As his team sat in the locker room before the deciding Game five of the first round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, Phoenix Suns head coach Paul Westphal tried to calm his team before facing the Los Angeles Lakers.

"We've got a game today, so we might as well win," Westphal said to his charges, and the Suns pulled out an overtime victory. That team would go on to the NBA Finals before succumbing to the Chicago Bulls.

Almost four years later, Westphal is out of a job, fired Jan. 16 because of a poor start by the Suns. The fact that the Suns were always one of the most competitive teams in basketball over his four-year tenure, and that this year's team was decimated by injuries, retirement and a poorly thought out trade could not save him.

About the same time Westphal was bringing the Suns to the Finals, Southern Cal was experiencing their best season since 1974. George Raveling's Trojans finished 24-6 and advanced to the second round of the 1992 NCAA Tournament before losing to Georgia Tech on one of those last-second prayers that only occur in March.

Almost four years later, Raveling is retired, a serious auto accident ending his career prematurely early into last season. In his place, USC hired Charlie Parker, a Raveling assistant, who finished out the season with a 7-21 record. Awarded with the head coaching title last March, Parker had the Trojans back on track with an 11-10 record.

Then, USC athletic director Mike Garrett fired Parker Feb. 7. Garrett said he did not see the team making progress on and off the court (whatever that means), and named assistant Henry Bibby to replace Parker.

Arizona head coach Lute Olson has been adamant in his support for Parker. The two coaches had a chance to speak before the USC-UA game, which Parker attended.

"That he was at the game speaks volumes for the kind of guy Charlie Parker is," Olson said. "Unless something is not being said (about why Parker was fired), it's inexcusable and embarrassing for USC. I think Charlie Parker had done a great job with this team."

That decision has signaled the end of the season for the Trojans. USC is 0-4 since Parker's dismissal and all postseason hopes are now gone. Starting center Avondre Jones has sat out those four games for missing the team flight to the Bay Area, reportedly because he was unhappy about the coaching change.

Westphal, who was an All-American when he played for the Trojans from 1970-72, has been mentioned as the favorite to get the Southern Cal job. But it is clear that as someone who knows what it's like to get screwed out of a job, Westphal should not take the position if it's offered.

Accepting Garrett's offer would function as condoning the injustice done to Parker. Garrett should at the very least be forced to give more concrete reason for Parker's dismissal, (like that Garrett thought he could convince Westphal to return to his alma mater and coach).

Besides, Westphal has been spoiled with the big crowds and loyal following he was used to with the Suns. Why should he limit himself to coaching at a school that will always be in the shadow of UCLA in basketball, and will always view football as its favorite son. Westphal certainly can do better.

In contrast to Westphal's message to his team before the Laker game, the Trojan fans say "We have a game today?" Only 3,121 showed up for the Arizona game in the 15,509 seat Los Angeles Sports Arena, but that was a big crowd. USC usually averages 2,368 at that venue. To make matters worse, Southern Cal is still the only school in the Pacific 10 Conference without a home arena, playing their home games at either the Sports Arena or the Forum (where they fill 3,972 of the 17,505 seats). They are last in the conference in attendance. Perhaps the fans are voicing their disapproval over Garrett's actions with their feet.

Mr. Westphal, wait for NBA jobs in Philadelphia or Minnesota and stay where you belong, in the pros.

Patrick Klein is sports editor of the Arizona Daily Wildcat.