Clay Helton to Return for Fifth Season as USC Head Coach
Clay Helton will return to USC for a fifth season, the school announced on Sunday. Helton is 32–17 in his first four seasons with the Trojans, going 5–7 in 2018.
"Clay Helton is our head coach and he will continue to be our head coach," USC athletic director Lynn Swann said in a statement. "I am a strong advocate of consistency within a program, sticking by a leader, supporting them and helping them and their team improve."
Helton took over for Steve Sarkisian on an interim basis in Oct. 2015, going 5–4 before being promoted to permanent head coach in November. He then led the Trojans to consecutive 10-plus win seasons, including an 11–3 campaign last year. USC won the Rose Bowl under Helton in 2016.
The Trojans struggled this season, though, going 5–7, 4–5 Pac-12. USC lost five of its last six contests, including a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday.
Helton earned a contract extension in February, carrying his deal with the Trojans through 2023. His .653 winning percentage is ninth-best in program history.
