Garza was heading into his second season as a USC coach. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)

The athletic department released a statement Thursday that Garza has left due to personal reasons. However, Sports by Brooks writes that Garza's resignation resulted from comments made by ex-recruting service operator Will Lyles. Garza and Lyles had a relationship that dates back to before Garza became an assistant for Tennessee's football program, which was revealved by Lyles to NCAA investigators on Tuesday.

CBS Sports' Bryan Fischer writes:

NCAA enforcement staff is currently investigating Lyles' scouting service connections to several programs, including Oregon and LSU. A source said it was not related to Tennessee's NCAA case that was recently completed.

USC's first regular season game is this Saturday against Minnesota.

[View the story "Here's what other media are saying." on Storify]

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