Morton named USC offensive coordinator

Dec 13, 2008 - 4:24 PM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- John Morton will be the new offensive coordinator at Southern California.

USC coach Pete Carroll announced Morton's promotion Friday in the wake of former Trojan offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian accepting head coaching duties at Washington earlier this month.

Morton, 39, joined USC two seasons ago as wide receivers coach.

"We brought in John a few years ago for exactly this opportunity," Carroll told USCRipsit Friday. "We're proud to elevate him to the offensive coordinator position."

In 2006 Morton served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints and prior to that spent eight seasons in several capacities with the Oakland Raiders.

It's unclear whether Morton will move into the position immediately with Sarkisian planning on coaching the Trojans in the Rose Bowl on January 1 when they face Penn State.