All of the guys you mentioned were assistant coaches before they were head coaches. Kelly, Patterson, Fisher, Shaw and Gundy were assistant coaches at the school they took over before they became the head coach. This will play out just fine for USC and Coach Helton.

 

You don't hire someone without HC experience at a top 5 job IMO. Not the kind of job you learn on. If USC wants to consider itself in the same class as Bama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, etc. among the pantheon of great coaching jobs, it has to conduct itself like one.

 

USC is on the same slippery slope that doomed Miami, as they are just hoping they have a person who can get the job done, instead of going out and getting someone they know can.

The players seemed to like the hire USC Players Erupt in Cheers After Hearing Clay Helton Was Named Head Coach | Bleacher Report

The players seemed to like the hire USC Players Erupt in Cheers After Hearing Clay Helton Was Named Head Coach | Bleacher Report

Most interim head coaches are extremely popular with their players. They have to do everything they can to appease the players because they came to the school to play for the guy he replaced. This all usually changes when they are named permanent coach.

The players seemed to like the hire USC Players Erupt in Cheers After Hearing Clay Helton Was Named Head Coach | Bleacher Report

 

Pat Haden should have warexh the U part 2. Players once rejoiced over Coker.

 

Not saying it won't be a great hire. Just think USC should do better.

Pat Haden should have warexh the U part 2. Players once rejoiced over Coker.

 

Not saying it won't be a great hire. Just think USC should do better.

Oh yeah it was the top job out and they didn't even make an effort at anyone besides Chip. I would've hit up Briles or Patterson honestly, but there are plenty of other guys they could have at least contacted.

Oh yeah it was the top job out and they didn't even make an effort at anyone besides Chip. I would've hit up Briles or Patterson honestly, but there are plenty of other guys they could have at least contacted.

Maybe they did. We'll never know. Just thought they'd go a lot bigger.

Oh yeah it was the top job out and they didn't even make an effort at anyone besides Chip. I would've hit up Briles or Patterson honestly, but there are plenty of other guys they could have at least contacted.

 

John Harbaugh was contacted. President Max Nikias made this hire. However, Pat Haden consulted with Keyshawn Johnson, Willie McGinest, Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, and Keith Rivers and they all gave their approval for Clay Helton. He is not the sexy hire, but, has worked his tail off to right the ship after Sark's problems surfaced. Not my first choice, but it is time to win a Pac-12 Championship Saturday Night. Fight On!!!

According to Schefter, they reached out to Bengals OC Hue Jackson but the timing couldn't work because of NFL schedule

According to Schefter, they reached out to Bengals OC Hue Jackson but the timing couldn't work because of NFL schedule

Correct on this. The same was with Harbaugh.

The man steered this team to pac 12 title game after their coach lost control. He deserves a shot.

John Harbaugh was contacted. President Max Nikias made this hire. However, Pat Haden consulted with Keyshawn Johnson, Willie McGinest, Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, and Keith Rivers and they all gave their approval for Clay Helton. He is not the sexy hire, but, has worked his tail off to right the ship after Sark's problems surfaced. Not my first choice, but it is time to win a Pac-12 Championship Saturday Night. Fight On!!!

I mean thats great and everything, but at least wait till after the season is over and see who you can get. I think it would be hard to sway John Harbaugh or Hue Jackson away from the NFL. John has a good thing in Baltimore despite this year and Hue Jackson will be the top guy for any NFL team needing a head coach after the season. But most college coaches won't even listen to any offers until the season is over. I would think they could get a Briles, Patterson, Hermann, etc. but they would have to wait till after the season is over. Couldn't they have at least waited till after the season is over to at least talk to those guys? Surely 1 of those 3 would accept and if any of those three land in Pasadena they are national title contenders next year. Are they national title contenders next year with Clay Helton? Maybe. But I think it would have been well worth the wait to get one of the top guys.

I mean thats great and everything, but at least wait till after the season is over and see who you can get. I think it would be hard to sway John Harbaugh or Hue Jackson away from the NFL. John has a good thing in Baltimore despite this year and Hue Jackson will be the top guy for any NFL team needing a head coach after the season. But most college coaches won't even listen to any offers until the season is over. I would think they could get a Briles, Patterson, Hermann, etc. but they would have to wait till after the season is over. Couldn't they have at least waited till after the season is over to at least talk to those guys? Surely 1 of those 3 would accept and if any of those three land in Pasadena they are national title contenders next year. Are they national title contenders next year with Clay Helton? Maybe. But I think it would have been well worth the wait to get one of the top guys.

 

Exactly. If I were a Trojan fan I'd be very disappointed. :thumb:

I mean thats great and everything, but at least wait till after the season is over and see who you can get. I think it would be hard to sway John Harbaugh or Hue Jackson away from the NFL. John has a good thing in Baltimore despite this year and Hue Jackson will be the top guy for any NFL team needing a head coach after the season. But most college coaches won't even listen to any offers until the season is over. I would think they could get a Briles, Patterson, Hermann, etc. but they would have to wait till after the season is over. Couldn't they have at least waited till after the season is over to at least talk to those guys? Surely 1 of those 3 would accept and if any of those three land in Pasadena they are national title contenders next year. Are they national title contenders next year with Clay Helton? Maybe. But I think it would have been well worth the wait to get one of the top guys.

 

While I would have waited, President Nikias was wanting some stability. He has had a serial adulterer (Kiffin), an alcoholic (Sark) and I am not making fun of Sark's situation, he wanted somebody that is not going to embarass the University. Clay is not a drinker, but, just a family man and Football Coach. Clay was probably my 5th choice, but, he is the Head Coach now and i will support him. He will need to make a few staff changes, to rid himself of Sark's remaining cronies.

While I would have waited, President Nikias was wanting some stability. He has had a serial adulterer (Kiffin), an alcoholic (Sark) and I am not making fun of Sark's situation, he wanted somebody that is not going to embarass the University. Clay is not a drinker, but, just a family man and Football Coach. Clay was probably my 5th choice, but, he is the Head Coach now and i will support him. He will need to make a few staff changes, to rid himself of Sark's remaining cronies.

You're one of the few SC fans on here, so you're more qualified to tell about Helton than most, but who were the 4 guys ahead of Helton on your list?

You're one of the few SC fans on here, so you're more qualified to tell about Helton than most, but who were the 4 guys ahead of Helton on your list?

 

1. Jack Del Rio, who wanted the job two years ago, Head Coach Oakland Raiders 2. John Harbaugh 3. Pete Carroll 4. Dan Mullen 5. Clay Helton