Clancy Pendergast returns to USC as defensive coordinator

LOS ANGELES (AP) Clancy Pendergast is returning to Southern California as the Trojans' defensive coordinator. USC announced the addition to coach Clay Helton's

LOS ANGELES (AP) Clancy Pendergast is returning to Southern California as the Trojans' defensive coordinator.

USC announced the addition to coach Clay Helton's staff on Monday.

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Pendergast returns to the job he held in 2013 under coaches Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron and Helton. USC's defense was solid in its lone season under Pendergast, yielding 21.2 points per game and leading the Pac-12 in total defense.

But new coach Steve Sarkisian didn't retain Pendergast in 2014, instead hiring longtime co-worker Justin Wilcox. The 48-year-old Pendergast spent 2014 out of coaching before becoming the San Francisco 49ers' linebackers coach last season.