Helton faces uphill battle in first year as head coach


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Football season began Aug. 4, when the Trojans reported for fall camp, beginning the month-long grind before the opening game against the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

At the helm this season will be Clay Helton, who is in his first full season as a head coach. He hopes to serve as the anchor USC has been missing the past few years. Helton served as interim head coach last season, leading the Trojans to a 5-4 record and an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Helton, who was previously USC’s offensive coordinator, initially won the confidence of former Athletic Director Pat Haden and the rest of the selection committee with his positive attitude and “no glamour, all gridiron” philosophy.

“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,” Haden said last November when he gave Helton the permanent position.

He also brought back the physical, run-heavy attack that put USC on the college football map.

“Growing up, I remember the names — Marcus Allen, Junior Seau, Willie McGinest, Ronnie Lott,” Helton said to CBS Sports. “Blue collar, toughness, physicality. That’s what I hope we get back to.”

With Helton in charge of the team, USC will most likely see a return of Student Body Right, the unstoppable Trojan ground game from the ’60s.

The Helton hire comes following a string of coaches who did not last long with the Trojans. He replaced Steve Sarkisian, who was fired last year a day after taking an indefinite leave of absence during the middle of the season. Helton will be USC’s third coach in the past six years.

Coming off of a relatively quiet offseason, Helton’s first season is still filled with uncertainty as the Trojans have numerous  issues to address, the most prominent of which is replacing former quarterback Cody Kessler, who was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns.

Redshirt junior Max Browne and redshirt freshman Sam Darnold will compete for the starting quarterback job this season. Helton announced that a quarterback will be chosen on Aug. 20.

Another issue that Helton must address is the state of the defensive line, which lost all three starters last year. This season, the defensive line is projected to feature  sophomore Rasheem Green and redshirt sophomore Malik Dorton at defensive end, with sophomore Noah Jefferson anchoring the middle of the line at nose tackle.

Undoubtedly, Helton has tremendous pressure on him from a fan base accustomed to excellence to improve upon last season’s 8-6 record.  USC has recently been named to the AP All-Time 25 ranking as the fifth-best program of all-time and eyes will be on Helton as fans look to see the Trojans come out on top of what will be a very competitive season.