From the outside looking in, the Clay Helton era at USC has been largely successful with the head coach claiming a Rose Bowl victory in 2016 and a Pac-12 title in 2017. However, if one digs inches past the surface, they discover a program rife with debilitating habits.
A day after the Trojans fell to Notre Dame 24-17 in a contest that featured many of the issues USC experienced throughout the season, athletic director Lynn Swann announced that Helton is returning to lead USC in 2019, much to the chagrin of the Trojan fan base.
Helton’s tenure prior to 2018 as USC’s head coach has been a rollercoaster ride for everyone with a rooting interest in the team.