Leinart to make decision Thursday about future

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005 | 9:17 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Amid growing indications he will bypass his senior year and enter the NFL Draft, USC quarterback Matt Leinart said he will make an official announcement on his future Thursday.

"It's about what I want to do and what makes me happy," Leinart said. "I realize by coming back, it's a gamble. You can get insurance policies (in case of injury), but that doesn't compare to a big signing bonus. The biggest thing is if I feel I'm ready to go."

The Heisman Trophy winner said he will make a "gut decision" Thursday morning whether to turn pro, but few expect him to return.

"I might change my mind," Leinart said. "I look at it as a win-win situation. If I leave, I'm fulfilling my dream. If I stay in school, it's the start of a dynasty."

Robinson, 53, the former co-defensive coordinator at Texas,will take over for the fired Paul Pasqualoni.

Before spending one season at Texas, Robinson came to national prominence as the defensive coordinator for Denver Broncos teams that won Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. But his NFL career ended on a sour note when he was fired by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003 after his fourth season with the team.

The Tigers (13-0) finished No. 2 in the final rankings behind national champion Southern California, but Chizik's defense was No. 1 in fewest points allowed -- 9.6 per game.

Nearly two-thirds of the points scored on Auburn this season came when the Tigers were already ahead by 20 or more points. Auburn also led the nation by allowing just one rushing touchdown and was fifth in overall defense at 267 yards per game.

A motion by the university to dismiss the wrongful termination lawsuit was rejected by King County Superior Court Judge Michael S. Spearman, who also said he would rule Friday on a similar motion by the NCAA.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages for Neuheisel's dismissal in June 2003 after he was accused of dishonesty and violation of NCAA gambling rules, is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 24.