The Clay Helton era in Southern California has come to an end.
USC fired Helton on Monday evening. The Trojans are coming off a massively disappointing 42-28 loss to Stanford at the Coliseum last Saturday. It was one of many underwhelming performances USC has had with Helton at the helm these past few years.
Donte Williams will take over as USC’s interim head coach. Williams, 39, is the Trojans’ cornerbacks coach and one of the best recruiters in all of college football.
Helton, meanwhile, has left the building. It’s a much-needed and long-overdue move by the Trojans, who’ve dwelt in mediocrity for several years now.
“This afternoon I informed Clay Helton of my decision to make a change in the leadership of our football program,” said USC athletic director Mike Bohn. “… We appreciated his many years of service to our university and wish him nothing but the very best. Consistent with our values as an institution, he deserves the utmost respect from the Trojan Family during this transition.”
We are making a change in the leadership of our football program. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/xChL8xi0oG
— Mike Bohn (@USC_mikebohn) September 13, 2021
It’s about time USC makes a change. Clay Helton has supposedly been on the hot seat for years now.
Maybe the Trojans can now actually become the powerhouse they once were. It’ll depend on the leadership USC decides upon.
Take a look at what the college football world had to say about USC’s decision.
Wow. USC actually fired Clay Helton https://t.co/ZNWijcNCgY
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) September 13, 2021
Most @USC_Athletics know This was inevitable. You won’t find a nicer man than Clay Helton-
Wishing him nothing but success moving forward!
#FightOn https://t.co/Ox8iMBxfqG— Curt Sandoval (@abc7curt) September 13, 2021
Wowowow. USC actually did it https://t.co/v8KIxRfrhF
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 13, 2021
GOOD. LORD. USC has fired Clay Helton. The team was a complete dumpster fire under his watch. But to do it two games into the year is absolutely shocking. https://t.co/13xsoFcauj
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 13, 2021
If you’re going to fire someone two games in, why would you have kept them in the first place? https://t.co/CA7HOXFRaU
— Josh McCuistion (@Josh_Scoop) September 13, 2021
This is very interesting for a couple of recruiting reasons. https://t.co/fzfJCBtyMo
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) September 13, 2021
Whoa. USC’s administration has raised the bar https://t.co/AsK52cRnJV
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 13, 2021
i’m sorry WHAT!?!? really didn’t think USC had it in them. should be a VERY interesting few months https://t.co/rSsd3rU76e
— 🦆reid🦆 (@mf_reid) September 13, 2021
It appears everyone has the same question: why now?
USC has been a massive disappointment under Clay Helton’s watch. But it appears the Trojans’ stunning blowout loss to Stanford on Saturday was the final nail in the coffin.
Helton is out. Donte Williams is in.
Who do you think USC go after as Helton’s permanent successor?
The post College Football World Reacts To USC, Clay Helton News appeared first on The Spun.
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