By Tim Peterson
(Los Angeles) – Clay Helton was fired as the head football coach at USC athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement Monday. The move comes two days after the Trojans lost to Stanford 42-28 Saturday night at the Coliseum.
“This afternoon, I informed Clay Helton of my decision to make a change in the leadership of our football program,” Bohn said in a statement on Twitter. “Clay is one of the finest human beings I have ever met in this industry, and he has been a tremendous role model and mentor to our young men. We appreciate his many years of service to our university and wish him nothing but the very best. Consistent with our values as an institution, he deserves the utmost respect from the Trojans Family during this transition.”
Bohn also mentioned the resources that have gone into the football program.
“The added resources carried significantly increased expectations for our team’s performance, and it is already evident that, despite the enhancements, those expectations would not be met without a change in leadership,” Bohn added.
Helton had an overall record of 46-24 since taking over for Steve Sarkisian as interim head coach in 2015. He was hired as permanent head coach before the 2016 season.
Helton went 5-4 in the first year as interim before leading the Trojans to a 21-6 mark over the next two years. USC struggled in 2018 finishing below .500 at 5-7 and followed that up with an 8-5 record in 2019.
Last season was shortened due to COVID-19 and the Trojans went 5-1 but lost to Oregon in the Pac 12 Championship game. The Trojans elected to not participate in a Bowl game.
Cornerbacks coach Donte Williams has been named the Interim Coach.
Bohn said in the statement that the Trojans will conduct a national search for a new head coach.
Jim Singiser should be the next HC at SC, he’s a better head coach than anyone coaching there now by a mile.