FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While rumors have been floating around about Eric Musselman's departure from Arkansas, the University of Southern California (USC) confirms the "Muss Bus is rolling into USC."
"My family and I couldn’t be more excited for this incredible opportunity at USC,” Musselman said in a statement. “We will be committed to the development of our student-athletes and upholding the values that make the Trojan Family so special. We will hit the ground running and work tirelessly to make our great alumni, fans, and all of Los Angeles proud.”
Along with changing his bio to USC's head coach, Musselman took to social media to thank Arkansas, Razorback fans, Hunter Yurachek, the student-athletes, and more.
"From the moment my family and I stepped into this state and onto this beautiful campus, you have welcomed us and made us feel at home," Musselman wrote. "The last five years have been so special for my family and I. They have been filled with so many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. I hope this time gave you some special moments, too."
USC Men's Basketball announced the new hire on its X account on April 4 at 2:30 p.m. He replaces Andy Enfield, who left for the same job at Southern Methodist on Monday.
"Musselman was heavily swayed by the location, in addition to a fresh start after a rocky 2023-24 season that ended with a whimper. The opportunity presented itself once Andy Enfield decided to leave USC after 11 seasons to start anew at SMU," Matt Norlander with CBS said.
According to the Associated Press, Musselman will be introduced at a news conference on Friday, April 5, at Galen Center.
As for the future of the Razorbacks, Arkansas' Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek said the search for the men's basketball team's next head coach has begun.
"I am confident we will identify a leader for our program that will build on the rich tradition of Razorback basketball and provide a nationally competitive program for our university, our state, and passionate Razorback fans everywhere," Yurachek said.
Yurachek also wished Musselman and his family the best in their next chapter and thanked him for his work at the university.
Musselman spent five seasons as the Razorback's head coach. During his time with Arkansas, Musselman maintained a record of 111-59. He also led the men's basketball team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Elite Eight twice. Musselman also reestablished the Razorbacks after earning the team its first Sweet 16 appearance in 25 years.
In the latest season, the Hogs had an overall record of 16-17 (SEC 6-12), finishing with a losing record for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Musselman's records with the Razorbacks:
- 2022-23: Overall 22-14, SEC 8-10
- 2021-22: Overall 28-9, SEC 13-5
- 2020-21: Overall 25-7, SEC 13-4
- 2019-20: Overall 20-12, SEC 7-11
Some University of Arkansas students believe his last unsuccessful season may have had something to do with his decision to leave.
“In general, I've enjoyed his time here," one student said. "I think he's leaving just because he had a bad year and he's worried that people aren't a fan of him now, but I've enjoyed his time here. I'm grateful for him."
The main consensus, however, is that the University of Arkansas campus is grateful for what he has done for the program.
“He changed the atmosphere," one student said. "When we [would] win, he would take his shirt off and start running around the court. He really just boosted the atmosphere a lot. He did a lot for ... Arkansas basketball. I feel like he added a lot of attention to us in the SEC, especially. Just really making us a big team with a good fan base."
Although university students are sad to see him go, one said she is happy for Musselman's new opportunity.
“It was sad," she said. "I thought he was a really good coach. I thought he did a good job. He took our team to the Elite Eight multiple times. I love basketball. I was hoping to see him get us a championship, but I'm glad he's got other opportunities and other places so I'm excited."
Before becoming a coach at Arkansas, Musselman was the head coach at Nevada from 2016-19, where the Wolf Pack won three Mountain West regular-season titles and made three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Musselman was an assistant at LSU and Arizona State, following stints as the head coach of the NBA G-League Los Angeles D-Fenders and Reno Bighorns and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. He was also an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
He played basketball for the University of San Diego.
Fans are now speculating who could take over as head hog. But, they have to credit Musselman for the work he did in his 5 seasons as a Razorback.
"Muss proved what Razorback fans have already known for a long time that you have everything you need here at Arkansas here in Fayetteville to win a national championship," said John Nabors, Host of the Locked on Razorbacks Podcast. "He was able to market and brand Arkansas in a way that they had always been a big brand in college basketball. That was what got everybody on board really quickly and thinking that 'hey, this is the type of coach that is a new wave.'"
"Not only you have success on the court, and you win, and you get to March Madness, you get to the NCAA tournament and you advance, but he was putting guys in the pros every single year," said Nabors.
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