New name emerges as candidate for USC coaching job

Former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher as emerged as a candidate for the USC head coaching job per Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

“Ex-NFL coach & USC alum Jeff Fisher is in mix for USC’s coaching position, source told @ActionNetworkHQ,” McMurphy said. “On Monday, former USC QB Carson Palmer said candidates include Penn State’s James Franklin, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell & Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.”

A USC alum, Fisher, 63, currently serves as an advisor at Tennessee State. Jeff Fisher served as head coach of the Rams from 2012-2016. Prior to that, he served as head coach of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1995-2010.

Fisher played at USC from 1977-1980 before going on to be drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He appeared in 49 games as a defensive back and return specialist in his five seasons with the Bears.

USC fired head coach Clay Helton two games into the 2021 season after a 48-28 loss to Stanford. Helton finished with a 46-24 record. But the Trojans were 19-15 since 2018 and have not won the Pac-12 since 2017. They went 2-3 in bowl games and have struggled to stay relevant on the national stage.

Former team executive Doug Whaley believes Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could be in consideration for USC.

“Six letters for Steelers fans to be very concerned about…LSU, USC,” Whaley said. “Think about that. Both institutions can out-pay the Rooney’s. Their alumni base has enough money to give Mike Tomlin whatever he wants.”

Tomlin has been the coach at Pittsburgh since 2007. He has claimed one Super Bowl while making two appearances in that span.He holds a 146-79-1 career coaching record. Additionally, his teams has never finished below .500 on the season.This year, injuries caused the Steelers to start slow and they are currently 3-3 and in last place in the AFC North.

Former USC Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer also named Tomlin as a candidate in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.

“I think there’s a lot of front-runners right now, and that’s why I like where we’re sitting,” started Palmer. “You got Penn State (James Franklin), Iowa State (Matt Campbell), Cincinnati (Luke Fickell). You got a wild card .. like Mike Tomlin.”

“If Mike Tomlin wants out .. I think at the end of the day, there is not a direction that’s the guy that everyone’s pointing their fingers at.”

Franklin, Campbell and Fickell have been discussed ad nauseam regarding the USC job. But none of those three are surprises. Now, Tomlin is as juicy as it gets when it comes to the Trojans.