Perhaps the most commented on and questioned aspect of Saturday's win didn't have anything to do with what happened on the field or on the scoreboard.
It had everything to do with the sideline attire of quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates.
On an 89-degree day, Bates wore a gray USC sweatshirt during Saturday's game, prompting countless readers to e-mail in asking about his clothing choice. The reasoning behind it is both an inconsequential routine and a thought-out plan.
Reason 1 is personal preference -- "I just like to sweat," said Bates, who has worn a sweatshirt during games throughout his previous seven years of coaching. He also wears a sweatshirt in practice for the same purpose.
The second motive is so that Bates can be the same in the game as he is in midweek practices -- in terms of both his mindset and his clothing. Everything he does on game day mimics what he does on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so he wants even his gray-sweatshirt-and-black-hat attire to mirror that as well.
"Practice should be the same as the game," the 33-year-old said.
And lastly, Bates played down the sweatshirt choice, even with the Coliseum being drenched with sun and the nearly 90-degree weather on Saturday.
Said a smiling Bates: "It's California -- it's not that hot."
Because of routine and personal preference, quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates (left) wore a sweatshirt during Saturday's game at the Coliseum, where temperatures climbed near 90.
It had everything to do with the sideline attire of quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates.
On an 89-degree day, Bates wore a gray USC sweatshirt during Saturday's game, prompting countless readers to e-mail in asking about his clothing choice. The reasoning behind it is both an inconsequential routine and a thought-out plan.
Reason 1 is personal preference -- "I just like to sweat," said Bates, who has worn a sweatshirt during games throughout his previous seven years of coaching. He also wears a sweatshirt in practice for the same purpose.
The second motive is so that Bates can be the same in the game as he is in midweek practices -- in terms of both his mindset and his clothing. Everything he does on game day mimics what he does on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so he wants even his gray-sweatshirt-and-black-hat attire to mirror that as well.
"Practice should be the same as the game," the 33-year-old said.
And lastly, Bates played down the sweatshirt choice, even with the Coliseum being drenched with sun and the nearly 90-degree weather on Saturday.
Said a smiling Bates: "It's California -- it's not that hot."
Because of routine and personal preference, quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates (left) wore a sweatshirt during Saturday's game at the Coliseum, where temperatures climbed near 90.
1. After the month of August, 90 feels pretty cool in L.A.
2. We need to not jinx this. Make sure nothing happens to this man's sweatshirt.
You call 90 degrees hot. Heck, here in Arizona our pools are 90 degrees.
where can you get this sweatshirt. Its a gripe of mine that the coaches have articles of SC clothing that isn't sold in the bookstore. I like the old school stuff that the coaches wear and can't seem to find it. Lost buying opportunities for the school.
Watch the ball cap...it won't change either!! He may have strange habits, but what a great young man!!