LOS ANGELES — USC demonstrated that money is no object in hiring assistant coaches Tuesday, when it signed North Carolina State offensive coordinator Norm Chow to a five-year deal worth a minimum of $250,000 per season.
The deal is believed to make Chow one of the two highest-paid assistant coaches in the nation, along with Alabama defensive coordinator Carl Torbush, and also includes an incentive package worth at least $100,000.
Chow was the most significant of several hirings announced by USC coach Pete Carroll. In addition, he hired Wayne Moses of Washington as running backs coach, Keith Uperesa of Idaho State as offensive line coach and Nick Holt of Louisville as inside linebackers coach.
Carroll previously announced he retained defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and outside linebackers coach Kennedy Pola, both of whom worked for former coach Paul Hackett.
Secondary coach DeWayne Walker was also named associate head coach. Carroll, who has been a defensive guru most of his career, will be the unofficial defensive coordinator and will also call defensive signals from the sideline.
"When I'm not able to be there, (Walker) will assume the duties," Carroll said.
The only positions not named were tight end and wide receiver coaches. Former New England Patriots assistant Carl Smith will coach the tight ends and coordinate special teams — unless he gets a better offer from an NFL team.
But the biggest splash was created by Chow's long-anticipated hiring. Chow, 54, who agreed to terms Monday night in Atlanta, is considered one of the best offensive coaches in the country. He was at Brigham Young for 23 years, including 14 as offensive coordinator.
Among the quarterbacks he coached were Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Ty Detmer, Marc Wilson and Robbie Bosco.
"We got one of the most celebrated coaches in history," Carroll said. "I'm thrilled he's coming here."
Chow spent the 2000 season at North Carolina State, where quarterback Phillip Rivers was named a freshman All-American after passing for 3,054 yards.
Naturally, USC quarterback Carson Palmer was pleased that Chow decided to join the staff.
"I love it. I don't know much about what he's done, but it will be exciting," Palmer said.
Carroll also held his first official team meeting Tuesday and said spring practice will begin March 25.
"He got my respect from the first time I saw him," USC receiver Kareem Kelly said of Carroll. "When I first met him, he welcomed me with open arms. It's a big difference. In the past, there wasn't much love. It was more like you would only speak when you were spoken to, basically."