USC names Clay Helton permanent head coach
USCnamed Clay Helton its permanent head coach Monday.
The Trojans signed Helton to a three-year contract with a two-year option to extend the deal to five years, reports ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.
Helton took over the head coaching position from Steve Sarkisian on an interim basis in October. He led the Trojans to a 5–2 record and a spot in the Pac-12 conference championship game.
Helton has been with the Trojans since 2010, having also served as offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He played quarterback at Auburn and Houston from 1990–94.
Helton’s career record with USC is 6–2. He also coached the team in the Las Vegas Bowl after the 2013 season following the departure of then-interim coach Ed Orgeron.
• ELLIS: Mark Richt couldn't get Georgia to the next level
“We have known Clay well for the past six years. He earned this opportunity,” Trojans athletic director Pat Haden said in a statement. “He has been positive and upbeat handling adversity. He was built to be a head coach. Football is his family business. He is a coach on the rise and he will be coaching a team on the rise. As our interim head coach, Clay brought back USC's style of physical football. I have been impressed with how hard and how inspired our team has played for him, as well as the support they have shown for him.”
