USC assistant resigns days before opener

Published Sep. 1, 2011 4:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

Southern California defensive secondary coach Willie Mack Garza has resigned, citing personal reasons.

Garza announced his resignation Thursday, two days before the Trojans' season opener against Minnesota.

He joined the USC staff in January 2010, leaving Tennessee along with head coach Lane Kiffin, assistant head coach Monte Kiffin and defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron.

Garza is a former defensive back at Texas. He says he has ''some personal issues unrelated to USC that I need to address.''