Clay Helton pens heartfelt note to USC Trojans, fans

Clay Helton has been all class since the moment he took on his first role on the USC Trojans footbal program in 2010 as a member of Lane Kiffin’s staff.

Though the Trojans opened with a win over San Jose State, they fell 42-28 to a Stanford team many believed was far less talented, in front of the USC faithful in the first home game of the season.

Helton was fired on Monday afternoon, in a move that many thought could come by the end of 2021, but felt surprising after two games into the new campaign.

It’s clear that while Helton may haven’t ever fit the flashy, brash persona that is synoymous with USC coaches, he truly gave everything he had to the program. Shortly after the news became official, Helton took to Twitter to pen a heartfelt, raw message to the USC faithful, alumni, players and administration.

“On behalf of my family, I want to expressmy sincere appreciation for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as your Head Football Coach at USC,” Clay Helton said in the message he posted on his official Twitter account. “I want to thank the administration, our Trojan students, alumni, and fans for allowing us to be a part of your family.”

READ MORE: On3 Senior Writer Ivan Maisel: Clay Helton was fired because of USC’s high expectations.

Clay Helton addresses players with sincerity

Though Helton has never felt like the flashy coach that feels almost a must-have trait to thrive at a place like USC, he’s widely respected from his players, media members and coaches throughout the country.

“To our players, both past and present, I am forever indebted to you for what you have given me,” Helton said in the second part of the message. “The relationships we have made and the memories we have made will be with us forever. I am so appreciative for all of the hard work that our current staff and student-athletes have put into preparing for this season, and while it will be hard to not be in the fight with you, I am confident that great things lie ahead. As you compete for a championship, no one will be cheering louder than the Helton family. Fight on!”

It truly feels like Helton was liked by nearly everyone associated with the Trojans program and college football in general. The outpouring of support from current players, alumni, coaches and media members was abundant.

Helton had been with the program since 2010, when he was hired to be the quarterbacks coach on Lane Kiffin’s initial staff. He served as the offensive coordinator under both Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian before being hired as the head coach by then-AD Pat Haden in 2015.

Including two stints as the interim head coach, Helton went 46-24 as the Trojans’ coach, including a Rose Bowl win to cap the 2016 season. USC went 1-1 under Helton this season.

When the USC football head coaching job opens, the frenzy to find Helton’s replacement happens swiftly. There are already plenty of speculations, but if the Trojans brass want to return to the promised land, they would be wise to take a slow, thorough approach.

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