Clay Helton takes time to acknowledge Lincoln Riley's success, Mike Bohn's kind gesture

Clay Helton was the first domino to fall in the coaching carousel last season, but one year later he sent Scott Frost to the unemployment line with a huge victory over Nebraska.

After being unceremoniously let-go by USC following a loss to Stanford last year, Helton landed on his feet at Georgia Southern, where the Eagles defeated the Cornhusker in Lincoln on Saturday, 45-42. Afterwards, Helton made sure to recognize how great the Trojans look this season, congratulating his eventual replacement — Lincoln Riley — and a host of his former players on a season well started.

“During an interview about his new team’s big win at Nebraska, Clay Helton, unprompted: ‘How about USC? So proud of them. Lincoln is doing a great job.’ USC AD Mike Bohn & Helton shared texts this weekend. Bohn texted ‘Really proud of you!’ Not your typical post-firing situation,” tweeted Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

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Additionally, it’s interesting that Helton still shared an open line of communication with USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn, but it’s evident there’s a respect for Helton within the highest ranking officials for the Trojans. Helton shares that sentiment, as he’s had nothing but positive things to say about USC, even immediately after his firing.

Alas, Helton couldn’t have gone away all mad — USC did owe him more than $10 million in buyout money at the time. That’s not Ed Orgeron levels of being paid not to coach, but Helton made out pretty well for himself.

As long as it doesn’t have any negative effects on their chase for the College Football Playoff, Clay Helton will continue to have plenty of fans in Southern California. Additionally, the Georgia Southern head coach will be rooting on Lincoln Riley and company from a far, continuing to want the best for his former recruits.

More on Nebraska firing head coach Scott Frost following loss to Clay Helton, Georgia Southern

Moreover, the Cornhuskers announced they’re parting ways with Scott Frost on Sunday, who was in his fifth season as the head coach of his alma mater. His tenure was marred by one-score losses, including a big one in Week 0 when Nebraska blew a second-half lead en route to a 31-28 loss to Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland. Nebraska dropped another one-score game with a 45-42 loss at the hands of Georgia Southern in Week 2.

During his time in Lincoln, Frost amassed a 16-31 record, including a 10-26 record in Big Ten action. He returned to Nebraska after two years at UCF, one year removed from a perfect 13-0 season in 2017, but couldn’t get anything going with the Cornhuskers.

Mickey Joseph will take over as Nebraska’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season.