Amaker, Parker and Westhead Finalists for USC Coaching Job

Tommy Amaker, Charlie Parker and Paul Westhead are the finalists for the USC basketball coaching job, athletic department sources said Thursday.

The decision is expected to be made within a week, although Athletic Director Mike Garrett is leaving Sunday for a five-day business trip to Hong Kong.

Amaker, a longtime Duke assistant, was thought to be a top contender two weeks ago, but negotiations stalled over financial concerns by both parties. Although he still is interested in the job, it is not clear whether USC will pay enough to lure him.

The school is paying off the contracts of former football coach Larry Smith and former basketball coach George Raveling, who resigned shortly before the season after suffering injuries in a car accident.

The school also is facing a $1.5-million deficit in its athletic budget, court records revealed this week.

Parker, who took over for Raveling as an interim coach, wants the job permanently. Although his Trojans finished with a 7-20 record, Parker, 46, remained upbeat.

Westhead, the former Laker and Loyola Marymount coach known for a fast-break offense, has struggled at George Mason the last two seasons. But Garrett has said he thinks Westhead’s high-scoring offense would attract fans.