This is on the rookie reporter trying to be cute (or just being pitifully naïve). His editor had already been contacted once after he continued asking questions after a press conference had ended, and he apparently was talking to players and coaches in areas on campus that weren’t designated as media availabilities (potentially sneaky to try and get at them away from the media/pr people). Then the same guy writes about an off-record conversation two players were having as they were getting ready to talk to the media. I can understand USC sending a message.
As a side note, this guy looks pretty young. Hopefully he'll learn.