USC Trojans football under Paul Hackett

Paul Hackett was the coach of the University of Southern California's football team from 1998 to 2000. He compiled a 19-18 record, and was succeeded by Pete Carroll.

1998
This was Paul Hackett's inaugural year as head coach as the Trojans head coach as well as his only winning season and bowl appearance with the team. It was also the Trojans' 75th anniversary playing at the Coliseum.

After three wins, including an opener against Purdue in the Pigskin Classic, USC was ranked as high as 18 in the AP Poll, but lost two of its next three and dropped out of the rankings permanently.

During halftime of the game against UCLA, 91-year-old USC "Super Fan" Giles Pellerin died while watching his 797th consecutive USC football game.

Awards

 * All Pac-10: OL Travis Claridge, DL Ennis Davis, LB Chris Claiborne, DB Daylon McCutcheon, DB Rashard Cook

1999
The 1999 season included the Trojan's 1,000th game, a home win against Oregon State. The Trojans won three of their four non-conference games, but lost five of its eight conference games including a triple overtime loss to Oregon, the longest game in USC's history.

One bright spot for the Trojans was their victory over UCLA. The win broke the Bruins' eight-year streak of victories, the longest in the rivalry's history.

Awards

 * All Pac-10: OL Travis Claridge, DB David Gibson

2000
This was the last year of Hackett's tenure at USC, and the first year the Trojan's had ever finished last in the Pac-10. After winning the 18th Kickoff Classic against ranked Penn State, the Trojans won their next two non-conference games and were ranked as high as eighth in the AP Poll. The game against San Jose State was the 500th game USC played in the Coliseum, which they won after trailing 24–12.

They lost their first conference game to Oregon State, breaking their 26 game winning streak against the conference rival, and lost the next four, eventually going 2–6 in conference play. It placed 8th, tied with California and Washington State. Petros Papadakis, a team captain for the season and current broadcaster, claims he was "the captain of the worst football team in USC history."

Awards

 * No All Pac-10 selections