’s the best prospect in the country,” Carroll said. “Whether or not they’re thinking that I don’t know.”

With schools already firing coaches -- Florida’s Ron Zook got the ax last week -- Carroll said he did not expect conjecture regarding Chow to become a distraction.

“I know how Norm is about it -- we’ve been through this before,” Carroll said. “He focuses really well, and it hasn’t been even an issue at all.... I’m not worried about it at all.”

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Reserve quarterback Matt Cassel, who fumbled twice and had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown against Washington State, said the cold weather in Pullman, Wash., played no role in his miscues.

“I can’t make excuses -- it was just one of those nights,” said Cassel, who remains No. 2 on the depth chart behind Matt Leinart.

“I’m moving on, and, hopefully, I’ll get another chance this week.”

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John Drake missed practice to have an MRI exam on his left ankle. Carroll said X-rays taken over the weekend showed a loose chip, necessitating the test. Freshman Jeff Byers is working in Drake’s spot.... Cornerback Ronald Nunn had an MRI test on his left knee.... Leinart and Reggie Bush were chosen as semifinalists for the Maxwell Award (top collegiate player), defensive lineman Shaun Cody was chosen as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and Carroll was chosen as a semifinalist for the George Munger Award (coach of the year), all of which will be presented by the Robert W. Maxwell Football Club. Winners will be announced Dec. 9 at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla.