Odd calls about USC position

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Apparently even people who don't work for Southern California are trying to hire the Trojans' next football coach.

USC athletic director Pat Haden said Monday two people pretending to be representatives of his school have contacted two coaches and attempted to discuss the Trojans' coaching vacancy with them.

USC has identified the posers and is taking "appropriate action," the school said in a post on its official website.

The Trojans (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) fired Lane Kiffin on Sept. 29 and installed Ed Orgeron as their interim coach while Haden looks for a new leader for one of the nation's highest-profile programs.

Haden said somebody pretending to be a USC official repeatedly tried to speak to an unnamed member of the Denver Broncos' coaching staff about the opening.

Another phony school representative contacted Tony Dungy, the former Tampa Bay and Indianapolis coach.

Dungy talked about his apparent contact with USC on a national radio show Monday, saying he turned down the representative and outlining what the Trojans need in a new coach.

"Tony's discussion on the radio today of being contacted by USC was a complete surprise to us," Haden said. "So were the calls made to the Broncos. I can assure you no authorized representative of USC or our athletic department made these calls."

USC's next game is Thursday night at the Coliseum against Arizona.