Clay Helton named permanent head coach

He seems like a man of character that the USC Trojans have not had from a permanent head coach in a long time.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful to (USC President) Max Nikias, Pat Haden and the Trojan Family for having the opportunity to be the head football coach at the University of Southern California”, Helton said. We have a man with unquestioned integrity. I totally understand the high bar of excellence and expectations that come with the job. “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”. He is our choice because we believe he can win Pac-12 and national championships here. Clay is a leader of young men.

The 43-year old Helton, who previously took over on an interim basis for Steve Sarkisian on October 12, guided the Trojans to a 5-2 record and a Pac-12 South title after the team started out the season with a 2-3 record.

Helton also served as the Trojans’ head coach for one game in 2013 after the departures of Kiffin and Ed Orgeron.

The Trojans travel to Santa Clara on Saturday to face the Stanford Cardinal in the Pac-12 Championship at Levi’s Stadium.

The school signed Helton to a multi-year contract.

Players greeted the announcement with cheers and a standing ovation before circling the new coach while cheering his name.

Said Kessler: “We need someone who will get the job done”. USC was one of the biggest head coaching vacancies in college football. The Trojans have outrushed their opponents in every game, averaging 263 yards on the ground to just 124 for opponents, while committing nine fewer turnovers. Coach Helton is a great coach and an even better person. He spent the previous 10 seasons in various positions with Memphis, most notably as offensive coordinator from 2007-09.

USC’s decision to promote from within had some NFL implications with regards to Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.